In recent years, concerns have emerged through location-specific studies about the correlation between trails and gentrification, especially in high-profile urban trail markets with significant housing cost pressures. To better understand the relationship between trail development and housing stability in a wide range of neighborhoods and housing markets, RTC partnered with researchers from the University of Minnesota and the Brookings Institution to study this issue further, and with Johns Hopkins University’s 21st Century Cities […]

Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which passed last November, the Transportation Alternatives (TA) program is set to receive a 70% increase on average over the next five years in funds that support the development of trails and active transportation infrastructure. This latest iteration of the TA program includes program innovations to help more communities […]

Accessibility is integral to trail development—it ensures that trails are available to all users, including people with disabilities—and we want to make sure that you have the tools and information you need to enhance accessibility on your trails. This webinar provided an overview of the proposed Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) for shared-use paths. The webinar also […]

The passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) means that our work has just begun to make sure that state and local partners can make the most of new funding opportunities. Join Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) to hear what comes next for federal funding and discuss how your trail and active transportation projects can meet the […]

Whether you are building a new trail or already maintaining one, planning for routine trail maintenance is critical, but often overlooked aspect of the budgeting process. This webinar will introduce planning and budgeting tools that helps determine the cost of base level maintenance tasks, which, once accurately determined and differentiated from rebuilding and life-cycle costs, […]

Kevin Mills, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC)’s vice president of policy, will be on hand to provide timely updates on the negotiations, discuss what’s next, and answer your questions. We will also be joined by Marianne Fowler, RTC’s senior strategist for policy advocacy. Panelists: Kevin Mills – Vice president of policy, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC)  Marianne Fowler- Senior strategist […]

Trails provide people with safe and inexpensive spaces for outdoor physical activity, commuting and recreation. They can serve as economic catalysts, opening up opportunities for neighborhood reinvestment. They also provide critical “social infrastructure”—public spaces where people can meet, interact and build relationships. The key to maximizing these benefits is ensuring every stakeholder in a community […]

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is leading a national study to better understand the barriers to trail use with a particular focus on race and gender. Our research is built upon regional and national survey instruments developed and implemented over the past 18 months, with a goal of better understanding how the trails movement can support efforts to bring more […]

Rails-with-trails (RWTs) – shared-use paths alongside or within active railroad corridors – are being developed in communities across the U.S. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has studied and tracked RWT development since 1996, when 37 RWTs were identified. Today, there are 399 known RWTs in 47 states, with more being planned across the country. In 2013, RTC published […]

Join trail professionals from around the United States for an in-depth discussion around data collection along trails. Panelists share how they have developed trail traffic monitoring programs, on the local, regional and national level, as well as how they are collecting more detailed information about who is using their trails. The discussion includes a focus […]