Posts by Katie Harris Page 3

Bike Around is getting lots of kids on two wheels in Baltimore, Md. | Photo by Molly Gallant

Charm City by Bike: Baltimore Program Gets Residents on Two Wheels

Posted 06/02/15 by Katie Harris in Trail Use | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, Biking, Disparities and Underserved Communities, Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland, has more than 6,000 acres of parkland and public space. But for some Charm City residents, these urban gems are giant unknowns—green placeholders on a map, but unexplored and undiscovered in real life. Fortunately, one program in particular, Bike Around, is helping to change that.

A still-standing coaling tower relic on the Armstrong Trail | Photo by Ron Steffey

A Well-Fought Battle for Good: The Armstrong Trail

Posted 05/23/15 by Katie Harris in Building Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Overcoming Opposition, Pennsylvania, Success Stories

The 36-mile Armstrong Trail was forged in a fire hotter than any other. And, as the saying goes, those types of fires forge the strongest steel. Read about the incredible history of the creation of this western Pennsylvania rail-trail.

Photo courtesy Mark Stosberg

How to Plan Your First Overnight Bike Trip

Posted 05/22/15 by Katie Harris in Trail Use | Tagged with Biking, How-to, Trail Use Tips

Bike touring is rising in popularity across the country, and for good reason. Many seasoned cyclists will tell you: “There’s no better way to experience a place than by bike. If your relationship with your bike stops at day trips, the idea of a multi-day excursion might seem intimidating! Rest easy! These simple tips can help get you on your way to your first overnighter. And we bet it won’t be your last!

A future section of the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway

Meet Janet Phillips, Tenacious Leader of the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway

Posted 05/14/15 by Katie Harris in Building Trails, America's Trails | Tagged with California, Walkability and Bikeability

Janet Phillips, president of the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway, doesn’t shy away from a challenge. During a full career working in water resources along the Truckee River in California, she noticed a notable missing component to the corridor along the river: a trail. And instead of wishing for one to appear, she took action.

Avid cyclists and 80-somethings Jack and Jeannette Ralston of Tennessee | Photo courtesy Jack and Jeannette Ralston

“They Think We’re Nuts”: Being in Their 80s Won’t Stop This Biking Duo

Posted 04/27/15 by Katie Harris in Trail Use, Success Stories | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Tennessee

Remember Jack and Jeannette Ralston, the amazing couple who recently achieved a 70-years-plus dream of riding their bikes in every state (their story was originally featured in a 2013 issue of Rails to Trails)? They are still going strong! The Ralstons just took a trip to the Tweetsie Trail, a recently completed and stunningly beautiful rail-trail outside of Johnson City, Tennessee.

The Bay Trail is helping to preserve the natural beauty and heritage of the San Francisco Bay Area region. | Photo by TJ Gehling

San Francisco Bay Trail: Environmental Icon, Public Asset

Posted 03/18/15 by Katie Harris in Success Stories, America's Trails | Tagged with California, OpeningDay, Trail Destinations

On March 28, 2015—people around the nation will be getting out to celebrate their favorite pathways and kick off spring in honor of RTC’s third annual Opening Day for Trails. As Opening Day approaches, we're pleased to bring you this great example of how a trail in the San Francisco Bay Area is getting people where they need to go—and helping to preserve the region's environmental legacy and natural beauty.

Indy Cultural Trail in Indianapolis, Ind. | Photo by Robert Annis

The Time Is Right for Trails in Indy (New Hours, New Opportunities)

Posted 03/09/15 by Katie Harris in Trail Use | Tagged with Indiana, OpeningDay, Trail Communities

As we lead up to Opening Day for Trails 2015, we’re pleased to highlight another great example of a community doing great work on the ground to make their trails great places to walk and bike. Spring is a time of transition, longer days and, for many of us, enjoying that glorious sunshine we’ve been deprived of for the last few months! In Indianapolis, however, the change in seasons comes with another change for trail systems around the city: extended hours for trail use!

A disused corridor and potential future trail connection in Baltimore, Md. | Photo by Jim Brown

Opening Day Feature: We'll Be Seeing More of Baltimore—By Trail

Posted 03/03/15 by Katie Harris in Building Trails, America's Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, Community Events, Encouraging Trail Use, Maryland, OpeningDay

Eighteen communities around the country are hosting official Opening Day for Trails Events events this year in partnership with RTC, and in the lead up to Opening Day on March 28, we'll bring you some of their awesome stories. Baltimore, Md., will be celebrating Opening Day in full force this year on the Jones Fall Trail. Did you know that Baltimore lays claim to some of the oldest urban parks in the country?