Trail Blog by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Looking Back, With Gratitude, on a Year of Challenges and Triumphs for Trails

Posted 12/23/20 by Amy Kapp, Paola Tejada Lalinde in America's Trails, Success Stories, Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Best Of, Capital Trails Coalition, Caracara, COVID-19, Federal, Funding, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Route of the Badger, RTC in Action, Trail Moments, TrailNation, Why Use Trails?

As 2020 draws to a close—a year of extreme changes and challenges—it is with incredible appreciation that we reflect on the collective impact of our movement across the country.

Ed and Jenn Coleman on the Chief Ladiga Trail | Courtesy Ed Coleman

Trail Moments | The Long Trail Home

Posted 12/17/20 by Ed Coleman in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Alabama, Arizona, California, COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Florida, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

Trail riding encompasses my fondest childhood memories and confirmation of my life partner. It grounds me to myself and makes the world around me my home. I lost that connection during the pandemic, and I have realized that rediscovering the trails around me—my #TrailMoments—makes me feel whole and like the world will be ok.

Along the Manchester Rail Trail in Vermont | Photo by Robin Verner

A Vermont Rail-Trail Leads to the New York Public Library

Posted 12/17/20 by Monica Cardoza in America's Trails | Tagged with History Happened Here, Maintenance and Volunteers, Vermont

In 2000, the town of Manchester commissioned a feasibility study to convert the MD&G railbed into a recreation trail. “The project just needed someone to step up to the challenge and make it happen,” said Robin Verner, who with his wife, Amy, and friends Bill Drunsic and Jim Hand, formed Old Railroad Bed LLC in 2009 to purchase the last remaining section of the original line. In March, Manchester voters will vote on town acquisition of the privately held trail.

Metropolitan Branch Trail in Washington, D.C., and Maryland | Photo by India Kea

New Year Presents New Opportunities for Trails, Walking and Biking in Washington

Posted 12/16/20 by Mary Ellen Koontz in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Federal, Great American Rail-Trail, Recreational Trails Program, RTC in Action, Tourism and Economic Development, TrailsTransform, Transportation Alternatives

We have an unprecedented opportunity to work with federal policymakers to put Americans to work building the strategic connections that enable healthy and resource-saving habits, unlocking billions of dollars for the U.S. economy.

Photo by Vasu Sojitra | Triple Tree, Drinking Horse and the M trails, on the land of Apsáalooke, Salish-Kootenai, Northern Cheyenne, Niitsitapi, Shoshone-Bannock and many other Nations

Tips, #TrailMoments and Talk with Vasu Sojitra

Posted 12/07/20 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Equity, People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Video, Why Use Trails?

RTC interviewed Vasu Sojitra, a professional athlete, and a diversity, equity and inclusion strategist. It was an awesome and eye-opening conversation about his time on the trail—his favorite #TrailMoments—and how we can all make outdoor spaces more inclusive and accessible.

Upper Bucks Rail Trail | Courtesy Bucks County Planning Commission

2020’s Silver Lining: Six New Rail-Trails to Treasure

Posted 12/07/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, Virginia, West Virginia

Among this year’s class of new rail-trails is a pathway that’s key to a 275-mile route across Michigan, a Virginia stunner with a nearly milelong railroad tunnel, a new segment of the multistate East Coast Greenway in Massachusetts, and a Pennsylvania rail-trail that’s part of three vast regional trail systems.

The Baltimore Network Trail Coalition will build new trail infrastructure along a BGE utility corridor in north east Baltimore, linking the future east side rail trail to the Herring Run Trail. | Courtesy Molly Gallant

Baltimore Greenway Trails Network Builds Paths for Connectivity and Economic Growth

Posted 12/07/20 by Paola Tejada Lalinde in Building Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, Connected Systems, Maryland, TrailNation, Transportation Alternatives

A new study found that the Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition—which seeks to connect existing trails in the city’s three stream valleys—could create new transportation alternatives for 75 diverse neighborhoods while generating millions in economic, health and social benefits, ultimately serving as a critical strategy in the city’s bid to create a more sustainable and equitable future for the city and its residents.

Canyon Rim Trail | Courtesy Los Alamos County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Division

New Mexico’s Canyon Rim Trail

Posted 12/04/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Federal, Funding, Health and Active Living, New Mexico, Schools and Young People, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Walkability and Bikeability

One of Los Alamos County's most popular pathways, the Canyon Rim Trail, provides an easy—and easy to reach—option in the heart of the community, packing a lot of wonder into its 2.5 miles.

When Trails Connect Everyone, Everywhere

Posted 12/01/20 by Ryan Chao in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Equity, Great American Rail-Trail, RTC in Action, Trail Moments, TrailNation, TrailsTransform

Throughout this year, as we’ve continued to galvanize the trails movement in a virtual world, the movement itself has inspired us—in particular, the stories so many have shared of the moments of joy, respite, healing and strength they have found on the trail. The impact of our work in this time has brought urgency and focus to our path forward.

Flint Hills Trail State Park | Courtesy Kansas Tourism

Five Destination Rail-Trails Newly Designated as 2020 National Recreation Trails

Posted 11/30/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Ohio, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations

In October, a new slate of 30 trails in 25 states—including the five rail-trails highlighted here—were ushered into the ranks of top outdoor destinations as 2020’s National Recreation Trails by U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

New York's Highline | Photo by Adrian Cabrero

How to Adapt Trail Activities and Gear for Cold and Winter Conditions

Posted 11/23/20 by Emilia Benton in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Repairs and Trail Safety, Biking, COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, How-to, People with Disabilities, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

Common outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, running and cycling can be done safely in the fall and winter, as long as you’re adequately prepared and plan to recreate responsibly.

How to Build Physical Activity Into Daily Life on Trails During COVID-19

Posted 11/20/20 by Cory Matteson in America's Trails, Health and Wellness, Trail Use | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, People with Disabilities, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Getting outside right now, especially on local trails, can provide a wealth of benefits to your body and mind—once you get in the habit. Some of the most common trail activities—biking, skating, running—can burn over a thousand calories in an hour’s time. And being out in nature—especially right now, as more people are staying home and cool weather is making people less inclined to step outside—can strengthen your resilience and mental health.

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