Circuit Trails

Connectivity Evolution: Examining a Decade of Rails-to-Trails’ Impact, 2010–2020

Posted 12/31/19 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Success Stories, Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Capital Trails Coalition, Caracara, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Great American Rail-Trail, History Happened Here, IHTC, Miami LOOP, Route of the Badger, RTC in Action, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, TrailsTransform, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Here’s a look at RTC and a decade of rail-trails—their power and their impact. As the 2010s built momentum, opportunities to maximize the power of these essential community assets became clear, and a new focus took hold at RTC and across the movement: that of regional connectivity and, ultimately, connecting the country by trail like never before. Check out RTC's connectivity evolution over the past decade.

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Great American Rail-Trail preferred route reveal in South Cle Elum, Washington | Photo by Kathy Young

Seven Ways Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Brought Big Impact in 2019

Posted 12/05/19 by Amy Kapp in Success Stories, America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, Circuit Trails, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Route of the Badger, RTC in Action, TrailNation, TrailsTransform

This year, America and the rail-trail movement saw giant leaps, and small-but-no-less-important bounds, that have helped to achieve RTC’s goal of connecting the country by trail like never before. From major advancements like the launch of the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail, to critical regional and local successes that have delivered new opportunities for mobility, active transportation and economic investment, the impact is being felt in communities of all shapes and sizes across the United States.

Schuylkill River Trail through Valley Forge National Historical Park | Photo courtesy Montgomery County Planning Commission | CC BY SA 2.0

Pathways for Patriots: 10 Rail-Trails with American Revolution Sites

Posted 07/03/19 by Maggie McAden, Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Circuit Trails, Connecticut, History Happened Here, IHTC, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, TrailNation

The Fourth of July is a holiday celebrated with barbecues, fireworks and family. It is also a time to reflect on our country’s history, and what better way to do that than by exploring a historical rail-trail? From battle sites to hidden histories, rail-trails are an accessible way to celebrate our nation’s birthday and uncover pivotal moments in our past. Here are 10 Rail-Trails with American Revolution Sites.

Burlington-Camden Trail: View of 130 Bridge and Chestnut Street through Pennsauken

New Jersey Awards More Than $27 Million for Trails, Walking and Biking Projects Statewide

Posted 05/23/19 by Liz Sewell in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, Delaware, Funding, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, State and Federal Programs, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, TrailNation

New Jersey trails got some great news with an announcement by the Department of Transportation (NJDOT) that more than $27 million has been awarded through the state’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) toward improvements to bicycle and pedestrian safety and connectivity across the state.

Historic Battlefield Trail | Photo by Mark Lehmann

Find Out Why These Eight Urban Trails Are Perfect for On-Foot Exploration

Posted 04/22/19 by Suzanne Matyas, Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Best Of, California, Capital Trails Coalition, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, District Of Columbia, Florida, IHTC, LowerRioGrande, Maryland, Miami LOOP, Pennsylvania, Route of the Badger, Texas, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Urban Pathways, Walkability and Bikeability, Wisconsin

Whether you’re venturing to a new city or finally getting around to playing the tourist in your own backyard, walking can connect you in a unique and unequalled way. As a pedestrian, you’re able to access areas motorized vehicles cannot, meet the people that make up a community, experience nature and really immerse yourself in your surroundings.

Photo by Eva Garcia

A Grand Slam: 2019 Opening Day for Trails

Posted 04/16/19 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Repairs and Trail Safety, Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, California, Capital Trails Coalition, Circuit Trails, Community Events, Demand for Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, IHTC, Local Organizing, New Jersey, Ohio, OpeningDay, Pennsylvania, Route of the Badger, RTC in Action, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability, Wisconsin, Young Champions

On Saturday, April 13, people across the country kicked off the spring trail season on Opening Day for Trails (Opening Day). For the last seven years, Opening Day has brought trail newbies and long-timers together to say goodbye to winter and get outside on America’s spectacular trails and trails systems.

