building trails Page 8

Final Missouri Rock Island Trail Segment Confirmed in 450-Mile Trail Network

Posted 10/01/15 by Amy Kapp in Building Trails, America's Trails | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Missouri, Rock Island, Success Stories

Photo courtesy Missouri Rock Island Trail, Inc.

On Sept. 30, 2015, Jackson County, Missouri, Executive Mike Sanders and KCATA President Joe Reardon announced that a cooperative agreement was reached to purchase a 17.7-mile section of disused Rock Island Corridor stretching from Kansas City to Lee’s Summit for future rail-trail conversion. This is the last peg in the planned 200-plus-mile Rock Island Trail and a 450-mile trail network that spans the width of the state.

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2015 Youth Sojourn participants on the Circuit Trails network in Philadelphia | Photo courtesy Cy Maramangalam

Trails + Watersheds Get Philadelphia Youth Engaged on the Circuit Trails

Posted 09/24/15 by Katie Harris in Building Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Circuit Trails, Ecology and Environment, Pennsylvania, Walkability and Bikeability, Young Champions

Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents are beginning to appreciate the importance of the regional connections made possible by the Circuit, a 750-mile in-progress trail network. Arguably no group understands that more than a handful of youth in Philadelphia, a dedicated crew of avid bicyclists, teammates and young minds called the Cadence Youth Cycling All-Stars.

Photo courtesy En Why | CC by 2.0

World-Class Trail Network in Missouri Just Got 47 Miles Closer to Reality

Posted 09/23/15 by Liz Thorstensen in Building Trails, America's Trails | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Missouri, Rock Island

On Sept. 17, 2015, Governor Jay Nixon announced the planned completion of 47 miles of trail from Windsor to Pleasant Hill, Missouri. This project comes on the heels of another significant announcement—the railbanking of 144 miles of the former Rock Island Line between Windsor and Beaufort, Missouri. Together, these developments take on epic significance, suggesting the potential for a world-class trail system.

Great Shasta Rail Trail | Photo Courtesy Great Shasta Rail Trail Association

California Welcomes 80-Mile Great Shasta Rail Trail

Posted 09/21/15 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with California, Community Events, Trail Communities

In late September, California formally welcomed the in-progress, 80-miles-when-complete Great Shasta Rail Trail (GSRT) in a special two-day celebration. Three trail sections, totally nearly 37 miles, opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception on Sept. 26–27, 2015.

Tidelands Park along the Bayshore Bikeway in San Diego, Calif. | Photo courtesy SANDAG

Round 2 of Calif. Statewide Active Trans. Program Yields $60 Million for Trails

Posted 09/21/15 by Laura Cohen in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with BATC, California, Funding, State and Federal Programs

Twenty-nine trail projects in California have been recommended for funding in the second round of California’s 2015 Active Transportation Program (ATP), the largest single funding source for biking, walking and trails in the state.

Burke-Gilman Trail | Photo by Barbara Richey

What’s the Real Impact of Trail Use in America? RTC Is About to Find Out.

Posted 09/02/15 by Tracy Hadden Loh in Building Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

This August, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) embarked on the first-ever nationwide survey of trail use, a major component of RTC’s three-year T-MAP initiative. The tools developed through T-MAP are expected to change the standards for trail development in the United States—revealing the most effective and powerful ways to integrate urban trails into full-fledged active-transportation networks.

Photo courtesy smcgee | CC by 2.0

Notice: Upcoming Railroad Abandonment in Hennepin County, Minn.

Posted 08/31/15 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Abandonment Notices, Corridors and Railbanking, Minnesota

On or about Aug. 25, 2015, Soo Line Railroad Company filed for the abandonment of 0.4 mile of track in the Prospect Park neighborhood of Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

Photo courtesy Digital-Fridge | CC by 2.0

Notice: Upcoming Railroad Abandonment in Crowley, Kiowa and Pueblo Counties, Colo.

Posted 08/11/15 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action, Building Trails | Tagged with Abandonment Notices, Colorado, Corridors and Railbanking

On or about Aug. 3, 2015, V and S Railway, LLC, filed for the abandonment of 121.9 miles of track between Towner and NA Junction in Crowley, Kiowa and Pueblo Counties, Colorado. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

The 606 in Chicago, Illinois| Photo courtesy life is good (pete) | CC by 2.0

Five New American Rail-Trails

Posted 08/04/15 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Trail Destinations

As the rail-trail movement thrives, new pathways are popping up in urban, suburban and rural communities—increasing human mobility, protecting natural resources and wildlife, improving public health and sparking outdoor tourism and stewardship. Here is a quick look at five new rail-trails across the country.

Manhan Rail Trail in Massachusetts | Photo by Lynne Graves, courtesy Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism | CC by 2.0

Keeping an Eye on Federal Bike/Ped Spending: RTC Releases TrADE Report

Posted 07/30/15 by Tracy Hadden Loh in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Funding, State and Federal Programs, Transportation and Health

Every year, the Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TrADE @ RTC) compiles a spending report that provides transparency and valuable comparisons for people interested in transportation policy. This report breaks down the funds apportioned by state, as well as the funds states spent on projects that qualify for reimbursement (obligations) through TAP. The 2014 report was recently released; here are a few highlights.

Dunbar greets participants of RTC's 2015 Pennsylvania Rail-Trail Sojourn | Photo by Cleo Fogel

Dunbar, Pennsylvania, Is Ready for a Trail Renaissance

Posted 07/27/15 by Katie Harris in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Pennsylvania, Sojourn Series, Trail Communities

I ride into Dunbar, Pennsylvania, at the hottest part of the day. The sun is beating down on me, and the sleepy southwestern Pennsylvania town looks misty through my sweat-drenched vision. Even in my fatigued state, I immediately know this place holds something unique, something special.