WEST VALLEY - All has been quiet of late along the Agua Fria and New rivers, which are lined by dusty expanses that civic leaders want to transform into a 42-mile corridor of parks and trails.

But the quiet is ending.

Backers of the ambitious proposal to build trails, parks, ponds and sitting areas along the rivers are stepping up their public outreach to get more people behind the effort.

"We went out and met with business and civic leaders in the West Valley on a one-on-one basis to share our vision for the corridor," said Diane Brossart, president of Friends of the West Valley Recreation Corridor, a volunteer group looking to keep the project alive. "We met with 100 individuals and organizations to get some working relationships going to meet our mutual goals."

Avondale and Peoria have each committed $10,000 toward the project, and a similar contribution from Phoenix is being negotiated. The group has had preliminary talks with Glendale but hasn't yet requested any funding from that city.

The group also hired a consultant to help with public outreach efforts, resulting in a new Web site, www.friendsofwvrc.org, that explains the proposal and encourages residents to get involved.

The Web site includes conceptual photos of parks projects, information on activities surrounding the effort, and details on how to take part.

"We're trying to get the word out there to as many people as we can," Brossart said. "The people who know about it and can see the benefits of it, that will drive it."