TrailNation:

Q: What is TrailNation?

Since 2005, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has championed trail networks that connect millions of people to each other and the places in their communities that are important to them. RTC’s TrailNation™ initiative, along with the work of hundreds of on-the-ground partners nationwide, is redefining what it means to build trail networks and the impact these equitable trail systems can have on people and places. 

TrailNation brings to life our vision of trails at the heart of healthy, thriving communities by showcasing the impact of trail networks and redefining how we create them–so we can more quickly connect trails across the country. We're bringing together the model projects, the leaders, the champions and the resources to accelerate the pace of equitable trail development nationwide, creating new access to this essential infrastructure and the benefits it brings for everyone in America. 

Our TrailNation family includes the:  

• TrailNation Projects: learning laboratories to test strategies and approaches in communities that are diverse in people and places. 
• TrailNation Playbook: a compendium of best practices to support trail planners, municipalities, states and regions working to advance trail network projects. 
• TrailNation Collaborative: a nationwide peer learning community that bring advocates, leaders and professionals together to accelerate trail networks. 

Q: Why is RTC leading this work?

For decades, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has been the leading advocacy voice for trails and trail networks nationwide. We have secured more than $20 billion for public funding for trails and active transportation projects over the last 30 years, creating a foundation of 40,000 miles of multiuse trails nationwide that can be developed into trail networks.

RTC’s TrailNation initiative encompasses model trail networks that are learning laboratories to test strategies and approaches in communities that are diverse in their geographies, constituencies and politics. Through TrailNation, RTC is working to connect nearly 12,000 miles of trail in partnership with over 300 trail organizations, advocates and local leaders. Through these projects, RTC and our partners are demonstrating what’s possible when equitable trail networks are central to community design and what it takes to make this infrastructure essential. Learn more about TrailNation’s history.

Q: Why are trail networks important?

When trails are connected, they create healthy, thriving communities by delivering economic opportunities, safe transportation options, environmental resiliency and quality-of-life benefits for everyone. America’s trail economy today generates more than $34.1 billion annually and could grow to more than $138.5 billion each year as the connectivity of trails and active transportation routes improve. People want to live in places with trails that are integrated in the fabric of the community. When communities are connected to trail networks, it provides an option for residents to safely bike or walk to destinations. The majority of trips taken in this country are within a 20-minute bike ride or less and more than one in four trips are within a 20-minute walk or less.

Q: What are the TrailNation projects?

RTC’s TrailNation initiative encompasses model trail network projects that connect across city, county, multi-county and multi-state lines. These trail networks are learning laboratories to test strategies and approaches in communities that are diverse in their geographies, constituencies and politics. Through TrailNation, RTC is working to connect nearly 12,000 miles of trail in partnership with over 300 trail organizations, advocates and local leaders.

Through these projects, RTC and our partners are demonstrating what’s possible when equitable trail networks are central to community design and what it takes to make this infrastructure essential.

• The Baltimore Greenway Trails Network is a developing 35-mile trail network that will connect more than 75 Baltimore neighborhoods with jobs, schools, green spaces and cultural amenities across the city.
• The developing 2,600+ miles Bay Area regional trail network, led by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the Bay Area Trails Collaborative, will connect 9 counties by trails and provide safe walking, biking and rolling for millions of people.
• The Capital Trails Coalition is a developing 800-miles-plus trail network spanning multiple cities and suburbs across the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
• The Caracara Trails is a vision for a 428-mile trail network that will link the rich natural, cultural and historical resources in Texas’s Lower Rio Grande Valley—creating a unified regional identity for outdoor tourism, promoting healthier lifestyles and generating a new sense of community pride for everyone who lives there.
• The Circuit Trails is a developing 800-mile-plus regional trail network of multiuse trails in Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey.
• The Industrial Heartlands Trail Coalition network is working to connect 51 counties across Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York with 1,500 miles of multiuse trails.
• The Miami LOOP is a developing 225-mile trail network across Miami-Dade County. The Miami-Dade Trail Alliance, led by RTC, works to expand this safe walking, biking and trail network to improve health and wellness across the county.
• The Route of the Badger is a developing 700-mile regional trail network that will connect rural and urban communities in seven Southeast Wisconsin counties—linking residents to jobs, communities, schools, parks and local attractions.
• The developing 1,000-mile New England Rail-Trail Network will unite 6 states through a trail interstate and inject billions of dollars a year in health, economic and tourism benefits.

Q: What is the TrailNation Playbook?

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy developed the TrailNation Playbook to leverage the lessons learned from building trail networks across the country as resources for the trail planners, municipalities, states and regions that are seeking to advance their own regional trail network projects. The Playbook curates case studies, best practices and tools to accelerate trail network development nationwide.

Each element of the playbook to build trail networks is integrated. While the process is not linear, each aspect plays an important role. Elements of the playbook include: project vision, coalition building, gap-filling strategy, mapping and analytics, investment strategy and engagement.

Q: What is the TrailNation Collaborative?

TrailNation Collaborative is a nationwide peer learning community from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy that brings together advocates, leaders and professionals from across disciplines to establish and accelerate trail networks across America. The Collaborative provides proven tools, methods and resources, combined with RTC’s expertise and network of partners across the country, to accelerate the development of connected trail systems. When trails are connected across regions and states, trail networks have a proven transformative impact—they are essential infrastructure that creates thriving, healthier communities.

1. Why is the TrailNation Collaborative important right now?

New once-in-a-generation federal dollars for trails and active transportation are now available and can help advance trail network plans. RTC advocated for this transformative federal investment within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that include nearly 70% more money (an average of $1.44 billion yearly) for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program, which states can access to develop, complete and maintain their trail networks.

The Collaborative harnesses the growing excitement and momentum for trail networks and helps communities develop their own. Together, advocates, public leaders and professionals share their experiences, challenges and strategies for accelerating the pace of trail and active transportation networks.

2. How is the TrailNation Collaborative unique?

Through more than 30 decades of experience on trails, RTC has developed the knowledge and connections across the country to create efficiently developed trail networks. The Collaborative will take the guess work out of building trail networks and help busy planners save time by providing them with tested methods and guidance. RTC has built a community of thousands of people across America working to build and maintain trails, many of whom are already tackling trail network development or are ready to go there. This free peer-learning network provides trail planners, advocates, public leaders and others the opportunity to connect and channel energy in ways that support the larger vision.

3. Who’s the Collaborative for?

We welcome professionals and advocates in the trail and active transportation community and we’re particularly excited to welcome professionals from allied fields such as health equity, economic development, community development, tourism and more. 

4. How can you engage with and sign up to the Collaborative?

Collaborative members enjoy meaningful conversations and connections—including monthly online dialogues and regular interactive virtual gatherings, the TrailNation Playbook that delivers a compendium of best practices, technical assistance, in-person events and opportunities to engage with each other in the dedicated Facebook group. Members also receive a regular newsletter with updates on trail network development across the country. Join the TrailNation Collaborative.

5. Is there a cost to join the Collaborative?

The TrailNation Collaborative is free and open to all.

6. Does RTC offer continuing education units through the Collaborative?

At this time, RTC does not offer professional credits. RTC’s compendium of resources, including the TrailNation Playbook, resource library and webinar archive are offered for free and available for all. As we evolve the TrailNation Collaborative, we may consider offering CEU’s in the future. If you are interested in receiving CEU’s through the TrailNation Collaborative, we would love to hear from you. Please email us at Collaborative@railstotrails.org.