Collaboration of Regional Trail Initiatives

Wednesday, June 5

• Plan to arrive in St. Louis by noon for an optional bicycle tour or walking/transit tour of nearby greenways and other civic spots.
• 5:00 – 8:00 PM: Social and Dinner

Thursday, June 6

• Breakfast, Welcome to CRTI 2024; Meet the Brickline Greenway
• Brickline Greenway bus tour of Brickline Corridors, Greenway and Neighborhoods
• Stop #1: Brickline, Equity and Economic Development
• Lunch
• Stop #2: Brickline Community Engagement and Art
• Social and Dinner, Missouri Botanical Garden

Friday, June 7

• Breakfast
• Morning Program, St Louis Union Station Hotel
• Lunch, Wrap Up and Next Steps
• Optional Afternoon Excursions:
  • Option 1: Katy Trail Lunch & Bike Ride
    • Venture to the other major river in our region – the Missouri, to visit the KATY Trail State Park, a 240-mile rails-to-trails project (longest one in the US) crossing the state of Missouri since the 90s. Hear from folks involved in the establishment of this incredible asset and then hop onto bicycles to see it for yourself. From cross-country trekkers to daily visitors, this trail hosts programs, events and commuters alike throughout all four seasons. It’s been a successful catalyst for economic development along the way, often in small, post-industrial towns who’ve embraced trail-oriented development and tourism as an opportunity. Transportation, bike rental and lunch included in cost. Total bike ride is approximately 14 miles (1 hour of riding) on a flat, chat/limestone surface with several breaks along the way, 2 hour outing total. Inquire about adaptive bicycles or other accommodations.
  • Option 2: CityArchRiver Project Tour
    • CityArchRiver Project Tour: 12-3pm; Cost: Free or $19-$23 for tram and /or movie. Head downtown with a group and then get a tour of the $380 million public-private partnership that transformed the Gateway Arch National Park, the St. Louis Riverfront and Kiener Plaza, our civic commons. Hear from project partners about this unique collaboration to make the Gateway Arch and surrounding areas accessible, vibrant and connected for everyone. This project represented the largest private investment in a national park in U.S. history and includes flood mitigation and biodiversity improvements, a fully universally-designed accessible museum and park grounds and a unique partnership model that continues to operate, maintain and program these spaces in close coordination. Expect to walk 3-4 miles total, can take Metro or cab/rideshare back to Union Station to cut out the last 1.5 miles. Optional: stick around after the tour to take the tram to the top of the Gateway Arch!  You will buy your own tickets for the tram here.
  • Option 3: Forest Park Walking Tour
    • After lunch, meet your tour host at St. Louis Union Station Hotel and hop on the MetroLink for a Walking Tour of Forest Park, the crown jewel of St. Louis’ park system. This walking tour features major destinations in the park and hosted by the Missouri History Museum. Learn about the early history of the park, the 1904 World’s Fair and Olympics and how the park has served generations of St. Louis families and visitors and is one of the most visited parks in the United States – 12 million visitors annually! Expect to walk 3-4 miles total, can take MetroLink or cab/rideshare back to Union Station.

Reservation Deadline is May 5^th

• This year, everyone in the CRTI block must reserve your room directly. Please use this link online or reference group “Collaboration of Regional Trail Initiatives” by phone to join the group block with a special  rate. Wednesday and Thursday night rooms are included in event registration.
• Tuesday night rooms (early arrival) or Friday night rooms should also be reserved using the same link to receive the block rate.  Those rooms are paid for by participants.
• The St. Louis Union Station Hotel is our host for CRTI 2024. Each room is $199/night plus taxes.
  

   

CRTI is a three-day event from Wednesday after lunch to Friday after lunch. Event registration includes:

• All meals from Wednesday opening reception and dinner to Friday lunch, including a special reception and dinner at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
• Hotel accommodations at the St. Louis Union Station hotel Wednesday and Thursday night.
• Hosted by Great Rivers Greenway, a dynamic program experience including a Wednesday bicycle or walking/transit tour and a day in the field experiencing the Brickline Greenway – a tour and two community based workshops.
• A half-day Friday program at the St Louis Union Station hotel engaging and learning with colleagues from around the country on topics important to regional trail networks.

