Cle Elum Coal Mines Trail - Laserfiche WebLink

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This project meets the goals and priorities outlined in the Kittitas County Tourism Infrastructure Plan as follows: Goal 1: Develop integrity of place -enhance Kittitas County's geographical character by developing and improving the environment, agriculture, recreation, heritage, and culture in distinctive ways to differentiate Kittitas County from other areas and to engender local community pride. This project develops and improves recreation, heritage and culture in distinctive ways which differentiates the town of Cle Elum from other areas. The Coal Mines trail is currently used by walkers, dog walkers, hikers, runners, bikers, cross country skiers, snowmobilers and horseback riders. The enhancements that this project provides will increase the attractiveness of the recreation experience for all of these users. The descriptive sign age at various coal mine sites along the trail will promote the unique heritage, history and culture of Cle Elum. The directional signage will promote the linkage and use of mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding trails in Cle Elum and surrounding areas. All of these improvements will lead to an attractive, connective, historical trail system that distinguishes Cle Elum from many other communities. The enhanced recreational and cultural experience will engender Cle Elum community pride. Goal 2: Be market selective -encourage growth in tourism market segments most likely to appreciate, respect, and disseminate information about the distinctive assets of Kittitas County including environmental, agricultural, heritage, and cultural segments that are not as currently well known and frequented as recreational. The Coal Mines Trail experience attracts recreationalists, nature lovers and heritage and cultural buffs. These trail users are well connected within their circle of influence, using social media, websites and clubs and organizations to disseminate information. A significantly enhanced user experience at the Coal Mines trail will make news! Information will be disseminated via these connection channels. Recreationalist use will be reinvigorated. Both prior users and new users will be enticed to explore the enhanced Coal Mines Trail as well as all the additional trails that radiate out from it. Mountain bikers will be enticed by the fact that 75% of all mountain bike trails in Kittitas County are located in the Upper County, most of which radiate out from the Coal Mines Trail (see Mountain Bike Trails Map on page 41 of Kittitas County Tourism Infrastructure Plan). The less well known heritage and cultural aspects of the trail will receive greater attention due to the enhanced informational sign age that will be present at the various coal mine sites along the trail. Another lesser known segment of the tourist population will benefit from this project - spouses/significant others of hunters who do not participate in hunting. These people 3