Green Issue 2024
presented by Rails To Trails magazine
Energizing the American Landscape
At Rails to Trails, we are privileged to cover the people, places and passion of the trails movement—knowing the unmatched potential trails have to connect, inspire and bring joy to all of us, all across America. In this all-multimedia issue, we examine the joy and impact that trails bring. Celebrating your child learning to ride a bike, or the accomplishment of achieving your first 10K. The wonder in experiencing new and otherworldly landscapes, and the way the trail helped grow thriving trailside businesses that blossomed into a regional economy. The important role the trail serves as a new route through town to get to school.
We see so much more than a day outside. We see places in the United States where residents, businessowners and public officials are prioritizing the connectivity of trails and active transportation networks—and leading the charge for transformation.
Green Issue 2024 At A Glance
Leading Local Movements:
Trail Voices:
Inspiring Destinations:
- Utah’s Moab Canyon Pathway and Arches National Park
- Washington’s Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail
Department Features:
FEATURE
A Civic Transformation: The Rise of Texas’ Trail Networks
Across Texas, a cultural revolution is underway. In a state known for its highways, trail networks are emerging in numbers. Communities are building big visions to become walkable and bikeable—putting a priority on the safety of their friends and neighbors, and leveraging the power of this infrastructure to create new economic opportunity alongside new access to the outdoors. Leadership in the state is taking note and taking action, with the Texas Department of Transportation reimagining its signature federal funding programs to account for large-scale projects necessary to connect trails and trail networks.
A poster child of the change that’s underway can be seen in Texas’ Lower Rio Grande Valley, where regionwide connectivity is a long-sought goal of public leaders and residents, who are seeking to connect key community destinations, urban centers and outdoor amenities into the 428-mile Caracara Trails system, an RTC TrailNation™ project.
Featuring:
Noah Heath, TxDOT; Rose Gowen, City of Brownsville; Helen Ramirez, City of Brownsville; Eva Garcia, Rio Grande Valley MPO
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine and DS Simon Media
FEATURE
Energizing a Region: Missouri’s Rock Island Trail State Park
The people of Missouri are leading the charge for the Rock Island Trail State Park, anticipating the incredible impact the trail, when realized, could have along the 144-mile corridor. This video shines a light on how the communities are making it happen, with a goal to revitalize towns, spur new business and commerce, create safe off-road routes to destinations in dozens of towns along the route, and establish a new statewide tourism identity.
Read more about the Rock Island Trail State Park project in our online feature.
Featuring:
Rep. Bruce Sassmann, Missouri House of Representatives, 62nd District; Mayor Shannon Grus, City of Rosebud; Kim Henderson, Friends of Rock Island Trail State Park; Cary Parker, Gerald City Council/Bistro at the Mill; Jimmy Zumwalt, Mid-State Pipeline Maintenance/City of Belle
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine and DS Simon Media
RAIL-TRAIL REPORT
The History and Future of the Trails Movement With Peter Harnik
In less than 40 years, rail-trails have become ubiquitous, transforming the American landscape in ways nobody could have predicted. In April 2024, RTC’s Brandi Horton sat down with RTC Co-founder Peter Harnik and RTC President Ryan Chao to explore the impact of the rail-trail movement since 1986—as well as what its continued evolution means for the future.
Featuring:
Ryan Chao, RTC; Peter Harnik, RTC co-founder; and Brandi Horton, RTC
Produced by Rails to Trails Conservancy
Trail Voices
GUEST FEATURE
My Circuit Trails
An RTC TrailNation™ project, the Circuit Trails network will eventually encompass 800+ miles of trails in the Greater Philadelphia–Camden region, where millions of people can embrace their outdoor loves while being active, reaching their favorite destinations and connecting to nature. In this series, check out why Miko, Lisa and Michael love their Circuit Trails!
Miko | Manayunk Canal Towpath
Lisa | Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail
Michael | Schuylkill River Trail
Robert Lester and the Columbia River Canoe Project
Learn more about Robert Lester’s 1,200-mile canoe journey, the Columbia River Canoe Project, to document the watershed’s past, present and future. In this video, Robert talks about the value trails brought—including those along the adjacent 3,700-mile developing Great American Rail-Trail®—for accessing the water over the 175 miles of walking they did along their larger route from Butte, Montana, to the Pacific Ocean.