Participants pay:

• Your own travel to/from St. Louis 
• A fee of $50 if participating in the Wednesday bike ride
• The costs for optional Friday experiences in St. Louis, including Friday night dinner (on your own) and hotel if accommodation is needed
• A registration fee commensurate with your organization’s capacity and capabilities (see below for “What Is the Cost to Attend CRTI?”)

In 2024, CRTI is transitioning to a new financial model for our convening. The majority of CRTI’s funding and support for the St. Louis convening is provided by several generous sponsors, including the Helen and William Mazer Foundation, external funders, our host Great Rivers Greenway, and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC).

For 2024, attendees who are financially able are asked to pay a registration fee commensurate with your organization’s capacity and capabilities (please see recommended fee schedule). A registration fee enables this year’s event to be possible. If you require an invoice or purchase order from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (vendor), please contact Jen Torman.

Everyone who is invited to CRTI is welcome and encouraged to participate. The planning team recognizes some organizations / individuals are unable to pay more than their travel costs.

Recommended Fee Schedule

1. Travel Only: My organization can only pay for my travel.
2. $150
3. $350
4. Event Champion ($200): Any organization supporting the event with an additional $200 over the $350 registration fee will be recognized as an Event Champion.

Cancellation policy: Registration fees will be refunded if a request is received in writing no later than May 5, 2024. PEC reserves the right to charge a 15% cancellation fee. Please email Jen Torman at PEC with your refund request. Email: [email protected]

About CRTI

• Long distance trails and regional trail networks are an increasingly important part of trail systems and public infrastructure. While they share many of the same attributes and challenges of other trails, many are unique given their scope.
• The Coalition of Regional Trails Initiatives (CRTI) is a professional network devoted to the planning, maintenance, promotion, use, funding, and sustainability of long distance, multi-jurisdictional green and blue trails such that these trails become assets for everyone.
• The Coalition of Regional Trails Initiatives (CRTI) has become an important part of the professional network of planners, managers, funders, and advocates of regional and long-distance trail networks. Given the complexity of planning, design, funding, development, and management of these systems, CRTI meets a need that is not addressed adequately by any other trails organization.
• This network aims to provide participants with connections to other long distance trail practitioners and funders, foster partnerships and knowledge sharing, and facilitate sharing of technical resources to support their work.

As the collaboration expands and matures, the CRTI ‘24 event planning team clarified CRTI’s values and created an event code of conduct to intentionally support an event space that embodies our values.

Values:

• Generously share knowledge, resources and build relationships
• Create space to align agendas, efforts, and interests, as well as facilitate strategic initiatives and collaborations
• Belief in investment in public infrastructure to build a better community/society
• Provide opportunities to deepen professional relationships, hone leadership skills, and expand their impact
• Inclusion and participation
• Create a learning environment to advance equity in trail work
• Embrace community-driven solutions and amplify community-based expertise and experiences.

CRTI Code of Conduct

All those who attend or participate in CRTI events have the right to enjoy them and share in the activities equally. To support an environment that builds community and positive connections, participants in CRTI-sponsored events are invited and encouraged to engage and participate actively and respectfully. We are dedicated to ensuring that CRTI events are an inclusive, respectful, productive, and harassment-free experience for everyone, and that event activities are conducted with the intent to ensure each attendee’s safety and positive learning experience. Behavior that impedes or prevents accessibility, safety, services, or behavior that discriminates based on age, ability, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, political or institutional affiliation, or sexual orientation, or harassment of any kind, is strictly prohibited and may result in removal, being barred from any further participation, or, if appropriate, such violations may be reported to legal authorities.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

If you witness or are subjected to unacceptable behavior or have any other concerns at a CRTI -sponsored event, notify a CRTI planning committee member or facilitator as soon as possible. If you witness a crime or have an emergency that requires the police or emergency services, please call 911. If you have questions in advance of the event regarding the Code of Conduct or its implementation, please email the planning team via Jen Torman [email protected] at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. If a participant engages in unacceptable behavior, the CRTI planning team may take any action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to removing the participant from the event without a refund.