Featured Programs & Activities
Improving Mount Vernon Trails

Mount Vernon trail users will soon benefit from improved signage and trail maintenance. In September 2005, the Mount Vernon City Council adopted a trail signage policy and Adopt-a-Trail program that were developed and proposed by the Urban Trail Committee and Parks and Recreation Department.

• Mount Vernon Trail Signage Policy: The policy acknowledges the importance of signs in promoting trails, identifying access points, providing safety information, and orienting users. Consistent design, color, and logos can enhance the visitor’s experience of using the trail network. Following adoption of the policy the Council developed a Trail Signage Master Plan and budget. The Skagit County Physical Activity Coalition (SCPAC) donated nearly $11,000 for trail signage which is being ordered and installed throughout the spring. For more information, please see the full text of the Trail Signage Policy.
• Adopt-a-Trail Program: The purpose of the program is to recruit community members, groups, and organizations to adopt sections of trail which they will patrol quarterly for litter and maintenance, enhance trail safety and promote trail use. Three groups have already adopted segments of the Kulshan Trail and donations from the Skagit County Physical Activity Coalition and the Mount Vernon Healthy Community Project will fund safety gear and tools. For more information, please see: Adopt-a-Trail Guidelines, Adopt-a-Trail Application, Adopt-a-Trail Contract Target Audience: Mount Vernon Residents and Visitors

Mount Vernon Healthy Communities conducted background research and worked with the Urban Trails Committee to create the policies and with the Parks and Recreation Department to get approval from council. MVHCP is working on implementation and donated $2400 for volunteer safety equipment and signage.

Evaluation

Through a partnership with the Skagit County Non-Motorized Advisory Committee, trail counters and software will be purchased to facilitate getting baseline data on county trail use. Changes in use over time will be evaluated to determine whether policies and promotions increase trail use. Skagit County Parks and Recreation will place the counters and download data. The community is also working with the Washington State Department of Health and the University of Washington to track completion of project objectives.

Partners

Mount Vernon Healthy Communities Project, Urban Trails Committee, Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Department, City of Mount Vernon, Skagit County Physical Activity Coalition, Skagit County Parks and Recreation, Skagit Valley Hospital, Skagit County Health Department, National Park Service

Featured: Winter 2006