Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Trail Blog

Miami-to-Everglades Tour: Experience South Florida by Bike

Posted 01/08/16 by Ken Bryan in Trail Use, Building Trails | Tagged with Florida, RTC in Action, Sojourn Series, Trail Destinations

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Milo Bateman and Ken Bryan at Biscayne National Park near the Black Creek Trail in Florida | Photo courtesy Milo Bateman

There are rumors of a mid-January Arctic blast coming to the Midwest and eastern seaboard, but down here in the Sunshine State, we wouldn’t know much about that. We’re too busy riding bikes and enjoying the warm weather and great outdoor scenery Florida has to offer. And you can come join us! This winter, from Feb. 29 to March 3, 2016, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is hosting our premier Florida Sojourn—an exploration of the Greater Miami region’s growing trail network.

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Route of the proposed Flagler Rail-with-Trail | Photo by RTC

A Huge Opportunity in Miami: Rail-with-Trail Is the Ticket

Posted 05/05/15 by Ken Bryan in Building Trails | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Florida, Rail-with-Trail

In Miami, All Aboard Florida has a huge opportunity, and it’s sitting right there in the corridor. Psst…it’s a rail-with-trail. Let’s take a look…

Florida EIS Released: Now You Can Demand Trail Included in Rail Project

Posted 09/25/14 by Ken Bryan in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Florida, Rail-with-Trail, RTC in Action

Now is the time to have a close look at what All Aboard Florida is all about, and what it will mean for your community. The Federal Rail Administration has just released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project, a study which finds there will be a number of negative environmental, social and mobility impacts.

If It Passes, Everything Will Change. What If It Fails?

Posted 09/19/14 by Ken Bryan in Taking Action, Policy | Tagged with Ecology and Environment, Florida

If passed, the Florida Water, Land and Legacy Conservation Amendment (Amendment 1) would provide upwards of $16 billion over 20 years for the protection and restoration of environmentally sensitive lands and water resources. This funding could be used in many instances to build and maintain trails.

How One RTC Grant Will Unlock Florida's Latest Long Distance Rail-Trail

Posted 09/05/14 by Ken Bryan in Building Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Florida, RTC in Action

The Palatka Trail, through Putnam County in the northern part of the state, is part of a grand effort to connect a trail system between St. Augustine and Lake City. RTC's latest Project Support Grant—funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation—is making possible the short extension of the Palatka Rail Trail west to U.S. 17.

Why Rail-with-Trail Is Critical to Florida's Future

Posted 08/21/14 by Ken Bryan in Taking Action, Building Trails | Tagged with Florida, Rail-with-Trail, RTC in Action, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

Followers plugged in to RTC’s blog and Facebook feeds lately may have seen that we are in the midst of campaigning for a “rail-with-trail” to be included in the All Aboard Florida high speed train project.

Miami the Latest to Say: All Aboard Florida Must Include Trail

Posted 07/23/14 by Ken Bryan in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Florida, Local Organizing, Rail-with-Trail, Statements of Support

Miami now joins a groundswell of communities standing up and saying loudly that the rail project has the potential to transform Florida's transportation system for the better—but only if it includes a parallel rail-with-trail pathway for biking and walking.

The Florida Campaign Rolls On – Are You Aboard?

Posted 07/15/14 by Ken Bryan in Taking Action | Tagged with Florida, RTC in Action

Our promise to Florida was to take on the big battles and win. For any Floridian who loves trails, biking and walking, 2014 is a year of massive significance.

Florida's High Speed Rail Project Missing One Vital Component

Posted 06/02/14 by Ken Bryan in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Florida, Rail-with-Trail, Walkability and Bikeability

They're calling it "All Aboard Florida," and we think a high-speed train service between Miami and Orlando would be terrific for Central and South Florida. Construction of the All Aboard Florida (AAF) project is expected to begin this year, with service starting in 2016.

Mission Miami: Getting More Places to Walk, Run or Bike

Posted 03/17/14 by Ken Bryan in Building Trails | Tagged with Florida, Trail Communities

In Miami, Fla.—an international destination—active transportation is in great demand. And as the city continues to develop, it's the perfect time to seize the opportunity to build new walking and biking infrastructure. RTC recently posted an op-ed in the Miami Herald urging local officials to support these projects.

Florida's $50 Million a Savvy Investment in the State

Posted 04/22/13 by Ken Bryan in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Florida, Private Fundraising, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

Florida's decision this week to set aside $50 million for the creation of a 275-mile cross-state trail is not only great news for those of us who love trails, biking, riding and hiking - it is also a tremendous shot in the arm for thousands of main street businesses and the state's economy.