One by one, small steps created path to success

“Bike paths are great. And so are recreation trails.”

“But NOT IN MY BACK YARD!”

It’s a familiar refrain. Most people will endorse a good idea. But they’re not always as eager to sacrifice. In this case, it was a group of neighbors who owned riverside homes. They were adamant in their resistance to a proposed bike trail/jogging path which would traverse the outer edge of their properties.

It was a typical public vs. private debate. Or so it seemed. Jeffrey Long looked at it differently. Through extensive interviews and surveys, he found it was more than that. Many residents supported the idea of such trails.  The dissent came from those who felt a trail – built in the heart of their community – would disrupt their quality of life.

Using his editorial skills to present the benefits of multi-use trails, Jeffrey helped bring the factions together, resulting in near-unanimous support for the projects. One by one, Jeffrey detailed all the attractive aspects the trail would bring. Trails link isolated parks. They enhance wildlife conservation. And they provide safe pathways of transportation for school children. Beyond that, trails can stimulate local economies.

Such wide-ranging appeal resulted in whole-hearted support, and construction soon followed. Today, the Fox River Trail is the sixth most popular trail in the U.S., with more than 1 million users annually. Its success has spawned a wave of popularity near and far. With 549 miles of trails, Illinois ranks eighth nationally, with another 546 miles of new trails in the project phase.

By illustrating the various benefits, Jeffrey  wove a unifying thread through the community. They’ve been singing “Happy Trails” in harmony ever since.