Extreme TBD Warning

This is very much adhoc To Be Determined territory … these are only five IDEAs for slightly more serious consideration …and a list of other brainstormed potentially implement-able approaches.

Community Exercise and Fitness Improvement Programs for Floodplain Land

This is one of five PROPOSED approaches to transform FEMA-purchased floodplain properties from a maintenance burden into valuable community assets that use these proposed approach(s) to enhance physical fitness, ecological function, and community connection. By respecting the natural flood cycle and avoiding permanent structures, these programs create sustainable, resilient fitness opportunities while honoring the essential role of floodplains in watershed health.

The approaches, each with no financial expenditure or Administrative resources from the City government, utilize nothing but vacant FEMA floodplain land and volunteer labor from those KEY VOLUNTEERS who commit [with a suggested $50/yr donation to defray administrative expense] sign up to participate physically in making these social community fitness-betterment approaches work, are as follows:

1) Walking Trail Network … would establish a system of natural surface walking paths throughout FEMA-purchased floodplain properties, creating an interconnected network of trails that promote regular physical activity while respecting floodplain restrictions. This approach is based on successful models from communities in Vermont, North Carolina, and Iowa that have maintained floodplain trail systems for over 25 years.

2) Fitness Equipment Circuit … would create a distributed network of flood-resilient fitness stations throughout FEMA-purchased properties, connected by walking paths. All elements are designed to withstand or be easily removed before flooding events. This approach is based on successful models from flood-prone communities in Missouri, Pennsylvania, and parts of Australia that have maintained flood-adaptive fitness circuits for 15+ years.

3) Field Sports Program … utilize FEMA-purchased properties as natural playing fields for various recreational activities requiring minimal permanent infrastructure. All equipment is portable and activities are designed to adapt to seasonal changes in the floodplain. This approach is modeled after successful programs in floodplain communities in Tennessee, Virginia, and parts of the Northeast operating for 20+ years.

4) Foraging and Natural Movement Program … creates structured opportunities for physical activity through seasonal wild edible harvesting, natural movement, and ecological stewardship on FEMA-purchased floodplain properties. This approach combines nutrition education with varied physical activities while enhancing floodplain ecological function. The model is based on successful programs in river communities in Wisconsin, Oregon, and parts of New England that have operated sustainably for 20+ years.

5) Cultural Heritage Fitness Trail …creates a fitness program by connecting physical activity with the cultural and natural history of the floodplain through an interpretive trail system with associated activities. This approach is modeled after successful programs in river communities in Kentucky, South Carolina, and parts of the Midwest operating for 25+ years.

As noted, KEY VOLUNTEERS who express commitment would be necessary; the annual suggested donation is only suggested, but what is necessary is a firm pledge of intention to stick with the idea and see it through.

Each of these approaches would be modeled upon something that have proven to be sustainable and successful in other communities of this size for decades. We can learn from these examples of what has worked and also avoid what has not worked.

There is no implied priority in this ordering of five. Each of the proposed approaches could be implemented individually OR multiples may be combined into ONE integrated system utilizing different sections of the floodplain for complementary activities. All five approaches emphasize volunteer leadership, minimal infrastructure, and adaptation to natural cycles, ensuring long-term sustainability with minimal ongoing costs.

The specific approach examined in this document is the fourth one.

Approach 4: Floodplain Foraging and Natural Movement Program

Operations Management Summary

Program Overview: The Floodplain Foraging and Natural Movement Program creates structured opportunities for physical activity through seasonal wild edible harvesting, natural movement, and ecological stewardship on FEMA-purchased floodplain properties. This approach combines nutrition education with varied physical activities while enhancing floodplain ecological function. The model is based on successful programs in river communities in Wisconsin, Oregon, and parts of New England that have operated sustainably for 20+ years.

Core Components:

  • Seasonal wild edible identification and harvesting activities
  • Natural movement sessions utilizing floodplain features
  • Ecological stewardship workdays doubling as fitness activities
  • Plant propagation of flood-tolerant edible species
  • Educational components about floodplain ecology and nutrition
  • Community processing and preparation events

Volunteer Structure:

  • Program Coordinator (1-2 volunteers): Oversees overall planning
  • Naturalist Leaders (4-6 volunteers): Lead identification and harvesting
  • Movement Instructors (5-7 volunteers): Guide natural movement sessions
  • Stewardship Team (6-8 volunteers): Coordinate ecological restoration
  • Processing Team (4-6 volunteers): Organize harvest preparation events
  • Education Team (3-4 volunteers): Develop learning materials

Resource Requirements:

  • Field guides and identification materials
  • Harvesting tools and containers
  • Processing equipment (stored off-site)
  • Native plant propagation supplies
  • First aid supplies
  • Communication system

Implementation Timeline:

  1. Month 1-2: Map existing plant resources, identify restoration needs
  2. Month 3-4: Train initial volunteer leaders, develop seasonal calendar
  3. Month 5-6: Launch initial foraging and movement sessions
  4. Month 7-9: Begin restoration activities, conduct regular sessions
  5. Month 10-12: Host harvest celebration events, evaluate first season

Sustainability Mechanisms:

  • Seasonal rotation following natural harvest calendar
  • Restoration activities enhancing future harvests
  • Skill development creating self-sustaining participant base
  • Documentation building community knowledge base
  • Recipe sharing extending utilization of harvests
  • Propagation activities ensuring future resource availability

Measured Outcomes:

  • Participation in various program activities
  • Quantity and diversity of ethical harvests
  • Acres improved through stewardship
  • Physical activity hours generated
  • Participant knowledge development
  • Community connections formed

Project Implementation Summary

Resource Mapping and Stewardship Planning:

  • Conduct comprehensive plant inventory of floodplain properties
  • Identify existing wild edible populations and enhancement opportunities
  • Map natural features suitable for movement activities
  • Create restoration priority list for degraded areas
  • Develop seasonal activity calendar based on natural cycles
  • Design ethical harvesting guidelines ensuring sustainability

Movement Program Development:

  • Create “natural parkour” routes utilizing floodplain features
  • Design variable-intensity movement sessions for different abilities
  • Develop age-appropriate activities for family participation
  • Create specialized movement sequences mimicking harvesting activities
  • Design floodplain-specific movement challenges
  • Establish progressive skill development framework

Foraging Curriculum Design:

  • Create seasonal identification guides for safe foraging
  • Develop hands-on workshops for each major edible species
  • Create harvest quantity guidelines ensuring sustainability
  • Design processing and preservation techniques for each food type
  • Develop nutrition information for wild edibles
  • Create comparative information with commercial counterparts

Ecological Enhancement Activities:

  • Identify appropriate native edible species for propagation
  • Design restoration workdays doubling as fitness activities
  • Create invasive species removal protocols and events
  • Develop seed collection and propagation workshops
  • Design habitat enhancement projects for wildlife support
  • Create monitoring protocols tracking ecological improvements

Community Engagement Elements:

  • Design community harvest celebrations
  • Create skill-sharing workshops on food preparation
  • Develop “community supported foraging” distribution system
  • Establish documentation project recording traditional uses
  • Create seasonal recipe collection featuring wild edibles
  • Design annual “Floodplain Feast” celebration event

Safety and Accessibility Framework:

  • Develop comprehensive plant identification verification system
  • Create clear harvesting guidelines preventing toxic look-alike collection
  • Design progressive introduction to movement activities
  • Establish weather and flooding monitoring protocols
  • Create emergency response system for all activities
  • Design adapted activities ensuring broad participation