The DNR recently announced it is looking for a full-time Promotions person. Something the DNR has needed for some time, but due to the great lack of funding these past years, have not been able to afford one. Now that the first year of the new PASSPORT system is in, and successful, the money appears to be there.
It will be interesting to watch on just what the new Promotions director will be focusing on. It will not be he or she’s choice, but what the upper management wants to be promoted in our state.
I got a response from the DNR about it’s new PASSPORT video and how only PATHWAYS where promoted in the video and not TRAILS. You know those things……the dirt trails the weave through our state lands, carrying the vast majority of outdoor enthusiasts into our Parks. You know those TRAILS…..the ones that are used by Hunters, Hikings, Birders, Geocachers, Mushroom hunters and most of the people looking for a nature experience or are using the natural resources in our state without destroying anything. Ya…..those TRAILS. Well….they where not mentioned in the new DNR video. Instead…..PASSPORT moneys will go to support PATHWAYS, as well as other things in our state.
When asked about this, the DNR responded by saying that only 7% of the PASSPORT monies would be used to fund Campgrounds, Recreation and PATHWAYS. They then defined PATHWAYS as not necessarily a Linear Bike Path, but it can be a Linear Bike PATH. It can also be PATHWAYS designated for Non-motorized, Multi-User use.
So lets see if I understand this…….PATHWAYS are Non-motorized, Multi-User Paths. Where is the Multi-User end come in. How many people can share a trail with a Mountain Bike? Horses? NO. Hunters? NO Birders? NO Geocachers? NO Hikers? NO…..But wait…..the PATHWAYS are promoted as Hike?Bike PATHWAYS. So that means there must be many Hikers who want these things and feel they will not be run down by Mountain Bikers or can get the same nature experience in a PATHWAY as they have for 50 years on a TRAIL. NO There are NO Hikers, Hiking Groups or anyone on foot, clamoring for more PATHWAYS. That leaves Mountain Bikers as the only driving force behind spending money on new PATHWAYS. But I thought by the DNR’s own description of a PATHWAY, that it was a Multi-User, Non-motorized Path? One USER group does not make for Multi-Use,
So lets see how the new Promotions director plays this one out. Lets see who will be pushing him or her to promote PATHWAYS as a Multi-User means of a Natural resources experience, or Recreation. Will you hear Jim Radabaughs name mentioned? Please watch this one play out and see just how the ball rolls in our state. Straight down the hill?……or in a weaving manner?
GO GET OUTDOORS
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