Imagine What's Possible ...
Rails to Trails magazine is pleased to present our 2017 Green Issue, featuring a collection of amazing videos and slideshows highlighting America’s trails. In this issue, we explore how trails create, support and inspire healthy, thriving communities—impacting them economically, socially and culturally.
We invite you to be inspired by these stories from America’s trail communities. Enjoy!
Trails At the Heart of Healthy, Thriving Communities
At RTC, we believe that trail networks can deliver smart transportation, strong economic growth, healthy people, a flourishing environment and social equity. Our TrailNationTM projects—world-class regional trail systems being built in partnership with local organizations across the country—have the power to catalyze the development of connected trail systems nationwide, creating healthier places for healthier people.
Produced by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy with the support of Design Collective.
FEATURE
Columbus: The Future of Connectivity
Learn how Columbus' 180-mile developing trail system is opening up new avenues for health, transportation and exploration—and improving the quality of life for residents.
Watch Video
FEATURE
Virginia Creeper Trail: Appalachian Engine
The Virginia Creeper Trail is an economic boon for the sleepy Southern towns of Abingdon and Damascus, bringing in hundreds of thousands of visitors and generating tens-of-millions of dollars per year in tourism revenues.
Watch Video
trail tales
David Paul Cook: An Artist's Trail Journey
Hear, see and experience the artwork of watercolorist David Paul Cook—who has been capturing the beauty and spirit of the 21-mile Arkansas River Trail.
Explore Story Map
GUEST FEATURE
Treasures of New York: Rails-to-Trails
This documentary traces the history of rail-trails in New York and nationally—highlighting iconic pathways such as Manhattan’s High Line and Poughkeepsie’s Walkway Over the Hudson.
Watch Video
FEATURE STORY
Columbus: The Future of Connectivity
Columbus, Ohio, is setting itself up to be a model for connected, 21st-century cities with an eye on creating safe, equitable walking and biking routes across neighborhoods. Learn how its 180-mile developing trail system is opening up new avenues for health, transportation and exploration—and improving the quality of life for residents.
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine in partnership with DS Simon Media.
FEATURE STORY
Virginia Creeper Trail: Appalachian Engine
Thirty years ago at its inception, it ignited fierce opposition from neighboring landowners. Now, the Virginia Creeper Trail is an economic boon for the sleepy Southern towns of Abingdon and Damascus, bringing in hundreds of thousands of visitors and generating tens-of-millions of dollars per year in tourism revenues.
For an extended look at the Creeper, check out Rails to Trails’ Winter 2015 Cover Story, “Appalachian Engine.”
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine in partnership with DS Simon Media.
NOTE: Story Map is optimized for desktop viewing.
GUEST FEATURE
Treasures of New York: Rails-to-Trails
This documentary traces the history of rail-trails in New York and nationally—highlighting iconic pathways such as Manhattan’s High Line and Poughkeepsie’s Walkway Over the Hudson and exploring trails in the making, including the proposed Queensway in New York City. We also hear from RTC’s Northeast Regional Director Tom Sexton!
Produced by WLIW/WNET. Used by permission.
TRIBUTE
Rails-to-Trails Visionary and Conservancy Co-Founder David Burwell Passes Away
On Feb. 1, 2017, passionate conservationist and Rails-to-Trails co-founder David Burwell passed away after a hard-fought battle with leukemia. Read more about the visionary who was central in taking the rail-trail movement from idea to reality in the 1980s.
EMERGING RAIL-TRAIL
Pennsylvania’s Delaware Riverfront Greenway
When finished, the North Delaware Riverfront Greenway will span 11 miles from the Port Richmond neighborhood of Philadelphia to the Bucks County line—along six parks and three boat launches. The trail’s transformation is gaining attention as people discover the new green space in the city’s backyard.
Produced by Delaware River City Corporation (DRCC). Used by permission.
A VIEW FROM ...
Washington’s Ferry County Rail Trail
This short clip takes a peek at the developing 28-mile Ferry County Rail Trail in Washington. Located below the Kettle River Range, the trail highlights the area’s cultural heritage and natural beauty as it runs from Republic and along Curlew Lake to the Canadian border.
