When most people think of Flagstaff, the first thing that comes to mind is mountains, pine trees, and outdoor recreation. This town is unique in that most people have trail access within minutes of their front doors. Anyone who has lived here for a while has come to appreciate and possibly expect trails to always be available. However,  new housing developments are starting to spring up all around Flagstaff.  As a consequence, we may lose some of the trails we have grown to love. Cynthia Lovely, the Coconino County trails coordinator, has seen this happen in other towns. Only after access to major trails is lost, does a town start to pull together. She and others would like to see Flagstaff take a more proactive approach to this problem. That is why Cynthia came up with the idea of a trails coalition. There have already been two meetings to see if a coalition is right for Flagstaff, and it has been decided that now is the perfect time to start. 

The coalition is a nonprofit organization that is comprised of concerned citizens from Coconino County. All trail users are invited to participate. This includes cyclists, equestrians, climbers and hikers. A nonprofit status would make the coalition eligible for funding and grant programs that would otherwise be denied to government agencies. The American Hiking Society, Power Bar, Kodak, and REI are just some of the corporations offering grants for trail projects. While some programs may not offer large grants, a combination of funding sources may be enough to purchase easements, or contribute to small projects throughout town such as bicycle friendly racks, education programs, information pamphlets, maps and signage, or maintenance of existing trails. The possibilities are endless.

Examples of two trails that are of immediate concern and should be addressed by the coalition would be the access behind the Elks lodge at the top of  San Francisco Street and the trail out to Fisher Point off of Lonetree Road. Houses are already being built in the Elks lodge area and the private property signs are being posted. Private home owners already established in the area have been gracious enough to allow continued access through their property.  However, it will only take one homeowner to decide to fence the land and the access will be just a fond memory.  The development off of Lonetree Road is to be a gated golfing community and the site of the new Coconino Community College. At this point, a FUTS (Flagstaff Urban Trail System) trail is in the plans, but continued monitoring may be necessary to ensure the trail survives the development process intact.

Ponderosa Trails, located near the airport, is the project of one developer who has had the foresight and intelligence to realize that trails in a community are an asset and positive selling point to any prospective homeowner and also to the town. Unfortunately not all developers are of this mindset. This is one aspect that the coalition would address. It is hoped that a group of citizens speaking in one voice would remind developers and the local government agencies that trails are important to this community and are part of Flagstaff and its history. Other positive aspects of a coalition would be to promote alternative transportation and to demonstrate the connection between a quality trail system and a healthy economy and tourism industry. It could also act as a liaison and help improve communication between existing government agencies such as the Forest Service, City and County.  A volunteer network could also be developed that would help maintain trails and provide support for new projects.   

The coalition could do anything that its volunteers see necessary.  It would only ensure that Flagstaff would maintain the quality of life we all have come to appreciate.

To participate in the coalition, or for more information, contact Cynthia Lovely at clovely@co.coconino.az.us or by calling  774-1955. Or e-mail Joanne Gullyes at gullyes@yahoo.com. Get involved and you too can know you were one of the pioneers who helped Flagstaff maintain and improve the trail system that future generations will come to enjoy.

Joanne Gullyes returned to Flagstaff from Oregon about a year and a half ago. She relies heavily on her bicycle for transportation. She works at the Fronske Health Center at Northern Arizona University.