Harnessing the Power of Trail Networks

At Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, we believe in the transformative power of connected trail networks. When trail networks are embraced as vital community assets, they bring powerful solutions for addressing issues as far ranging as chronic disease, resiliency, mobility, social equity and economic growth.

That’s why RTC is convened hand-picked leaders from across the country for a summit to harness the energy and the knowledge that is fueling the national movement to connect communities and regions by trails.

The Summit gathered a team of national experts; public officials; trail and active transportation advocates; and philanthropic, public health and economic development professionals from RTC's TrailNation™ projects and the TrailNation Collaborative to share best practices and real-world challenges, gathering the best thinking and the best approaches for building regional trail networks in communities across America.

Watch Coverage of the Summit

TrailNation Summit Presents

At the TrailNation Summit, we explored the opportunities inherent in trail networks as we pursue ambitious goals to connect trails, people and places across hundreds of miles. We tackled big ideas about how to plan trail and active transportation networks to spur mode shift, create more equitable places, support local economic development, protect the environment and create a culture of healthy living.

TrailNation Projects

The team at RTC is committed to connecting trails and building comprehensive trail systems that bring people together and get them where they want to go. In eight diverse places across the country, RTC is invested in digging in with hundreds of partners to make trail networks happen. These TrailNation projects are incredibly unique but share a common goal: to prove the potential of trails in delivering significant outcomes. Check out the work that’s underway.

Trail Network Leaders

RTC has gathered leading trail network projects from across the country—representing communities diverse in size, culture and geography—to join RTC’s TrailNation Projects in an effort to educate and engage a broad coalition of stakeholders committed to the rapid replication of these vital assets nationwide. These trail network leaders came together for the first time in June 2018 in Milwaukee.

Billings, Mont. ● Colorado Springs, Colo. ● Columbus, Ohio ● Houston
King County, Wash. ● Lincoln, Neb. ● Memphis, Tenn. ● New England Rail-Trail Network ● New Orleans  ● Portland, Ore.
Sacramento, Calif. ● San Diego, Calif. ● St. Louis

Why Milwaukee?

TrailNation Event Supporters

^{Special thanks to Cindy Winter for her personal financial contribution to the TrailNation Summit.}