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Oct. 21, 2009
Pat Kuehn, APR, CPRC
Community Information Specialist

DeBary Hall to host trails workshop Nov. 6

DeBary Hall Historic Site, 210 Sunrise Blvd., will host a regional workshop addressing trails and economic development from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. The workshop is presented by Florida’s Office of Greenways and Trails, the East Coast Greenway Alliance, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, and Volusia County.

Robert Ironsmith, economic development director for the City of Dunedin, will discuss his experiences with the Pinellas Trail in the mid-1990s. Ironsmith led efforts to adopt the trail as a way to improve the downtown area, fill vacancies, add to property values, and make the downtown area pedestrian and bicyclist friendly.

Other speakers include Jim Wood, assistant director for Florida’s Office of Greenways and Trails; Phil Laurien, executive director for the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council; and Herb Hiller, East Coast Greenway Alliance consultant. Volusia County Council representative Pat Northey will moderate the program.

The workshop also will focus on the development of the 260-mile St. Johns River-to-the-Sea Loop and the role of trails in attracting green companies and tourism, restoring socially troubled neighborhoods, branding cities, interfacing with rail and bus use, and promoting health and fitness.

“Trails have a tremendous impact on the region’s economy and quality of life,” Northey said. “This workshop is another step in the right direction because we are gathering the leaders and stakeholders who are planning to enhance and extend our trails systems.”

Sponsors are Borelli and Partners; Reynolds, Smith and Hills Inc.; Hoke Design; Inwood Consulting; and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.

Lunch will be provided after the workshop. Attendance is limited to 100 persons, and the public can take part on a space-available basis. To reserve a spot, please call Tara McCue at (407) 262-7772 or visit www.ecfprc.org.

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