Wednesday, September 21 & Thursday, September 22
All FREE and featuring:
2 virtual sessions each morning (9am – Noon)
In-person afternoon site visits (2pm)
AGENDA (stay tuned for updates):
WEDNESDAY MORNING VIRTUAL SESSIONS
9:15–10:30 REGISTER[1]
Planning, Designing, & Funding Projects for All: ODOT’s Plan for Walking & Biking in Ohio.
Introducing Ohio’s first statewide pedestrian and bicycle plan: Walk.Bike.Ohio, the vision, goals and progress. Included: the 2021 Multimodal Design Guide; some of ODOT’s largest funding sources for standalone bicycle and pedestrian projects; and relevant information pertaining to the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.
Presenters:
Jeremy Thompson, Safety Engineer, Ohio Department of Transportation
Jordan Whisler, Statewide Planning Manager, Ohio Department of Transportation
Caitlin Harley, SRTS & Active Transportation Manager, Ohio Department of Transportation
10:45–Noon REGISTER[2]
Using Social Media to Increase Trail Support and Use.
Learn about successful posts, managing public comments, widening audiences and the importance of being out on the trails.
Presenters:
Meghan Tinker Paynter, Director of Communications, Canalway Partners
Devyn Giannetti, Senior Communications Specialist, Cuyahoga County
Kathryn Kerber, Project Manager, City of Bay Village
THURSDAY MORNING VIRTUAL SESSIONS
9:15–10:30 REGISTER[3]
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and NOACA's Regional Funding Strategy
The session will cover what's in the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (the IIJA), and how communities and organizations can work with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), to advance trail planning and projects.
Presenter:
Bev Burtzlaff, Manager of Government Affairs, Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency
County-Wide Sign Plan
In 2017, Destination Cleveland saw the need for consistent, high-quality wayfinding on the off-road trails which were about to converge in Downtown Cleveland. A working group developed a system, completed in 2021 and adopted by the City of Cleveland, to guide residents and visitors of all abilities to key destinations along the off-road trail systems within Cleveland and other parts of the region. The working group continues to refine the plan and seek adoption from other municipalities and implementation on more trails.
Presenters:
Alex Harnocz, Director of Destination Development, Destination Cleveland
Sara Byrnes Maier, Principal Planner, Cleveland Metroparks
AFTERNOON MOBILE WORKSHOPS (workshops repeat both afternoons):
2:00–3:30 REGISTER[5] Nord Family Greenway Walking Tour
Begun as a project to ease pedestrian transit between Case Western Reserve University’s main and west campuses, the 15-acre Nord Family Greenway offers open-air spaces suited to performances, picnics and even quiet contemplation. Most of all, it is a permanent, living invitation to those beyond University Circle to explore not only the greenway itself but the dozens of arts and cultural institutions that fill the roughly square-mile district. The landscape includes a swath of walkways, stairs, picnic terraces, and quaint views. Participate in this walking tour to learn more about the partnership between Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Museum of Art to create one of the largest new parks in recent Cleveland history.
Leader:
Christopher Panichi, Director of Planning, Design + Construction, Case Western Reserve University
2:00–3:30 REGISTER[6]
Euclid Creek Connector
Cleveland Metroparks and the Cuyahoga Greenway Partners received a RAISE grant to advance the design of a trail to connect the northern end of the main Euclid Creek Reservation all the way to Lake Erie at Metroparks' Lakefront Reservation at the former Wildwood Park.
Leaders:
Sean McDermot
Sara Byrnes Maier
3:30-4:30 REGISTER[7]
Bike Tour: Public Space Improvements along the Cleveland Cultural Gardens
On this bike tour we will ride the Harrison Dillard Bikeway through the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Along the way we will have stops at 3-4 locations where experts will share information on several greenspaces and plans to improve them in the future. While riding we will also highlight barriers to accessing the greenspaces as a cyclist or pedestrian.
Leader:
Jacob VanSickle, Executive Director, Bike Cleveland
Recognizing the value of trails and greenways, decision makers, planners, practitioners, and trail advocates from around Greater Cleveland will convene to share ideas, discover new tools, and set the stage to transform plans and concepts into successfully completed projects. We also examined timely topics brought to the fore in recent times.
With the continued uncertainties posed by the coronavirus we continue to adopt all necessary precautions. We appreciate your steadfast interest in advancing the trail and bikeway network of Greater Cleveland and hope you are able to keep in touch with GCTGC by attending this hybrid virtual/in-person gathering. We also hope that, in a safe and healthy manner, you'll continue exploring and enjoying the trails of our region.