Greetings and Happy Holidays,
By now I am sure you may have heard the buzz, received postage, or a phone call inviting you to the Shelby County Trail Plan Meeting, if not, information about the Shelby County portion of the Mississippi River Trail is included in the attachments.
Starting on November 28th at 6:00pm-7:30pm at the Amtrak Station in downtown Memphis, we will kickoff a series of community outreach meetings for the next three Mondays until the 12th of December. Please continue and spread the word to your area churches, businesses, schools, and your place of work.
We look forward to having an insightful engagement with you, so don't forget to RSVP so that we can make all the necessary provisions for this important meeting.
Best Wishes and Regard,
Karen Thornton
Community Outreach Coordinator
University of Memphis City and Regional Planning Department
901.474.5633
Uploading of the attachments was not allowed due to file type, but if anyone wants to see them, send me your email and I'll forward them. Two were Word docs and I'll copy/paste the text below. The third was a brochure in MS Publisher format.
Attachement 1:
November 22, 2011
Dear Friend,
For the past twenty years, thousands of Americans and international tourists have enjoyed the beauty of the Mississippi River by walking, biking, and/or driving along the Mississippi River Trail which runs through ten states from Minnesota to Louisiana. Fifty-one miles of this important scenic by-way currently exists within Shelby County. But this trail which runs north-south through some of the state’s most beautiful natural areas and the City of Memphis’ most important historical and cultural areas is currently underutilized.
In an effort to enhance the economic and community development value of the Mississippi River Trail to current and future residents, business owners, and institutional leaders within our area, The Shelby County Park Commission asked the Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee organization to involve local residents and stakeholders in a discussion of how to improve the trail so as to improve the contribution this important recreational asset makes to the health, well-being, and economic stability of Shelby County residents.
For the past several months, the Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee in cooperation with the University of Memphis and the Memphis Regional Design Center have completed a detailed study of the existing trail, identifying specific ways in which the trail could make a stronger contribution to improving the quality of life of communities within the county.
During the next thirty days, the Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee will be hosting three dinner meetings to share their preliminary report with interested citizens and local officials. We are writing to invite you to participate in the Shelby County Trail Planning Meeting that is located nearest to you.
For those living/working/worshiping in and near Downtown Memphis:
Monday, November 28, 2011
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Central AMTRAK Station
545 South Main Street
For those living/working/worshiping in Southern Shelby County (South of Downtown near the DeSoto County border):
Monday, December 5, 2011
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Mitchell Community Center
602 West Mitchell
For those living/working/worshiping in Northern Shelby County (Near the Tipton Border and in North Memphis)
Monday, December 12, 2011
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
E.E Jeter Elementary School
7662 Benjestown Road
We would also appreciate your assistance in letting others know about the event. Please feel free to post the meeting announcements on your website and sharing this information regarding any listserves you may manage.
All residents, business owners, and elected and appointed officials are invited to join us for one of these meetings. Please note that a light supper will be served at each of these meetings and child care will be provided. As always, we greatly appreciate your assistance in helping us inform your neighborhood and community about these important community meetings.
Please RSVP Karen Thornton of the University of Memphis Graduate Program in City and Regional Planning at 901-474-5633 if you plan to attend. We want to make sure we have plenty of healthy food options on hand.
With warm regards,
Kenneth M. Reardon
Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in City and Regional Planning
School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy
The University of Memphis
901-678-2161
Attachement 2:
Bulletin Announcements
Please place this announcement in your church bulletin from November 12th until December 11th for the following list of community meetings.
Shelby County Trail Plan- Community Meeting
Cycling to a healthier tomorrow. Did you know that physical activity reduces the risk of colon and breast cancer, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and several other illnesses, reduces the likelihood of falls among older people and possibly most importantly, reduces feelings of anxiety and depression? Well it does! So, let’s get healthy! The Mississippi River Corridor - Tennessee, University of Memphis, and the Memphis Regional Design Center cordially invite you to one of the following community meetings to discuss ways to improve the Shelby County Trail Plan to enhance its health benefit and economic contribution to your community:
1) Monday, November 28, 2011 at 6:00pm-7:30pm at the Amtrak Train Station, 545 S. Main Street
2) Monday December 5, 2011 at 6:00 pm -7:30 pm at Mitchell Community Center 602 W. Mitchell
3) Monday December 12, 2011 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at E E Jeter Elementary School 7662 Benjestown
Road
Please place this announcement in your church bulletin from November 12th until December 11th for the following list of community meetings.
Shelby County Trail Plan- Community Meeting
Cycling to a healthier tomorrow. Did you know that physical activity reduces the risk of colon and breast cancer, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and several other illnesses, reduces the likelihood of falls in older people and possibly most importantly, reduces feelings of anxiety and depression? Well it does! So, let’s get healthy! The Mississippi River Corridor- Tennessee, University of Memphis, and the Memphis Regional Design Center cordially invite you to the following community meeting to discuss ways to improve the Shelby County Trail Plan to enhance its health benefit and economic contribution to your community:
1) Monday, November 28, 2011 at 6:00 pm-7:30 pm at the Amtrak Train Station, 545 S. Main Street
2) Monday December 5, 2011 at 6:00 pm -7:30 pm at Mitchell Community Center 602 W. Mitchell
3) Monday December 12, 2011 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at E E Jeter Elementary School 7662 Benjestown
Road
Please place this announcement in your church bulletin to run the day before the following list of community meetings.
Shelby County Trail Plan- Community Meeting
Cycling to a healthier tomorrow. Did you know that physical activity reduces the risk of colon and breast cancer, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and several other illnesses, reduces the likelihood of falls in older people and possibly most importantly, reduces feelings of anxiety and depression? Well it does! So, let’s get healthy! Tomorrow the Mississippi River Corridor- Tennessee, University of Memphis, and the Memphis Regional Design Center cordially invite you to the following community meeting to discuss ways to improve the Shelby County Trail Plan to enhance its health benefit and economic contribution to your community:
1) Monday, November 28, 2011 at 6:00pm-7:30pm at the Amtrak Train Station, 545 S. Main Street
2) Monday December 5, 2011 at 6:00 pm -7:30 pm at Mitchell Community Center 602 W. Mitchell
3) Monday December 12, 2011 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at E E Jeter Elementary School 7662 Benjestown
Road
Pulpit Announcement
Shelby County Trail Plan
For the past twenty years, thousands of Americans and international tourists have enjoyed the beauty of the Mississippi River by walking, biking, and/or driving along the Mississippi River Trail which runs through ten states from Minnesota to Louisiana. Designated as one of the sixteen National Millennium Trails in 2000 for reflecting unique aspects of America’s history and culture, a portion of the Tennessee- Mississippi River Trail runs through 52 miles of Shelby County roads and trails. Residents of Memphis and Shelby County are cordially invited to one of a series of community meetings to enhance the health and economic benefits of this important public amenity to our community. These meetings are being sponsored by the Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee, The University of Memphis, the Memphis Regional Design Center, and the Shelby County Trail Commission. Dinner will be served at each meeting and childcare will be provided. Please RSVP by emailing or calling Karen Thornton at kmthrnt1@memphis.edu or (901) 474-5633.
