Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

USDOT Doubles Down on Connected Walking and Biking Infrastructure as Essential to America's Mobility, Rails to Trails Conservancy Reports

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 14, 2024
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WASHINGTON, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) emphasized the importance of connected walking and biking infrastructure to provide equitable access and opportunity for communities across the country with the projects it funded under the one-time Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grant program, according to Rails to Trails Conservancy, the nation's largest trails, walking and biking advocacy organization.

Key Points: 
  • We need permanent funding for connected active transportation infrastructure.
  • Projects focused solely on trails, walking and biking accounted for $834 million or 25% of the total $3.3 billion in funding.
  • 85% of all of the 132 projects include elements that account for active transportation—bringing to light the depth of demand for this infrastructure nationwide.
  • Learn more about the demand for trails, walking and biking infrastructure and available federal funding at railstotrails.org/funding .

MAINE'S EASTERN TRAIL SELECTED AS ONE OF THE NATION'S BEST RAIL-TRAILS

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 11, 2022
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), the nation's largest trails organization, today announced that Maine's Eastern Trail would join its Rail-Trail Hall of Fame—an exemplary group of rail-trails nationwide celebrated for the social, economic and quality-of-life value they bring to the communities they serve.

Key Points: 
  • "Maine's Eastern Trail proves trails can serve as tourism destinations and regional mobility hubs," Ryan Chao, RTC
    "The Eastern Trail is an increasingly special place in southern coastal Maine," said Eric Wright, Eastern Trail Alliance's president.
  • Congratulations to the Eastern Trail and our friends at the Eastern Trail Alliance!"
  • The Eastern Trail was nominated alongside Alaska's Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and Missouri's Grant's Trail.
  • The trail is managed by the Eastern Trail Alliance and Eastern Trail Management District, a partnership dedicated to fill the trail gaps and build a fully off-street multiuse trail.

Holmes County Park District Contracts with Woolpert for Rails-to-Trails Design Project

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
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HOLMES COUNTY, Ohio, Feb. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Woolpert has been contracted by the Holmes County Park District to provide survey, engineering and design services to renovate 4 miles of the Holmes County Trail, from Glenmont east to State Route 520.

Key Points: 
  • HOLMES COUNTY, Ohio, Feb. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Woolpert has been contracted by the Holmes County Park District to provide survey, engineering and design services to renovate 4 miles of the Holmes County Trail, from Glenmont east to State Route 520.
  • This $3.6 million project is part of a phased plan to complete the 29-mile Holmes County Trail in northeast Ohio, which is in the heart of Amish country.
  • We want to incorporate some of their huge sandstone blocks into the trail design, which people will be able to climb."
  • Final design plans have been submitted for this project, and construction is expected to begin in the fall.

Momentum for Great American Rail-Trail™ Builds With $15.6 Million in New Funding

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
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The Great American Rail-Trail is a platform for telling the stories of the nation's history and heritage.

Key Points: 
  • The Great American Rail-Trail is a platform for telling the stories of the nation's history and heritage.
  • "As the country continues to emerge from the pandemic, we have seen increasing interest in the Great American Rail-Trail," said RTC's lead trail planner for the project, Kevin Belanger.
  • Introduced in May 2019, the Great American spans 3,700+ miles across 12 states between Washington, D.C., and Washington State.
  • The Great American will serve 50 million people living within 50 miles of the trail, as well as millions of additional visitors from around the world.

National Trails Community Celebrates Historic Railbanking of the Rock Island Corridor

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
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Mike Parson announced that the state of Missouri would officially take ownership of the 144-mile Rock Island Railroad corridor between Windsor and Beaufort, Missouri.

Key Points: 
  • Mike Parson announced that the state of Missouri would officially take ownership of the 144-mile Rock Island Railroad corridor between Windsor and Beaufort, Missouri.
  • For decades, we've heard from so many peoplefrom Missouri, across the country and around the worldwho are looking forward to the day they can experience the Rock Island Trail.
  • RTC, the nation's largest trails, walking and biking advocacy organization, has worked alongside partners in Missouri for decades to protect the Rock Island corridor, including submitting a bid to purchase the corridor at a point when its future was uncertain.
  • The completed Rock Island Trail will serve as a multiplier of these benefits and a contributor to the state's trail and active transportation economy.

