Building Communities
Building stronger, healthier, more connected communities is at the heart of RTC’s work—through trail programs, and walking and biking projects that bring people together in the community space that trails—the town squares of the new millennium—make possible.
Our goal is to work with “partners” of every type, from public officials to passionate citizens to the bright-eyed children of America’s neighborhoods, to create a spirit of stewardship and togetherness that will result in more vibrant places—with promising futures.
Below are just a few examples of the ways in which we’re impacting communities across the country.
Creating New Friends of Trails
Trails and greenways are community-based projects, and every project needs broad local support to be a success. We work hand in glove with fledgling trail groups all over the country to help them establish a powerful local vision, mission and regional support for their trails.
Details on how to build a “Friends of the Trail” group are available on the Outreach: Building Community Support page of our Trail-Builders Toolbox.
Building A Better, Brighter Camden
In Camden, N.J., a community where 40 percent of residents don’t own a car and youth obesity rates are among the highest in the country, trails and biking networks have the potential to make an incredible impact.
Since 2006, we have been working with local partners in Camden to create an improved biking and walking network in the region, and educate and train youth to be users and stewards of trails.
Read about how we are transforming lives in Camden.
Urban Pathways Initiative
Many low-income and underserved urban communities in the U.S. confront problems such as obesity, congestion and scarcity of open space on a daily basis. By promoting trail use and providing neighborhood-based trail programs, America can address these challenges.
Between 2009 and 2011 through our Urban Pathways Initiative, RTC helped connect communities across the nation to encourage the sharing of ideas and strategies for the development, promotion and improvement of urban pathways and urban trail programs.
Read about our impact.
Working with Youth in Philadelphia and Camden
Since 2006 we have worked with local partners in Camden, NJ and Philadelphia, PA to improve walking and biking in the region. RTC built programs to educate and train youth to be users and steward of the rapidly developing Circuit Trails network.
