Reviving Rivers and Renewing Habitat in Central Wyoming
The Platte River Trails Trust (PRTT) is devoted to the year-round maintenance and enhancement of the North Platte River and its associated pathways in Casper, WY. Established by concerned citizens, PRTT aims to foster community connectivity through an 11-mile river pathway.
With support from the City of Casper, the City of Mills, and private donors, PRTT hosts annual events like Spring Cleanup Day and Riverfest, attracting significant community involvement. Spring Cleanup Day in 2023 saw over 100 participants recover nearly half a ton of garbage, while Riverfest welcomes up to 2,500 attendees for community activities and a beer-tasting event.
In 2023, Enbridge's $5,000 Fueling Futures grant sponsored these events and funded new mile markers along the trails. PRTT has over 40 years of success in creating and maintaining trails, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of the North Platte River for future generations.
- Enbridge's $5,000 Fueling Futures grant supported pivotal PRTT activities in 2023.
- The North Platte River and pathways project enhances community connectivity across an 11-mile stretch.
- Annual events, such as Spring Cleanup Day and Riverfest, foster significant community engagement.
- Spring Cleanup Day 2023 recovered nearly half a ton of garbage, showing strong community participation.
- Riverfest attracts between 1,500 to 2,500 people each year, contributing to local tourism and community spirit.
- Installation of mile markers funded by the grant aids in trail usability and acknowledges financial supporters.
- PRTT boasts over 40 years of experience in successful trail-building and maintenance.
- Efforts ensure the preservation of natural beauty and future accessibility of the North Platte River.
- Ongoing maintenance of trails and pathways requires continuous funding and volunteer support.
- Few large grants focus on maintenance, posing a challenge for long-term sustainability.
- The project's reliance on community events and private donations may lead to financial instability.
- Environmental efforts like garbage collection indicate ongoing urbanization issues impacting the river.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 28, 2024 / Enbridge
Platte River Trails Trust offers year-round TLC to ‘crown jewel' North Platte River and associated pathways
The project started from humble beginnings-a group of concerned citizens coming together to breathe life back into a river that was showing signs of urbanization.
From there, the project took on a life of its own.
"The group had a vision beyond just river restoration," says Rachel Spear, executive director of Platte River Trails. "They created a master plan around building pathways to better connect the community, and have been working to bring this to fruition since."
The river pathway represents an 11-mile stretch of the North Platte River that courses through Casper, WY as the "spine" of the community's trail system. With cooperation from the City of Casper, the City of Mills, and private donors, Platte River Trails Trust works to preserve the river corridor and enhance local pedestrian pathways to make non-motorized transportation accessible to people of all ages.
"It's sort of the jewel of our community."
Efforts are ongoing throughout the year to build new infrastructure and maintain existing trails, but Platte River Trails also hosts annual hallmark events for community participation and celebration.
PRTT's Spring Cleanup Day is a city-wide event which sees more than 100 individuals partake in garbage pick-up and vegetation management to beautify the trails before summer. In 2023, the city estimated that nearly half a ton of garbage was recovered from the cleanup day.
And Riverfest, held in late summer, attracts between 1,500 to 2,500 people each year to enjoy community-building activities next to the river trail. The decades-old fundraising event offers a signature beer-tasting event complete with local craft brewers from Wyoming and neighboring states.
"Many people feel a real sense of ownership for the river," says Spear. "Both of these events, plus our always-on activities throughout the year, provide numerous opportunities to partner and help take care of it."
A recent Enbridge Fueling Futures grant of
"These markers, while also nice to look at, are more of a way to recognize our partners who support the trails financially," says Spear. "We frequently get large grants to build trails, but few people are as interested in maintenance to help take care of them."
With more than 40 years of success behind them in trail-building and maintaining, Platte River Trails Trust ensures that the Casper community can look forward to a future of accessibility and preserved natural beauty.
"We want to be good custodians of what's already developed, and preserve our beautiful river for future generations to enjoy."
TOP PHOTO: The North Platte River as it winds its way through Casper, WY.
View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Enbridge on 3blmedia.com.
Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Enbridge
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/enbridge
Email: info@3blmedia.com
SOURCE: Enbridge
View the original press release on accesswire.com
FAQ
What is the Platte River Trails Trust?
How does the Platte River Trails Trust contribute to the community?
What annual events does the Platte River Trails Trust host?
How did Enbridge support the Platte River Trails Trust in 2023?
What was the impact of the Spring Cleanup Day in 2023?
What is the significance of the mile markers installed by Platte River Trails Trust?