2016 Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Youth Sojourn on the Circuit Trails along the Camden waterfront | Photo by Kyle McIntyre

10-Mile Developing Trail Project in Burlington County, New Jersey to Provide New Bike-Ped Connections for Thousands

Posted 04/16/19 by Matthew Horne in Building Trails | Tagged with Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, New Jersey, RTC in Action, TrailNation, TrailsTransform, Washington

Since May 2012, a broad coalition of nonprofits, trail groups, foundations and agencies in Pennsylvania and New Jersey has been working to create an 800-mile interconnected trail network to provide new opportunities for recreation, commuting and commerce—and make New Jersey a more welcoming place to live, work and play. Today, more than 300+ miles are complete—and the number of Circuit Trails grows each year, thanks to the efforts of local communities who are investing in the strength and potential of the region.

New York's Walkill Valley Rail Trail | Photo by Drew Dupuy

A Sneak Peek from Our 2019 Guidebook of New Jersey & New York Rail-Trails

Posted 03/27/19 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Circuit Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Hall of Fame, Health and Active Living, Mapping and Technology, New Jersey, New York, RTC in Action, Tourism , Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Walkability and Bikeability

Within the pages of Rail-Trails: New Jersey & New York, you’ll find exceptional trails offering views of some of America’s most iconic natural treasures, such as the Great Lakes, the Atlantic Ocean coastline, the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes and the Catskill Mountains. In this new guidebook, we highlight 58 of the region’s top rail-trails and other multiuse pathways, and as its editor, I’m thrilled to present you with this sneak peek of what’s inside. Rail-Trails: New Jersey & New York will be available next month, but here are few excepts and photos from the book to get your wheels turning!

Baltimore, Maryland | Photo by Side A Photography

Eight Critical Wins for TrailNation in 2018

Posted 12/05/18 by Liz Thorstensen in America's Trails, Building Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, Best Of, Biking, California, Capital Trails Coalition, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Facts and FIgures, Florida, Funding, Health and Active Living, Health Organizations, IHTC, Local Organizing, LowerRioGrande, Mapping and Technology, Maryland, Miami LOOP, New Jersey, Route of the Badger, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Transportation and Health, Urban Pathways, Virginia, Walkability and Bikeability, West Virginia, Wisconsin

This past year, RTC worked with hundreds of partners across TrailNation to secure funding, provide technical expertise and generate public support for trail networks that are proving vital to the people and places they serve. Here is a spotlight on some of the critical project advances we made in 2018—and how they are bringing to life our vision of trails at the heart of healthy, thriving communities.

Prescribe-a-Trail walkers at Valley Forge National Historical Park | Photo by Roy Perry

Prescribe-a-Trail: Walking to Happier and Healthier Lifestyles in Greater Philly

Posted 11/07/18 by Molly Duffy in Health and Wellness, Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Circuit Trails, Community Events, Encouraging Trail Use, Featured Magazine Articles, Health and Active Living, Health Organizations, Healthy Aging, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, TrailNation, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

Since 2015, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has been connecting hundreds of walkers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to healthier lifestyles through Prescribe-a-Trail (PAT), a program in which Philadelphia-area hospitals and health-care organizations lead outings on local trails along the Circuit Trails network (an RTC TrailNation™ project) to promote exercise, good nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

Mansion House Bridge Dedication Ceremony on the 2018 Sojourn | Photo by Wendy Palmer

On the Sunset of the Sojourn Series, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Looks Back on Its National Impact

Posted 11/05/18 by Tom Sexton in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Circuit Trails, Community Events, Encouraging Trail Use, Facts and FIgures, Health and Active Living, History Happened Here, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, TrailsTransform, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy was honored to bring together 300 riders from 33 states on our 2018 Pennsylvania Sojourn to explore the exceptional D&L Trail. Over five days, we biked more than 160 miles, visited trailside communities, experienced the unique cultural and natural heritage of the region, and made new friends and everlasting memories.

Delaware River Trail | Photo by Laura Stark

Find the Fun with a Scavenger Hunt on Greater Philadelphia’s Circuit Trails

Posted 07/27/18 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Circuit Trails, Community Events, Connected Systems, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, History Happened Here, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Transportation and Health, Urban Pathways, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?, Wild and Wonderful

Walking, bicycling, skating, wildlife viewing—these are all the usual suspects of trail use, but this summer, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and our friends with the Circuit Trails are challenging visitors and residents in the Greater Philadelphia region to add another fun activity to the list: scavenger hunting! The Circuit Trails Scavenger Hunt, running now through Sept. 22, provides the perfect opportunity to revisit some favorite spots or explore new ones on the ever-expanding 300-miles-plus trail system throughout Philadelphia, and Camden, New Jersey.