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Focus Term: Tourism and Economic Development


Blog
Trailblazing Arkansas: How Trails Are Powering a Statewide Transformation
May 07, 2025

Arkansas is investing the outdoor recreation economy, and a big part is developing and connecting trails that will be economic drivers.

Bicyclists at the Delta Heritage Arkansas City Terminus Dedication in 2018 | Photo courtesy Tourism Arkansas
Blog
A Taste of the Great American Rail-Trail
May 07, 2025

We share just a taste of the unique foods you’ll find along Great American Rail-Trail® between Washington, D.C., and Washington State.

Huckleberry Cobbler at the Coeur d’Alene Resort's Dockside restaurant in Idaho | Photo courtesy Coeur d’Alene Resort
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Webinar – Trail-Oriented Development: How Trails Create Connected Communities
May 07, 2025
Trail-Oriented Development (TrOD) is an innovative planning approach that integrates multiuse trails with residential and commercial development to create walkable, bike-friendly communities that enhance mobility, promote healthier lifestyles, and strengthen local economies. Similar to Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), TrOD clusters businesses, housing, and other amenities around trails to foster vibrant, connected neighborhoods. Join the TrailNation Collaborative, […]
Blog
Trail Moments: In Piedmont, Alabama, a Slice of Pizza Comes With a Side of Adventure
April 23, 2025

In northeastern Alabama city of Piedmont, folks on the Chief Ladiga Trail will probably smell the Pinhoti Pizza Company before they see it.

Working at the Pinhoti Pizza Company | Photo courtesy Maggie Cunningham
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Changemakers for Trails Training: Making your Voice Heard and Shaping Federal Decisions
March 24, 2025
This is a crucial moment for the walking, biking and trails movement, and through our collective advocacy, we can ensure that trails have the robust support and funding they need to remain safe and vibrant pillars of our community! During this training, RTC panelists discussed how recent federal decisions could affect the way trails are […]
Photo courtesy TrailLink
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Central Indiana Trail-Oriented Development Study
March 16, 2025
Trail-oriented Development (TrOD) is a planning approach that clusters residential and commercial spaces around trails, creating walkable, human-scaled environments designed for active transportation, recreation, and business growth. Central Indiana features a growing network of trails, including the Monon Trail and Fall Creek Trail, with vibrant areas like Broad Ripple and Carmel Midtown successfully embracing TrOD […]
Indiana's Indianapolis Cultural Trail | Photo by Cindy Dickerson
Blog
Kansas’ Prairie Spirit Trail State Park
March 03, 2025

The 53-mile Prairie Spirit Trail State Park encompasses iconic Kansas landscape and was the first significant rail-trail in Kansas.

Historic Garnett Depot along the Prairie Spirit Trail State Park | Photo courtesy Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
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Arizona’s Rillito River Park Trail
February 03, 2025

Tucson’s Rillito River Park Trail is a 137-mile trail network and took top honors in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice polls in both 2021 and 2022.

Rillito River Park Trail's Tracks and Trails mural | Photo Courtesy Pima County Public Art
Blog
16 Trails Featured in Movies and Television
January 28, 2025

For some cinematic fun, here’s a list of 16 trails featured in movies and television including Rocky, Field Of Dreams and Stand By Me.

Rocky Balboa statue in Philadelphia | Photo courtesy Eva Garcia
Blog
Hawai’i’s Ke Ala Hele Makālae
September 04, 2024

Ke Ala Hele Makālae, which runs for 8 miles along Kaua’i’s Coconut Coast, was inducted into Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame.

Bicyclists on Hawaii's Ke Ala Hele Makālae | Photo courtesy Kauai Path