• The projects have a clear plan that illustrates what the individual/group would like to do and how they intend to achieve their desired goals.

• Partnerships exist and each partner has a defined role and many of the partners carry out their roles.

• There is access to funding and some knowledge of how long term maintenance and management will occur.

• The trail system is sensitive to both natural and cultural resources.

• The trail system is economically sustainable.

• The trail system is a reflection of social responsibility and enhances the community, region, state, and/or country.

• The system must be well planned, including phasing, long term maintenance, and funding.

• The system clearly connects Point A to Point B and usually connects numerous points in-between.

• The trail system has a clear identity with a definitive name that attracts people and defines the trail’s focus.

• The trail system is well signed, often with a special identity signage program.

• A well designed and attractive map is readily available at numerous locations.

• Interpretation is provided (e.g., ranges from simple explanation on maps or at trailheads to more formal wayside exhibits or even visitor centers)

• Support service systems are available. This can range from highly sophisticated to primitive (e.g., trailheads, restrooms, campgrounds, lodging, restaurants, supply shops). Many of the most successful link to towns where diverse services are provided.

• Unique support systems are often provided (e.g., special related events, bus service to special trail areas, food service at the lodge, baggage transport service, lodging reservation services, special interpretive programs, tours).

Please realize most of the trail systems listed in the discussion (see elsewhere) would fit well under all the categories listed below. However, certain trail systems are fitted into a specific category to help illustrate specific points.

1. Planning

2. Regional Linkage Trails/Multi-Entity/Partnerships

3. Resource Focus/Education/Interpretation

Specifically, the Steering Committee has outlined trail initiatives to help target resources and achieve the goals of this strategic plan. These initiatives are:

1 Reinvestment Initiative-- Existing trail improvements and repairs.
2 Trail Planning and Capacity Building Grants-- Planning and building partnerships for the future.
3 Small Grants-- Sometimes a little funding can make a big difference.

Outdoor activities are important to the quality of life.

Trails are the principal means used by people to get into nature and, at the same time, they are an important means for managing people's impacts on the landscapes they visit.

Townsville's diverse trails can be used for many types of recreation, from backcountry hiking to exercise trails or strolling an urban greenway, from mountain biking to horseback riding and from bird watching to using off-highway vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles. With all of these forms of recreation Townsville residents will seek ways of enjoying nature or spending time outdoors with family and friends.

In large part this is made possible by our region's wide ranging landscapes, from vast open inland plains to many kilometers of rainforest along the top of coastal ranges, from many kilometers of coastlines backed by internationally renown wetlands, many islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

The potential richness of trails can also accommodate the diverse kinds of people who have chosen to make Townsville their home (or vacation destination) and the varied ways they choose to enjoy the outdoors.

Land ownership is another major factor contributing to the potential trail diversity. The state government owns most of our coastal ranges. There is potential for other recreation facilities.

National Parks, especially on Magnetic Island, are an important trail provider.

A few nonprofit organizations and clubs, including those made up of off-highway vehicle, are taking fledgling roles in developing and maintaining trails on their own lands or on lands owned by others.

Private landowners are also important potential contributors to the regional trail system by allowing trail users to cross their land.

• Neighborhood and community trails that are close to where many people live and typically receive heavy use. (Examples include.)
• "Star attraction" trails, known and sought out by residents and visitors alike. (Example:.)
• Historic trails that were used by early explorers and pioneers and that today typically are either adjacent to or under highways. (Examples: the vehicle based trails thingo.)
• Continental Divide Trail, a lengthy National Scenic Trail that is commonly used by weekend or short-term hikers, but also by some "through-hikers."
• Greenways trails that are planned together with the broader conservation corridors they sit within. (Examples: .)
• Wilderness trails within national wilderness areas where mechanized travel is not allowed. (Example: .)
• Mountain bike trails, including extensive systems, some accommodating overnight trips. (Examples: the systems at …..)
• Trails for motorized use, such as motorcycles, and all-terrain and four-wheel drive vehicles. (Examples: .)
• Backcountry trails in national parks and forests, or lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources, most often used as hiking trails and shared by hikers, horses, and mountain bikers (except in designated wilderness areas). Some are also open to motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. (Examples:.)

Creating trails, as with other public facilities, will depend on an erratic supply of funding from a variety of programs and agencies. Trails activists must turn to volunteers and businesses for important contributions in getting trails built. City Councils are building urban trails as part of residential developments.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service administers State Forests and National Parks in the region and hope to use available funds to promote sharing of trail construction costs with local communities. This agency could provide technical assistance related to trail building. They also administer funds from the State Government's "Great Trails" Program.

The Department of Natural Resources administers unallocated state lands.

The Department of Sports and Recreation administers increasingly popular outdoor recreation activities including trails.

With this funding and community support comes the responsibility for the Townsville Trail managers to make the wisest and most efficient uses of all resources for recreationists.

