Proposed Egg Harbor Project Receives TAP Funding -plus- a Trail Tracking Project from People for Bikes!
Door County is one of Wisconsin’s most popular vacation destinations for people who love the outdoors. Unfortunately, there are very few options for exploring the peninsula without a car. This past spring, the Bike Fed worked with stakeholders and local officials in the village of Egg Harbor, WI to discuss trail projects that would increase safe cycling and walking opportunities for community members and visitors alike.
One of the highest priorities is an off-road bike or pedestrian trail between the Village of Egg Harbor and the Village of Fish Creek, where the area’s school is located. Most village residents and visitors are located just outside of the village downtown with its shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and community spaces. Currently, safe walking or biking options into the village are non-existent.
Last week, representatives from the National Park Service visited Door County to conduct initial site visits. The National Park Service (NPS) Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) selected the Village of Egg Harbor Trails Project – through a competitive grant process – to receive technical assistance and community planning.
The NPS has provided a professional landscape architect and a community planner to assist with:
- Collaboration services by identifying and engaging collaborative partners and stakeholders;
- Developing strategies for public outreach and engagement of interested parties to take part in planning;
- Conducting stakeholder and public engagement and input through workshops;
- Developing trail feasibility recommendations, conceptual plans of trails and desired recreational amenities and features.
This spring, Travis Thyssen (Gibraltar Town Administrator), with the help of other local stakeholders, also applied for a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to begin a feasibility study for the proposed trail. The Bike Fed is excited to share that the Door County communities were awarded TAP funding. We look forward to continued involvement in the planning and development of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure that will increase safety and connectivity in the Door County communities of Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Gibraltar, Ephraim, and Sister Bay.
Interested in tracking bicycle & pedestrian projects in WI and Nationally?
The Bike Fed is proud to support one of its national partners, People for Bikes, and their brand new Great Bike Infrastructure Project. The Great Bike Infrastructure Project’s purpose is to track and assist with major bike infrastructure projects around the country to increase community connectivity, biking accessibility, and safety.
“Building safe, fun, and connected places to bike where people live is central to [our] vision. By activating community support and providing local leaders with the tools to leverage this unprecedented funding and build protected bike lanes, off-street trails, pump tracks, bike parks, and more, we’re ensuring Americans of all ages and abilities can experience the joy of riding a bike in their community.”
– People for Bikes President and CEO, Jenn Dice
This new project will undoubtedly serve as a crucial asset for connecting project stakeholders, communities, elected officials, and advocacy organizations like the Bike Fed for years to come. We can’t wait to see more Wisconsin infrastructure projects identified and added to the map soon!
Are you interested in learning more about bike/ped projects in Wisconsin and across the country? Check out the new mapping tool on the Great Bike Infrastructure Project website to explore!