Outdoor RecreationPlan of Work

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Gallatin County CES

Title:
Outdoor Recreation
MAP:
Healthy Communities
Agents Involved:
Hull, Broderick, Stewart
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Trail Design
Situation:
Outdoor recreation is key in helping address some of today’s pressing health care issues. Creating walkable and bike-able areas and making improvements
to the built environment can encourage active living and better overall health for the community at large.

It's been shown that parks, trails and other recreational amenities create places where people want to live, work and play. The improvement and/or expansion of current outdoor recreation areas can have a positive impact on a community's economic development.
Long-Term Outcomes:
- Expansion of existing outdoor recreation areas (ORA's)
- Creation of new ORA's
- Establishment of funding source expressly for outdoor recreation
- "Friends of Gallatin ORA's" group formed to help maintain outdoor areas
Intermediate Outcomes:
- Greater number of citizens utilizing current ORA's
- Establishment of a county organization to help oversee and give guidance to county leadership in matters pertaining to ORA's
- Obtain funding for equipment necessary for ORA trail creation and maintenance
- Organized outdoor recreation events throughout the calendar year
Initial Outcomes:
- Marketing plan for outdoor recreation opportunities and events in the county
- More county residents will become acquainted with county ORA's
- 2 organized outdoor recreation events at county ORA's
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Creation of ORA Marketing Plan
Method: YES or NO
Timeline: 3 - 6 months

Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Greater number of citizens utilizing county ORA's
Method: Survey instruments, digital counters at ORA entrances
Timeline: 12 months

Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Increase number of walking trails at county ORA's
Method: tabulation
Timeline: 18 - 24 months
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Gallatin County Residents

Project or Activity: ORA Field Day at newest county park

Content or Curriculum: Informal gathering designed to highlight the new park's many opportunities for outdoor recreation, i.e., hiking, horseback riding, fishing, etc.

Inputs: Locally developed park maps and brochures, tractors and wagons

Date: Fall 2017


Audience: Gallatin County Residents

Project or Activity: Wildflower Walks

Content or Curriculum: Agent, specialist, or leader led program designed to show the many species of wildflowers present at county ORA's

Inputs: Wildflower manuals, event promotion

Date: Spring 2018


Audience: Gallatin County Residents

Project or Activity: "Hiking Hartig" series

Content or Curriculum: Agent led physical fitness program wherein participants will meet weekly for a month and hike different parts of Hartig Nature Preserve

Inputs: Program promotion

Date: Summer 2018


Audience: Gallatin County Residents

Project or Activity: Warsaw Walkability Assessment/Create Walking Path

Content or Curriculum: UK Landscape Architecture/CEDIK

Inputs: UK Students, Staff, Volunteers, Livewell Group

Date: Summer 2017


Audience: Gallatin County Residents

Project or Activity: Warsaw City Riverfront Park Walking Path Creation

Content: UK Landscape Architecture/CEDIK Report, Livewell Group

Inputs: Community members, City of Warsaw, Three Rivers Health District and other organizations

Date: Summer 2017



Success Stories

"Hooked" on Fishing

Author: Lora Stewart

Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum

“One of the greatest things about fishing is that it is a hobby you can enjoy at any age. No matter how old or young you are, you can still learn to bait a hook, cast a line and fish. Fishing also provides an opportunity for families to spend some quality time together out in nature while learning some important lessons. Teaching  children to fish will not only give them a hobby that they can share with their own kids someday, but it will help them to learn about patience, problem sol

Full Story

Hartig Park and Nature Reserve

Author: David Hull

Major Program: Woodland Education

In 2014, the Hartig Family offered, free of charge, over 530 acres of land to Gallatin County with the conditions that the land would never be sold or developed for housing or commercial use. In other words, they wanted it to stay a green-space.The county accepted the gift, but really had no clear idea of how to best utilize the gift. The Judge Executive at that time of Gallatin County approached the Gallatin County Extension Service (Ag Agent) and asked that we take a leadership role in definin

Full Story

Environmental Programming in Gallatin County

Author: David Hull

Major Program: Woodland Education

Because environmental issues are constantly grabbing headlines, and because of the "back to nature" movement becoming more mainstream in our society, the Gallatin County Extension Service has provided the residents of Gallatin County many environmental education and enrichment opportunities during the course of the year. Highlighted below are a few examples of the programming offered.3 Wildflower educational walks at Hartig Park2 Fall tree identification walks at Hartig Park"

Full Story
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