Inspiring Destinations
Experience the grandeur of the Moab Canyon Pathway—an otherworldly outdoor mecca with stunning red rock views, compliments of Arches National Park, and a diverse array of worldclass hiking and mountain biking trails.
Tap thumbnail to view photo gallery.
This photo essay features Washington’s Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail, a nearly 40-mile route that stretches from the Idaho border, through Spokane, to Nine Mile Falls.
Fun Fact: Along the way, you can visit the site of the 1974 World’s Fair!
Tap thumbnail to view photo gallery.
Department Features
The development of Rails to Trails Conservancy’s next guidebook is underway! Covering the Pacific Northwest region, the book will highlight dozens of top trails where you can walk, bike, run, hike and roll in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Enjoy a sneak peek in this photo gallery at the rainforests, rolling farmland, rugged mountain ranges, forested river valleys, coastal towns and vibrant cities you’ll find within the guidebook’s pages—and stay tuned for its release in spring 2025.
For maps and other great information about these trails, check out TrailLink™.
Tap thumbnail to view photo gallery.
From the Community
In this special section, check out eight videos from our national trail community featuring trails and trail networks that are creating access to joyful, vibrant public spaces for people to unwind with family and friends, stay healthy and active, get where they need to go safely, and discover new attractions, natural wonders and historical connections.
Have Fun How You See Fit: Wyoming Pathways Fremont County
Want to be inspired? This video by Wyoming Pathways features their work and inspiration to create stunning mountain biking and hiking trails in Fremont County (like the Upper Brewers Trail!) and promote tourism and visitation across the region.
Produced by Wyoming Pathways and Jasper Wesselman | Used with permission
Timeless Trails: Cotoni-Coast Dairies
The unique habitat of the California Coastal National Monument is now more accessible with 19 miles of new multiuse trails in its Cotoni-Coast Dairies Unit. Explore this project, which utilized thousands of volunteers and was spearheaded by Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship and the Bureau of Land Management.
Produced by the Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship | Used with permission
Quality of Life Award: Cedar Valley Trails
After several years of flood damage, Iowa’s Cedar Valley Lakes Trail through George Wyth State Park needed reconstruction. Through the efforts of the Cedar Valley Trails Partnership—which garnered a John Milton Overman Quality of Life Award award—the 1.5-mile section is now available for the community.
Produced by Cedar Falls Channel 15, courtesy Cedar Falls Tourism
The Embankment and East Coast Greenway Vision
New Jersey’s historic Embankment, a massive stone structure rising above downtown Jersey City streets, is a model for resilient urban open space. The project is part of the East Coast Greenway effort to create a safe, sustainable route through multiple population centers.
Produced by the Embankment Preservation Coalition | Used with permission
Cuyahoga County Connections: Committed to Expanding Trails
Cuyahoga County is developing an interconnected system of bike routes and multiuse trails integrated with public transportation, recreational opportunities and employment centers. Learn about some of the impactful projects within this collaborative effort, including the Towpath Trail, Red Line Greenway and future Morgana Run Trail Extension.
Produced by Cuyahoga County | Used with permission
Chatham Borough Historic Riverside Trail
New Jersey’s Chatham Borough cut the ribbon for the Historic Riverside Trail at Shepard Kollock Park, a place where General George Washington once stood during the American Revolution. Volunteers at the Celebrate Trails Day event also improved the trail experience with a spring clean-up.
Produced by Tom Salvas, courtesy Chatham Borough | Used with permission
Firefly Trail 2022: Full Speed Ahead!
In northeast Georgia, 12 miles of the 39-mile Firefly Trail are already complete. When fully realized, the trail is expected to provide an annual economic boost of $14.1 million to communities and become a beacon for residents’ physical and mental health.
Produced by Firefly Trail, Inc. | Used with permission
Rock Artwork Along the Lily Lake Trail
Spearheaded by the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, community volunteers are working to create unique trail experiences in California’s Lake Tahoe region. Their Lily Lake Trail project is part of a continuing effort to connect multiuse trails and make outdoor recreation more accessible to the surrounding communities.
Produced by First Tracks Productions, courtesy Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) | Used with permission
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.
Rails to Trails magazine is dedicated to exploring America’s remarkable rail-trails and multiuse trail networks, with a focus on the impact they have in communities nationwide. Published quarterly—three times per year in print plus one all-multimedia edition—the magazine is a benefit of membership to Rails to Trails Conservancy. Subscribe now to get great trail content while supporting RTC and the trails movement.
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, Lauren Swan
