Leveraging Cross-Sector Partnerships and Technology

Communities across the country are seeking to promote their trails and natural spaces as part of an overall effort to create a healthier community. Leveraging cross-sector partnerships and new technology platforms can assist with this goal. This webinar will explore QCTrails.org, a free, user-friendly, interactive, and mobile-responsive website which serves as a comprehensive resource that highlights multi-purpose trails, parks, and side-paths in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Users can track their physical activity progress in real-time and share their experiences with friends through social media. This webinar will feature the impact that a site like QCTrails.org can have on the health of a community for both residents and visitors.

Nicole Carkner, Executive Director of the Quad City Health Initiative, will provide background on how the community health assessment for the Quad Cities has repeatedly identified nutrition and physical activity as key priority areas of opportunity for the health sector. She will also detail the impact of forming coalitions made up of cross-sector organizations and how they have been instrumental in the development of QCTrails.org.
Lisa Miller, Data/Graphics/GIS Director of the Bi-State Regional Commission and project leader for the Web-Based Interactive Trails Map, QCTrails.org, will present how QCTrails.org opens trail experiences to all members of the community regardless of age or ability and offers perfect opportunities for Quad Cities’ residents to move more and be active outdoors. Additionally, she will speak to the technological aspects of QCTrails, as well as how QCTrails fosters strong connections with trail managers throughout the community.

Joe Taylor, President and CEO of the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, will speak to the impact trails can have on creating a healthy community by supporting local businesses and economies through tourism. He will offer insight on the many benefits a trails website can offer to communities throughout the country.

Key Learning Points—Leveraging Cross-Sector Partnerships and Technology to Develop a Healthy, Vibrant Trails Community:

1. Learn how a cross-sector community collaborative dedicated to community health improvement partnered with a metropolitan planning organization to promote the health benefits of our community's built environment.

2. Review the process, infrastructure, and technology leveraged to create a web enabled map of our community's many options for outdoor recreation.

3. Discuss the potential future connections for promoting our community as a healthy community to residents and tourists alike.

Trail Competencies

No skills listed.

Relevant Trail Types

General. All trail types are relevant.