TrailBlog Page 6

Kentucky's Big Four Bridge | Photo by TrailLink user karenestepp

Top 10 Trails in Kentucky

Posted 11/18/21 by Amy Grisak in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Kentucky, Top10, Trail Destinations

From the rolling green pastures of Kentucky horse country to mountain hollows and the banks of peaceful waterways, Kentucky’s rail-trails offer an incredible diversity of experiences. Long-distance riders and runners find a myriad of excellent connections, and there are nearly limitless options for a family ride or casual stroll. Many of the former railroads used in these projects hauled lumber or coal from the mountains, and traveling these routes is like a step back in time for history lovers. While it’s impossible to pick a favorite among the multitude of trails, this “Top 10” list offers an indication of why Kentucky deserves recognition for world-class recreation.

Washington's Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail in part of the Great American Rail-Trail | Photo by TrailLink user scfroehlich

2021 RTC Fall Trail Grants Supporting Equitable Trail Access Around the Nation

Posted 11/17/21 by Mary Ellen Koontz in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, Capital Trails Coalition, Caracara, Connected Systems, Funding, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Miami LOOP, Route of the Badger, TrailNation

On Nov. 17, RTC announced the recipients of over $300,000 in grants as part of the 2021 Trail Grants Program. These grants were given to 45 organizations around the country to advance trail projects in their communities as part of TrailNation™ networks and along the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail™.

South Dakota's George S. Mickelson Trail | Photo by Keith Laughlin

Top 10 Trails In South Dakota

Posted 11/12/21 by Cindy Barks in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, South Dakota, Top10, Trail Destinations

Despite its somewhat under-the-radar locale in the very center of the United States, South Dakota has plenty of claims to fame when it comes to notable sights. In fact, several of the state’s best-known attractions also happen to be some of the nation’s most iconic images. From the starkly beautiful sandstone buttes of the Badlands National Park to the herds of bison and cathedral-like rock spires of the Black Hills, South Dakota’s famous places are sure to resonate. The state is also home to sprawling prairies, fertile farmland and glacial lakes. And through it all—from the mountains of the Black Hills in the west to the rivers and grasslands in the east—a growing network of trails provides wonderful access to South Dakota’s treasures. Here are 10 of our favorites.

Vermilion River Regional Greenway in Minnesota | Photo by TrailLink user travistschepen

Tom Petri Awards Honor 13 Outstanding Trail Projects and Programs in 2021

Posted 11/11/21 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy, Success Stories | Tagged with Champions, Federal, Funding, Maintenance and Volunteers, Motorized Use, Recreational Trails Program, State and Federal Programs, Success Stories, Transportation Alternatives

This week, the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) honored this year’s recipients of the Tom Petri Recreational Trails Program Annual Achievement Awards, including twelve projects and a state recreational trails program. The awards—honoring former U.S. Representative Tom Petri (WI)—specifically recognize outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds, which have historically supported states in developing and maintaining recreational trails and trail-related facilities around the country.

Ohio's Camp Chase Trail | Photo by TrailLink user jodydzuranin

Ohio’s Camp Chase Trail

Posted 11/10/21 by Christina Sturdivant Sani in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Great American Rail-Trail, Ohio, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Walkability and Bikeability

Ohio’s Camp Chase Trail is a 16-mile pathway traversing bountiful farmlands, calming countryside and invigorating city scenes. It begins at the Wilson Road trailhead in rural Madison County, heading east toward Columbus.

Sheet music image | Courtesy University of Colorado, Music Library

Taters and Trains: The Great Big Baked Potato and the Northern Pacific Line

Posted 11/10/21 by Scott Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Featured Magazine Articles, Great American Rail-Trail, History Happened Here, Tourism

The year was 1908; Hazen Titus was the new superintendent of dining cars for the now-defunct Northern Pacific (NP) Railway when he overheard a conversation between two passengers that would result in the NP’s dining cars catapulting ahead of the competition and cementing the railway in the public’s imagination.

Analysis: Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Passes With New Opportunities for Trails, Walking and Biking

Posted 11/06/21 by Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Recreational Trails Program, State and Federal Programs, TrailsTransform, Transportation Alternatives, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (H.R.3684), which passed the Senate in August. The bill will next head to President Biden for his signature, which is guaranteed. Here's what this means for trails, walking and biking.

Georgia's Silver Comet Trail | Photo by Seth Holladay

The Build Back Better Act Could Create New Opportunities for Trail and Active Transportation Funding

Posted 11/06/21 by Patrick Wojahn in Policy | Tagged with Ecology and Environment, Equity, Federal, Funding, Mode Shift, Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, TrailsTransform

Assuming the Build Back Better Act moves through the Senate without any additional changes, the current language includes programs that address critical transportation and infrastructure issues, such as economic development, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and equity.

Iowa's High Trestle Trail | Photo by TrailLink user dj123_45

Top 10 Trails in Iowa

Posted 11/05/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Iowa, Top10, Trail Destinations

In 1856, the first trains to ever cross the mighty Mississippi River entered Davenport, Iowa, ushering in a new wave of east-west travel across the burgeoning nation. Today, Iowa offers more than 900 miles of trail built along former railroad corridors, a result of its long history of leadership in trail development, including being the first state in the nation to put the Railbanking Act of 1983 to use. Looking forward, many of these routes are being utilized for the Great American Rail-Trail™, a developing 3,700-mile route across the country. Some of these amazing rail-trails are highlighted below along with other outstanding multiuse trails that showcase the beautiful terrain and welcoming communities of the state.

Photo by Hunter Franklin, courtesy Facebook.com/dollsheadtrail

Eight Creepy Cool Trailside Attractions

Posted 10/27/21 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with COVID-19, District Of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, History Happened Here, Maryland, Ohio, Trail Destinations

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy editorial team really loves Halloween. And while this year may not see the normal amount of costume- and candy-filled events due to safety measures surrounding COVID-19—we still thought we’d present this list of some of our favorite creepy trailside attractions for some much-needed levity (no pun intended?) and fun!

Part of the developing Louisiana Bootlace Trail Network, New Orleans’ Wisner Trail is nestled between two popular recreational amenities: City Park and Bayou St. John. Photo by Jennifer Ruley, courtesy City of New Orleans.

Close Ties: Louisiana Bootlace Trail Network

Posted 10/26/21 by Chez Chesak in America's Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Featured Magazine Articles, Funding, Hall of Fame, Louisiana, Tourism , Trail Destinations

Trail advocates in Louisiana are coming together with a vision to create a 100-miles-plus trail network loop that will lace together a dozen parishes on a route connecting Baton Rouge and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Tennessee's Chattanooga Riverwalk | Photo by TrailLink user pnmcveigh

Top 10 Trails in Tennessee

Posted 10/20/21 by Shelby Deering in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Tennessee, Top10, Trail Destinations

Tennessee’s state slogan is, “Tennessee: America at Its Best.” Although this isn’t as quippy as one of the many quotes shared by famous Tennessean Dolly Parton, it really does describe the state’s trails and stunning natural areas. From the magnificent Smoky Mountains to the Appalachian Trail to impressively expansive assets like the Cumberland Park State Trail system, Tennessee has plenty of nature to go around. Its rail-trails and greenways run their course through these picturesque surroundings and, equally, pay homage to urban areas where they can be found. Here are 10 of our favorite trails in this Southern state.