Local Organizing Page 8

Photo © Reading Viaduct Project's facebook page

Projects of the People - Determined Locals Behind Elevated Rail-Trail in Philly

Posted 07/17/13 by Jake Lynch in Building Trails | Tagged with Local Organizing, Pennsylvania

The effort of local residents to make good use of the derelict Reading Viaduct through the heart of downtown Philadelphia "is one such manifestation of the new urban. It is as much about celebrating and unearthing the great industrial archaeology that built Philadelphia as it is about building new paradigms of public spaces for the new millennium."

Photo trail user traffic along the C&O Canal Towpath © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Local Businesses Rejoice Reopening of C&O Towpath

Posted 04/18/13 by Jake Lynch in Building Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Local Organizing, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

When a rock slide forced the closure of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal Towpath) at mile 155 near the Paw Paw Tunnel in western Maryland, it was bad news for the local and interstate trail users.

Photo © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Microfinancing, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy style

Posted 03/26/13 by Pat Tomes in Building Trails | Tagged with Local Organizing, Pennsylvania, Private Fundraising

That's why we started the Pennsylvania Mini-Grants Program, which is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - to assist local organizations that need to make small repairs and improvements to their trail, below the amounts typically requested in larger state and federal grants.

Pennsylvania: A Tale of Two Cities

Posted 03/14/13 by Laura Stark in Building Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, IHTC, Local Organizing, Pennsylvania

There's no doubt about it: Pennsylvanians love their rail-trails. The Keystone State has more Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) members than any other by far. In 1999, Pennsylvania opened its 100th rail-trail—the first in the nation to reach that milestone—and continues to be in the top echelon of states for open rail-trails. It's no surprise then that its two largest cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, have expansive trail systems that are shining models for others to follow.

In Connecticut, Shoreline Greenway a Story of Local Spirit and Generosity

Posted 03/13/13 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Connecticut, Local Organizing, Trail Communities

You mightn't think it, but writing about trails can be a pretty life-affirming experience. More often than not, the stories of how our trails get built are stories about community spirit, the volunteer ethic, neighbors helping neighbors and local people using plenty of elbow grease, ingenuity and determination to build something of long-lasting good.

Northern Rail Trail in New Hampshire | Photo by Suzanne Matyas

Northern Rail Trail, New Hampshire

Posted 03/01/13 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Local Organizing, New Hampshire, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Wild and Wonderful

Daniel Webster, the famed orator and New Hampshire native, was a featured speaker at the 1847 ribbon cutting for Boston and Maine Railroad's Northern Line. At the ceremony in Lebanon, before a crowd of more than a thousand, he said of the railroad, "It is the spirit and influence of free labor, it is the indomitable industry of a free people, that has done all this."