Posts by Amy Kapp

20 Iconic Bike and Pedestrian Bridges in America

Posted 06/08/22 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, Florida, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Top10, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Washington

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska | Photo by Matthew Nissen

Across the country, bridges are literally serving as gateways for communities to achieve critical strides in active transportation, conservation and economic development. Here, we take a look at 20 iconic bridges and trestles in the United States (in no particular order) that have played—or are playing—transformative connectivity roles in their regions.

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Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska | Photo by Matthew Nissen

20 Iconic Bike and Pedestrian Bridges in America

Posted 06/08/22 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, Florida, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Top10, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Washington

Across the country, bridges are literally serving as gateways for communities to achieve critical strides in active transportation, conservation and economic development. Here, we take a look at 20 iconic bridges and trestles in the United States (in no particular order) that have played—or are playing—transformative connectivity roles in their regions.

Foto cortesía de Bicycle House Tallahassee

Cómo volver a montar en bicicleta después de años (8 consejos simples)

Posted 03/24/22 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use | Tagged with Biking, How-to, Spanish, Trail Use Tips, Transportation and Health

Tengo treinta y largos, y recientemente comencé a andar en bicicleta nuevamente después de un largo tiempo. La última y única bicicleta que tuve fue una azul sencilla de tres velocidades que compré cuando tenía 15 años y, aunque me encantaba, la montaba en todos los destinos típicos de los adolescentes. Nunca fui un profesional. Lo hacía solo por diversión. Una licencia de conducir a los 17, y mi vida en general, convirtieron esa bicicleta en un recuerdo lejano. Y después de dos experiencias desagradables al volver a subirme a una, me dije: "no soy ciclista".

2017 Opening Day for Trails en Three Rivers Heritage Trail en Pittsburgh, Pensilvania | Foto de Amy Kapp

Equipamiento de ciclismo útil para senderos, ¡y algunos consejos de MacGyver!

Posted 03/22/22 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use | Tagged with Biking, CelebrateTrailsDay, Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, How-to, Mapping and Technology, Sojourn Series, Spanish, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Winter Uses

Para algunos de nosotros en climas fríos de invierno, la primavera marca el momento en que volvemos al ritmo de las cosas después de no haber recorrido los senderos por un tiempo. Dicho esto, es un momento ideal para que los ciclistas evalúen sus paseos en dos o tres ruedas, pongan a punto su equipo (si es necesario) y realicen inventarios de lo que necesitan para estar listos para andar en bicicleta durante el año.

Richmond Greenway | Courtesy RTC

A Look Ahead for the Trails Movement in 2022 and Beyond

Posted 12/21/21 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Equity, Federal, Funding, Great American Rail-Trail, Recreational Trails Program, Route of the Badger, Trail Moments, TrailNation, Transportation Alternatives

The challenges of the past couple years have shown us that our work remains more important than ever. As we look ahead, we see opportunity and potential in the work and in the inspiration provided by the partners, friends and advocates with whom we share our collective vision.

White River State Trail, part of the Route of the Badger trail network | Photo by TrailLink user lkgatu

Here Are Six Reasons Rails-to-Trails Is Celebrating This Year

Posted 12/10/21 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Best Of, Funding, Great American Rail-Trail, Indiana, Trail Moments, TrailNation, TrailsTransform, Transportation Alternatives, Wisconsin

A year of positive momentum. That’s how we'd describe 2021, which—despite many challenges and much uncertainty—still came with so much hope and progress for trails and those who made them happen.

Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Branch Trail | Photo by India Kea

Top 10 Trails in Washington, DC

Posted 12/02/21 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Capital Trails Coalition, District Of Columbia, Great American Rail-Trail, Top10, Trail Destinations, TrailNation

It’s to be expected that our nation’s capital would contain some of the most renowned landmarks and green spaces in America—connecting us to our history and heritage, and celebrating the many people and diverse cultures that make up America. But D.C. has a lot treasures to discover—not least of which are its rail-trails and multiuse pathways, which provide linkages, large and small, to many of the communities, rich recreational opportunities and iconic places and spaces D.C. is known for. What’s more: D.C.’s trails are playing a key role in the Capital Trails Coalition, which is in the process of connecting the entire metropolitan region with an equitably distributed 800-mile trail network!

Photo by Hunter Franklin, courtesy Facebook.com/dollsheadtrail

Eight Creepy Cool Trailside Attractions

Posted 10/27/21 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with COVID-19, District Of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, History Happened Here, Maryland, Ohio, Trail Destinations

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy editorial team really loves Halloween. And while this year may not see the normal amount of costume- and candy-filled events due to safety measures surrounding COVID-19—we still thought we’d present this list of some of our favorite creepy trailside attractions for some much-needed levity (no pun intended?) and fun!

Capital Crescent Trail in Washington, D.C. | Photo by Jon Lowenstein

History Along the Great American Rail-Trail: A Kick-Off With the Creators

Posted 06/14/21 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Great American Rail-Trail, History Happened Here, Trail Destinations, TrailNation

In 2019, TrailLink.com™, RTC’s national trail-finder website, embarked on an ambitious historical exploration of the developing Great American Rail-Trail, with a goal to shine a light on the people, landmarks and innovations that encapsulate this iconic 3,700-mile route between Washington, D.C., and Washington State.

Wisconsin's Elroy-Sparta State Trail | Photo by Eric Reischl Photography

Top 10 Trails in Wisconsin

Posted 03/04/21 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Route of the Badger, Top10, Trail Destinations, TrailNation

With more than 101 rail-trails spanning nearly 2,000 miles, 25,000 miles of snowmobiling routes, and a national scenic trail that traverses 1,000 miles of glaciated terrain, Wisconsin is clearly a place where the outdoors reign supreme. Here are just 10 of our favorite Badger State trails.

Pennsylvania's Trout Island Trail | Photo by TrailLink user vicki1960

Winter “Share the Trail” Etiquette and Safety Tips

Posted 02/01/21 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Motorized Use, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

We chatted with some of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s most knowledgeable winter trail afficionados to find out how we can all “Share the Trail” together safely—while still gleaning the best that winter has to offer on America’s trails.