From the board and staff at Friends of Pathways in Jackson Hole, our year-end list, a quick look back, and a big thanks to our partners and supporters!  (This list is in no way meant to be comprehensive - we would love to hear what you appreciated about our work in 2009, and your suggestions to continue the momentum in 2010.)

1. Years of work paid off as Friends of Pathways joined in the opening of the new pathway in Grand Teton National Park and led the 10th Gabriella Celebration Ride with lunch for 500 at Dornan’s with U.S. Senator John Barrasso.
2. Teton County, Town of Jackson, the National Elk Refuge, WYDOT, and Grand Teton National Park officials all joined in a groundbreaking for the new North 89 Pathway from Town to the Park boundary along the Elk Refuge. Friends of Pathways successfully pushed for $4.1 million in federal grants and Stimulus funds to pay for the pathway.
3. The remarkable Trails Partnership between Friends of Pathways and BTNF Trail Crews continued to new heights – Crews completed the new Ridge Trail on Teton Pass, while improving and maintaining 110 miles of trails in the Greater Snow King and Teton Pass areas.
4. Friends of Pathways launched a promising new Stewardship partnership with Teton County and the Town of Jackson to assist with routine maintenance on valley pathways, and to provide ambassadors and volunteer support on pathways and trails.
5. Friends of Pathways expanded the highly successful Safe Routes to School programming with a full summer series of bike classes for grades K-6, and fun iWalk/iBike/iBus To School events with the Teton County School District partners in the spring and fall.
6. Friends of Pathways partnered with the Latino Resource Center for Jackson’s first Latino Bike Day along with two traditional Bike Rodeos with help from our Police and Sheriff partnerships.
7. Over 400 Jackson Hole community members took on Friends of Pathways inaugural ‘Go By Bike Challenge’ and rode an amazing 80,000 miles for transportation needs last summer, while kids got in gear with the new ‘Go By Bike - School Challenge’.
8. The Friends of Pathways Teton Pass Winter Ambassador helped keep the peace on Teton Pass, protecting backcountry access and keep things safer, friendlier, and more accessible.
9. Friends of Pathways met frequently with federal, state, and local elected officials to consistently advocate the needs of bicycling, walking, trails, and Nordic activities.
10. Friends of Pathways staff attended hundreds of meetings to provide input on topics from the Comprehensive Plan to successfully making sure that alternative transportation will be included in the Jackson Energy Sustainability Project. We work hard to be your voice for pathways and trails.

Thanks for your help in 2009 ~ Wishing you a Happy and Joyful New Year in 2010!