Green Issue 2019
Rails to Trails magazine is pleased to present our 2019 Green Issue, featuring a collection of amazing videos and slideshows highlighting America’s trails.
Creating a Trail Nation
In this issue, we explore how communities are creating a nation of trails—regionally and from coast to coast—to transform the way America thinks about mobility, recreation and transportation.
The results that the country's trail networks can deliver across the nation are powerful, as demonstrated through these transformative projects that are re-envisioning community design, sparking economic growth and active transportation, and encouraging people to adopt walking and biking as part of their daily lives.
FEATURE
The Vision of the Great American Rail-Trail
The Great American Rail-Trail™ promises an all-new American experience—spanning more than 3,700 miles from Washington to Washington, and serving nearly 50 million people within 50 miles of the route. Across the nation—and the world—only the limits of imagination will limit its use, as it helps spur tourism and economic opportunities while highlighting America’s most iconic landmarks and geography.
FEATURE
Descubre las Caracara Trails in Texas' Lower Rio Grande Valley
Get a peek of the stunning Caracara Trails—a 428-mile trail network vision to connect the Lower Rio Grande Valley’s diverse natural and historical landmarks into a region-wide health and tourism asset for residents and visitors.
FEATURE
The Heart of Our Community:
Re-envisioning the Industrial Heartland
The Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition is creating a 1,500-mile world-class trail network across four states that leverages the region’s rich cultural heritage—and spurs a new era of economic growth across the project footprint.
Feature
Voices of the Middle Branch: Neighborhoods Connected by Trail
RTC and communities in South Baltimore are united in an effort to connect the area's neighborhoods and green space by trail, and create new opportunities for walking, bicycling and interacting with nature along the city's renowned waterfront.
Feature
BikeAble Cleveland: Advancing the Active Transportation Agenda
Through this interactive story map, learn how strategic investments in planned trails and bicycling projects across Cleveland, Ohio, could maximize connectivity citwide, including for many neighborhoods experiencing inequality.
PROFILE
RTC President Ryan Chao on Connecting America by Trail
Hear RTC President Ryan Chao talk about the energy and passion of the national trails community—and how people around the country can unite with RTC to help make the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail a reality.
Best Of
Historic Highlights on the Great American Rail-Trail
History abounds along the 3,700-mile route of the Great American Rail-Trail. Here are a few stories from the trail, highlighting the people, places and discoveries that helped to build and shape America.
BEST OF
American Icons: 50 Great Rail-Trails in 50 States
Check out these stunning snapshots of some of our favorite rail-trail experiences from all 50 states, drawing attention to the beauty, diversity and amazing geography our country is known for.
Best Of
Highlights from Opening Day for Trails 2019
Opening Day for Trails 2019 was an inspiring day to behold—with more than 180 special events in 30 states! Here are some of our favorite people moments from celebrations across the United States.
Emerging Rail-Trails
A Critical Link: Fund the Beverly Bridge
The Beverly Bridge in Washington stands as a lasting monument to American railroad ingenuity. Find out how its revitalization could connect the state.
View Video
Rail-Trail destination
Portland, Maine's Eastern Trail
Featuring quiet pine forests, wide, sandy beaches and a bustling waterfront, the 65-mile (developing) Eastern Trail offers a vivid snapshot of Maine’s many charms.
View Gallery
Community Connections
Voices from the Trail: My D&L Trail
The 160-mile D&L Trail in Pennsylvania is a shining example of how to leverage historic canal infrastructure to create a modern network for recreation and active transportation.
RAIL-TRAIL Hall of Fame
2019 Rail-Trail Hall of Fame Inductee
Congrats to Mississippi’s Tanglefoot Trail, RTC's 2019 Rail-Trail Hall of Fame inductee. View highlights from this beautiful trail, which boasts a rich cultural landscape.
View Gallery
RAIL-TRAIL REPORT
Sneak Peek: 2019 Rail-Trail PA Guidebook
Check out some highlights from RTC's 2019 Guidebook Series: Rail-Trails: Pennsylvania, featuring 70 top trails.
Watch Video
RAIL-TRAIL REPORT
Sneak Peek: 2019 Rail-Trail NJ/NY Guidebook
Check out some highlights from RTC's 2019 Guidebook Series: Rail-Trails: New Jersey & New York, featuring 58 top trails.
Watch VideoFEATURE
Descubre las Caracara Trails in Texas' Lower Rio Grande Valley
Get a peek of the stunning Caracara Trails—a 428-mile trail network vision in Texas to connect the Lower Rio Grande Valley’s diverse natural and historical landmarks into a region-wide asset for outdoor tourism and healthier lifestyles.
Produced by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in partnership with Frontera Media and Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation.
FEATURE
The Heart of Our Community:
Re-envisioning the Industrial Heartland
Through an ambitious effort to create a 1,500-mile world-class trail network across four states—the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition (IHTC) seeks to spur a new wave of regional tourism, encouraging exploration of the area’s rich history and iconic natural treasures that characterized the heartbeat of America’s Industrial Revolution. Learn how IHTC is amplifying the region’s trail systems into a new shared identity.
Produced by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in partnership with Think Out Loud Productions.
feature
Voices of the Middle Branch: Neighborhoods Connected by Trail
Through the Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, RTC and partners are bringing mobility into sharp focus through the creation of a 35-mile trail system that will connect more than 60 neighborhoods. This includes a key effort to close a trail gap in South Baltimore and create new safe walking and bicycling connections through the city’s green space and bustling waterfront.
Produced by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in partnership with Wide Angle Youth Media.
