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Jordan River Parkway Trail | Photo by TrailLink user trailrider622

Utah’s Jordan River Parkway Trail

Posted 12/06/21 by Cindy Barks in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, COVID-19, Trail of the Month, Utah

With the majestic Wasatch Mountains looming in the distance and bucolic wetlands attracting a range of birds and wildlife along the way, the Jordan River Parkway Trail can feel eons away from it all. The reality, though, is that the trail cuts a nearly 50-mile path through Utah’s most densely populated region. Traversing portions of Salt Lake City—the state’s largest city—and passing through a host of smaller towns and suburbs, the Jordan River Parkway Trail is said to be easily accessible for nearly half of Utah’s population.

Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Branch Trail | Photo by India Kea

Top 10 Trails in Washington, DC

Posted 12/02/21 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Capital Trails Coalition, District Of Columbia, Great American Rail-Trail, Top10, Trail Destinations, TrailNation

It’s to be expected that our nation’s capital would contain some of the most renowned landmarks and green spaces in America—connecting us to our history and heritage, and celebrating the many people and diverse cultures that make up America. But D.C. has a lot treasures to discover—not least of which are its rail-trails and multiuse pathways, which provide linkages, large and small, to many of the communities, rich recreational opportunities and iconic places and spaces D.C. is known for. What’s more: D.C.’s trails are playing a key role in the Capital Trails Coalition, which is in the process of connecting the entire metropolitan region with an equitably distributed 800-mile trail network!

Massachusetts' Mass Central Rail Trail | Milo Bateman

Top 10 Trails in Massachusetts

Posted 12/02/21 by Ally Neutze in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Massachusetts, Top10, Trail Destinations

Home to America’s first railroad, it should come as no surprise that Massachusetts is teeming with rail-trails and railroad history. While the Bay State’s capital of Boston attracts many visitors, its 93 multiuse trails totaling 461 miles draw visitors to every corner of the state. Massachusetts is also a growing hub for interconnected trail systems, including the Coastal Trails Network, Landline Network, Vision 88, New England Rail-Trail Network and East Coast Greenway, which are linking existing trails and closing gaps across the state, region and Eastern seaboard. Whether you’re looking for a long, leisurely ride around Cape Cod or a short cruise through one of the state’s bustling cities, Massachusetts has so much to offer all trail users.

As part of the conference program, longtime West Virginia trail advocates Peggy Pings, Ella Belling and Amanda Pitzer celebrate Ella’s recognition as a leader of trail advocacy on the Mon River Rail-Trail System in Morgantown. | Photo courtesy Amanda Pitzer

Inaugural WV TRAIL Conference Energizes Mass Effort for Statewide Trails Movement

Posted 11/23/21 by Kelly Pack in America's Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, IHTC, TrailNation, West Virginia

Exciting happenings in West Virginia last week—as local and national trail advocates gathered virtually for the inaugural WV TRAIL Conference, Nov. 16–18, 2021. Hosted by WV TRAIL, the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA), Friends of the Cheat (FOC) and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), the conference brought together more than 250 people with the goal of building a broad network of trail planners, managers and advocates from across the Mountain State

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, State and Federal Programs, Success Stories

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, State and Federal Programs, TrailsTransform, 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.