Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Trail Blog

Sally Jacobs, 'Force of Nature'

Posted 11/15/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action | Tagged with Champions, Maine

People like Sally Jacobs are rare and treasured. Renowned in her adopted state of Maine as a committed rail-trail advocate and builder, among other roles, Sally's more than three decades in the service of conservation and outdoor recreation forged a tremendous legacy that includes the establishment of the Downeast Sunrise Trail.

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From the Courtroom to the Cowboy Trail, Chuck Montange Builds First Blocks of the Rail-Trail Movement

Posted 11/08/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Champions, Corridors and Railbanking, Legal Issues, RTC in Action

Few have been as vital to the enduring success of the rail-trail movement nationwide as Charles "Chuck" Montange.

Florida's Rail-Trail Champion Continues to Give

Posted 10/02/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Champions, Florida, Signage and Amenities

When Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) named Florida's Brian Smith one of the 25 inaugural Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champions, it was in recognition of the years of labor and expertise he had given to the creation and expansion of the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail, one of Florida's most popular and unique urban pathways.

Texas Community Mourns Passing of Iris Stagner, 54

Posted 09/21/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action | Tagged with Champions, Texas

The bicycling community is today mourning the loss of one of its most loved and respected advocates. Iris Stagner, a member of the BikeTexas Board of Directors and a longtime promoter of bike safety and education, was killed on Monday after being hit by a pickup truck while riding on U.S. Route 180 outside Mineral Wells, Texas.

"Bad News Bears" of Rail-Trails, Good News for Ferry County, Wash.

Posted 09/18/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Success Stories, Taking Action | Tagged with Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers, Washington

Winners of the first-ever Rails-to-Trails Conservancy very unofficial award for Best Trail Organization Tagline: the Ferry County Rail Trail Partners ("The Bad News Bears of Trail Groups").

Photo © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy/Scott Stark

Pinellas Trail the Centerpiece of Brian Smith's Legacy in Florida

Posted 08/28/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Success Stories, Taking Action | Tagged with Champions, Florida, RTC in Action

In his four decades in urban and regional planning, Brian Smith has witnessed firsthand the evolution of the role of trails in communities.

RTC's Andrea Ferster Elected Next President of the D.C. Bar

Posted 06/15/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action | Tagged with Legal Issues, RTC in Action

A huge round of applause for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) long-time General Counsel Andrea Ferster, who has been elected by her peers as the president-elect of the D.C. Bar!

Photo of McKenna Boxx with former Mayor of Pittsburgh and fellow Rail-Trail Champion, Tom Murphy © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Pennsylvania's Grand Rail-Trail a Wonderful Legacy for Linda McKenna Boxx

Posted 06/12/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Success Stories, Taking Action | Tagged with Champions, Pennsylvania, RTC in Action

Linda McKenna Boxx has been the driving force behind the Allegheny Trail Alliance (ATA) since its inception in 1995. Her ability to inspire and unite the efforts of a disparate group of cities, counties, volunteer groups and federal, state and local agencies, is widely credited for the tremendous success of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), which since the time of her involvement has become one of America's most popular rail-trail destinations.

Photo of Capital Bikeshare riders on the Mount Vernon Trail © Bike Arlington

Six-Time World Champ Bringing Biking to the People

Posted 05/18/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action | Tagged with Champions

If I ever needed to hire a guy to convince people that riding a bike was awesome, Chris Eatough would be the guy.

Meet Liz Smith, Climate Ride Wonder and Friend of RTC

Posted 05/05/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action | Tagged with Young Champions

With the 2012 New York to Washington, D.C. Climate Ride spectacular getting closer by the day, it is wonderful to hear from the people who are riding, volunteering and fundraising for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) and the other great beneficiary organizations.

Portland, Maine, Pays Tribute to a Man of His Community

Posted 04/27/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action | Tagged with Champions, Local Organizing, Maine

Stephen Aylward was loved and respected in the city of Portland, Maine, as an educator, a man of his community, and as a passionate advocate for his local rail-trail.

Photo of the Bayshore Bikeway © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Greg Cox Shaped Active Transportation in California

Posted 04/25/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Success Stories, Taking Action | Tagged with California, Champions, RTC in Action

The rail-trail movement is fortunate to have a number of active supporters in positions of municipal leadership-men and women well-placed to convert an understanding of the benefits of trails and active transportation into actual projects and programs. Greg Cox is one such champion.

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