Feature
BikeAble: Advancing Cleveland’s Active Transportation Agenda
Cleveland is prioritizing the walkability and bikeability of its neighborhoods. In 2018, RTC conducted a BikeAble™ study to identify the benefits that a targeted investment in bicycling facilities could deliver to the city. A takeaway: Currently, 55 percent of Clevelanders can access a majority of key destinations using low-stress bicycle routes. Build-out of the planned network would increase that number to 82 percent. Learn more in this interactive story map.
Developed by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
Profile
RTC President Ryan Chao on Connecting America by Trail
The Great American Rail-Trail is a national treasure in the making that will connect Americans across 3,700+ miles. Hear RTC President Ryan Chao talk about the energy and passion of the trails community—and how people around the country can unite with RTC to help make this historic project a reality.
Produced by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
BEST OF
Great American Rail-Trail Historic Highlights
Unique in makeup and geography, each of the trails hosting the 3,700-miles-plus Great American Rail-Trail has many stories to tell—some as old as, or far older than, our country itself. The histories found along the route demonstrate why the “Great American” is a true national treasure. Learn more through this interactive story map.
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine. Written by Cory Matteson, with contributions by Amy Kapp. StoryMap by Derek Strout.
Best Of
American Icons:
50 Great Rail-Trails in 50 States
Since the 1960s, Americans have created more than 2,100 rail-trails spanning over 24,000 miles cross the United States. Treasured for the beautiful sites, iconic historical landmarks and geographic wonders they help connect and preserve, it's no wonder why they are some of the country’s most well-loved community assets. Check out these stunning snapshots of some of our favorite rail-trail experiences from all 50 states.
Story and photo editing by Laura Stark.
Best Of
Opening Day for Trails 2019
RTC’s annual Opening Day for Trails serves as a national kickoff for the spring trail season—highlighting the transformative benefits of trails around the country. In 2018, RTC helped to organize or inspire an estimated 180 special events in 30 states. Check out this inspiring collection of highlights from host communities across the country.
Produced by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
EMERGING RAIL-TRAILS
A Critical Link: Fund the Beverly Bridge
The 3,329-foot, Beverly Bridge in Washington is a model of 19th-century ingenuity that, if revitalized, could help close a gap in the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail and unite both sides of the state. Learn more about how this project along one of America’s most historic railroad corridors could boost heritage tourism statewide.
Produced by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation. Used with permission.
Related: Don't miss our feature video on the Beverly Bridge in 2018's Green Issue.
Rail-Trail Destination
Portland, Maine's Eastern Trail
The 65-mile developing Eastern Trail offers a vivid snapshot of Maine’s many charms on its route from South Portland to Kittery. Featuring quiet pine forests, a bustling waterfront and three austere (and beautiful) lighthouses, trail users of every kind will find inspiration in this coastal wonderland, which helps make up a portion of the 3,000-mile developing East Coast Greenway.
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine. Story and photos by Cindy Barks.
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.
Voices from the Trail: My D&L Trail
The D&L Trail (Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor) in Pennsylvania is a shining example in America of how communities can leverage historic canal infrastructure to create a modern transportation network. Hear passionate trail advocates discuss the significance of this developing, 160-mile trail and its importance for connecting people to history, nature, green space and communities in the eastern part of the state.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
My D&L Trail Delaware Canal with John Boyle
Listen as John Boyle from Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia explains what the D&L Trail in Delaware Canal State Park means to riders on the Circuit Trails.
Produced by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. Used with permission.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
My D&L Trail National Canal Museum with Martha Capwell Fox
Hear Martha Capwell Fox explain how the National Canal Museum and the D&L Trail connect people to the history of the canal era.
Produced by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. Used with permission.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
My D&L Trail Lehigh Gap with Dan Kunkle
Listen to Dan Kunkle talk about the environmental success story of Lehigh Gap Nature Center and connecting people to nature along the D&L Trail.
Produced by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. Used with permission.
Hall of Fame
2019 Rail-Trail Hall of Fame Inductee: Mississippi's Tanglefoot Trail
Congratulations to Mississippi’s Tanglefoot Trail, RTC's 2019 Rail-Trail Hall of Fame inductee, selected by national vote this summer. View highlights from this 43.6-mile paved trail boasting beautiful scenery and a rich cultural landscape.
Video produced by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
RAIL-TRAIL REPORT
2019 Rail-Trail Guidebooks Sneak Peek!
History, nature and breathtaking scenery abound in RTC’s latest guidebooks, Rails-Trails: Pennsylvania and Rail-Trails: New Jersey & New York, highlighting 128 of the states’ most treasured pathways.
A View From
Rail-Trails: Pennsylvania
Rail-Trails: Pennsylvania highlights 70 of the top trails in the Keystone State—offering a broad range of experiences, from sweeping Appalachian views to narrow wooded ravines, from challenging hiking and biking adventures to relaxing riverside strolls, and from vibrant cities to small towns that thrived in Pennsylvania’s industrial heyday. Take a sneak peek of these breathtaking pathways.
Produced by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
A View From
Rail-Trails: New Jersey & New York
In Rail-Trails: New Jersey & New York, you’ll find exceptional trails offering views of some of America’s most iconic natural treasures, such as the Great Lakes, the Atlantic Ocean coastline, the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes and the Catskill Mountains. Get a sneak peek of some of the amazing trails inside this book highlighting 58 of the region’s top trails.
Produced by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
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: Anthony Le
Graphics/Web Design: Anthony Le
Distribution: Ryan Cree, Suzanne Matyas
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.
