RTC in Action

A Closer Look: Connecting the Lower Rio Grande Valley by Trail

Posted 08/12/19 by Ryan Chao in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Caracara, Connected Systems, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, RTC in Action, Texas, TrailNation

Bikers on tour of Caracara Trails | Photo by John Faulk, Frontera Media

Caracara is the name of the trail system developing throughout Cameron County, Texas, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley—a project that Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is honored to count among its TrailNation™ portfolio. The Caracara Trails will be a system unlike any other in a truly unique and special part of America—more than 428 miles of connected multiuse trails, U.S. Bicycle Routes and paddling trails all designed to inspire physical activity for residents and a regionwide “active tourism” economy.

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United States Capitol during the national cherry blossom festival in Washington, D.C.

A Senate Committee Just Approved a Transportation Bill for America—Here’s What It Means for Trails

Posted 07/30/19 by Kevin Mills, Patrick Wojahn in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Funding, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs, TrailsTransform

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW Committee) passed the bipartisan America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act of 2019, or ATIA, and is making progress more than a year before the FAST Act expires. This gives us optimism at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) that Congress will be able to come together to invest in a balanced transportation system. But there's still work to be done.

Potential Midtown Greenway extension over the Mississippi River | Photo courtesy Midtown Greenways Coalition

RTC’s Doppelt Fund Supports 10 Multiuse Trail Projects in 2019

Posted 05/30/19 by Eli Griffen in Building Trails | Tagged with Repairs and Trail Safety, Colorado, Demand for Trails, Florida, Funding, Georgia, Heritage and Restoration, Iowa, Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Rail-with-Trail, RTC in Action, Trail Communities, Virginia, Washington

With National Trails Day just around the corner, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 Doppelt Family Trail Development Fund grant program!

AIA Baltimore Committee on the Environment and Resiliency Bike Tour | Photo by Avery Harmon, courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

"On" and "Off" Trail Developments from Baltimore

Posted 05/23/19 by Avery Harmon in | Tagged with Baltimore Blog, Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, Encouraging Trail Use, Maryland, RTC in Action, Urban Pathways

Welcome to the fourth article in our Baltimore Community Blog. We have a number of updates highlighting the multitude of opportunities we take advantage of to advance the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network.

Along the route of the Great Redwood Trail in California | Photo by Charles Gandy

Seeds Planted for California's 300-Mile Great Redwood Trail

Posted 05/17/19 by Laura Cohen in Building Trails, America's Trails | Tagged with California, Champions, Connected Systems, Ecology and Environment, RTC in Action, Rural Communities, Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Destinations, Walkability and Bikeability, Wild and Wonderful

Hundreds of trail enthusiasts gathered in Arcata, California, on May 4, for a Town Hall to learn more about the Great Redwood Trail—a 300-mile proposed walking and biking trail that would stretch from the shores of San Francisco Bay to the redwoods of Eureka on Humboldt Bay, highlighting California’s wine country as well as some of the state’s most treasured and remote natural areas.

Richmond Greenway in California | Photo courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

At the Heart of It: Trails and Public Spaces

Posted 05/03/19 by Ryan Chao in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, California, Cross-Sector Collaboration, Great American Rail-Trail, Montana, Route of the Badger, RTC in Action, TrailNation, Why Use Trails?

We are pleased to present this new blog series by RTC President Ryan Chao—who will provide monthly insights on the role of trails in connecting the nation, and creating healthy, thriving communities across America. Enjoy!

Opening Day for Trails 2019 on the W&OD in Virginia | Photo courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

The Results Are In: Rails-to-Trails’ 2019 Member and Supporter Survey

Posted 04/17/19 by Ben Carter in Taking Action | Tagged with RTC in Action, Success Stories, TrailNation

Thank you to everyone who submitted a response to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s (RTC’s) 2019 member and supporter survey. In total, we received more than 8,000 responses—wow! The invaluable insight collected in the survey helps RTC prioritize work for the coming year and into the future. Here are the results!

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.

Skunk Train passing on Willits Rail-Trail | Photo by Laura Cohen

California Invests Big in Trails, Demonstrates Growing Statewide Demand for Walking and Biking Infrastructure

Posted 03/29/19 by Ben Kaufman, Laura Cohen in Policy | Tagged with BATC, California, Cross-Sector Collaboration, Funding, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) recently approved more than $280 million in Active Transportation Program (ATP) funding (Cycle 4) to support 59 trail, walking and biking projects throughout the state, with about half—some $139 million—going to trails and separated bikeway projects (hereafter collectively referred to as “trails”). This huge investment in trails comes on the tails of a $1 billion increase in ATP funds over the next decade, announced last year with the approval of Senate Bill 1 (SB 1).

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!

Lower Rio Grande Valley Active Plan biking tour in Brownsville, TX | Photo by Frontera Media

Major Trail Developments, New Potential Funding Streams in the Lone Star State

Posted 03/25/19 by Andrew Dupuy in Policy | Tagged with Disparities and Underserved Communities, Funding, Local Organizing, LowerRioGrande, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs, Texas, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, TrailsTransform

With the Texas Legislature currently in its every-other-year session, RTC and the Texas Coalition for State Parks are actively supporting legislation to ensure that an existing sporting goods tax originally intended for parks and recreational space—including trails—actually goes to parks (and trails).