October 2026 Newsletter

RTC’s TrailNation™ Collaborative is a multidisciplinary learning community for anyone interested in working in trail and active transportation. Join the email list.

RTC Celebrates the Mount Vernon Trail – 2026 Hall of Fame Inductee 

On Oct. 8, 2026, RTC gathered alongside local advocates, volunteers and elected officials to celebrate the induction of the Mount Vernon Trail into the RTC Hall of Fame. Beyond its significance to Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C., region, the Mount Vernon Trail offers valuable lessons for trail champions nationwide. For over more than five decades, it has evolved from a community-led effort into a critical regional corridor, demonstrating the importance of sustained public stewardship, investment in trail networks and connectivity, and planning for growing demand. The Mount Vernon Trail also illustrates how high-quality trail infrastructure can shape redevelopment, strengthen local economies and become an essential asset for surrounding communities.

Click here to read more about the history and development of the Mount Vernon Trail and the RTC Hall of Fame.

Congratulations to Rails to Trails Conservancy’s 2026 Grantees!

RTC is proud to award more than $435,000 to over 35 community organizations and agencies this year, including $110,000 distributed through RTC’s competitive Trail Grants program. The 2026 grantee cohort highlights the urgent need for sustained public investment in trails nationwide. RTC received applications from 170+ organizations requesting a combined $3.1 million to advance trail infrastructure. The next round of the Trail Grants program is set to reopen in spring 2027, with details to come through the TrailNation™Collaborative.

In Case You Missed It: Transportation Alternatives Lessons Learned and Future Guidance 

RTC recently hosted a TrADE Talk webinar exploring lessons from the latest Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange (TrADE) report, RTC’s national database tracking Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) investments in trails and active transportation projects. The discussion highlighted how state DOTs and local partners are using data, program design, and technical assistance to improve access to funding and maximize the impact of transportation investments. 

The webinar underscored several key takeaways: the importance of understanding spending trends and project delivery outcomes, reducing barriers that prevent communities from accessing funds, and providing technical assistance to help local sponsors successfully develop projects. Speakers from Connecticut and Idaho shared innovative approaches to administering Transportation Alternatives funding and supporting communities through the application and implementation process. Watch the webinar and access related resources, including the FY 2025 Transportation Alternatives Spending Report and lessons learned document, here. 

Looking for more resources? Check out recent TrailNation™ Collaborative webinars in our resource library.

2026 TrailNation Collaborative Events: Advancing Trail Networks for People, Communities and Change

In 2026, TrailNation™ Collaborative learning events will bring together trail champions, planners, community leaders, and advocates for timely conversations about what it takes to build and sustain trail networks amid shifting social, environmental, funding and economic conditions. 

Beyond ADA: Accessibility, Dignity and Choice on Multiuse Trails (Online Dialogue; 1.0 AICP CM)  Nov. 12, 2026 

Preparing for 2027 State Legislative Sessions  Nov. 18, 2026 

Trails and Housing: Tools for Resilient, Inclusive Communities (1.0 AICP CM)  Save the Date: Dec. 9, 2026 

Are there webinar or working group topics you’d like to see covered through the TrailNation Collaborative this year? Email us at trailnationcollaborative@railstotrails.org to share your ideas!

Find registration links for all sessions at railstotrails.org/webinars.

Funding Opportunities

Project for Public Spaces – Community Placemaking Grants 
Deadline: Oct. 26, 2026
Select cities across the country can apply for up to $75,000 to advance community placemaking efforts, including funding to support programmatic and physical improvements. Recipients will also receive technical assistance in community engagement.   

Quadratec – Energize the Environment  
Deadline: Oct. 30, 2026
Individuals and organizations can apply for up to $3,500 in funding to advance a variety of environmental and outdoor based projects. Eligible projects include trail maintenance and building, community environmental engagement and education events, and other activities.  

National Park Service: Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP)   
Deadline: Nov. 1, 2026
State governments and Native American Tribal governments across the country are eligible to apply for up to $10 million in funding for outdoor recreation initiatives. Eligible activities include land and water acquisition as well as capital improvement projects that increase community access to the outdoors. 

Alliance for Social Trust – Knowledge Exchange Awards  Deadline: Rolling   The Alliance for Social Trust is providing funding for community-based organizations to organize peer learning initiatives and improve social connections. Funding of up to $2,000 is available to support peer-to-peer site visits, shared trainings and workshops, and initiatives for community trust building.  

Get more information about funding sources for trails and active transportation on RTC’s Federal Funding for Trails resources page.

Resources and Inspiration

Smart Growth America: Complete Streets, Stronger Economies
Smart Growth America recently published this report outlining the economic and social impact Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations:  MPO Engagement Toolkit 
The Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) recently published their revamped MPO Engagement Toolkit. This interactive resource provides comprehensive steps for engaging, understanding and leveraging MPOs to advance policy priorities. Whether you’re looking to understand more about how MPOs function, or for opportunities to amplify your work, this toolkit can help you unlock the power of MPOs to move projects forward.  
 
Architects Foundation: Technical Assistance for Communities  
Deadline to Apply: Dec. 4, 2026 
Does your community need assistance in addressing complex place-based challenges? Architects foundation is requesting applications for its Design Assistance Team Program. This program pairs communities with architects and other experts to address problems and create actionable implementation plans.  
 
RTC: TrailNation Summit Resources  
Looking for a digital copy of the TrailNation Workbook, presentation slides, or any of the resources mentioned at the 2025 TrailNation Summit in Cleveland this past October to assist with your work? Find them on the TrailNation Summit Resources page! Please reach out to collaborative@railstotrails.org if you need assistance. 
 
In Case You Missed It: Webinars From the RTC Archive 
Miss a recent webinar or online dialogue? You can find free access to all our recent RTC virtual events in the webinar archive or Resource Library on our website! This includes our webinar “Recognizing National Preparedness Month – Build Back Better: How to Rebuild Trail Infrastructure for Resilience after Disaster” session with RTC’s trail development team as well as recordings of the 2025 TrailNation Summit plenary sessions!  

Other Events You Won’t Want to Miss!

Safe Routes to School: Safe Routes to School National Conference – Minneapolis, Minn.  Tuesday–Thursday, Oct. 20–22, 2026  

Prescription Trails – Leveraging the Science of Trail Therapy: American Trails – Webinar  Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026 

!T Happens – Leveraging Technology for Traceable Trail Management: American Trails – Webinar   Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026 

Transportation Alternatives: Vision Zero Cities Conference  Wednesday–Thursday, Oct. 28–29, 2026 

Tools for Collaborative Members

Get access to all the resources you need to create a vibrant trail network for your community—from funding opportunities to technical assistance.