Incredible work. Maybe the Genoa "Indian School" in Genoa Nebraska can be included in a "trail of no more tears" campaign. Every year, Native Americans travel on horseback retracing the trail of tears in reverse. I see a lot of possibilities for rails to trails to include consciousness of Native America and land stewardship as part of the experience or even the charter of the project. For instance, the General Crook house is in Council bluffs, Iowa across the river from Omaha. These trails really can be Native American historic sites. You are in effect traveling down a timeline of US history, tragedy and hopefully healing. Being aware of these facts and this history along the route could be something that is encouraged. State organizations are all about historic landmarks. There is also significant awareness in Omaha of the history of the Ponca and their forced march from Niobrara in north east Nebraska to Oklahoma, on foot, and the trial of Chief Standing Bear which also involved General Crook, who had a sudden case of guilty conscious. This was a North-South route however.
You should find other non profits to partner with to provide specific types of attractions along the trail. Perhaps Audubon Society might pick 3 or 4 great birding sites or detours and support their inclusion into the trail as a stop and point of interest. Perhaps IWLA - Izzak Walton League might want to support a couple of stops or detours at great places to fish along the trail. How about partnering with a bicycle manufacturer providing some benches and bike parking stands along parts of the trail advertising local bike shops and places to eat. Having local tourism attractions included in the trail design will help gain local support for trails.
Excellent update.
Incredible work. Maybe the Genoa "Indian School" in Genoa Nebraska can be included in a "trail of no more tears" campaign. Every year, Native Americans travel on horseback retracing the trail of tears in reverse. I see a lot of possibilities for rails to trails to include consciousness of Native America and land stewardship as part of the experience or even the charter of the project.
For instance, the General Crook house is in Council bluffs, Iowa across the river from Omaha. These trails really can be Native American historic sites. You are in effect traveling down a timeline of US history, tragedy and hopefully healing. Being aware of these facts and this history along the route could be something that is encouraged. State organizations are all about historic landmarks.
There is also significant awareness in Omaha of the history of the Ponca and their forced march from Niobrara in north east Nebraska to Oklahoma, on foot, and the trial of Chief Standing Bear which also involved General Crook, who had a sudden case of guilty conscious. This was a North-South route however.
You should find other non profits to partner with to provide specific types of attractions along the trail.
Perhaps Audubon Society might pick 3 or 4 great birding sites or detours and support their inclusion into the trail as a stop and point of interest. Perhaps IWLA - Izzak Walton League might want to support a couple of stops or detours at great places to fish along the trail. How about partnering with a bicycle manufacturer providing some benches and bike parking stands along parts of the trail advertising local bike shops and places to eat. Having local tourism attractions included in the trail design will help gain local support for trails.