Posts by Amy Kapp

Creeper Trail Ride in Virginia Supports Cancer Research, Honors Legacy

Posted 06/13/17 by Amy Kapp in Health and Wellness, Trail Use | Tagged with Biking, Health and Active Living, Virginia

The late Penny F. Garrett on the Virginia Creeper Trail in 2014 | Photo courtesy Penny F. Garrett Sarcoma Foundation

On July 28 and 29, 2017, the Penny F. Garrett Sarcoma Foundation will host the 8th Annual Creeper Trail Ride [and walk] to End Cancer in Damascus, Virginia—with a purpose of raising money for rare cancer research and giving hope to those who are afflicted by the disease.

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Jan Gierlach riding in Austin, Texas, near the midpoint of his 2017 Ride For 3 Reasons route between San Diego, California, and St. Augustine, Florida | Photo courtesy Jan Gierlach + Ride for 3 Reasons

Three Reasons 18-Year-Old Jan Gierlach Just Biked 3,300-Miles Across America

Posted 04/28/17 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, California, Champions, Florida, Health Organizations, Young Champions

Eighteen-year-old Jan Gierlach just spent three months bicycling 3,300 miles solo and raised more than $600,000 for three causes near and dear to his heart.

10 Ways to Celebrate Opening Day for Trails on April 8

Posted 03/13/17 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Community Events, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, Trail Destinations, Walkability and Bikeability

This year’s Opening Day for Trails is going to be the best yet, as people across the country officially kick off spring by hitting their favorite pathways (or new ones!). Below are just 10 ways you can celebrate Opening Day in your own neighborhood and beyond.

Seattle's first downtown protected bike lane, opened in September 2014 | Photo courtesy Seattle Department of Transportation | CC by 2.0

Op-Ed: How Secretary Chao Can Save Lives in Active Communities

Posted 02/13/17 by Amy Kapp in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Safety and Law Enforcement, Transportation and Health

Last week, in an opinion piece in The Hill, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Senior Vice President of Policy, Kevin Mills, weighed in on the confirmation of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao with a specific call to action: Focus on pedestrians and bicyclists in efforts to create a safer transportation system.

Moment from the 2015 Pennsylvania Rail-Trail Sojourn | Photo by Cleo Fogal, courtesy RTC

RTC’s 2017 Pennsylvania Sojourn Is Going to Be Awesome. Here’s Why.

Posted 01/12/17 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use, Building Trails | Tagged with Maryland, Pennsylvania, Sojourn Series, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations

We’re so excited that you’ve decided to join us on Rails-to-Trail’s Conservancy’s 2017 Pennsylvania Sojourn, which—with its amazing sites, legendary route along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and Montour Trail, and welcoming towns—promises to be an adventure of a lifetime. Here are just 10 reasons why this year’s trip is going to be awesome.

Virginia's New River Trail State Park | Photo courtesy Virginia State Parks | CC by 2.0

10 Awesome Rail-Trails with First Day Hikes (on Jan. 1)

Posted 12/27/16 by Laura Stark, Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Community Events, Ecology and Environment, Trail Destinations

On New Year’s Day, state parks around the U.S. offer free, guided First Day Hikes to help children and families kick off the New Year—and connect to nature. Last year, nearly 55,000 people participated! So many great rail-trails across the country claim state park status—and we figured there’s no better time than Jan. 1 for all of us to get started on our 2017 rail-trail journey. Here are just 10 great ways you can bring in the New Year on America’s awesome rail-trails.

Community members enjoying their local trail | Photo by Tom Miano

These Five Trail Heroes Will Inspire You

Posted 12/09/16 by Amy Kapp in Success Stories, Building Trails | Tagged with

More than 22,000 miles of rail-trails—and growing—crisscross the country, leaving stronger, healthier communities in their wake. This movement grew from the ideas and sweat equity of ordinary people who championed trails and their benefits to all who would listen (and many who would not). Their triumphs laid the groundwork for a future where trails are at the heart of thriving communities. Their passion was catching, motivating thousands to get involved and make a difference for trails.

A nostalgic image of former Congressman Tom Petri biking with his daughter Alexandra (now a columnist with the Washington Post) and wife Ann (DeDe) Petri | Photo courtesy Tom Petri

Former Congressman Tom Petri Named RTC’s 2016 Rail-Trail Champion

Posted 12/06/16 by Amy Kapp in Success Stories | Tagged with

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is pleased to name former U.S. Congressman Tom Petri as the 2016 Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion in recognition of his decades of support for rail-trails and active transportation infrastructure.

Bobby Whittaker, president of Ferry County Rail Trail Partners, with 770-foot trestle over Curlew Lake in background | Photo by Rich Landers

Former R.E.M. Tour Manager Creates Rural Connections in Washington

Posted 11/07/16 by Amy Kapp in Success Stories, Building Trails | Tagged with Champions, Featured Magazine Articles, Private Fundraising, Rural Communities, Success Stories, Washington

It may be a no-brainer that Seattle-born Bobby Whittaker has always loved the outdoors, having been raised by the first American to summit Mt. Everest. It was the city’s music scene, however, that led him to a rewarding 25-year career, first with Sub Pop Records, and then as a manager and tour manager with iconic bands including Mudhoney and R.E.M. A decade ago, Whittaker read about a former rail line in rural Ferry County, Washington—a place he’d long been going to “slow down.” Now trail advocates in Ferry County are on their way to completing the 25-mile “rock n’ roll” rail-trail, which is changing people’s lives.

Atlantic Greenway (East Coast Greenway) | Photo courtesy RTC

Bright Days Ahead: $Millions Shine on a Promising Future for Florida Trails

Posted 10/20/16 by Amy Kapp in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with Celebrating 30 Years, Connected Systems, Florida, Funding, Miami LOOP, State and Federal Programs

Millions have recently been awarded to two major trail network projects in the Sunshine State, as Florida moves toward a statewide system of trails that impact economic development, active transportation and community health. Here’s a quick glance at what’s going down in Florida—and why RTC and trail advocates in the Sunshine State are looking up to a brighter future.

Mount Vernon Trail in Washington, D.C. | Photo by Brandi Horton

Capital Trails Coalition Begins Creation of World-Class Trail Network in DC

Posted 10/13/16 by Amy Kapp, Katie Harris in Building Trails, America's Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, District Of Columbia, Walkability and Bikeability

On the morning of Oct. 13, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) joined the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA), the National Park Service, REI and a crowd of more than 40 people along the Mount Vernon Trail in Washington, D.C. to formally announce the creation of the Capital Trails Coalition.—which is working to complete a world-class multi-use trail network in the D.C. metro region.

Martin Olav Sabo Bridge over Hiawatha Avenue along the Midtown Greenway in Minnesota | Photo courtesy Tony Webster | CC by 2.0

10 More Game-Changing Rail-Trails

Posted 06/10/16 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Best Of, Celebrating 30 Years, Connected Systems, Heritage and Restoration, Tourism and Economic Development, Transportation and Health

Earlier in 2016, we posted "Ten Trails That Helped Build the Movement" in honor of RTC’s 30th anniversary in 2016. But of course, with almost 2,000 completed rail-trails across the country, we just scratched the surface. In 1986, there were only 250 miles of rail-trails. Three decades later—thanks to a lot of passionate people—rail-trails have transformed America. Here are 10 more game-changing rail-trails (in no particular order) that have had an impact, as destinations, recreation magnets, economic drivers or transportation connectors, in the U.S.