Laserfiche WebLink
Trails Improve Our Quality of <br /> Living <br /> <br />.j~r=~rails al:c more than little roads. <br />1~ 'lYails and roads both allow <br />.~pe,>plc ~:o go from one place <br />i~, :t~r~thec hut they do so in <br />dilTerent ways. Roads give us the <br />abiliw to travel efficiently from one <br />place t¢> :tnot}~er, hut they are not <br />~,lxt :~v'~ dc.%;ned in a xvay that allows <br />tls ~r> en~o? the experience or to <br />s}q:H:e die cxl>crience ~vith others. <br /> <br />I~,~acts a,~l ,ddcxvalks are designed <br />t:r, cfl'iciendv ~nove as many people <br />a,: ~,ssil)le from one place to <br />another. Trails fill a different need. <br />'l'hcv als{, allow us to go from one <br />place to an~ther, but they are <br />dc:dg~cd :.~> ~hat the experience of <br />t~'a,:cl is c~jo?l)le and can easily be <br />sh:tt-ed wi~h ~lhers. <br /> <br />'i]:~dls give tls the opportunity to <br />exc~:cisc a:~ we Iravel from place to <br />place. 5indies indicate that as people <br />get b~tsict' m ~heir lives, they exercise <br />les,<, and as riley exercise less, thek <br />health ca~ deteriorate. Walking and <br />bil, m~g arc two of the most efficient <br />/5~-ms ot exercise. A community <br />r}m~ provides its residents sa[~ and <br />crmx, enicn~ trails to walk and bike <br />on is n c,)mmuni~ that may well <br />bare hcah bier :md happier residents. <br /> <br />Livable and SuccesSful Neighborhoods <br /> <br />~ :ities continue to be judged by how "livable" they are. Livability encompasses <br />many things, including jobs, housing, schools, transportation and recreation <br />opportunities. Trails, parks and the open spaces around them connect all of <br />these elements of livability together. <br /> <br />Trails can be the route and the web that connects neighbors, particularly children, <br />to one another. Thus, a community's commitment to trails is an indication of its <br />commitment to all of the things that make a <br />community a livable, healthy and safe place to <br />invest our lives. <br /> <br />Trails as xvell as recreation are an important <br />investment in our future. A community's <br />commitment to trails is evidence of a <br />community's commitment to the next generation. <br />Children are regular and important users of' trails. <br />Trails provide kids a safe, fun way to go to school, <br />the park, friends' houses or other destinations. <br />Trails may also help -kids establish exercise habits <br />that will stay with them for their Lifetime. ' <br /> <br />Ramsey's trail system is doing more than simply <br />connecting different parts of the city together. <br />Ramsey's trails also provide the opportunity for people to reconnect with each <br />other and with their family. The 'reconnection' part of this is especially important <br />in a time that seems focused on efficiency and production and leaves us short <br />of opportunities to spend with our family, friends and neighbors. <br /> <br /> <br />