Trail Blog by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

On the Elroy-Sparta State Trail in Wisconsin | Photo courtesy Rick McCutcheon | CC by 2.0

Will a Limestone Quarry Disrupt a Celebrated Wisconsin Rail-Trail?

Posted 03/18/15 by Leeann Sinpatanasakul in Taking Action | Tagged with RTC in Action, Wisconsin

On Monday, March 16, 2015, officials in Monroe County, Wis., voted to approve a limestone quarry near the Elroy-Sparta State Trail in Wilton, despite local opposition. Learn how this decision could potentially impact the Elroy Sparta-—an iconic American rail-trail, and one of the first to be completed in the nation.

On the Walkway Over the Hudson: RTC staff members Orhan Belding and Katie Harris with Fred Schaeffer, Bill Steinhaus and a group of RTC Trailblazers. | Photo by Fred Schaeffer

RTC's Trailblazer Society: Experiencing the Impact of Trails

Posted 12/11/14 by Orhan Belding in Building Trails | Tagged with Champions, New York, RTC in Action, Success Stories

It’s a fall Sunday morning, and the sunlight is sifting through the clouds and hills above the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. My colleague and I are standing with several members of RTC’s TrailBlazer Society, listening to 2013 Rail-Trail Champion Fred Schaeffer give a rich history of the now famous Walkway Over the Hudson...

Missouri Rail-Trail Just Got One Giant Step Closer

Posted 10/01/14 by Keith Laughlin in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Local Organizing, Missouri, Rock Island, RTC in Action

The Missouri Central Railroad Company yesterday announced its intention to undertake the necessary steps to have the corridor “railbanked,” and to work with the State of Missouri to have it preserved for trail development.

Florida EIS Released: Now You Can Demand Trail Included in Rail Project

Posted 09/25/14 by Ken Bryan in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Florida, Rail-with-Trail, RTC in Action

Now is the time to have a close look at what All Aboard Florida is all about, and what it will mean for your community. The Federal Rail Administration has just released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project, a study which finds there will be a number of negative environmental, social and mobility impacts.

Finding Common Ground for Balanced Transportation in Pennsylvania

Posted 09/16/14 by Leeann Sinpatanasakul in Policy, Taking Action | Tagged with Cross-Sector Collaboration, Federal, Pennsylvania, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs

Founded by transportation policy veteran George Wolff, the Keystone Coalition comprises more than 100 advocacy groups from seemingly disparate sectors but with an interest in making transportation work for Pennsylvanians.

Awaiting a Decision in Missouri, We Ponder the Great Possibilities

Posted 09/11/14 by Jake Lynch in Taking Action | Tagged with Corridors and Railbanking, Missouri, Rock Island, RTC in Action

Rail-trail supporters in Missouri and across America have been holding their breath these past few weeks as they await a decision that could have lasting ramifications for the state.

How One RTC Grant Will Unlock Florida's Latest Long Distance Rail-Trail

Posted 09/05/14 by Ken Bryan in Building Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Florida, RTC in Action

The Palatka Trail, through Putnam County in the northern part of the state, is part of a grand effort to connect a trail system between St. Augustine and Lake City. RTC's latest Project Support Grant—funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation—is making possible the short extension of the Palatka Rail Trail west to U.S. 17.

Why Rail-with-Trail Is Critical to Florida's Future

Posted 08/21/14 by Ken Bryan in Taking Action, Building Trails | Tagged with Florida, Rail-with-Trail, RTC in Action, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

Followers plugged in to RTC’s blog and Facebook feeds lately may have seen that we are in the midst of campaigning for a “rail-with-trail” to be included in the All Aboard Florida high speed train project.

Opportunity Knocks in Missouri: RTC Steps In to Save 145-Mile Connection to Katy Trail

Posted 08/04/14 by Keith Laughlin in Taking Action | Tagged with Corridors and Railbanking, Missouri, Rock Island, RTC in Action

On July 28, 2014 the chance to save a 145-mile segment of inactive rail corridor dropped out of the sky. The opportunity to preserve an intact corridor of this length was more common 20 years ago, but rarely happens today.

The Florida Campaign Rolls On – Are You Aboard?

Posted 07/15/14 by Ken Bryan in Taking Action | Tagged with Florida, RTC in Action

Our promise to Florida was to take on the big battles and win. For any Floridian who loves trails, biking and walking, 2014 is a year of massive significance.

What Happens When a Member of Congress Attacks Trail Funding?

Posted 07/14/14 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy, Taking Action | Tagged with Federal, Pennsylvania, RTC in Action, Threats to Trail Building

Though it may not have made news headlines in your community, last Friday a significant battle was won in our never-ending defense of America's trails.

Making the Most of the Met (Metropolitan Branch Trail, That Is!)

Posted 06/26/14 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use | Tagged with Capital Trails Coalition, District Of Columbia, Local Organizing, RTC in Action, Urban Pathways

On June 25, Kathy Blaha, board member extraordinaire for both RTC and City Parks Alliance, posted this great blog on the programs helping to make the Metropolitan Branch Trail a true neighborhood gem. Programming is a valuable strategy for increasing trail use among individuals and families in local communities across the U.S., as RTC's trail development director, Kelly Pack, discusses in the blog.

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