State and Federal Programs Page 7

What Sequestration May Mean for Trails, Biking and Walking

Posted 03/04/13 by Keith Laughlin in Policy | Tagged with State and Federal Programs, Threats to Trail Building

There has been a lot of news coverage and analysis recently of a federal government sequestration and its potential impacts. At Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, our experienced policy and research staff have been mining their sources and sorting through all available information to estimate what impact sequestration could have on our movement for better trails, biking and walking.

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Photo of Cal Park Hill Tunne © MCBC

In California, RTC Urges Gov. Brown on Active Transportation Strategy

Posted 01/11/13 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with California, Demand for Trails, State and Federal Programs

The state of California is a unique bird, particularly when it comes to transportation planning. A massive space populated with a mixture of booming metropolises, sprawling suburbs, and sparse rural areas, the Golden State's dire financial straits of late have made solving its intense congestion, connectivity and public health challenges all the more difficult, and important.

Photo © TCHRT's facebook page

Chomping at the Bit, Tennessee Community Finds Ways to Make Rail-Trail Happen Faster

Posted 10/26/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers, State and Federal Programs, Tennessee

The people of Putnam County in central Tennessee are getting impatient. The money is lined up and the plans have been drawn--like a child on Christmas morning, they can see the gift under the tree but have to wait a few more excruciating moments to unwrap it.

Photo © Bike to the Sea, Inc.

20 Years Later, Massachusetts Advocates Break Through on Pathway to the Sea

Posted 10/23/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers, Massachusetts, State and Federal Programs

Since 1993 the Massachusetts nonprofit, Bike to the Sea, Inc., has been a solid voice for the creation of a nine-mile bike and pedestrian trail, known as the Northern Strand Community Trail, from Malden to the beaches of Lynn and Revere on the shores of Broad Sound and Nahant Bay. While the state has long recognized that a trail to the sea along the unused Saugus Branch rail line is feasible, the task of raising support, awareness and funds for the project has been left to local advocates.

Map © Florida DOT

Trail Across Old Tampa Bay a Leap Forward for Florida

Posted 10/22/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Florida, State and Federal Programs, Walkability and Bikeability

Things are starting to change, thanks in part to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) more than 20 years of advocacy and coalition building in Florida, and a dedicated community of local planners and advocates. This month, work began on a multi-use pathway alongside the Courtney Campbell Causeway, passing over Old Tampa Bay and connecting Clearwater in Pinellas County with Tampa in Hillsborough County.

Photo © Blossom Trail Photography

Community Buy-In Builds Beautiful Parkway in California

Posted 10/18/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with California, Corridors and Railbanking, Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers, State and Federal Programs

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's report, Community Built: Stories of Volunteers Creating and Caring for Their Trails, contains inspiring examples of everyday Americans across the country using their community strength to create incredible trails. It gives trail champions a reason to take heart, because across the country, stories abound of trails getting developed, extended and cared for with minimal resources.

Photo of Fred Meijer Heartland Trail © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Michigan Communities Eager to Support Planned Rail-Trail

Posted 10/15/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Champions, Michigan, Private Fundraising, State and Federal Programs

In 1994, Michigan businessman Fred Meijer funded the purchase of the first rail-trail right-of-way in the state. That purchase became the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, and since then, the philanthropy of the Meijer family has made possible one of the best trail networks in America.