State and Federal Programs Page 8

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

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

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.

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RTC Study of California DOT Reveals Need to Improve Bike/Ped Culture

Posted 09/27/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with California, Design Strategies, State and Federal Programs

How prepared are the planners, designers, engineers and work crews of our state departments of transportation to deliver this active transportation infrastructure? Aware of the critical role of these staff in facilitating walking and biking, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) recently led a study of the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) bicycle- and pedestrian-related technical training for its staff.

Photo © phillyburbs.com

Just Outside Philadelphia, Energy Grows to Recycle Former Rail Line

Posted 09/19/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Local Organizing, Pennsylvania, Rail-with-Trail, State and Federal Programs

"Build Our Trail - A Rail Trails Initiative," is advocating for the now unused Fox Chase-Newtown line (right) owned by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA), to be developed into a shared-use trail that would connect to the established Pennypack Trail as well as the proposed Neshaminy Creek Trail.

Photo © Friends of the Weiser River Trail

With Little Backing From Municipalities, Volunteers Build Stunning Rail-Trail in Idaho

Posted 08/15/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Corridors and Railbanking, Idaho, Local Organizing, State and Federal Programs

In rural Idaho, Friends of the Weiser River Trail (FWRT) has been able to build and maintain an 85-mile rail-trail with no significant municipal or county backing. FWRT did all of the hard work themselves, encountering opposition from both county governments and private property owners along the way, several of whom filed lawsuits against the friends group.