Posts by Suzanne Matyas

Foto cortesía de iStock de Getty Images

Mejorar el paso: siete maneras de darles vida a las caminatas

Posted 03/21/22 by Suzanne Matyas in Health and Wellness, Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Es agradable. Es una forma de transporte ecológico. Es ejercicio (e, incluso, un deporte olímpico). No es costoso: es un entretenimiento increíble. Y es una forma inigualable de experimentar un lugar y conectarse con su comunidad.

Hawaii's Ke Ala Hele Makalae | Photo by Kevin Clark

Top 10 Trails in Hawaii

Posted 12/14/21 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hawaii, Top10, Trail Destinations

With its picturesque beaches, lush tropics, diverse wildlife, and dramatic mountains and volcanos, it’s no wonder Hawaii is considered to be “like no place on Earth.” More than 1,500 years ago, Polynesians sailed to and first began settling on this breathtaking archipelago of more than 130 islands in the Pacific Ocean. Today, the six main Hawaiian Islands—Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu and Kauai—offer trails and parks that allow you to explore the state’s variety of landscapes, history and rich culture. Grouped by island, here is an assortment of greenways and rail-trails that you’ll want to say “hi!” (but not “bye”) to in the Aloha State.

Left to Right: Waides Ashmon III, Ashley Jones, MaShant Ashmon, Ian Mackay and Vasu Sojitraa | Graphic by RTC

Here Is Some Inspiration to Keep Up or Create Your #TrailMoments Momentum!

Posted 10/14/21 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

We all know how difficult it can be to create or maintain healthy habits! That’s why the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy team launched our #TrailMoments 21-Day Challenge—so an entire community could band together and keep each other motivated.

Screenshot of Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails' groundbreaking of a community mural project along Roberts Pass and Prairie Grass Trail

Celebrate Trails Day 2021: Big Celebration—Nationwide Impact

Posted 05/12/21 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with CelebrateTrailsDay, Local Organizing, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

On April 24, 2021, we invited people and partners across the country to join us outside for Celebrate Trails Day. Thousands of people banded together to celebrate and show appreciation for these essential spaces by spending more than 139,000 minutes being physically active outside!

Graphic by RTC

Celebrate Trails Day: Ideas and Resources for Trail Fun

Posted 04/13/21 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use | Tagged with CelebrateTrailsDay, Encouraging Trail Use, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

This national day—“Celebrate Trails Day”—is a chance for people from coast to coast to enjoy the tens of thousands of miles of trails that connect the country. With that in mind, our team developed a list of suggestions that could help anyone have a fun time on the trail on Celebrate Trails Day and beyond!

Photo by Vasu Sojitra | Triple Tree, Drinking Horse and the M trails, on the land of Apsáalooke, Salish-Kootenai, Northern Cheyenne, Niitsitapi, Shoshone-Bannock and many other Nations

Tips, #TrailMoments and Talk with Vasu Sojitra

Posted 12/07/20 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Equity, People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Video, Why Use Trails?

RTC interviewed Vasu Sojitra, a professional athlete, and a diversity, equity and inclusion strategist. It was an awesome and eye-opening conversation about his time on the trail—his favorite #TrailMoments—and how we can all make outdoor spaces more inclusive and accessible.

Gallery view of Celebrate Trails @Home broadcast | Courtesy RTC

What We Learned at Our Celebrate Trails @Home 2020 Virtual Bash

Posted 04/22/20 by Amy Kapp, Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails | Tagged with CelebrateTrailsDay, Community Events, COVID-19, Demand for Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Healthy Aging, RTC in Action, Trail Communities, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

On Saturday, April 18, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) hosted “Celebrate Trails @Home,” our all-virtual tribute to America’s pathways and their impact on communities everywhere—especially right now as people flock to their local trail for physical activity and solace at a safe social distance.

Five Great Trail Activities and Their Health Benefits

Posted 01/27/20 by Suzanne Matyas, Elissa Southward in Health and Wellness | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Facts and FIgures, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?, Winter Uses

When it comes to being physically active, trails provide a wide range of outdoor activities to keep us motivated year-round. Each activity has unique pluses; the key is to find one that’s right for you! Here are five fitness-forward trail activities that will help you embrace a healthy lifestyle and have a ton of fun in the process.

California's El Dorado Trail | Photo by Jackie Neau

#OptOutside 2019: The Perfect Photo Opp

Posted 12/04/19 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is pleased to join our friends at REI each year in encouraging people to #OptOutside on Black Friday and spend more time outdoors every day. Because we know there’s no better way to spend time outdoors than on the trail, we invited you to join us outside on Friday, Nov. 29, on one of your favorites and share the moment! Thank you to the millions who opted outside—and to all of you who helped inspire them by sharing your trail outings on social media.

Historic Battlefield Trail | Photo by Mark Lehmann

Find Out Why These Eight Urban Trails Are Perfect for On-Foot Exploration

Posted 04/22/19 by Suzanne Matyas, Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Best Of, California, Capital Trails Coalition, Caracara, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, District Of Columbia, Florida, IHTC, Maryland, Miami LOOP, Pennsylvania, Route of the Badger, Texas, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Urban Pathways, Walkability and Bikeability, Wisconsin

Whether you’re venturing to a new city or finally getting around to playing the tourist in your own backyard, walking can connect you in a unique and unequalled way. As a pedestrian, you’re able to access areas motorized vehicles cannot, meet the people that make up a community, experience nature and really immerse yourself in your surroundings.

Photo by Eva Garcia

A Grand Slam: 2019 Opening Day for Trails

Posted 04/16/19 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Repairs and Trail Safety, Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, California, Capital Trails Coalition, CelebrateTrailsDay, Circuit Trails, Community Events, Demand for Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, IHTC, Local Organizing, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Route of the Badger, RTC in Action, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability, Wisconsin, Young Champions

On Saturday, April 13, people across the country kicked off the spring trail season on Opening Day for Trails (Opening Day). For the last seven years, Opening Day has brought trail newbies and long-timers together to say goodbye to winter and get outside on America’s spectacular trails and trails systems.