This past spring, the Meeker Chamber of Commerce landed a grant from the Colorado Tourism Office, with a match from the Lodging Tax Board, that would fund the production of a guidebook unique to the White River Valley. After a year of work to develop and obtain this funding, the guide is now available in both print and digital copies.
“The Trail to Responsible Recreation” was spearheaded by the Meeker Chamber’s Tourism Coordinator Trudy Burri. And Trudy wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the guide’s creation.
“I would say it took about a year to put the guide all together…. researching the content, the design, illustrations, collaborations with the Care for Meeker team and other organizations.
After the Colorado Tourism Convention in September, 2022 the Meeker Chamber of Commerce became a member of the Care for Colorado Coalition from there we formed a small group of stakeholders, the Care for Meeker Collation. I presented my idea of creating a recreation guide that would be based around stewardship,” Burri said.
And it is clear that we need that stewardship, since the pandemic began to plague the United States in 2020, interest in outdoor recreation has increased significantly. COVID-19 significantly impacted people’s attitudes and behaviors toward outdoor activities. With restrictions on indoor gatherings and a heightened awareness of the importance of physical and mental well-being, many individuals have turned to outdoor pursuits for solace, exercise and recreation. Here are a few ways in which outdoor interests have increased since the onset of the pandemic:
Exploration of Nature: People have sought solace in nature to find respite from the stresses of the pandemic. Hiking, camping and visiting local parks have become more popular as individuals seek opportunities to connect with the natural world.
Outdoor Fitness Activities: With gyms and indoor fitness centers closed or restricted, many have turned to outdoor exercise routines such as running, cycling and outdoor yoga. The appeal of fresh air and open spaces has attracted people to these activities, leading to a surge in interest in outdoor fitness.
Family Bonding Activities: Families have increasingly turned to outdoor activities as a means of spending quality time together. Picnics, nature walks and bike rides have become popular ways for families to bond and enjoy each other’s company in a safe and socially distant manner.
Adventure Tourism and Staycations: With travel restrictions in place, people have explored their local areas more extensively, seeking out nearby natural attractions and engaging in activities such as rock climbing, hiking and boating. This shift has led to a surge in adventure tourism and staycations, where individuals explore the attractions and natural beauty within their own regions. While this is a nationwide reality, Meeker has surely noticed this trend in the past three years. If you have been out at all you have likely met a number of new residents who relocated to our area for its small town comfort and beauty but work remotely.
The pandemic has underscored the importance of outdoor activities for both physical and mental well-being, fostering a newfound appreciation for the natural world and prompting many to incorporate outdoor pursuits into their daily lives.
And those of us who have always loved and enjoyed the outdoors completely understand why that is. However, understanding of how to recreate responsibly did not increase as swiftly as the interest in the outdoors did, but thankfully we have Burri and many others dedicated to sustaining our public lands and the beauty they offer. More than 10 different people and organizations helped to develop this guide that focuses specifically on the White River Valley. It is likely one of the firsts of its kind — a booklet of information that will be relevant for years and hopefully find its way into every pack that hikes our trails, paddles our lakes and rivers, or rides our mountains.
This guide is incredibly in depth, with 48 pages covering essential outdoor recreation subjects/concerns.
To view the digital copy of the Trail to Responsible Recreation visit meekerchamber.com.
BY ADRIENNE WIX
