Maryland

Baltimore Greenway Trails Network Lands $250,000 Federal Grant to Close Key Trail Gap

Posted 10/04/18 by Jim Brown, Avery Harmon in America's Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, Design Strategies, Federal, Funding, Maryland, Trail Communities, TrailNation, TrailsTransform, Urban Pathways

Sharp and Stockholm Streets rendering | Courtesy Toole Design Group

The Maryland Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that a total of more than $17 million will go toward improvements to bicycle and pedestrian safety and connectivity across the state. This is great news for Maryland and for Baltimore’s trail vision. Included in the announcement was a $250,000 grant awarded to the City of Baltimore DOT to support the development of a key segment of the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network, located along the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River between the Gwynns Falls Trail and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor!

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Avery Harmon on the Jones Falls Trail, part of the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network in Maryland | Photo courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Rails-to-Trails Staffer Honored As a 2018 “Emerging Leader” by SHIFT

Posted 07/16/18 by Liz Thorstensen in Building Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, Champions, Disparities and Underserved Communities, Ecology and Environment, Maryland, TrailNation, TrailsTransform, Wyoming, Young Champions

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) was super excited to learn that one of our own, Avery Harmon, was designated out of more than 150 applicants nationwide as one of 30 “Emerging Leaders” by SHIFT (Shaping How we Invest For Tomorrow), a program of The Center for Jackson Hole, in Wyoming.

South Beach Trail | Photo by Lee Smith

Rails-to-Trails State Policy Mid-Year Recap: What’s Happening

Posted 07/11/18 by Andrew Dupuy, Brian K. Housh in Policy, America's Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, California, Capital Trails Coalition, Connected Systems, Florida, Funding, IHTC, Maryland, Miami LOOP, Minnesota, Ohio, State and Federal Programs, Trail Communities, TrailNation, TrailsTransform

With a majority of our states’ legislatures having adjourned for the year (or not meeting at all in 2018), let’s take a look at how Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has recently supported trails, walking and biking through its work in America’s state capitols, particularly this past spring. The news is good: States continue to increase their commitments to connecting healthy, thriving communities through enhanced networks of safe trails, bike lanes and walking paths.

Maryland's WB&A Trail | Photo by Glenn Gunter

Maryland's WB&A Trail

Posted 06/13/18 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Health and Wellness, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Capital Trails Coalition, Connected Systems, District Of Columbia, Encouraging Trail Use, Federal, Funding, Local Organizing, Maryland, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability

The stars seem aligned for Maryland’s WB&A Trail, a straightforward, 13-mile pathway—beautiful in its simplicity and surroundings—that is rapidly becoming a key connector in a growing movement to improve walking and biking options in the Mid-Atlantic region. Linking Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis by a continuous, safe and scenic trail system is not just a pipe dream—it’s actually happening, and the WB&A Trail has an important place in that vision.

South Baltimore community leaders and RTC staff walk the Gwynns Falls Trail while discussing how the trail is supporting community needs by providing access to open space and nearby public transit. | Photo by Avery Harmon

Two Plans Converge to Connect Baltimore’s Green Space

Posted 03/22/18 by Avery Harmon, Jim Brown in America's Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, Connected Systems, Design Strategies, Disparities and Underserved Communities, Ecology and Environment, Health and Active Living, Heritage and Restoration, Local Organizing, Maryland, Trail Communities, TrailNation, TrailsTransform, Urban Pathways, Walkability and Bikeability

On March 14, Baltimore publicly launched its Green Network Plan—a citywide initiative to redevelop vacant land—and connect natural areas and community corridors—through a series of greening projects, including recreation areas, trails and urban gardens. As Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) continues to work with Baltimore’s leaders and citizens to create a 35-mile trail network in the city, we are honored to have been included in this historic plan—an important step toward realizing our shared vision of a more connected and vibrant city.

Great Shasta Rail Trail | Photo by Christina Schmidlin with Hellikon, courtesy Great Shasta Rail Trail Association

A View From … The National Trails System

Posted 01/03/18 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Best Of, California, Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Ecology and Environment, Encouraging Trail Use, Federal, History Happened Here, Legal Issues, Maryland, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Success Stories, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trails of the World, Virginia, Walkability and Bikeability, Washington, Wild and Wonderful, Wisconsin

In 2018, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act, which provided an incredible legacy for all Americans. Five of these iconic American experiences are listed below along with rail-trails that weave in and around them.

San Francisco Bay Trail in California | Photo by Cindy Barks

These Eight Trail Networks Are Connecting Millions of Americans

Posted 12/06/17 by Amy Kapp, Laura Stark in Building Trails, America's Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Best Of, California, Capital Trails Coalition, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, Disparities and Underserved Communities, Ecology and Environment, Facts and FIgures, History Happened Here, IHTC, LowerRioGrande, Maryland, Miami LOOP, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Route of the Badger, RTC in Action, Texas, Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Young Champions

In eight diverse areas across the country, through our TrailNation™ program, RTC is investing in projects that demonstrate what’s possible when trails are seamlessly linked together to form complete systems that are well integrated into the communities they serve—providing low-stress, high-quality and environmentally friendly transportation and recreation for all.

Brent Hugh, executive director of the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation, speaks at the rally. | Photo by Brandi Horton

Six Ways RTC Made a Difference for Trails This Year

Posted 11/30/17 by Brandi Horton in America's Trails, Building Trails, Policy, Taking Action | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Best Of, California, Circuit Trails, Disparities and Underserved Communities, Encouraging Trail Use, Facts and FIgures, Florida, Funding, Local Organizing, Mapping and Technology, Maryland, Miami LOOP, Missouri, Route of the Badger, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs, Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Communities, Walkability and Bikeability

As 2017 draws to a close, here’s a look back at six ways RTC made a difference for trails. Through our work, we witness trails strengthening economies, putting people first when it comes to mobility, promoting health and protecting our environment.

Illustration by Anthony Le

Seven Haunted Tales from America’s Trails

Posted 10/17/17 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Community Events, Encouraging Trail Use, History Happened Here, Maine, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, Washington, West Virginia

In the “spirit” of fun this Halloween, RTC searched for the spookiest tales we could find on America’s diverse collection of rail-trails and multiuse pathways. Check out these seven great (and sometimes strange) tales below, which show that our connections to our trails and our communities can sometimes truly be … otherworldly.

The bike- and pedestrian-friendly Route 52 bridge plays a key role in the region’s growing trail network. | Photo courtesy South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization

New Jersey’s Cape May County Trail Network

Posted 08/01/17 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Connected Systems, District Of Columbia, Featured Magazine Articles, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Trail Destinations

South New Jersey’s Cape May County offers an outdoor recreation mecca within easy driving distance of Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

View of Potomac River along Capital Crescent Trail | Photo by Milo Bateman

Maryland and Washington, D.C.’s Capital Crescent Trail

Posted 06/13/17 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Capital Trails Coalition, District Of Columbia, History Happened Here, Maryland, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Forming an emerald arc around western portion of the District of Columbia, the Capital Crescent Trail connects Washington to its Maryland suburbs. The pathway is so lushly wooded that, at times, it might be easy to forget the thrum of the nation’s capital lies just over the trees.

Trails are a great place to spy a variety of beautiful birds, including the bald eagle! | Photo courtesy Boyd Dwyer | CC BY-SA 2.0

Nine Great Birding Rail-Trails to Crow About

Posted 05/15/17 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, Trail Destinations, Wild and Wonderful, Wisconsin

Whether you’re an avian aficionado, ornithologist, fan of fowl or simply a person who enjoys the subtle sight of a feather stretching across the wind, you’ll want to check out these nine great birding trails!