Dear Friend of the East Coast Greenway:

The Greenways Alliance of Rhode Island has served as the RI state committee of the East Coast Greenway Alliance since the ECGA was founded in 1991. This letter serves as request for a letter from your organization in support of the trail in Rhode Island.

In May 2003, a bicyclist will start at the northern most point of the ECGA in Calais Maine and ride along the East Coast Greenway to Washington D.C. through all the East Coast states north of our national capital. Along the way in the towns and cities on the ECG, our rider will collect letters and tokens of support from local residents and organizations to be presented to the President of the United States in a ceremony on the Mall on National Trails Day, June 7, 2003.

The Rider will pass through Rhode Island on Thursday, May 22, 2003. As he passes through the state on the Blackstone Bikeway from Woonsocket, through Providence, and on to Connecticut on the Washington Secondary and Trestle Trail, he will stop in many spots to be greeted by local representatives and collect letters of support and mementos entrusted into his care. We hope your organization will add a letter to the others that will be collected along the route.

The attached model will help you formulate a letter from your organization. Additional information about the inaugural ride can be found on the ECGA website at www.greenway.org. If you have other questions about this project, please email me at sueb4@cox.net.

Thank you very much for helping us make this movable event an exciting show of support for the East Coast Greenway.

Sincerely,


Sue Barker, RI trustee
East Coast Greenway Alliance






The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC

Dear President Bush:

The East Coast Greenway is a path that will someday take travelers from Maine to Florida along the East Coast of America. In (name of city or town here) the ECG passes through many scenic and important locations, including (list scenic, historic and recreational spots here). Our section of the East Coast Greenway, the (name of local trail here) has become a valuable asset to our community.

Points to make:
Children can:

Ride bikes or roller blade on the greenway
Walk to school or to the recreation center to play team sports
Bicycle or walk to the library to read books, use the computers or study
Bicycle, run or walk without being in traffic or watching for cars

Resource for inexpensive, healthy exercise
Real estate values increase
Creates a sense of community