TrailBlog Facts and FIgures Page 4

Report Released: Making Trails Count in Illinois

Posted 03/30/13 by Eric Oberg in Trail Use | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Illinois, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

Today, our friends at Trails for Illinois released the Making Trails Count in Illinois report. This 13-week study of trail use was done in partnership with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. The study documented that some trails in Illinois are receiving as many as 100,000 visitors a year.

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D & L Trail Worth $19 Million a Year to Eastern Pennsylvania

Posted 03/13/13 by Pat Tomes in Trail Use | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Pennsylvania, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

The D & L Trail, a 165-mile rail-trail through eastern Pennsylvania, generates an annual economic impact of more than $19 million in the communities it passes through. That is the finding of our recently published D & L Trail user survey and economic impact analysis.

RTC Brings Trail Benefits Message to House of Representatives

Posted 02/12/13 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy, Trail Use | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Federal

Earlier this morning, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Pat Tomes addressed a United States House of Representatives legislative briefing in Washington, D.C. on the economic benefits of rail-trails and trail development across America.

Bike Score Ups the Ante on Planners, Developers

Posted 01/14/13 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Case Studies, Demand for Trails, Facts and FIgures, Walkability and Bikeability

In the ongoing conversation about why Americans need more biking and walking options in their transportation infrastructure, often the "it feels good," "it's better for the environment," or "it's better for your health" arguments unfortunately don't carry a lot of weight.

In Central Pennsylvania, the Rail-Trails Keep Coming

Posted 01/02/13 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Pennsylvania, Private Fundraising, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

The state of Pennsylvania continues to build upon and improve its already impressive rail-trail network.

Trails Mean Business

Posted 11/02/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Trail Use, America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Overcoming Opposition, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

Last year, Americans spent $81 billion on bicycling gear and trips, a sizable chunk of the total outdoor recreation industry which accounts for $646 billion in spending each year.

Do Trails Really Equal Dollars for Trail-side Communities? Here's What Business Owners Say

Posted 10/10/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Success Stories | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Pennsylvania, Statements of Support, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

Though the communities that have developed significant rail-trail networks can attest to the positive impact trail traffic has on local businesses, elsewhere this phenomenon still has its doubters.

Photo of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad corridor © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy/Carl Knoch

Adirondack Corridor - America's Next Great Rail-Trail

Posted 10/10/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, New York, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

Though there are more than 1,700 rail-trails across America, covering all different shapes and sizes, a small handful stand out as true superstars of the rail-trail movement. On this list are trails such as the Route of the Hiawatha in Idaho, the Katy Trail State Park in Missouri, and Vermont's Island Line. Right now, plans are afoot for the conversion of former rail corridor that, when completed, will immediately force its way into that elite company.

Outdoor Recreation Industry Worth $646 Billion a Year

Posted 08/21/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Trail Use | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) this month released an economic study that found that outdoor recreation is one of America's fastest growing industries and a major job generator in both the manufacture and sale of equipment, but also in the American communities served by recreation amenities.

Photo of commuters in New York © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Americans Driving Less, Looking for Better Options

Posted 07/16/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Trail Use, Policy | Tagged with Case Studies, Demand for Trails, Facts and FIgures, Federal

The report, Transportation and the New Generation: Why Young People are Driving Less and What it Means for Transportation Policy, shows that young people in particular are decreasing the amount they drive and increasing their use of transportation alternatives.

People Power - RTC Report Gathers Inspiring Volunteer Stories from Across America

Posted 07/12/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Idaho, Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Western Regional Office last month released a terrific report that gathers all these stories--of local groups and volunteers across America using their community strength to create incredible trails. It's called Community Built - Stories of Volunteers Creating and Caring For Their Trails.

Photo of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail © LARA

Once Considered Wasteful, New Rail-Trail Proves Very Useful to Lewisburg, Pa.

Posted 07/10/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Trail Use | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Overcoming Opposition, Pennsylvania

When the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority (LARA) began building the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail back in 2009, some residents described the use of state and federal grants to purchase the corridor and construct the trail as "state-sponsored robbery."

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