Posts by Eric Oberg

Enter the TIGER: $7.95 million Grant for Cleveland Metroparks Bodes Well for US Trails

Posted 08/10/16 by Eric Oberg in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Federal, Funding, Ohio, Products of Good Policy, RTC in Action, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

Recently, Cleveland Metroparks was awarded a $7.95 million TIGER Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to help complete a $16.45 million regional trail network through the city and traversing parts of Northeast Ohio. Included among a record-setting eight bike and pedestrian TIGER grants awarded in 2016 totaling $94 million-plus, the project, “Reconnecting Cleveland,” is part of a new and groundbreaking trend: Local communities are recognizing that trails are critical to healthy, balanced transportation systems.

Healthy Young Hearts: the Beating Pulse of RTC's Mission

Posted 02/04/14 by Eric Oberg in Health and Wellness | Tagged with Schools and Young People, Why Use Trails?

RTC staff work tirelessly around the country on projects that open up opportunities for children and their families to get outside, get active and ultimately be together. We believe that trails are one of those special places where families can not only spend quality time together, which is so important, but also allow for that special time to be spent making every family member healthier through movement.

Snowmobiling - Big Fun and Big Business in Michigan

Posted 11/06/13 by Eric Oberg in Trail Use | Tagged with Michigan, Motorized Use, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

How To Sell 200,000 Ice-Cream Cones: In Illinois, Hard Data Makes the Case for Trail Building

Posted 10/10/13 by Eric Oberg in Building Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Illinois, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

The publication of "Making Trails Count" - a count and study of trail user numbers and spending patterns on six trails across Illinois - is now arming trail planners and advocates state wide with the hard data they need to make the case for why trail building means good things for communities and economies.

America's Next Gen of Trail Cities - Not Where You Expected

Posted 07/10/13 by Eric Oberg in Success Stories | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Walkability and Bikeability

The great thing about what we're seeing with rail-trail development at the moment is that it's ignoring all the preconceived notions of what we think we know about American cities.

The Inspiring Story of How Trails and Bikes Helped The Rust Belt Bounce Back

Posted 06/10/13 by Eric Oberg in Success Stories | Tagged with Ohio, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Urban Pathways

When Rails-to-Trails Conservancy got involved in the development of the Morgana Run Trail in southeast Cleveland in 2008, we were still exploring the impacts and potential of rail-trail projects in urban areas and underserved neighborhoods. While we knew that improving access to stores, workplaces and transit, and providing safe and convenient pathways for recreation could do great things for residents and local businesses, we had only just scratched the surface on grasping the transformative impact of the humble trail.

Report Released: Making Trails Count in Illinois

Posted 03/30/13 by Eric Oberg in Trail Use | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Illinois, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

Today, our friends at Trails for Illinois released the Making Trails Count in Illinois report. This 13-week study of trail use was done in partnership with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. The study documented that some trails in Illinois are receiving as many as 100,000 visitors a year.

Wasson Way Rail-Trail a Key to Cincinnati's Future

Posted 02/26/13 by Eric Oberg in Building Trails | Tagged with Local Organizing, Ohio, Statements of Support, Urban Pathways, Walkability and Bikeability

There was terrific news for the people and businesses of Cincinnati last week with city manager Milton Dohoney Jr. unveiling a proposal to fund a number of innovative and much-needed development projects in the city by raising downtown car parking rates, currently among the lowest in the country.

New Round of Transportation Grants a Great Investment in Illinois

Posted 02/06/13 by Eric Oberg in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with Local Organizing, State and Federal Programs

There was some wonderful news for rail-trail advocates and planners in Illinois last week, with Governor Pat Quinn announcing tens of millions of dollars would be invested in trails throughout the state.