Rim Country Trails
Why is this important?
This planning effort is born from the "all hands, all lands" collaborative approach. It recognizes the need for a collaboratively built, comprehensive regional look at trails planning across the Rim Country area. This effort is only successful with input from all trail user groups, and relevant decision-makers.
What do we aim to accomplish?
Collaboratively develop a broadly supported cross-jurisdictional master trails plan for the Rim Country area that incorporates all trail uses and interests.
Ensure that the trails plan and collaborative process:
Addresses sustainability (economic, environmental, social)
Includes short, medium, long term steps/projects/priorities – to maintain motivation and keep process moving with achievements (low hanging fruit)
Establish an effective ongoing implementation and public/partner engagement process (for both the larger collaboration and volunteerism)
Increase public awareness and education through marketing campaigns that promote the trails (new and existing), recreation, and tourism in the area.
We had a very successful meeting on March 9 at the Payson Public Library where we discussed the Rim Country Trails successes to-date and current efforts including the Boulders area planning with Tonto National Forest and Payson area trails planning with the Town of Payson.
Were you unable to attend but still want to give feedback? Add your comments to this map and take this survey!
What is the Rim Country Trails Working Group?
Purpose – design and guide overall process, engage constituents, seek consensus on trail priorities, and ensure effective implementation.
Members - representatives of local government, agency, motorized and non-motorized recreation interests, media, and other trail related stakeholders.
Roles
Represent and communicate (two-way) with their respective constituencies/interest areas, including outreach to ensure participation at public workshops
Participate in good faith
Strive for a balanced and inclusive process that gets to outcomes
What is the process?
Initiate engagement and planning surround trails in the Rim Country area.
Conduct the first series of planning meetings - core team, working group, mapping team.
Develop regional mapping area and sub-areas
Design and conduct Public Workshops to gather input from all trail user interests and identify potential trail projects.
Prioritize input gathered from the public on potential projects including: trails, trail maintenance, signage and more.
Develop an agreed-upon Phase 1 list of short-term, high priority projects for implementation across jurisdictions with Working Group, public, municipalities and Forest Service input.
Agency review and decision on projects from Phase 1 list.
Begin implementation.
Engage volunteers, begin work on next set of priority projects and ongoing collaboration
Who can participate?
Anyone with interest in comprehensive trail planning for the Rim Country area.
Where is the Rim Country Trails Planning area?
The planning area's northern boundary is north of the General Crook Trail on the Mogollon Rim and south to Forest Road #609. The Arizona Trail, is the western boundary, including the towns of Pine and Strawberry; to the east Canyon Creek is the boundary, including the town of Young and the Sierra Ancha to the southeast. Map here