Great Rivers Greenway (GRG), the St. Louis area’s regional greenway district, is seeking input as part of its effort to update its strategic plan, which will help guide efforts to build, promote and sustain greenways over the next five years.

All residents in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County are invited to provide feedback at one of two open house events in February. The first open house will be held Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Bridgeton Trails Branch Library, located at 3455 McKelvey Road. A second open house will be held Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Missouri History Museum (AT&T Foundation Multipurpose Room) located in Forest Park at 5700 Lindell Blvd. Citizens are encouraged to drop by anytime between 4 and 7 p.m. on both nights to review displays and talk with staff. Duplicate 30-minute presentations will take place at 4:30 and 6 p.m.

“It’s very important to us that we hear from a wide range of residents in our community,” said Susan Trautman, executive director of GRG. “We are here because citizens voted to leave a legacy for our region. Our priority is making the taxpayers’ vision and investment a reality.”

GRG last updated its regional plan in 2010 and is in need of citizen input to continue implementing the vision set forth in that plan and to create an action plan for the next five years. The organization seeks input on the elements of the greenway user experience, such as amenities, programs, events, educational information, signage, ways to report conditions and more. GRG is also interested in hearing about how individuals and groups could volunteer, both as ambassadors in the community and through the adoption of greenways.

For those unable to attend either open house, an online survey is available through March 13. It’s fewer than 20 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete. Information about the events and a link to the survey is available at www.greatriversgreenway.org/survey.

“The 2010-2011 planning effort identified a clear path forward for our board, staff and partners,” said Neal Perryman, president, Great Rivers Greenway Board of Directors. “Now we need specific input to form the action plans for the next five years.”

For more information, including directions by car, transit, biking or walking, or any questions about accessibility for persons with disabilities, contact Great Rivers Greenway at (314) 436-7009 or info@grgstl.org.