The Heart of America’s Communities
Across the country, trails and walking and bicycling networks are essential ingredients—at the heart of communities—for economic vibrancy, safe transportation, health and happiness.
In this, our 2025 all-multimedia Green Issue, Rails to Trails magazine examines what it takes to make these systems a reality, and how they are delivering vital benefits, bringing individuals and families together, revitalizing neighborhoods and enhancing America’s quality of life.
Funding Our Future:
Exploring Critical Investments in Safety, Economic Development and Community Connectivity
FEATURE
A Bold Vision: Prioritizing a Safer, Connected America
As the U.S. Department of Transportation and Congress threaten to claw back billions of dollars in federal funds for trails, walking and bicycling in 2025, communities across America remain at risk of being negatively impacted. Here, we take a look at several transformative trail network projects that are being developed in Alabama, Missouri, Washington, South Carolina, Alaska and Pennsylvania with federal funds—understanding what’s at stake for people, communities and regions throughout the United States.
Featuring: Brandi Horton, Rails to Trails Conservancy; Rusha Smith, Freshwater Land Trust; Dr. David Hicks, Jefferson County Department of Health; Bruce Sassmann, Missouri House of Representatives; Shannon Grus, Mayor of Rosebud; Davíd Urbina, Leafline Trails Coalition; Leslie Schneider, Councilperson, City of Bainbridge Island; Katherine Hollis, Eastrail Partners; Dick Traini, Anchorage Municipal Assembly; Knox White, Mayor of Greenville; Sarah Clark Stuart, City of Philadelphia
Special thanks to DS Simon Media | Produced by Rails to Trails magazine
FEATURE SERIES
Key Connections of the Great American Rail-Trail
Communities from coast to coast are working to complete the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail®. Get a close-up look at several of these game-changing projects for tourism, community connectivity, and bike and pedestrian safety.
Series produced by Rails to Trails Conservancy | Special thanks to DS Simon Media
Building Bridges in Steubenville, Ohio
Featuring Shannon M. Monroe, Spyridon Studios Pottery and Ceramics; Mark Nelson; Catlyn Brooke; Jacob Hyman, Strong Towns Local Conversation Leader
Connecting Council Bluffs to Omaha
Featuring Derek Miller, City of Omaha; Brandon Garrett, Council Bluffs Mayor’s Office; Matt Johnson, The Railway Inn; Carrie McDonald, First Row Fitness
Washington’s Leafline Trail Network Vision
Featuring Britt Greene; Davíd Urbina, Leafline Trails Coalition; Katherine Hollis, Eastrail Partners; Leslie Schneider, City of Bainbridge Island
Trail Adventures:
FEATURE
Favorites and Icons: Trailside Eats Across America
One of the many reasons we love trails here at Rails to Trails magazine is because they connect us to so many wonderful places to converge with friends and family members—and eat great food! What better way to enjoy our favorite neighborhood bites or those “gotta have one” classic eats? In this video, some of our fellow awesome staff at #TeamRTC highlight some of their favorite foods and a few iconic classics you’ll find out on the trail! It’s trail tourism and economic impact at its best!
Don’t miss the article that inspired these trailside food adventures, “A Taste of the Great American Rail-Trail.”
Featuring: RTC’s Eric Oberg, Iman Sylvain, Kayla Walker, Jacque Lavelle, Cas Marburger, Danielle Casavant, Jorge Brito, Quinton Batts, Anthony Le and Ken Bryan, as well as family members, friends, and business managers and owners across the country!
Highlights: Peanut Farm/Campbell Creek Trail (Alaska); Headlands Brewing/Ohlone Greenway (California); Keeper Coffee/Trolley Trail (Oregon); Porkchop John’s/Blacktail Creek Trail (Montana); Schoop’s/Pennsy Greenway (Indiana); Country Dairy/Hart-Montague Trail (Michigan); Shank’s/Delaware River Trail (Pennsylvania); Nick’s Fish House/Gwynns Falls Trail (Maryland); Sarah’s Handmade/Capital Crescent Trail (D.C./Maryland); Ferg’s Sports Bar/Pinellas Trail (Florida)
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine
PREVIEW
Find Your Next Adventure On TrailLink
TrailLink is the ultimate source for connecting people to trails and to one another, providing the most trusted, comprehensive trail information. It empowers millions to explore the outdoors safely, unlocking the full potential of every trail. Download the app and let TrailLink be your guide to adventure.
Produced by TrailLink and Rails to Trails magazine
GUEST FEATURE
Jeffrey’s Journey
Over the course of 10 days in August 2024, disabled cyclist Jeffrey McElfresh rode along the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati. Traveling nearly 500 miles through Appalachia, Jeffrey, who has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, learns a lot about this region and about himself.
A production of ThinkTV PBS/Produced and directed by Richard Wonderling | Featuring: Jeffrey McElfresh
Britt Greene Biked Across the Country Along the Great American Rail-Trail
In 2023, alongside fellow veterans with Warrior Expeditions, Britt Greene biked across the country on the Great American Rail-Trail. Hear about Greene’s impactful journey and why she feels investing in trails is critical for America.
Produced by Rails to Trails Conservancy and DS Simon Media | Special thanks to Warrior Expeditions
Inspiring Destinations:
Department Features:
HALL OF FAME
Since 2007, RTC has been honoring America’s trails through the Hall of Fame—a national recognition of top-notch trails, chosen for their gold-standard excellence as models for trail development, exceptional experience and incredible quality-of-life benefits. This year, we’ve got three stellar nominees—Florida’s East Central Regional Rail Trail, Utah’s Murdock Canal Trail and Kansas’ Flint Hills Trail State Park—all exceptional trails that connect people, economic opportunity, nature and adventure! Now, we need your help to decide which one should be the next Hall of Fame inductee.
Community Connections:
We’re excited to put a spotlight on the joy and positive impact that trails are bringing to communities across the country. As these videos showcase, trails are vital connectors for safe transportation, recreation and economic prosperity.
Mass Central Rail Trail Overview
The Mass Central Rail Trail, a developing 104-mile multiuse trail network connecting 26 communities, offers access to healthy recreation options, safe transportation and the area’s natural beauty. Over 60 miles are now open, and once complete, it’s expected to bring a $200 million economic boost and up to 5 million visitors annually.
Produced by HubLuv | Used with permission
2025 Golden Spoke Bike Ride Sneak Peak
Comprising more than 100 miles of connected multiuse trails across 33 cities, Utah’s Golden Spoke network lies within 3 miles of 42% of the state’s population. The free, annual Golden Spoke Bike Ride raises awareness of this incredible asset and is open to all bike levels, from beginners to experienced cyclists.
Produced by the Jordan River Commission | Used with permission
Rail-Trail Report:
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, Cas Marburger
Video Production: Anthony Le
Graphics/Web Design: Anthony Le, Joe LaCroix
Distribution: Ryan Cree, Suzanne Matyas, Cas Marburger, Lauren Swan
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