By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
MANDEVILLE – St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister has a message for the technology crowd.
“Get outside!”
Brister said it all with a smile on her face, wearing a T-shirt that said, “Find Your Trail,” during a Friday morning press conference under the huge pine trees in Fontainbleau State Park.
The gathering included La. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungessor, La. Wildlife & Fisheries Director Charlie Melancon, and La. Director of State Parks Robert Barham as “Tammany Trails” was officially announced as a partnership between local, state and federal agencies.
Brister said Tammany Trails signs will begin appearing throughout the parish at green and blue trails, indicating trails that are in the woods, or trails that are in the water.
“St. Tammany is often known for setting a pace in our state on innovation and Tammany Trails is no exception,” Brister said. “Our natural resources are one of our most valuable assets, not just in St. Tammany, but throughout the entire State of Louisiana, so to work together to raise awareness about how they enhance our unparalleled quality of life, and to give our children and their children this gift to utilize, care for, and conserve — this will impact our community on several levels for generations.”
Brister’s message at the press conference was clear. Parents, grandparents and friends should take advantage of the great outdoor resources in St. Tammany Parish, especially to spend time and teach children about conservation and the beauty of the great outdoors.
Tammany Trails will offer an online map to any trails in the parish, including those that are considered “primative” or improved, simply by going to tammanytrails.org.
Barham said there were 1.9 million visitors last year to Louisiana state parks, and he called Fontainbleau State Park in Mandeville “the pinnacle of the parks in the state.” Barham said Fontainbleau had 190,000 visitors last year.
“This park is a destination for people throughout the United States and even from around the world,” he added.
Nungessor and Melancon promoted the Louisiana outdoors by noting, “where else can you camp overnight in a park and get up the next morning and be so close to a Mardi Gras parade?”
The benefits of co-branding trail ways include: increased visibility, added tourism opportunities, conservation of these natural resources and the economic impact of having such a wealth of available outdoor recreational opportunities to locals and visitors alike.