August 13, 2007
Parks and Open Space Trail (POST) Stewards Wanted
This is the first of a monthly e-mail newsletter about POST Activities!
Dear Master Naturalist Friends!
I have you on my list and I'm checking it twice! Thanks you so much for your interest in this project.
So What exactly is P.O.S.T.?
We've all seen it. Unnecessary vandalism in our public spaces has become a major problem for the city of Flagstaff. Not only does it offend the senses of residents it costs us all a lot of money and gives our city the appearance of being unkempt and poorly maintained.
We all have a favorite spot in one of our parks, along the Flagstaff Urban Trail System or in our many Open Spaces. The P.O.S.T. project is to enlist members of our public to accept responsibility for a specific section of these valuable places and be the "eyes and ears" for the city to provide another layer of protection.
No, we're not asking folks to act like law enforcement or perform heavy duty repairs. Our mandate will be to enjoy a selected public space and while doing so report problems to insure that location will remain a pleasant experience - not only for ourselves but others as well.
This is an idea that cuts across the political spectrum - Any responsible citizen can support it - and my hope is that we will all understand that concept and support this project to the best of our individual abilities.
My role is this program is to recruit, provide information and serve as a "go between" to keep things moving smoothly.
As a recruiter, I am counting on you to pass the idea forward to those you think interested and I will make every effort to present the project/idea at public meetings, forums and events.
As a Information provider,we will use the Flagstaff Trails Talk meeting (third Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM at the Adult Center) as a place to gain information about the program or sign up. The meeting will appear in the Calendar of the Arizona Daily Sun.
As a "Go Between", POST Stewards are asked to call 911 when the police are needed
for a violation and that is all. Do not hang around, try to enforce anything or become directly
involved. The police know about POST and will do their job as they always do it - Very Well!
Call them only in case of a real emergency!
If you see something that needs repair or other adjustment (In a park, FUTS or Open Space) please forward the Post Card to the City Parks and Recreation Department. Do not make follow up calls! Our responsibility is only to report! If you think something is not being attended to call Jack Welch at 714 0504 or e-mail: ADILLLO@aol.com and let me be the "Go Between".
The fingerprint requirement has been dropped. I know you are all good people. You still have to sign a waiver and if you have not done so I will be glad to mail one to you or you can pick one up at the next Flagstaff Trails Talk meeting (Wednesday, 15 August 2007 at 6:30 PM at the new Adult Center). You also will have to sign the form outlining the program so we know you have read it and agree with the easy terms.
There are some very nice POST hats, T shirts and regular shirts for the use of volunteers. Also fanny packs. Once you have signed the waiver I can give you those items - A hat - either a T Shirt or regular shirt and a fanny pack (while they last.)
My friends Joe Haughey and Matt Evans have provide the seed money and represent the major effort to get the POST project underway. Organizations involved are the Northern Arizona Association of Realtors, Parks & Recreation Department of the City of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona Builders Association, "Walk The Walk", Coconino Cycling Club and myself. I am new to this kind of activity- overseeing a project of this size - and I expect I will make some mistakes along the way but one thing I am very sure of is the importance of this project moving forward into a viable community action.
We Can Do This!
The following people have become a part of the POST project. I will include the park, section of the FUTS are Open Space they have selected to "eye and ear". Some people have decided to be "rovers" and not be tied to a specific place. We expect many different ideas and concepts to emerge and we will be agreeable to most anything as long as it serves the purpose of POST - To keep our Parks, Open Space and Trails to the highest Flagstaff standards of appearance and use.
CURRENT POST VOLUNTEERS and AREA OF INTEREST
Mary Robertson and the R to R Hiking Group - FUTS -Hemlock Trailhead to Buffalo Park
Bea Cooley - Picture Canyon
Sarah Lantz - FUTS - Lone Tree Road to Arizona Trail
Chris Newell and Willow Bend Environmental Education Center - FUTS -Lone Tree Road to
Arizona Trail
Kay and Erv Perelstein Ft Tuthill FUTS - FR 532 to Ft Tuthill
Bill and Judy Kunkle - Picture Canyon
Kimberly Sharpe - Rover
Brian and Ann Blue - Rover
Debbie Shepard - Rover
Georgia Duncan - FUTS - Lynette to Blue Willow Drive
Joe Haughey - Rover
Jack Welch - FUTS/Arizona Trail - Waste Water Treatment Plant to McMillan Mesa
Matt Evans - Rover
Barbara Phillips - Trail from the Fir/Mesa Neighborhood to Sechrist School
Kevin Parkes - FUTS - Boulder Point to University Heights
Mary Anne & Erik Larson - Rover
Jan and Berry Bertaini - Rover
Marilyn and Larry Schwind - Rovers
Kris & Michael Satterwhite - Ponderosa Trails FUTS
OK there it is! Help me correct any errors I have made and lets move forward and gain a whole city full of
POST Volunteers!
Thanks
Jack Welch
714 0504
ADILLLO@aol.com