Trail Moments | Healthier and Happier: 40 Years of Supporting Trails
In each issue of Rails to Trails magazine, we highlight a member or special partner in our national trail community. For our special 40th anniversary issue, we connected with Mimi Davisson, who’s supported trails and RTC since 1986!
What I Do
I’m a retired chief information officer with a background in information technology. Over several lifetimes, I’ve also enjoyed being a sailor, a traveler (to all 50 states and 72 countries), a civic and environmental volunteer, a musician, and a political and environmental activist. But my proudest achievement is being a triathlete in several competitions, including earning two age-group bronze medals!
This article was originally published in the Winter 2026 issue of Rails to Trails magazine and has been reposted here in an edited format. Subscribe to read more articles about remarkable trails while also supporting our work.
How I Joined RTC
I read a news feature about Rails to Trails Conservancy, probably around 1986, and was immediately drawn to it because of its repurposing of existing unused railbeds. It was such a common-sense and useful idea. Shortly after donating, I got a call from [RTC co-founder] David Burwell suggesting that we meet. I was impressed by his ideas, enthusiasm and commitment to building rail-trails, and his willingness to listen to my ideas. I was hooked and have supported RTC ever since.
My Favorite Rail-Trail
The Shining Sea Bikeway in coastal Massachusetts runs through the residential areas of Falmouth and Woods Hole, and out to the ocean at Vineyard Sound. It’s the closest rail-trail to my home, and I love its variety of scenery, including its unique water views, and that it’s paved. David Burwell told me that his mother helped to create the Shining Sea Bikeway; her work on the rail-trail inspired the creation of RTC!
A Special Trail Experience
My niece was a wheelchair user, and the trails around her home in Baltimore offered special opportunities for us to be together, each in our own mode. Well graded rail-trails with modest inclines are a real boon for strollers, wheelchair and rollator users, and us older folks with walking sticks, too.
How Trails Have Impacted My Life
I started exercising on trails to get in shape. I liked to walk, run and bike on them. With rail-trails available, I didn’t have to get up in the dark to train for my triathlons on public thoroughfares before traffic got heavy. And the scenery and encouragement of fellow trail users was inspiring. Rail-trails have helped to make me healthier and happier, with stronger self-confidence.
Why I Support RTC
RTC’s network of trails is a wonderful legacy for our country. And its self-sustaining network of volunteers and organizations, supplemented by RTC resources, has an equally important impact and will be a powerful, positive force into the future.
This article is part of Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Trail Moments initiative—to elevate new and tried-and-true trail voices around the country, and how trails impact the lives of Americans. Learn more at trailmoments.org and share your #TrailMoments on social media.
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Everyone deserves access to safe ways to walk, bike and be active outdoors.
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Everyone deserves access to safe ways to walk, bike, and be active outdoors.
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