Master Plan Update
Betsy Byrne from the National Park Service - Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance has worked with The Green River Parks & Recreation Department (The City) and the Green River Greenbelt Taskforce (GBTF) to assist with the update of the current Greenbelt Master Plan. Five working groups have been working on the Greenbelt for the past month. These groups have been proposing new amenities on a Greenbelt map. Working group maps will be combined to propose a new master plan in the next several months. We will post those maps as they are produced for your input. The maps will be due on Feb 14th. The process of combining those maps into one map will begin in a meeting on Feb 23rd.
Working groups include:
Improve Existing trail Access
New Trails/Trail Extension/Connections
Corridor Habitat
River access and recreation
Economic Development
Opportunities for corridor development are made possible after the wastewater treatment plant is built
Greenbelt Progress
Dog Park Progress
By-laws have been established and edited for the City of Green River Dog Park Committee. We are seeking to create a Dog Park Committee consisting of seven voting members. There are currently three standing members with four open positions. The National Honor Society will soon approach construction companies in search of in-kind donations to begin the project.
Communication Plan
The GBTF is expanding its resources by creating a business email, a website, and social media accounts on various platforms in the near future. Links and information will be provided when the work is done.
Newsletter Sponsorship
The GBTF is planning to improve its public communication. This plan will entail the purchase of software and subscriptions. To help make this transition, The GBTF is seeking an individual or corporation that will sponsor the GBTF newsletter for a year. We are asking $50 a month or $600 for the year. Your logo or name will be prominently displayed on GBTF communications.
Merchandise
The Greenbelt Task Force is selling watercolor prints at the Red White Buffalo, Sweetwater Museum, and the Green River Chamber. These watercolor prints are inspired by the Greenbelt. Proceeds will be used to support the GBTF projects and provide a match for new Greenbelt amenities.
Chairman's Notes
John L. Freeman
About two years ago I began receiving emails asking me if I would consider returning to the Green River Greenbelt Task Force’s (GBTF) Board of Directors. I did not know who was writing these emails and I quickly deleted them. The emails kept coming for a year. At the end of my legislative career, I finally made a phone call. After talking to several board members, the parks and recreation director, and the mayor, I decided to return to my public service roots and became Chairman of the GBTF once again. I haven’t regretted my decision.
In the last 15 years, the Greenbelt Task Force has become more of an advisory committee instead of a “boots on the ground” advocacy group as it was in the 1990s. In 2021, The GBTF became an advocacy group once again. We are updating our mission and vision statements. A new master plan was needed. The original master plan is 30 years old. The old plan is still relevant but dated. A survey went out to the community last Summer and 760 people responded. Most non-profit organizations would have been overjoyed with 300 responses.
The City of Green River, The National Park Service, and GBTF with the help of many volunteers are in the process of proposing changes. Working groups will report their findings by Valentine's Day. The results of those working groups will be evaluated and blended into a new map, which will stand for more public review. Finally, sometime in late Spring or early Summer a new master plan will be approved. New projects will follow.
Master plans are great for giving direction to groups but until a funding source is found they are not worth much more than the paper they are printed on. Historically, between 70 to 80% of the current Greenbelt has been provided by grants and donations. Much of the City’s contribution has been in-kind services. The GBTF has already written one grant for $400,000. We will know in March if it is approved. The City of Green River has also written grants and I believe that in 2023 there will be a flourish of large projects on the Greenbelt.
Meanwhile, the GBTF has started a Friends of the Greenbelt Campaign where we hope to raise funds for small projects and matching grants. We hope that you consider becoming a Friend of the Greenbelt.
Friends of the Greenbelt
A 2022 Membership Application pamphlet has been released in several locations throughout town, including the City Chambers, Visitors Center, and Sweetwater County Museum. If you wish to donate to purchase a membership, pick up an application pamphlet, complete the information and return it to the City of Green River Parks and Recreation Department. They will forward your gift to us.