Building Trails Page 29

Photo of the disused Bloomingdale Line © Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail

Chicago Mayor Announces Funding in Place to Begin Building the Bloomingdale Trail

Posted 03/12/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Champions, Illinois, State and Federal Programs, Urban Pathways

Though often prefixed by the words "long-awaited," and "delayed," the Bloomingdale Trail project to convert an elevated rail line in Chicago into a multi-use recreational space is moving ahead pretty quickly these days.

Photo of the Danvers Rail Trail sponsored mile-marker © Danvers Rail Trail Advisory Committee

Grassroots Go-Ahead: Massachusetts Communities Take On Their Rail-Trail Ambitions

Posted 03/07/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action, Building Trails | Tagged with Local Organizing, Massachusetts, Private Fundraising, Trail Communities

In the state's northeast, the Danvers Rail Trail Advisory Committee has launched a mile-marker sponsorship program to fund the maintenance and improvement of the Danvers Rail Trail. The advisory committee is a town-appointed group that has directed development of the 4.3-mile rail-trail since the town of Danvers leased the corridor from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in 2008.

Photo of Dupont Underground trolley tunnel © Mika Altskan

Subterranean Dreams: Exploring a New Frontier in Rail-Trails

Posted 03/06/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Design Strategies, District Of Columbia, New York, Pennsylvania, Urban Pathways

In a number of big cities across America, several underground transit stations--the long-dormant enclaves of intrepid urban explorers--are being reimagined as creative gathering places, retail hubs, galleries and performance venues. These projects represent some of the most innovative rail-trail plans we have seen in many years.

Dream of Olympic Discovery Trail on the Line for Volunteers

Posted 03/05/12 by Jake Lynch in Building Trails | Tagged with Design Strategies, Ecology and Environment, Local Organizing, Washington

Few doubt the tremendous potential of the Olympic Discovery Trail, a plan to construct a continuous recreational trail from Port Townsend on the northeast tip of the peninsula across to the Pacific Ocean. Already, local businesses are benefitting from the many visitors completed sections of the trail bring to the area. Last year, President Obama heralded the trail project during the launch of the America's Great Outdoors initiative to connect Americans with the nation's natural heritage.

Photo of opening day on the East Central Regional Rail Trail © Volusia County

'We The People' - Grassroots Energy Drives Bike/Ped Improvements in Florida

Posted 03/02/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Florida, Safety and Law Enforcement, Signage and Amenities

Saturday's opening of the first section of the East Central Regional Rail Trail (ECRRT) in Volusia County, Fla., was a great opportunity to witness firsthand the growing enthusiasm for walking and biking in that state.

Photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day volunteer cleanup on the Richmond Greenway, Calif. © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Caring For a Common Space: Research Connects Urban Greening With Safer Neighborhoods

Posted 02/21/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Overcoming Opposition, Pennsylvania, Safety and Law Enforcement

The results demonstrated that vacant lot greening was associated with consistent reductions in gun assaults across all four sections of the city, and consistent reductions in vandalism in one section of the city. There were also a number of stress and wellness benefits for local residents associated with transforming the neglected sections.