TrailBlog Page 85

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.

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.