Posts by Katie Harris

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

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

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.

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On the Jones Falls Trail in Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland | Photo by Side A Photography

112 Years Later: Baltimore’s Trail Network Vision Is Coming of Age

Posted 05/10/16 by Katie Harris, Amy Kapp in Building Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, Celebrating 30 Years, Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Ecology and Environment, Maryland, Walkability and Bikeability

Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. painted a visionary picture for Baltimore in his comprehensive 1904 Report Upon the Development of Public Grounds for Greater Baltimore. His blueprints for Baltimore’s park system, which focused attention on the three stream valleys, are a shining example of effective urban planning. More than a century later, these stream valleys remain among the city’s greatest assets—and now, they are pieces of a new vision for a connected and more equitable Baltimore.

Live music was a highlight of Washington, D.C.'s 2016 Opening Day for Trails celebration on Kingman Island | Photo by Milo Bateman

Opening Day 2016 Recap: DC Celebrates Future Northeast Trail Connection

Posted 04/20/16 by Katie Harris in Building Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Biking, Community Events, District Of Columbia, Maintenance and Volunteers, Walkability and Bikeability

This year, RTC’s National Office teamed up with Living Classrooms, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and REI to celebrate Opening Day for Trails 2016 on Kingman Island. As a special highlight—WABA led a bike ride on the Anacostia River Trail, which is welcoming in a new 4-mile Kenilworth segment that will have a huge impact on connectivity in the area.

Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk, the Circuit Trails, Philadelphia | Photo courtesy Montgomery County Planning Commission

10 Reasons the Circuit Trails Are Remarkable

Posted 02/11/16 by Katie Harris in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Celebrating 30 Years, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, Disparities and Underserved Communities, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Walkability and Bikeability

The Philadelphia region is home to one of the country’s largest trail networks, a visionary model that, when complete, will incorporate 750 miles of connected trails leading through urban landscapes and rural countryside. The system is called the Circuit Trails, and the network will be accessible to all residents and visitors, regardless of age, income or experience level.

On the Met Branch Trail in Washington, D.C. | Photo courtesy RTC

30 Reasons to Love Trails—Happy Anniversary, RTC!

Posted 02/01/16 by Katie Harris in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Celebrating 30 Years, Health and Active Living, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Feb. 1 marks RTC’s 30th anniversary—and in honor of the occasion, we compiled these 30 great reasons to use and love trails. RTC will be celebrating our anniversary all year long! Check our special 30th anniversary page often for great new stories and content.

1432nd Engineering Company on the Iron Range Trail in Michigan | Photo by Master Sgt. Ron Raflik, Michigan National Guard

Michigan National Guard Lends a Hand in Unique Rail-Trail Partnership

Posted 12/23/15 by Katie Harris in Building Trails | Tagged with Government Agencies, Maintenance and Volunteers, Michigan

Several years ago, the 1432nd Engineering Company of the Michigan National Guard was in a bit of a pinch. The newly trained horizontal engineering company needed a place to put their skills to practice, but the closest military facility was 300 miles away. So, they hit the trails.

Hike 18 Bridges 2015 Opening Day for Trails event in Spokane, Wash. | Photo by Rich Landers

Save the Date. Opening Day for Trails is April 16, 2016!

Posted 12/17/15 by Katie Harris in Trail Use | Tagged with Community Events

The date is set—the fourth annual Opening Day for Trails will take place on April 16, 2016. And with the momentum of the trails, walking and biking movement barreling full steam ahead into the new year, we expect this year’s events to be bigger and better than ever.

On the Sheepskin Trail during the 2015 West Virginia Sojourn | Photo by Katie Harris

Beyond a Bike Ride: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s 2016 Sojourn Series

Posted 11/24/15 by Katie Harris in Trail Use, Building Trails | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Florida, Sojourn Series, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

For the past 15 years, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has hosted annual sojourns showcasing some of the country’s finest rail-trails and greenways, and the communities they connect. This year, RTC is pleased to announce that it is expanding the series to four rides over the course of 2016 with our new Sojourn Series—beginning with our Florida Sojourn in February: the Miami-to-Everglades Tour!

Steam Into History along the Heritage Rail-Trail at Hanover Junction in Pennsylvania | Photo by Katie Harris

Pennsylvania Communities Celebrate 2015 Rail-Trail Hall of Fame Designation

Posted 11/17/15 by Katie Harris in Success Stories, America's Trails | Tagged with Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania, Rail-with-Trail, Trail Destinations

Last week, the restored depot in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, played host to a crowd of area residents, local elected officials and trail enthusiasts—all of whom had assembled to celebrate an exciting event: the induction of the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail and Heritage Rail Trail County Park into Rails-to-Trail’s Conservancy’s Rail-Trail Hall of Fame!

RTC Policy Manager Brian Housh stands at a mile marker on the Little Miami Scenic Trail in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Housh joined community members on Oct 17 for the ribbon cutting of RTC's new Midwest Regional Office. Copyright 2015 by the Yellow Springs News; used with permission. Find the entire article online at YSNEWS.com.

RTC Midwest Office Celebrates New Location in Yellow Springs

Posted 10/26/15 by Katie Harris in Building Trails | Tagged with Community Events, Ohio

Rails–to-Trails Conservancy’s Midwest Regional Office just moved shop! Our relocation to Yellow Springs, Ohio, was celebrated in style in mid-October.

Photo courtesy Fairmount Park Conservancy

How We Show Off Our City: Walking Is the Way to Go in Philadelphia

Posted 10/21/15 by Katie Harris in Success Stories, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Health and Active Living, Pennsylvania, Walkability and Bikeability

Few cities have better embraced walkability more than Philadelphia. According to WalkScore’s 2015 rankings, Philadelphia is the fourth most walkable city in the United States! The city has even invested in a comprehensive signage system that is custom-made for pedestrians as part of the Streetscape Improvement Program, the Walk!Philadelphia campaign.

Five of America’s Best Pedestrian Bridges (and Why They Matter)

Posted 10/11/15 by Katie Harris in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Best Of, Urban Pathways, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Spanning waterways, railroad tracks, highways, canals and more, bridges allow us to make the necessary connections that we often take for granted. Walking infrastructure is not high on the priority list for some communities, but these spectacular bridges in the United States defy that standard, close gaps and allow access for all.