Read an extended interview with Bobby Whittaker, former R.E.M. tour manager and president of Ferry County Rail Trail Partners, on RTC’s TrailBlog.
Produced by Ferry County Rail Trail Partners. Used by permission.
DESTINATIONS
Wisconsin’s Beerline Trail
The 3.7-mile Beerline Trail cuts a northwesterly path across several of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods, paying homage to two industries that put the city on the map in the 1800s: beer and trains. Check out this pictorial of the historic pathway, which is contributing to Milwaukee neighborhood revitalization. View the Album with photos and extended captions on our Flickr page.
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine. Photos and captions by Cindy Barks.
DESTINATIONS
Wisconsin’s Fox River State Trail
From beginning to end—the Fox River State Trail is packed with rich history and natural beauty. Walker-historian Barbara Smits takes us on a cultural, historical and nature-fueled excursion of De Pere and Green Bay—two active communities connected to Wisconsin’s popular 25-mile Fox River State Trail. View the Album with photos and extended captions on our Flickr page.
For more destination information on the Fox River State Trail, read Rails to Trails’ Spring/Summer 2017 Destination story, “Something for Everyone on the Fox River State Trail.”
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine. Photos and captions by Barbara Smits.
Best Of
Opening Day for Trails 2017
This year’s Opening Day for Trails was the best yet, with more than 120 official events hosted nationwide. Check out this video that highlights some of the amazing-ness that took place on April 8.
Produced by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
A special shout-out to the members of our Trail Expert Network, who submitted these great videos highlighting the unique pathways they maintain in their communities! Learn more about the Trail Expert Network.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
West Maui Greenway, Hawaii
Get a bird’s-eye view of the developing West Maui Greenway in this video featuring a recent ride by Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa and the Maui Bicycle League.
Produced by West Maui Greenway Alliance. Used by permission.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
D&L Trail, Pennsylvania
Find out how fun it is to take your pup out on the D&L Trail in Lehigh Valley in this episode of Pet Friendly Lehigh Valley.
Produced by Discover Lehigh Valley. Used by permission.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
David S. Ammerman Trail, Pennsylvania
Formerly known as the Clearfield and Grampian Trail, this 10.5-mile rail-trail provides scenic views of rivers, creeks, farms and forestland! (Take a high-speed look here.)
Produced by BikeSWPA.com. Used by permission.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Hoot, Toot and Whistle Trail, Vermont
Winding through downtown Wilmington, Vermont, and along the Deerfield River, the 2-mile-long Hoot, Toot and Whistle rail-trail is an important link in the larger Valley Trail system and for drawing business to downtown Wilmington.
Produced by Tim Lawrence/IMR Films. Used by permission.
CONNECTing communities
Brandywine Creek Greenway, Pennsylvania
Learn how the Brandywine Greenway—part of the developing 750-mile Circuit Trails Network—is connecting and inspiring the 25 communities along its route.
Produced by the GreenTreks Network in partnership with the Brandywine Conservancy. Used by permission.
How To
Share the Trail
Calling all trail users! RTC challenges YOU to be the best you can be on America’s pathways! Remember—safe + fun = a great time for everyone! Watch this quick video to learn the six golden rules of trail use. For extended info, check out RTC’s Share the Trail award-winning video series.
HALL OF FAME
Louisiana’s Tammany Trace Voted 2017 Rail-Trail Hall of Fame Inductee
Congratulations to the Tammany Trace! Learn more.
Fontainebleau State Park | Photo by Conrad Lin
We want to hear from you!
We'd love to hear your feedback on the Green Issue of Rails to Trails. Post to our Facebook page, give us a tweet @railstotrails, or send us an email.
Green Issue Staff
Vice President of Communications: Brandi Horton
Editor-in-Chief: Amy Kapp
Digital Content Editor: Laura Stark
Video Production: Stark Images, DS Simon, Design Collective
Graphics/Web Design: Anthony Le
Distribution: Ryan Cree
Rails to Trails magazine is dedicated to exploring America’s remarkable rail-trails and trail-networks, with a focus on the opportunities they provide and the impact they have in communities nationwide.
