BATC

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail | Photo courtesy City of Monterey

Massive Investments in Trails to Connect Millions in California With Safe Community Paths

Posted 12/19/22 by Laura Cohen, Heather Irish in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with BATC, California, Connected Systems, Funding, State and Federal Programs, TrailNation

California approved a record-breaking $1.02 billion for walking, biking and trail projects that will benefit millions of people across the state through the state’s Active Transportation Program (ATP). Here’s what this means for the future of California trails—and the communities and destinations that they connect.

Atlantic Greenway South Beach Trail, part of the Miami LOOP | Photo by Lee Smith

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Awards $300,000+ to Support Inclusive Trail Projects Across the Nation

Posted 11/14/22 by Mary Ellen Koontz in Building Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Capital Trails Coalition, Circuit Trails, Funding, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Miami LOOP, Route of the Badger, RTC in Action

RTC has awarded a combined $300,000+ in grants to 25 organizations working in rural, suburban and urban communities across the country as part of the 2022 Trail Grants program.

Rail Arts District along the Napa Valley Vine Trail in California | Photo courtesy Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition

Record-Breaking Investments in California’s Trails Amid Major Demand

Posted 11/14/22 by Laura Cohen, Heather Irish in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, California, Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Funding, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability

The start of 2022 brought a significant opportunity for California trails and ended in a historic victory—as the state announced a $1 billion+ investment for trails and active transportation for fiscal year (FY) 2023.

Wendy Park Bridge along the Cleveland Foundation Centennial Lake Link Trail | Photo by Jason Cohn

Bridge to Everywhere: Examining Signature Gateways Across America

Posted 06/09/22 by Cory Matteson in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, Best Of, Connected Systems, Featured Magazine Articles, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Trail Destinations, TrailNation

Across the United States, bridges are serving as the hallmarks, gateways and centerpieces of communities, providing connectivity that has a major impact on active transportation, tourism and economic development. Plus—there’s the view. Here, Rails to Trails spans the country to examine how bridges are transforming trails and regions.

California's Napa Valley Vine Trail in Yountville | Courtesy Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition

California’s Napa Valley Vine Trail

Posted 04/12/22 by Amy Grisak in America's Trails | Tagged with Art, BATC, Bike Commuting, California, Connected Systems, Cross-Sector Collaboration, Demand for Trails, Health and Active Living, Local Organizing, Mode Shift, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

It’s remarkable how a single trail brings together an entire region. As California’s Napa Valley Vine Trail grows to reach its ultimate 47-mile potential, community members and visitors realize the beauty of connectivity and accessibility.

California Coastal Trail | Photo by TrailLink user davidgordon144

Commuting Across and Exploring the Bay Area Will Become More Accessible to Millions of Residents Via 2,604 Miles of Connected Trails

Posted 01/12/22 by Heather Irish in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, California, Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Ecology and Environment, Facts and FIgures, TrailNation

This vision is becoming a reality with nearly 60% of the 2,604-mile Bay Area regional trail network complete. Leading the charge is the Bay Area Trails Collaborative, a group of more than 50 businesses, agencies and organizations that is chaired by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC).

Richmond Greenway | Courtesy RTC

A Look Ahead for the Trails Movement in 2022 and Beyond

Posted 12/21/21 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Equity, Federal, Funding, Great American Rail-Trail, Recreational Trails Program, Route of the Badger, Trail Moments, TrailNation, Transportation Alternatives

The challenges of the past couple years have shown us that our work remains more important than ever. As we look ahead, we see opportunity and potential in the work and in the inspiration provided by the partners, friends and advocates with whom we share our collective vision.

Photo by India Kea

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.

Baltimore, MD | Photo by Side A Photography

What We Mean When We Say We Are “Standing Against Racism”

Posted 06/10/20 by Ryan Chao in Taking Action | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Capital Trails Coalition, Caracara, Circuit Trails, COVID-19, Equity, Route of the Badger, TrailNation

When we spoke out in response to the troubling and damaging displays of racism and violence against Black people these past few weeks, we heard from many of you standing in solidarity. But we also got many questions—about the prevalence of experiences of inequity and injustice in the outdoors as well as what we’re doing about it.

Bicycle riders enjoying a new section of the Miners Ravine Trail in Roseville, California | Courtesy City of Roseville

As California ATP Cycle 5 Kicks Off—Here's a Snapshot of Some Success Stories

Posted 04/08/20 by Laura Cohen, Ben Kaufman, Mary Elise Conzelmann in Building Trails | Tagged with BATC, California, Connected Systems, Funding, RTC in Action, TrailNation

On March 26, California released a call for projects for the next round of the Active Transportation Program (ATP)—the state’s largest single source of funding for trails and walking and biking projects.

Family riding along the Cross Alameda Trail through Jean Sweeney Park | Photo by Laura Cohen and Rolf Bell

City of Alameda Celebrates Opening of Newest Trail Connection

Posted 03/04/20 by Ben Kaufman, Mary Elise Conzelmann in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with BATC, California, Community Events, Demand for Trails, Local Organizing, TrailNation

On Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, hundreds of people came out to celebrate the opening of a new segment of the Cross Alameda Trail (CAT), a developing 4-mile rail-trail across the island city of Alameda just south of Oakland in California’s Bay Area. The newly minted 0.9-mile section of trail—which stretches east from Main Street to Constitution Way along Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway and Atlantic Avenue—is a vital new walking and biking connection for Alameda and the region. This nearly mile-long trail segment connects to an existing 0.6-mile segment of the CAT to form 1.5 miles of continuous rail-trail between Alameda Point and the new 25-acre Jean Sweeney Open Space Park.