Tourism Page 9

Follow The Money: Making a Strong Case for Investing in Trails

Posted 05/21/13 by Tracy Hadden Loh in Building Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

For those of us working toward more options for active transportation, investments in this trail infrastructure produce remarkable returns and have transformative effects on communities large and small, impressively out of proportion to the comparatively small budgets involved.

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Trestle on Virginia Creeper Trail | Photo by Anthony Le, courtesy RTC

Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail

Posted 05/01/13 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Overcoming Opposition, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Virginia

Bicycling 68 miles in a day would be an accomplishment for most people. But doing it nearly every day is a testament to endurance and willpower. At 81 years of age, it seems an impossibility. Meet Lawrence the Legend. On any day of the week, you're likely to see Lawrence Dye, a slender man with big glasses, pedaling along the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail on a bike that he says has been "a great friend."

Photo © Pinellas County

Florida's $50 Million a Savvy Investment in the State

Posted 04/22/13 by Ken Bryan in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Florida, Private Fundraising, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

Florida's decision this week to set aside $50 million for the creation of a 275-mile cross-state trail is not only great news for those of us who love trails, biking, riding and hiking - it is also a tremendous shot in the arm for thousands of main street businesses and the state's economy.

Photo trail user traffic along the C&O Canal Towpath © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Local Businesses Rejoice Reopening of C&O Towpath

Posted 04/18/13 by Jake Lynch in Building Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Local Organizing, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

When a rock slide forced the closure of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal Towpath) at mile 155 near the Paw Paw Tunnel in western Maryland, it was bad news for the local and interstate trail users.

Hart-Montague Trail State Park, Michigan

Posted 04/01/13 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Champions, Michigan, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

The rural flavor of western Michigan's Hart-Montague Trail State Park is palpable. Cherries, peaches and apples hang heavy from the trees. The lacy green leaves of the Asparagus Capital of the World's prized vegetable flutter in messy rows along the trail. Dairy cows placidly watch bicycles whir by and, in the summertime, the small town farmers markets offer a friendly bustle of activity.

Photo © funplaceswashington.com

Reopening Iron Horse Tunnels Would be Worth Millions to Washington

Posted 03/28/13 by Laura Cohen in Trail Use, Building Trails, America's Trails | Tagged with Heritage and Restoration, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Washington

In central Washington, the rail-trail we know as the Iron Horse State Park is one of the truly iconic trail experiences. Part of the broader John Wayne Pioneer Trail system stretching across the state, the Iron Horse's 82 miles pass through one of the most spectacular landscapes in America.

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.