Transportation Scholars Program: Helping our National Parks

A description of the NPF Transportation Scholar program and recent projects.

http://yptblog.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/transportation-scholars-program/#respond

Urban national park celebrates Mississippi River

The Freshwater Society's latest newsletter includes a feature on the park--complete with quotes from Park Superintendent Paul Labovitz and Ranger Dressler.

http://www.freshwater.org/index.php/programs/whats-new/266-mississippi-river-national-park-hidden-in-plain-sight-of-28-million-twin-cities-residents

"Women are considered an “indicator species”

for bike-friendly cities for several reasons."

Gotcha! Interesting article. You can make your own determination about indicator species though.

I want to discuss off-street bike paths located along rivers and in parks. They occur for several reasons. Implementation convenience is one. Another, bicycling is primarily considered recreation, not transportation. Locating off-street paths along rivers such as the Mississippi can serve both recreation and transportation needs. The non-motorized transportation plan we are developing will close gaps and make connections to the MRT. The goal is to provide corridor access to both recreation and transportation users. Strategic improvements, connections to transit, filling gaps, etc. will make the MRT a viable transportation option for many users, while providing a recreation experience within a National Park!

How to Get More Bicyclists on the Road
To boost urban bicycling, figure out what women want

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=getting-more-bicyclists-on-the-road

"Transportation is the Key

to the development of any community." This intriguing sign was discovered during one of my first corridor site visits. Since that time a lot has happened in our efforts developing a nonmotorized transportation plan. Over the past several months I have reviewed and written a summary analysis for 73 plans and sub plans, at the state, county, regional and local level. The primary focus is on transportation, transit and specifically the MRT and connections to it and the river corridor. I am now revising and refining the final draft (#3) which will be provided to the consultant to build on.
Mapping the existing, planned and proposed route of the MRT is a critical piece of the project. To successfully accomplish this I am collaborating with the consultant's GIS project coordinator. My role is to locate, secure, compile, and deliver the missing GIS components. Possibly a time consuming task.
Yesterday was our first monthly project progress meeting. This includes the management team from the Denver Service Center (DSC), the contractor HDR in Minneapolis, and the MISS project team in Saint Paul. The conference call method seems to be an effective way to collaborate. My task is to compile the meeting minutes - a task removed from the consultant contract.

A swing vote on the Inver Grove Heights Swing Bridge?

Inver Grove Heights asks Dakota County for $300,000 to help it refurbish the historic bridge.

We saw the deteriorating Rock Island Swing Bridge on the kick-off corridor orientation. Plans are to turn this into a scenic Mississippi River viewpoint. It could potentially connect to the MRT to provide a visual and historic connection to the river.

http://www.startribune.com/local/south/64188727.html?page=2&c=y

U collaborates with National Park Service

The Gopher Ranger group will give students a chance to practice environmental stewardship and learn about careers in park services.

More evidence of successful collaboration between the NPS and Partners!

http://www.mndaily.com/2009/10/13/u-collaborates-national-park-service

Audubon Magazine

The Ken Burns Effect
An interview with the famed filmmaker about his new documentary on the national parks.
Audubon Magazine