Summit County Trails Forum

The first half of my work day was exceptionally exciting! I was invited to and attended the Summit County Trails Forum for a morning of networking, trail discussion, and the unveiling of the newly designed Summit County Trail Plan.

Reasons I was invited:
1. I'm on the board for "the towpath committee," as I like to call it.
2. I'm an active user of the parks and I've indicated interest in contributing in some way.
3. I'm an engineer. Parks need engineers to design things like trails, bridges, drainage systems, etc.

Reasons my employer agreed to let me go:
1. Many elected officials were present: mayors of local cities and townships, directors of parks, and even a senator. These people are decision makers for projects my company seeks to obtain. Putting our name in front of them is always good.
2. Networking with decision makers and other interested parties.
3. To learn more about the needs and goals of trail projects, particularly in Summit county.

Reasons I really wanted to go:
1. I love trails! I use them several times a week. In fact I just spent 6 miles running on the towpath this morning!
2. Yeah, and the other reasons listed above too.

I am so glad that my profession ushers me into this tree-hugging, happy life leading community of people! I practiced my network skills (more on this later) and came away with cards (AND intentions to use said business cards) of some high profile people. Of them:

Ivan Kassov of the Cuyahoga Valley National Parks - to get me more involved in the CVNP workings for my personal involvement and this blog. And work. Yes, my company could potentially do work for the CVNP.

Gary Whidden, self-named A Citizen of the Valley - to go on a behind-the-scenes-kayaking trip in Cuyahoga Falls. I can't wait to see the Cuyahoga from this angle. Also, I plan to discuss the removal of the famous Gorge dams from the engineers' perspective.

State Senator Frank LaRose - to give him information about Akron Rugby. It's True! I had absolutely nothing to say to him, except "Thanks for standing up for the Parks in your caucus. We really appreciate it." I almost didn't go up to him because I didn't think that was worthy, but I decided I needed to at least expose myself to a conversation of someone powerful, no matter how small. It's like singing, the more you do it, the less nervous you get. While waiting for my chance to say hello, I overheard him talk about living in Copley. I play rugby in Copley! YES! After I thanked him I said "And since you live in Copley, I wanted to invite you to a rugby game. The mens and womens teams play right behind Carter Lumber." And you probably think he politely thanked me while rolling his eyes inside. But guess what.

HE FREAKING PLAYS RUGBY! His face perked up, he said he would love to come, and then he said "Maybe I could even play!" He quickly gave me his card and asked me to email him the details. That just happened.

Let's get back to the forum. It was an absolutely beautiful day to meet at Goodyear Heights Metropark with the golden sun, Autumn rainbow of trees, and our unseasonably warm weather. I learned a good bit about all the work required to complete a trail from start to finish. It's actually a pretty long process, particularly when the production involves several partners. The general process, as told by the Mayor of Bath township:

1. Write a Mission Statement
2. Form a Committee
3. Hire a Consultant if possible and appropriate
4. Review history and current situation
5. Solicit citizen input
6. Formulate plan
7. Solicit citizen input again
8. Implement plan
  8a. Find money
  8b. Design
  8c. Construction

You would probably guess that stage 8a above is the deal breaker in many cases, but actually, it's step 1. Without a clear vision, projects simply fall apart. It's never because of the money. That's comforting... sorta.

But the big moment of this whole shindig was the unveiling of the New 2012 Summit County Trails Map! The Towpath through Summit County has finally been completed this year and now we're moving on to Phase II. If the towpath is the backbone of our county's trail system, much like the body, we need a means to get to the blood of our county to the spine and send it on it's way. (Play with this map to see what is currently available.) Phase II is all about connecting the width of our county to the towpath. This requires the strength of many organizations working together. I wish I could show you the exciting new plan for all the trails yet to come, but I've been advised to keep it on the downlow. The OECC did promise to publish it before the end of the year, however, after we've received comments and finalized it.

Stay tuned for more information stemming from my new contacts and other Trail goodies! This is an exciting time to live and play in Akron!

Fun on a school night

You know that girl. The one that is involved in everything. Every time you see her, she’s got her hands in something else and she runs with it full speed. She’s on the board for this organization. She volunteers for that organization. She juggles work and professional events while still maintaining her home life and hobbies. She’s always busy and you get tired just imagining the looks of her daily planner. She jams cocktails with friends between a charity golf outing, softball practice, and making designer cupcakes for work. She runs marathons on the side. And she has the gull to make it all look like it’s no big deal. Like anyone can do it. She probably even feels a little bit guilty that she’s not doing enough… that the ball is falling somewhere.

Maybe you’re impressed with her ability to organize her life that way. Maybe you’re annoyed with her but can’t quite explain why her choice to do everything bothers you. Maybe you just shake your head, call her crazy, and smile.

You know that girl? It’s me.

 I like being extra-involved and over-stretched. I like having a million things to do and lots of people to be with. I like filling my life with things that make me happy. I guess I just have a lot of things that make me happy.

I know why I am like this but we won’t get into the psychology of it now. While the reasons for my tendencies aren’t awesome, I do love the dividends this lifestyle has provided me. I am very fulfilled right now, thanks to the events I attend, committees I engage in, and people I converse with.

What I don’t like is having to leave one event/party/gathering to get to another. I hate leaving. I hate missing out on anything. We’ll talk about this more someday too.

But for now, let’s focus on the positive. Yesterday was not my definition of busy (others would disagree), but it was my definition of full.

 

Work was normal up until I left early to make it to a client’s office to deliver the final report for a project I’ve completed. Meeting with the client is always a good time to strengthen the relationship, which helps get more work for myself and the company. This is good. This is how I can increase my chances of staying gainfully employed.

Following that I drove across town to a board meeting with my main professional organization, ASCE. We get work done at these meetings, which feels good, but I really enjoy the time to be with these other professionals and share my energy for something good.

A quick change-a-roo in Daisy (my car) and I was on my way to the Portage Lakes Running Club. My husband thinks the idea of a running group is silly. Why do you need to join a group of strangers to run in a place they tell you at a time of their choosing? Why not get your own ass out to the trail and get your workout done? I’ll tell you why.

a.)   Because it’s much easier to bail on yourself than your group.

b.)   You don’t have to do the planning. Just put PLX at 6pm on your calendar every Tuesday, check in to see to which local trail you should drive, and be there.

c.)   To meet people, silly! This is where you find people with the common interest of exercise, running, and Akron! There’s probably someone else that runs your speed (we’ve got everything from 6 minute milers to 12 minute walk-and-run milers) and you already have something to talk about. Plus, like Mom always says: safety in numbers!

d.)   Cookies! This group brings cookies to enjoy during the post-run, endorphin-enhanced, totally optional chit-chat.

Five easy miles with some self-initiated Tabata Training at the end. Perfect for the kick I needed to keep going with the night. Because it still wasn’t over.

Dinner and a shower later, I was on my way to Annabells, the rugby bar. Every city with a rugby team has a rugby bar and you know it right away when you walk in. I can’t wait to tell you about ours some day. Our season may be over, but the team is year round. This time the women’s team gathered to celebrate a rookie’s 21st birthday! It was everything you could expect from a 21st birthday: shots, vodka drinks, dancing on structures not meant for dancing, strangers becoming friends for the occasion, and yes, puking. Welcome to Akron Rugby, girlie. ;)

Home at 11pm, thankful for the 8am work start time that I usually complain is too late. And here we are today.