Strategy

History
-Began work with Rails to Trails Conservancy in 2001
-Met with key stakeholders in ’02-’03 (City, U of Redlands, etc)
-Conducted trail visioning workshop (Rails to Trails Conservancy – September 22, 2004 )
-Conducted Market Night outreach
–Awarded $5000 Technical Support grant from Healthy Transportation Network
-Awarded $1500 from Kodak American Greenways
– The Conservation Fund
–Applied for Community Based Transportation Planning grant (CalTrans) and awaiting status

Current Status
–Identified major CA/Federal planning/design/construction grants
–Continue to work with SB County Trails and Parks Coordinator
–Building database of supporters
–Developing rail trail website

Next Steps
–Continue conducting presentations to schools/service clubs/PTA’s, etc
–Prepare and submit additional grant applications
-Continue to build volunteer database for events

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Redlands Conservancy RAIL-TRAIL COMMITTEE

PURPOSE:
The Redlands Rail Trail Project is innovative for this city and a part of the larger Emerald Necklace design for Redlands, California and adjacent communities of Loma Linda and Highland. This is the first effort to utilize an abandoned railway line for anything other than rail traffic.

The Redlands Rail Trail project seeks to convert the abandoned Railway and the Zanja from Wabash Ave. to University to a non-motorized, bike/pedestrian trail to safely connect schools, parks, and downtown Redlands to all neighborhoods. Eventually the trail will connect to the Santa Ana River Trail (SART) between Wabash Ave. and California ST.

The main objectives to create this trail are:
1. Promote physical fitness on a facility that is affordable and accessible to all
2. Produce an alternative transportation corridor for the community in particular as a safe route for children to get to the nearby schools.
3. Create a corridor that encourages alternative modes of transportation offering environmental benefits to the local community

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
The Rail-Trail Committee has identified and applied for small grants to help pay for outreach and education as well as a Visioning Workshop for the trail.

- Worked extensively with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to plan a Vision Workshop
- Received the Healthy Transportation Network grant for associated workshop expenses

ACTIVITIES
- Public outreach and education on the project to allow for input and question/answers
- Meet with City Council regarding the project
- Organize a Visioning Workshop with neighbors and key stakeholders for ideas about design and share objectives and guidelines for the trail/park.
- Design the website for information and to gather public input
– Provide base materials for grants (research/mapping)
– Prepare mailing and Market Night materials
– Conduct Market Night outreach
– Schedule and conduct presentations to schools/service clubs/PTA’s, etc
– Prepare and submit additional grant applications