Trail Blog by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, Connecticut

Posted 04/01/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Connecticut, Heritage and Restoration, State and Federal Programs, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

When it comes to layers of history, few pathways can top the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. This central Connecticut corridor started life as a waterway, then turned into a railroad, then became a multi-use trail. Lately, it's become a crucial link in an ambitious 3,000-mile greenway from Florida to Maine.

In Washington, Kirkland Purchase Another Step Toward Eastside Rail Trail

Posted 03/30/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Champions, Overcoming Opposition, Statements of Support, Washington

The people who were there still remember it vividly--- the passionate, inspirational speech given by Ron Sims, then executive of King County, Wash., at Portland University in 2007.

Image: © Konstantin Dimopoulos, Photo by David Brown Photography.

Turning Blue for the Environment

Posted 03/29/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Ecology and Environment, Washington

If you're cycling along the Burke-Gilman Trail in Kenmore, Wash., next week and notice some new, bizarrely colored landscaping along the way, don't worry. It may not look natural, but it's all for nature.

Photo © Danvers Rail Trail Advisory Committee

A Party in Massachusetts to Celebrate Rail-Trail Milestone

Posted 03/28/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Local Organizing, Massachusetts, Private Fundraising

Earlier this month, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy wrote on TrailBlog about the great success of local volunteers in selling sponsorships to fund the installation of mile-markers along the Danvers Rail Trail in northeast Massachusetts.

Photo of the Susquehanna River © State of Pennsylvania

Once By River and Rail, Travel By Trail Now Thrives Along the Susquehanna

Posted 03/27/12 by in Building Trails | Tagged with Ecology and Environment, Pennsylvania, Wild and Wonderful

The Susquehanna River is one of Pennsylvania's most loved natural features, a broad, hearty current that winds southward through the state before emptying in Chesapeake Bay.

Trail Groups Get a Jump on Spring Cleaning

Posted 03/26/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers

According to recent news stories, the early arrival of the season has also meant some trail groups are getting an early start on their spring cleaning.

Athens, Ga., Lauches New Rail-Trail Project

Posted 03/23/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Georgia, Local Organizing, Trail Communities

Looking wistfully at the famous and much-loved Silver Comet Trail about 70 miles to the west, local organizers near Athens, Ga., are hoping to build a similar rail-trail attraction in their region.

Rep. Edwards Says Biking, Walking Critical for Underserved Communities

Posted 03/22/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy, Trail Use | Tagged with Federal, Health and Active Living, Statements of Support, Urban Pathways

Speaking at the 2012 National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Representative Donna Edwards (D-MD) yesterday urged transportation planners and advocates to promote bicycling and walking as a means of improving conditions and access in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.

Local Businessman Pursues Rail-Trail Potential in Rural Virginia

Posted 03/20/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Local Organizing, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

There is exciting news coming out of southwest Virginia, with energy building for a rail-trail to capture some of that region’s growing outdoor recreation market.

A Pocket-Sized Piece of History From the Katy Trail

Posted 03/16/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Heritage and Restoration, Missouri

For the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Rails to Trails magazine, we had asked our readers, "What is your favorite part about rail-trail history?" One of the most memorable responses came from Gloria Ballard of Nashville, Tenn., who wrote about making a surprising connection between family history and rail history while researching a rail-trail excursion in Missouri. We thought we'd share her story!

Several Rail-Trails Featured in New Book About Preservation Successes

Posted 03/14/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with California, Case Studies, Ecology and Environment, Facts and FIgures, Heritage and Restoration, Minnesota, Wisconsin

We like to call rail-trails the ultimate recycling project. They preserve thousands of miles of historical rail lines and uphold the railroad legacy of transporting millions of people and goods across the country. Countless hours were invested in the construction and maintenance of those original railbeds, and rail-trails keep the corridors intact and in the public domain for future generations to use and enjoy.

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.

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