I want complete streets and community trails!
What can I do to help make this a reality?
First off, know you're in the majority. Complete streets and community-wide trail systems are the norm for metropolitan areas in this day and age, not exceptions. However, similar to many aspects of Midwest living, the Metro East region (Madison and St. Clair Counties in Illinois) has only recently come to terms with this reality. What does that mean for the region and for all of us? It's catch-up time!
Gone are the days when streets were built to merely accommodate vehicular traffic. Instead, roads and communities are now built to accommodate and connect people—all people, regardless of their physical abilities or mode of transportation.
Fortunately, the Metro East region is not starting from scratch! Several communities in the area have already embraced the complete streets mentality by incorporating these concepts into their development plans and by passing "complete streets" ordinances so bicycle and pedestrian accommodations are considered in all transportation projects. In addition, both Madison County Transit District and St. Clair County Transit District, as well as numerous communities within both counties, have already built and continue to expand an expansive regional trail system throughout both Metro East counties. Much of this existing infrastructure can and should be utilized for reference and modeled after for communities just getting started.
Complete Streets—why now? They just make sense on so many levels! It makes for happier and healthier communities. It's great for the environment. It provides choices. It makes travel safer. It attracts and retains residents. It has a positive impact on the local economy. And most importantly, it's what the citizens want, need, and demand!
Now is your time to get involved, and here's how...
This step is where you need to get caught up, learn the lingo, and get to know your choices. Remember, there is no point in reinventing the wheel. A good place to start is by analyzing existing conditions in your area of interest. Also, become familiar with the organizations, advocacy groups, nonprofits, and municipal departments already working on complete streets and community trails in your area. Review local plans, policies, and ordinances to know what is already "on the books."
Here are a few organizations and resources to explore:
- Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD)
- MEPRD's Online Trail Map
- MEPRD's Grant Funding Programs
- MEPRD's Long Range Development Plan
- MEPRD Public Facebook Group
- Gateway East Trails*
- Heartlands Conservancy*
- Madison County
- Madison County Health Department
- Madison County Transit District
- St. Clair County
- St. Clair County Transit District
- Ride Illinois*
- Trailnet*
* A 501(c)3 organization.
Now that you’ve done your homework, it’s time to decide where to invest your time. Will you volunteer, join an existing committee, or donate to the cause? Define your goals and objectives. Whether you are focused on a single project or your entire community, remember that any action, other than no action, is involvement.
Get to know the individuals who are influential in the decision-making processes within your community. Understand the systems public employees use to implement directives. Expect the players and processes to be different in every locale; what works in one community may not be the same in another.
Communication is key. Open and honest two-way dialogue is a must. Don't just focus on the negatives; be prepared to provide constructive suggestions and solutions regarding funding, maintenance, and resident priorities. Your research from Step 1 will prepare you for these discussions.
Local leaders need to know that your objectives aren't just personal requests, but rather initiatives that benefit the entire community. Showing overwhelming public support is the best way to convince decision-makers to prioritize complete streets and trails.
Complete streets and community trail initiatives take significant time to plan, fund, and complete. Don't let the timeline intimidate you. Be determined, patient, and steadfast from beginning to end!
Evaluate your progress and make adjustments as necessary. If you've been successful, celebrate! If not, learn from the experience, build on what you have accomplished, and repeat the steps above. Good luck from MEPRD!