[NAGDU] Accessible trails

[Cindy Ray]

> The following message may be of interest. Please read and redo what you can to help if you feel this interests you.
Cindy

> Hello, all:
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> I'm hoping you can share with me ideas for improvements  or innovative approaches you have discovered as you try to navigate trails with your guide dogs. Because I've given feedback in the past, I've been asked by my city and county for ideas, but they are welcoming feedback from anyone, even if you don't live in the Bellevue, WA, area.
>  
> In a nutshell, through an upcoming project in a park here in Bellevue, the county has realized it has a prime opportunity to get the accessibility story right for everyone. It is seeking direct input from users like us, as well as going to great lengths to learn what's working and what's not in other states and even countries. The following short list from the project’s community relations representative gives some idea of the type of improvements the county is considering:
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> Here is a link to Mass Audubon’s Accessible Trails site:https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/our-wildlife-sanctuaries/trails/accessible-trails <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.massaudubon.org%2Fget-outdoors%2Four-wildlife-sanctuaries%2Ftrails%2Faccessible-trails&data=04%7C01%7C%7C75ce33600da54bc3860008d9505d50df%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637629183986641451%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Jb2hy%2BKmMcdVIwXIBmCQOfiouOqHR7SvbFQS5m37gp0%3D&reserved=0>. They refer to the dozen accessible sites as “All Person” trails, and have created a comprehensive guide for development of accessible interpreted trails <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.massaudubon.org%2Fget-outdoors%2Faccessibility%2Faccessible-projects-and-partners%2Faccessible-trails-manual&data=04%7C01%7C%7C75ce33600da54bc3860008d9505d50df%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637629183986641451%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=DEGeMZzjq74A8nFA%2BcOVUvei82ZWCSCTF5Ws4g3%2FcvY%3D&reserved=0>.  
> Boulder Mountain Parks in Colorado has a superb accessible trail system and guide at this link: https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation-in-boulder/boulder-accessible-trails/ <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bouldercoloradousa.com%2Fthings-to-do%2Foutdoor-recreation-in-boulder%2Fboulder-accessible-trails%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C75ce33600da54bc3860008d9505d50df%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637629183986651401%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=9jLP%2FfKPHBNNv7W%2FKJgo5wywMwZkruPEYiGRup3nruI%3D&reserved=0>.
> If you ever go to Edmonton, Alberta, the Royal Alberta Museum was remodeled and reopened in 2019 (before COVID). They prioritized accessibility and created a phenomenal experience for any visitor. Here is their web: https://royalalbertamuseum.ca/ <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Froyalalbertamuseum.ca%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C75ce33600da54bc3860008d9505d50df%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637629183986651401%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=FiWO51WoCVcsL91YqoSiAgPPk2F0IG7m4taNUO6iCaA%3D&reserved=0>
>  
> The county also hopes too make this project a model and share what it learns with other public and private organizations embarking on their own recreational project planning in Washington State and beyond. In other words, whatever feedback you can share now might  benefit similar projects in your own area at some point.
> Please feel free to reply directly to me or use one of the contact methods listed in the project description below.
>  
> Many thanks for any help you can give,
> Karen Strudwick and Saskia
> cablehut at hotmail.com <mailto:cablehut at hotmail.com>
>  
>  
> Join in the conversation!
> In summer 2021, King County’s Coal Creek Sewer Upgrade Project team is reaching out to share some ideas for accessibility improvements at the Upper West/Red Cedar trailhead in Bellevue. We are hosting a remote community meeting and online open house, and we're available to talk one on one, visit on site, and present to groups and organizations. 
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> Note: The community meeting has already taken place , but a video of the meeting will be available soon.
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> King County’s project team is designing an upgrade for a sewer pipe that is currently located in the Coal Creek Natural area. The project will provide needed wastewater capacity to a growing region. The project also gives us the opportunity to move much of the active sewer away from a cherished creek in a popular recreation area.
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> To build this project, the County’s contractor will need close the trailhead area for up to three years and remove existing pavement, signage, seating, stormwater control features, and trail surface.
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> The City of Bellevue improved accessibility of this trailhead as part of a culvert replacement project in 2015. The County's contractor will restore the trailhead to the current design, with updates to meet current accessibility standards.
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> The County’s team has some ideas to build upon those improvements onsite and online when the trailhead is restored and reopened after construction. The County’s team has some ideas to build upon those improvements onsite and online when the trailhead is restored and reopened after construction. We want to hear what the community thinks about these options, and other suggestions people may have. We will be sharing everything we hear to help inform future planning efforts!
>  
>  
> Options to participate and share your thoughts
> 1. Visit an online open house and virtual tour from July 7-August 31, 2021
> Learn about the project, the site, and our ideas for restoring with greater accessibility and improved experience for all visitors. Find the open house and tour at this link. <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Farcg.is%2F0SXDaH&data=04%7C01%7C%7C75ce33600da54bc3860008d9505d50df%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637629183986661360%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=6o%2FN2d5Uld4hM3i60nFBUbjr4xqGMnZa7E7qdqdqGqU%3D&reserved=0>
> 2. Take a survey! 
> Share your thoughts about our ideas, and your suggestions. Find the survey at this link. <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublicinput.com%2FO7186&data=04%7C01%7C%7C75ce33600da54bc3860008d9505d50df%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637629183986661360%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=sySUtdyW0fT1yG4%2FZ8LnRQVklCkyTA8khPXoGVibnpg%3D&reserved=0>
> 3. Invite us to meet with your group or organization. We can host a remote meeting via Zoom or Teams. We can meet people on site, following current public health guidelines for COVID.
> 4. Call or email us using the contact information below.
> Monica Van der Vieren at monica.vandervieren at kingcounty.gov <mailto:monica.vandervieren at kingcounty.gov> or 206-477-5502
> 5. Contact us for hard copies of materials and information.
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> Did we miss something? Let us know how we can work with you. 
>