An Information Center

An important goal of the Green Space Coalition (GSC) and the Mon River Trails Conservancy (MRTC) is to promote green space issues and projects by facilitating communication among government, business and non-governmental public organizations. The Parks and Trails Center will be available to any of these groups as an outlet for the following information:

• Brochures and newsletters for green space-related organizations, announcements of current activities
• Contact information for representatives of organizations
• Progress on current regional projects, plans for future projects
• National Green Space, Park, and Trail organizations and projects
• General reference information regarding green spaces (books, Videos, CD-ROM's describing the biology of greenways, etc.). The Parks and Trails Center will function as a lending library for these materials.

Parks and Trails Communications Center

The Parks and Trails Center will provide a communications hub for groups working on green space issues. In addition to the information listed above, the Parks and Trails Center will operate an e-mail news list, to link people with questions to people with answers.

Grant-Writing Center

The Parks and Trails Center will maintain information regarding current funding opportunities. Several members of GSC and MRTC have extensive experience in writing grant Proposals. This expertise and other resources at the Parks and Trails Center will be available to assist groups preparing grant proposals.

Volunteer Action Center

A listing of volunteer needs and volunteer resources will be maintained at the Parks and Trails Center, and the staff will attempt to match volunteers with projects.

Facilitation Center

The Parks and Trails Center will be a responsive office where area citizens can provide input into on-going projects and the development and protection of future greenspace.

A basic principle of the GSC is to promote cooperation among all parties in achieving common green space goals, and the GSC is available through the Parks and Trails Center to help facilitate the resolution of conflicts among groups or over particular issues.

Walkable/Bikeable Community Center

The Parks and Trails Center will provide a base of operations for developing alternative transportation projects in the Mon Valley and tri-county area.

Beautification/Urban Forestry Center

The Parks and Trails Center will help to promote and coordinate beautification and urban forestry through its informational resources.

To become involved in improving and protecting parks, trails and other greenspaces in the tri-county region, contact Ella Belling at (304) 598-2710 or (304) 293-2941 x2414 or email at ebelling@wvu.edu.