WEBINAR – TrailNation Spotlight – Trails and Greenways: Beyond the Path
Join us for a new TrailNation Spotlight series highlighting innovative trail network development across the country and foster peer-to-peer learning. These concise, high-impact sessions offer a unique opportunity to hear from trail network innovators, explore successful strategies, and build momentum for this infrastructure across the country. This is the third in a series of deep dives we’ll take ahead of October’s TrailNation Summit.
This month features the nationally recognized multidisciplinary design firm, SmithGroup. The session explores their approach to working with communities to plan and design trail systems that are sustainable, accessible, and connected to local destinations, while also supporting broader community revitalization. Their work can be seen on notable trails including the Dequindre Cut Greenway, the Detroit Riverwalk and many more.
We’ll also hear from Liz Thorstensen, RTC’s Vice President of Trail Development, who will preview how master classes at the upcoming TrailNation Summit will inspire collaboration and accelerate progress nationwide.
Related Links
- To get a preview of the program and speakers at this year’s TrailNation Summit visit: https://www.railstotrails.org/trailnation/summit2025/
- Wanna know more about the Master Classes? Read more here: https://www.railstotrails.org/trailnation/summit2025/sessions/
- Learn more about RTC’s TrailNation Initiative: https://www.railstotrails.org/trailnation/ and the Collaborative: https://www.railstotrails.org/trailnation/collaborative/
- Learn strategies, including investment strategies, for building trail networks in the Trail Nation Playbook: https://www.railstotrails.org/trailnation/playbook/   
- You can further explore the funding that has been available and the associated demand for trail and active transportation networks at www.railstotrails.org/policy/funding
- Learn more about the SmithGroup here: https://www.smithgroup.com/
- Check out the Cuyahoga County Greenways Plan: https://www.countyplanning.us/projects/cuyahoga-greenways/cuyahoga-greenways-plan/
- Find out more about the Route of the Badger (Wisconsin): https://www.railstotrails.org/trailnation/route-of-the-badger/
- Reconnecting Milwaukee Story Map: https://railstotrails.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=617ccd30696a44e19937437c222557a2
- RTC’s 30th Street Corridor Trail Preliminary Feasibility Study: https://www.railstotrails.org/resource-library/resources/30th-street-corridor-shared-use-trail-preliminary-feasibility-study/
- Learn more about using the Ann Arbor Downtown Bikeway: https://www.a2dda.org/people-friendly-streets/using-bikeway/
- Check out Ann Arbor’s first two-way protected bikeway, William Street Bikeway: https://www.a2dda.org/people-friendly-streets/projects/william-street-bikeway/
- Learn more about the First & Ashley Street Project: https://www.a2dda.org/people-friendly-streets/projects/first-ashley-street-project/
- St Louis Great Rivers Greenway Brickline: https://greatriversgreenway.org/brickline/
RTC’s TrailNation Collaborative, Trail Development and Policy teams produce a free webinar series designed to help trail professionals build, grow, manage, maintain, promote or otherwise support trails and trail networks. Sign up here to get webinar alerts.
Have a comment or question on our webinar series? Contact us below with topic or speaker ideas. We appreciate your feedback! Email us.
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