Late in 2001, the Great Walks Program initiated a Townsville Region planning process to develop a strategic framework for making decisions about what trail priorities to pursue and how best to fund them. Simultaneously the Dry Tropics Biodiversity Group was planning natural asset trails. That process resulted in the plan you are now reading.

A preliminary citizen Steering Committee is proposed comprising stakeholders, Councils, land managers, Mountain Bike and bushwalking clubs, the Dry Tropics Biodiversity Group members and others.

Doug Silke, the steering committee's volunteer research officer, consulted with local experts and assisted with the crafting of this white paper.

The issues and concerns that the strategic plan responds for now are guessed (based on Colorado's). The broadest, more frequent themes are thought to be:

• People value and use trails. The majority of people use regional trails. Urban trails within the city close to people's homes receive the most use, with perhaps half of households use these trails several times in a typical year. Favorite trail activities are walking, hiking, and biking.
• Use of trails is purposeful. Many say they value trails for getting exercise and maintaining health or seeing wildlife. One of the common reasons people will give for valuing trails are to have fun with family and friends and to see or enjoy nature.
• Potential trail user conflicts should be managed from the start. Most members of the public will probably not personally see many conflicts in their use of trails.
• Trails can accommodate diverse uses. Our trails system will grow to be diverse and, with coordination and education, it can accommodate diverse uses.
• The Great Walks Program has an important role to play. The Great Walks Program can play important roles in providing leadership, funding, and technical assistance to foster the fledgling trails community.
• The current trail system needs care. The current trail system needs better maintenance and promotion. Maintaining or rebuilding existing trails is probably a high priority for over trail users.
• People want to be better stewards of nature. Many of the public believes "better protection of natural features and wildlife habitat" should be a high priority in allocating resources.
• Trails opportunities are appearing and others may be disappearing. The return of leased land on Hervey Range to State Land may appear to assist with long term trail security but private land managers are highly supportive. Potential trail corridors and access points could be unnecessarily fragmented (e.g. Greenvale Railway).
• Youth, volunteers, and those with disabilities deserve greater opportunities. The public wants better access for people with disabilities and greater opportunities for youth and other volunteers.
• People want to be educated about the places they experience through trails. They want more information about nature and history.

Additional insights needed in planning strategies for a statewide trail system are guessed (based on Colorado’s). These insights included:

• The region's population is growing rapidly and there is likely to be increasing demand for trails.
• Trails are an important management tool. When carefully planned, managed, and used, trails help reduce the impact of people on nature.
• Even trails have impacts. There is awareness that trails themselves have environmental impacts and that not all areas are appropriate for trails.
• Declining resources for managing natural assets has ramifications for regional trails. Resources are needed to make a big impact on the popularity of regional trails and natural asset. Townsville's resources (both public and private) have also to be devoted to some of these projects to attract additional funding. Clearly, members of the trails community need to work with the state's trail planners because these plans affect the whole trail system.
• The disabled need to be accommodated. Guidelines for trail accessibility need to be quickly developed and have financial ramifications. These guidelines need to be incorporated into trail planning, maintenance and construction.
• The Trails grants need to be tailored to the wider range of situations encountered by trail builders. Making small, large, and multi-year grants available for trail projects might better reflect the needs and challenges of those seeking funding.

To catalyse action and encourage the public support required to accomplishing this vision. To promote understanding and stewardship of Townsville Region outdoors by providing opportunities for the public to use and support a diverse system of regional trails.

The vision is very ambitious and will require strategic actions and considerable cooperation.

To focus efforts, the vision has been translated into seven strategic goals (not in any priority order):

• LEADERSHIP: Provide leadership in developing an integrated North Queensland trail system to meet the growing needs of our residents and visitors.
• PLANNING: Encourage community, council, state, and national trail planning of an integrated statewide trail system that preserves critical trail access points, corridors, and system links.
• ENVIRONMENT: Promote environmentally appropriate trail planning, design, construction, and management.
• COMMUNICATIONS: Increase and improve the availability of trail information, education, and technical assistance.
• STEWARDSHIP: Encourage regional trail and natural asset stewardship through education, partnerships, volunteerism, and youth programs.
• ETHICS AND COOPERATION: Promote trail ethics and encourage the proper management of trail activity conflicts by facilitating communication among user groups, trail planners, and land management agencies.
• FUNDING: Provide stable, long-term funding sources for trail planning, design, construction, and maintenance.

The Townsville Trails Steering Committee is committed to playing a major role in achieving the vision and implementing these strategic goals. They invite collaborators. Committee members or their researchers have identified the steps that are best taken by the Trails Program. These are outlined in the following tables. Other agencies and organizations are invited to help implement these steps, as well as develop their own strategies.

LEADERSHIP GOAL. Provide leadership in developing an integrated North Queensland trail system to meet the growing needs of our residents and visitors.

PLANNING GOAL. Encourage community, council, state, and national trail planning of an integrated statewide trail system that preserves critical trail access points, corridors, and system links.

ETHICS AND COOPERATION GOAL. Promote trail ethics and encourage the proper management of trail activity conflicts by facilitating communication among user groups, trail planners, and land management agencies.