Wyoming Pathways

WYOMING PATHWAYS MISSION IS TO INSPIRE, MOTIVATE AND UNITE A STRONG COMMUNITY OF PUBLIC, BUSINESS, AND POLITICAL LEADERS TO IMPROVE PEOPLE-POWERED ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES IN WYOMING COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING BICYCLING, WALKING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND FAT BIKING.

WYOMING PATHWAYS SUBSTANTIALLY MET THE FOUR KEY PROGRAM GOALS OF ITS WORK PLAN FOR 2021: EXPAND THE MOVEMENT, INCREASE FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN AND TRAIL SYSTEMS, IMPROVE GOVERNMENT POLICIES, AND BUILD SAFE AND INVITING FACILITIES. ORGANIZATIONALLY, THE BASE OF SUPPORTERS INCREASED, ALONG WITH THE CAPACITY TO MANAGE ADVOCACY EFFORTS THOUGH IMPROVED OUTREACH. OVER 1200 SUPPORTERS REGULARLY RECEIVE COMMUNICATIONS AND ACTION ALERTS, AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH WAS EXPANDED. THE STAFF AND BOARD COMPLETED DOZENS OF MEETINGS STATEWIDE WITH LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND MET WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS, CLUBS AND ADVOCATES AROUND WYOMING. STAFF ALSO VISITED OR VIDEO CONFERENCED WITH MANY PUBLIC LANDS OFFICES, WITH SIGNIFICANT PARTNERSHIP EFFORTS WITH THE US FOREST SERVICE AND BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT IN LARAMIE, LANDER, THERMOPOLIS, AND THE WIND RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION THAT ARE CREATING ENHANCED PUBLIC TRAIL SYSTEMS.

WYOMING PATHWAYS REGULARLY MET AND CORRESPONDED WITH OFFICIALS ON THE BENEFITS AND NEEDS OF BIKING AND WALKING IN WYOMING AND TO SUPPORT FUNDING PROGRAMS. EDUCATIONAL AND ENCOURAGEMENT EFFORTS INCLUDED THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WYOMING LEGISLATURE, STATE AGENCIES, AND WITH WY GOVERNOR GORDON'S OFFICE. THE IMPACT CAN MEASURED WITH PROGRESS WITH KEY STATE AGENCIES THAT RESULTED IN MEASURABLE IMPACT, INCLUDING TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ADVOCATES ON BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN DESIGN BEST-PRACTICES, GENERAL PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT, ASSISTING COMMUNITIES WITH PATHWAY AND TRAIL FUND RAISING PLANS, AND PROMOTING BUDGET CHOICES TO BETTER SUPPORT BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN AND TRAIL PROGRAMS AND POLICIES. DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH, WYDOT, STATE PARKS, BUSINESS COUNCIL, STATE LANDS, GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ARE ALL ENGAGED, AND CONTINUED PROGRESS IS EVIDENT.

WYOMING PATHWAYS HAS DEVELOPED A VERY SUCCESSFUL TRAIL BUILDING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AND PARTICIPATED MEANINGFULLY IN THE PUBLIC PLANNING PROCESS OF A NUMBER OF STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, TO IMPROVE AGENCY POLICIES AND PLANNING DECISIONS. OVER THE GRANT PERIOD THIS INCLUDES COMMENT EFFORTS WITH USFS, DOI, AND THE BLM PUBLIC LAND AGENCIES. FOREST SERVICE PARTNERSHIPS CONTINUE TO HELP IMPROVE THE POLE MOUNTAIN TRAIL SYSTEM ON THE MEDICINE BOW NF THAT SERVES LARAMIE AND CHEYENNE, COMPLETING 1 MORE MILE. WYOMING PATHWAYS COMPLETED BUILDING 3 MORE MILES OF NEW TRAIL ON THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL IN A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SHOSHONE NATIONAL FOREST. A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LANDER BLM ALSO COMPLETED A NEW FAMILY-FRIENDLY TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS AT JOHNNY BEHIND THE ROCKS AREA, SERVING LANDER WY AND THE VISITING PUBLIC. WYOMING PATHWAYS PROGRAMS SUPPORTED PROTECTING OUR PUBLIC LANDS WHILE ENHANCING ACCESS TO ENJOY THEM.

SPECIFIC 2021 PROGRESS FOR BIKING AND WALKING PROJECTS INCLUDED SUBSTANTIAL FOLLOW UP ON A NEW $20M BUILD GRANT AWARDED TO TETON COUNTY WY, WITH $5 MILLION PATHWAY CONSTRUCTION FUNDS, AND $2 MILLION FOR WILSON WYOMING PATHWAYS AND SIDEWALKS. WYOMING PATHWAYS CONTINUED PLANNING AND PROMOTING THE TETON PASS TRAIL SECTION OF THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE TRAIL. WYOMING PATHWAYS CO-LED A PARTNERSHIP EFFORT TO PRODUCE THE WYOMING STATEWIDE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION WEBINAR SERIES FOR COMMUNITIES AROUND WYOMING.