Massachusetts

Seven Stunning Sights From RTC’s New England Mapping Trips

Posted 08/17/17 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Biking, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Trail Destinations, Vermont, Walkability and Bikeability

Mass Central Rail Trail | Photo by Ryan Cree

Proud mountains, roaring seashores, tranquil lakes, forests with forget-me-not foliage, scrumptious chowders and wicked-awesome trails—yes, we’re talking about New England. These are just a handful of the attractions the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) team was lucky enough to experience while out mapping trails for our latest round of guidebooks covering Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. A time-honored and beloved tradition at RTC, our annual mapping trips allow us to experience trails throughout the country—up close and in person.

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Photo courtesy The Shared Experience | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Massachusetts’ Cape Cod Rail Trail

Posted 07/06/17 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, History Happened Here, Massachusetts, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Nestled in an iconic vacation destination about 75 miles down the coast from Boston, the flavor of the Cape Cod Rail Trail is pure summertime: sun-warmed beaches, sparkling waves, refreshing swimming holes and state park campsites nestled among the pines and oaks.

High Trestle Trail | Photo by Milo Bateman

Kick Off Spring With These 10 Bucket-List Biking Trails

Posted 03/28/17 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with California, Encouraging Trail Use, Idaho, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, Virginia, Washington

And while every trail offers its own unique experience, there are some that are so extraordinary that they truly rise to the top. So, saddle up your two-wheeled steed and celebrate Opening Day on April 8 on one of these bucket-listers!

The Minuteman Bikeway | Photo courtesy Madeleine Ball | CC by 2.0

The Minuteman Bikeway (A Revolution on Two Wheels)

Posted 04/22/15 by Paul Bloomfield in America's Trails | Tagged with Massachusetts, Trail Destinations

Special thanks to The Independent for allowing us to republish this great travel article by Paul Bloomfield, first published on Monday, April 20, 2015, and originally titled "Cycling in America: A Revolution on Two Wheels." A patriot's journey from Boston to Lexington 240 years ago marked the start of a rebellion. Paul Bloomfield followed his route.

Photo © Rachel Napear/Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau

Bikeway Brings Global Attention to Boston

Posted 10/28/14 by Orhan Belding in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Massachusetts, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Destinations

In September, RTC heard from one of our friends at the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau in Massachusetts. They were seeking to roll out the red carpet for a travel writer from the U.K. on a mission to experience Boston by bicycle. It was a unique chance to promote The Hub's world-class trail network, and recognition that local officials taking cycle-tourism seriously.

Photo © www.gravoc.com

In Massachusetts, Trails Top List of What Local Residents Want

Posted 07/18/13 by Carl Knoch in Success Stories | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Massachusetts, Trail Communities

For many of the early years of the rail-trail movement, supporters of trail development often had to work pretty hard as salespeople of sorts - convincing a skeptical community that if they would build a trail people would use it and love it and the local area would benefit in a myriad of ways. Back in the days when there wasn't the data and compiled experiential evidence, the promises of these benefits had to be taken on faith, which made the task all that harder for those rail-trail advocates.

Photo © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Rail-Trail an Asset for Eco-Tourism in the Berkshires

Posted 02/21/13 by Jake Lynch in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Massachusetts, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Wild and Wonderful

We see it more and more these days - rail-trails as economic development assets. Cities and towns across America are developing rail-trail networks in order to make their area more attractive, drawing new residents and businesses and providing an environment where people want to live.

Photo © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

RTC's Work in Camden Catches On In Boston

Posted 12/05/12 by Jake Lynch in Building Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Private Fundraising, Urban Pathways

In February of this year Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) hosted a gathering of urban planners and transportation experts in Camden, N.J., to look at the bike/ped improvements that have been made in that city and the exciting work being done to better connect Camden with Philadelphia and the region.

Photo of Winchenden to Gardner section of the North Central Pathway © Norman Beauregard

The Sum of Its Parts: Small Group Makes Big Progress on Massachusetts Rail-Trail

Posted 11/01/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers, Massachusetts

After nearly two decades of dedication and perseverance, a small group of volunteers continues to make great strides in the development of the North Central Pathway, connecting two historical north-central Massachusetts towns. The committee of local citizens, formed back in 1995 to develop and promote the trail, remains active today.