This 2009 License Agreement between St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority and the City of Duluth outlines the agreements of a 20 year lease ($1 per year) for the Duluth Lakewalk in Minnesota. This agreement details all aspects of trail development, including construction specifications, materials preferences and shared access agreements. Specifically mentioned is […]

This sample resolution produced by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy provides a template to use with government entities you would like to support your trail project.

You can take various approaches when working with people who may oppose your rail-trail project. In general, you should always stress the benefits of rail-trails and keep adjacent landowners involved in the process. Here are 10 techniques you may find helpful.

Although the general public thinks of a corridor as being “owned” by a railroad, in reality the average rail right-of-way is often a hodgepodge of conflicting ownership interests, which may begin to unravel upon abandonment of the right-of-way. The railroad may own outright some portions of the corridor (which were acquired in “fee simple”), while […]

This General License Agreement for a multi-use trail between the Utah Transit Authority and Draper City outlines the relationship between the Porter Rockwell Trail and the municipal light rail. The city is required to indemnify the railroad, provide proof of insurance, and build fences along the corridor. Created by Utah Transit Authority

This is a Toolkit for Building Rail-Trails to assist in organizing your project and building your rail-trail. We provide tips and suggestions. We provide tips and suggestions, as well as models for you to adapt to your particular community and trail situation. Use this guide as you rally your first supporters, meet with the public to […]

This guide serves to help local trail advocates interact with railroad companies when pursuing a trail on or adjacent to active or unused trail beds. It works to further advocates’ understanding of the economic and regulatory contexts which railroads operate in, as well as their interests and concerns with trail projects. This guide provides assistance […]

This presentation was given at the California State Trails & Greenways Conference by Alta Planning+Design, as part of a series on accessible trail planning, design and construction. It highlights how ADA regulations should influence the design of pathways, parallel paths, intersections, on-street bikeways, and over/under crossings. Created by ALTA Planning + Design

This document is a sample agreement between a non-profit or political subdivision and a railroad for interim trail use/railbanking. The document serves as a resource and should not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a licensed attorney.

In an effort to conserve rail corridors while still allowing rail carriers to discontinue use on unprofitable lines, the U.S. Congress included a unique and prescient provision within the National Trails System Act Amendments of 1983. The Rails to Trails Act allowed the federal government to regulate the disposition of soon-to-be abandoned railroad lines to preserve the right-of-way in case the need for […]