TrailBlog Page 101

Photo © Jonathan Maus/Bike Portland

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.

Photo © Gloria Ballard

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!

Image © APA

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.

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 © Katherine Jeter

The Cowback Century: 100 Miles Through Georgia and Alabama

Posted 03/03/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Alabama, Champions, Georgia, Health and Active Living, Ohio

For her 70th birthday nearly four years ago, Dr. Katherine Jeter decided to mark the occasion with an extraordinary physical and philanthropic feat: cycle 70 miles in one day on the Little Miami Scenic Trail in Ohio, and raise $70,000 for charity. We ran a story on her challenge in Rails to Trails magazine, and Jeter ended up surpassing her fundraising goal. And even though she'd only picked up cycling in her late 60s, she'd found her pedaling stride.

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.

Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail, Nevada

Posted 03/01/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Heritage and Restoration, Nevada, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Looking for a safe bet in Las Vegas? You won't find it at the gaming tables or the slot machines in casinos along the Strip. But if you head just 30 miles southeast of the city toward Hoover Dam, you'll find a sure winner in the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail (sometimes referred to as the Historic Railroad Hiking Trail).