How much are our trails worth to you?
Times are tough, money is tight. We read the headlines every day. Funding will be reduced in an effort to reduce our nation's debt/deficit. As much as we'd like to believe that our precious trails will be exempt from the fiscal guillotine, that probably won't be the case.
So where will the funding come from to add more trails and maintain the current ones? Private donations play a role, but probably won't increase enough to make up for the upcoming government cuts.
In Florida, they have proposed selling the naming rights to their top eight trails to the highest bidder. Imagine such sports arenas as the Coors Field in Boulder, Colorado or the Honda Center in Anaheim. Now apply that to, say the Withlacoochee State Trail. Instead, it might be called the Budweiser State Trail or the Cigna Scenic Trail.
Do you think that's a good idea? I ask that in all sincerity, because I haven't decided yet. If it's done tastefully, it might not be such a bad idea. If the trail goes all commercial, with billboards every half mile, then it could be a nightmare.
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Should rail-trails be funded by sponsorship
or trailside advertising? |
Other options could include just selling sponsorship of the trailhead or allowing small, informational/advertising signs along the trail. This last suggestion is not as horrible as it sounds if the following rules are applied:
- No more than one sign per mile is allowed.
- Signs must be small, unobtrusive, and uniform.
- Businesses must offer a service that is essential to trail users. Such services would include: lodging, camping, food, trail equipment sales, equipment rentals, equipment service
- Signs would be simple, informational, and clear.
The signs suggested above would kill two birds with one stone. They would provide a steady flow of advertising income to the trail. They would provide information to trail users.
Don't picture big, gaudy billboards with garish colors and slogans. Instead, imagine small, wood or faux wood signs that list:
- Bob's Sporting Goods - .5 miles - trail left
- Emma's Diner - .3 miles - trail left
- Shady Cove Campground - .7 miles - trail right
- Shady Cove General Store - .7 miles - trail right
Only these official signs would be allowed on the trail right-of-way. Rather than advertising, they would be considered "trail sponsorship." Businesses would benefit from trail traffic and trail users would benefit from information about upcoming services. The trail would benefit from the funding.
What do you think? Should private industry be involved in public trails. Leave a comment with your input.
