This TrailNation Spotlight series highlights innovative trail network development across the country and fosters 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 just the first in a series of deep dives we’ll take […]

As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, trails are playing an increasingly vital role in planning, recovery, and resiliency. From serving as alternative evacuation routes to critical drivers of economic recovery, trails are emerging as essential infrastructure in times of crisis. In this session, attendees heard real-world examples of trails serving as critical infrastructure […]

Climate change and disaster recovery has had a significant impact on our environment—affecting various aspects of human life, including outdoor recreational activities. The impacts of climate change are affecting the quality and accessibility of multiuse trails and it is essential to take action to make these trails and greenways more resilient.  Climate change is a […]

Executive Summary: In West Virginia, an incredible opportunity awaits. The 238-mile Parkersburg to Pittsburgh (P2P) rail-trail is already nearly 80 percent complete; just a few short gaps exist in West Virginia to unlock a contiguous 150-miles-plus stretch of the rail-trail from Parkersburg to the state’s border with Pennsylvania. Completing these short gaps in Wood, Harrison […]

In 1996, Fayette County received a planning grant from Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and selected Mackin Engineering to conduct a trail feasibility study. A major study goal was to define and assess the potential trail route. The 1999 Feasibility Study produced evidence that the Sheepskin Trail was a viable project. As […]

Conducted by the Capital Metro Transportation Authority, this study developed a long-range plan offering guidelines for trail design improvements, determining bike and pedestrian trail alignments, and evaluating existing and future implementation of roadway crossings, trailheads, trail amenities, trail safety, and security options around Austin, TX. It also specifically addresses trail setbacks and separation from railroad. […]

The Florida Power and Light Greenway Assessment is an initiative of the Collier County Traffic Operations and Alternative Transportation Modes Department in partnership with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC). This team was further supported by the firms of Borrelli and Associates and Vanassee Hangen Brustlin, Inc., which each provided pro-bono services to further advance this project. The […]