The Terry Lavender Churchill Fellowship to explore opportunities for trail destinations to attract and grow world class 'shared-use' interests

PROJECT PURPOSE 

Many understand a shared trail as infrastructure that equally and respectfully supports multiple recreation and transportation opportunities. 

I consider the word ‘share’ an interesting one, defined by our ability to collectively use a resource or space. An action to consider everyone’s interests and respond in a manner that allows us all to thrive. 

Maximising the value of shared-use trails is outdoor recreation’s greatest challenge - how do we get multiple users to share trails, activate the spaces the trails surrounding and engage those users in a meaningful and enjoyable way. 

Shared-use is much more than just a practical use. It’s about sharing in community, responsibility, history, mutual respect, ownership, knowledge, skills and most importantly, experience. 

The outdoors matters because it brings people together, in community. A place for people to belong, a space for people to feel equal. The outdoors allows us all a chance to undertake our own experiences that can challenge, grow, inspire and connect us. 

Keywords: Trails, shared trails, outdoors, multi-use trails, adventure, mountain biking, bushwalking, horse riding, trail building, experiential learning, nature tourism