Rich Edwards of the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative at West Virginia University #102

Trail EAffect Episode 102 with Rich Edwards of the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative at West Virginia University Series

This is Part 3 of a 4 Part Series featuring the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative

• Intro to Rich Edwards
• Rich Edwards Backstory
• Why Rich chose the move to West Virginia University
• The opportunity for trail building in terms of iconic topography in West Virginia
• What Rich’s Roll is at the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative – Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Coordinator
• The ways that the OEDC helps West Virginia with Trails and Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure
  • Direct Operational Support
  • Technical Support
  • Education
• Being Collaborative across all trail user groups and even within user groups
• Trail Building Companies in West Virginia
• The east coast and access for trails / South East surge in trail development
• First Phase of the West Run Woods Trail System in Morgantown, WV
• Developing Shared Use Trails in Morgantown, WV
• The 100 Mile Vision
  • Identifying that the Bike Ped infrastructure could use improvement, and adding these improvements via natural surface trails
• Current Shovel Ready Trail Projects in West Virginia
  • Funded Projects
• Environmental / NEPA Process
  • Finding of No Significant Impact
  • Environmental Assessment
  • Environmental Impact Statement
  • Categorical Exclusion
• Multiple Funding Streams applied to trail projects
• Cacapon State Park, WV
  • Thunderstruck Trail
• Mountain Biking in State Parks in West Virginia
• Mylan Park Morgantown BMX Track, UCI Pumptrack and Bike Park Plans
• More Shovel Ready Projects
• Marlinton, WV Trail Projects
  • 100 Miles / 10 million Dollars approved in less than one year
• Elkins West Virginia and an ARC Power Planning Grant
• Rich going deeper on Planning and Design, and the differences between the two
• Planning ahead, and getting trail designs ready to shelve until funding becomes available for last minute funding opportunities
  • Having Project Designs / Plans almost shovel ready
• Rich Life Wisdom and Advice
  • The Darkside of Mountain Biking in general
  • Assume that someone is always listening...
• People to Thank and Closing Comments

Links:

Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative: https://oedc.wvu.edu/

Rich Edwards Bio: https://oedc.wvu.edu/about-us/meet-the-team/rich-edwards

Morgantown Area Mountain Bike Association: https://mambawv.org/

Thunderstruck Trail Build Video Series

Making of Thunderstruck: https://youtu.be/OixNm7nuEbo

Partnering with Appalachian Conservation Corps: https://youtu.be/BvkLH5ZOwuE

West Run Woods Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: https://youtu.be/xYNDCqlQOrU

Brad D. Smith: https://braddsmith.com/

Ascend West Virginia: https://ascendwv.com/

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com

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