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BEAR Project Board Goals 2014 The Mission of the Better Environment and River Project is to “Develop the Bear River as a Natural and Cultural Focal Point for the Community.” Approved January 15, 2014 1. Continue to Fill Vacant BEAR Board Positions with Volunteer Citizens that Support and have a Passion for the BEAR Project and are willing to Serve as Committee Chairman. 2. Continue to Appoint All Board Members as Chairman over a BEAR Project Committee and/or BEARiverFest Committee including: BEARiverFest – Cody Bateman Trail Extension – Wade Henderson Education ,History, Interpretative & Conservation – Website Promotion, Marketing, – Lynne Fox Memorial Tree Grove Recognition Day – Patricia Arnold Fund Raising – Marilee Jackson Bear Meadows – Wetlands Board Walk – Karri Sabey Others 3. Evaluate the Purpose of the BEARiverFest and Determine: 1) If the Festival Should Continue to be Held. 2) If the Festival Should Be Planned and Organized as in Past Years, and 3) Determine if the Festival Should be Held in May, or in June or July when the Weather is Warmer and More Suitable for Outdoor Activities. 4. Work with the City Staff and Bear Project Board to Submit a State Community Enhancement Grant by November 1, 2014 Requesting Matching Funds to Develop the Bear Meadows. 5. Continue the Bear Meadows Fund Raising Campaign. Raise $25,000 to $50,000 in 2014 and begin site development by 2015. 6. Solicit and Acquire Additional Public and Private Contributions and Donations to Fund The BEAR Project. 7. Purchase New Picnic Tables and Begin Developing a Picnic Area and Possible Picnic Shelters in the Area South of the Fire Circle. 8. Begin Purchasing New Trash Receptacles to Replace Existing Receptacles Along the Main Trial. 9. Plan a Successful BEAR Project Recognition & Memorial Tree Grove Day on September 13, 2014. Add a Minimum of Seven Names to the BEAR Memorial Tree Grove. 10. Work with Evanston Parks and Recreation Staff to Promote the Use of the Rotary “Health Trail Fitness Course” 11. Determine Cost Estimates and Replace Existing Interpretative Signs that are Fading Due to Outdoor Exposure. 12. Work with the Bear River State Park to Promote and Develop a Map with Trail Miles of the New State Park Trails and the Bear River Greenway Trails as a Single Bear River Trail System. 13. Consider a Brick Paver Pathway Fund Raiser in the Bear Meadows area. 14. Consider Negotiating with Adjacent Land Owners to Acquire a Trail Access Adjacent to The Bear River for Future Trail Extension North and South to County Road. 15. Submit a Capital Project Budget Request for FY 2014-15 to the City of Evanston by April 1, 2014 including the following prioritized projects: 1 - Bear Meadows Project Development (Engineering, Design, and Phased Construction) 2 - Main Trail Concrete Overlay 3 - Wetlands Board Walk Loop Trail Project - Plan, Design and Construct 4 - Interpretative, Informational and Historical Signs, Kiosks and Exhibits 5 - Trail Extension - Bear River Drive Bridge West to County Road