TrailBlog Page 9

Notice: Upcoming Railroad Abandonment in Niagara County, New York

Posted 10/20/20 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Abandonment Notices, Corridors and Railbanking, New York

On or about Oct. 7, 2020, Somerset Railroad Corporation filed for the abandonment of 13.39 miles of track between Lockport and the Somerset power generation plant in Niagara County, New York. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

Tweetsie Trail entrance in Johnson City | Courtesy Carter County Tourism

Tennessee’s Tweetsie Trail

Posted 10/13/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Health and Active Living, Tennessee, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Walkability and Bikeability

Nestled into the recreational playground of northeastern Tennessee, the Tweetsie Trail connects two charming towns in the Appalachian foothills, following a railroad corridor that once snaked through the mountains and crossed into North Carolina.

Seattle Parks and Recreation staff gathered data on nearly 10,000 trail users over the course of 25 intercept studies on five local trails for the city's e-bike pilot program. | Courtesy Seattle Parks and Recreation

Seattle E-Bike Pilot Program Promotes Safe Shared Use on Local Trails

Posted 10/07/20 by Danielle Taylor in America's Trails | Tagged with Health and Active Living, Mode Shift, Motorized Use, Washington

Like other cutting-edge West Coast cities, Seattle often sees the first waves of new technology, and recently, that tech has made its way onto the city’s trails in the form of e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards, solo wheels and more. Micromobility devices like these feature a small electric motor the rider can engage for a boost when needed, and in Seattle and many other urban areas, e-bike and e-scooter sharing programs provide convenient alternative-transportation options.

Anamaria Spiteri on the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail | Courtesy Anamaria Spiteri

Reclaiming My Health and Community Connection on America’s Rail-Trails During the Pandemic

Posted 10/02/20 by Anamaria Spiteri in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

As I contemplated how to incorporate a good cardio routine into my life, I challenged myself to create a structure that would not only help me and inspire others to stay committed, but also helped those more severely impacted by the pandemic. Hence, my blog Ride Bikes. Eat Local. was born.

Kiwanis Trail in Billings, Montana | Photo by Kristi Drake

Latest Round of Federal BUILD Grants Underscores Value of Active Transportation and Need for Investment

Posted 09/25/20 by Patrick Wojahn in Policy | Tagged with Connected Systems, Federal, Funding, TrailsTransform

The USDOT announced its latest round of grant awards in the highly competitive BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Developments) grant program. This year, a significant portion of the total funded projects, representing more than $300 million, include active transportation elements that will help ensure safe and connected infrastructure for people to walk and bike around the country.

Northern Rail Trail | Photo by TrailLink user sc302

Five Top Trails That Make the Case for America’s Recreational Trails Program

Posted 09/21/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Policy | Tagged with Federal, Funding, Idaho, Maintenance and Volunteers, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, TrailsTransform, Vermont

Nearly three decades after its inception, the need for the RTP has only intensified as trail development accelerates nationally. Looking at the rail-trail niche alone, the country has increased its number of rail-trails from around 500 to more than 2,200. And, in many places, individual trails are now coalescing into expansive networks of interconnected trails spanning hundreds of miles. Awareness and use of trails has grown in tandem—but with more footfalls, hoofbeats and wheel revolutions than ever, funding for trail maintenance is not keeping pace with demand.

Photo by Getty Images

Notice: Upcoming Railroad Abandonment in Riverside, California

Posted 09/19/20 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Abandonment Notices, California, Corridors and Railbanking

On or about Sept. 18, 2020, Union Pacific Railroad Company filed for the abandonment of 0.54 mile of track in Crestmore, Riverside County, California. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

The Mom Squad on the W&OD Trail in Northern Virginia | Courtesy Brandi Horton

Stealing Moments of “Me Time” on the Trail as a Mom During COVID

Posted 09/10/20 by Brandi Horton in America's Trails, Health and Wellness, Trail Use | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Schools and Young People, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Virginia, Why Use Trails?

While my moments on the trail can’t fix the systemic inequalities that women face, or the uphill climb many of us are facing during and after the pandemic, these moments on the trail can help me rebuild my resilience. And they are—as often as I can create them.

Caperton Trail bridge at the mouth of Deckers Creek in Morgantown | Courtesy RTC

Mon River Rail-Trail System (West Virginia)

Posted 09/09/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, TrailNation, West Virginia

Branching out from its nexus in Morgantown, home to West Virginia University, the Mon River Rail-Trail System comprises 48 miles of seamlessly connected pathway featuring an ensemble cast of environments.

Three Rivers Heritage Trail | Photo by Healthy Ride, Pittsburgh Bike Share

How Trails and Outdoor Access Provide Important Mental Health Benefits

Posted 09/02/20 by Cory Matteson in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

One significant way millions of Americans are addressing their mental health needs during the coronavirus is through frequent activity in the outdoors. In Lincoln, Nebraska, where I live, the city’s robust trail system has been packed with more cyclists, roller bladers, runners and walkers than I’d ever encountered before in a spring trail season.

Birdwatching in Tacony Creek Park | Courtesy Tookany-Tacony Frankford Watershed Partnership

Philly Birder Takes Fledgling Bird Enthusiasts Under His Wing

Posted 09/01/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Circuit Trails, Ecology and Environment, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, Featured Magazine Articles, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, TrailNation, Wild and Wonderful

“For me, the special part of those experiences has been having so many different types of people participating,” enthused Keith Russell. “You have families come out with kids and people who are in their 70s and 80s. I’m always so thrilled that you have such diversity; birding doesn’t just attract one section of the community or one type of person.”