"Indiana's Year Of The Trails" Launches With A Powerful Message: Connected Trails Are Essential To Statewide Prosperity

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 21, 2021
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Eric Holcomb has proclaimed 2021-2022 as "Indiana's Year of the Trails" recognizing that "connecting trail segments is a powerful tool for economic and community development that should be actively facilitated."

Key Points: 
  • Eric Holcomb has proclaimed 2021-2022 as "Indiana's Year of the Trails" recognizing that "connecting trail segments is a powerful tool for economic and community development that should be actively facilitated."
  • In addition, the legislative trails caucus is focused on building the political support to implement the recommendations in the 2021 Indiana State Trails Plan , including the development of the state's Visionary Trail System.
  • Sen. Kruse has recognized that "trails bring people together, as they not only connect physical locations but also represent the bonds that create communities."
  • "Indiana's story of trails as fundamental to quality of life, economic development and tourism is a great success story.

The INVEST in America Act of 2021 Is a Major Step Forward for Active Transportation

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

"The INVEST Act will protect the climate, create jobs and save lives," said Kevin Mills, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

Key Points: 
  • "The INVEST Act will protect the climate, create jobs and save lives," said Kevin Mills, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
  • "Never before has federal law so clearly recognized that active transportation is essential to the success of American communities," said Kevin Mills, RTC's vice president of policy.
  • The INVEST Act includes policy reforms that bring unprecedented focus to the role of active transportation infrastructure in addressing these issues.
  • "You can't achieve the country's ambitious and critical goals around climate, equity, access and safety without active transportation.

As Nation Celebrates Trails, Experts Say Being Active Outside Is A Good Move for Well-Being

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Transport, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Rail trail, RTC, Trail, Human activities, Land transport

"By adapting Active People, Healthy Nation strategies, including creating trail networks, communities help all people integrate physical activity into their daily lives, regardless of race, education, socioeconomic position, disability status, sexual orientation or geographic location.

Key Points: 
  • "By adapting Active People, Healthy Nation strategies, including creating trail networks, communities help all people integrate physical activity into their daily lives, regardless of race, education, socioeconomic position, disability status, sexual orientation or geographic location.
  • The national celebration is organized by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), the nation\'s largest trails organizationwith a grassroots community more than 1 million strong.
  • RTC is dedicated to building a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors.
  • Learn more at cdc.gov/physicalactivity/activepeoplehealthynation .\nView original content to download multimedia: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-nation-celebrates-trails-expe...\n'

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's 2021 Trail Grants Program Invests $145,000 in Community Projects to Fill Critical Funding Gaps

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
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WASHINGTON, March 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) today announced the recipients of its 2021 Trail Grants Program, awarding $145,000 to fill critical trail gaps, with an emphasis on regional and community development goals.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, March 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) today announced the recipients of its 2021 Trail Grants Program, awarding $145,000 to fill critical trail gaps, with an emphasis on regional and community development goals.
  • Rails-to-Trails Conservancy awards $145,000 in grants to advance 11 trail projects nationwide.
  • "The RTC Trail Grants Program offers support to projects that are often not funded otherwise and are left out of traditional funding streams.
  • The 2021 Doppelt Family Trail Development Fund grants contribute to the development and maintenance of trail gaps on or near the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Names Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) 2020 Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 28, 2021
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has named Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) the 2020 Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion for her long-standing efforts to support trail networks in her native Washington, D.C., and across the United States.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has named Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) the 2020 Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion for her long-standing efforts to support trail networks in her native Washington, D.C., and across the United States.
  • The award is named in honor of the late rail-trail philanthropist Jeffrey L. Doppelt, who recently passed away from COVID-19.
  • "Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton has long been a champion of our nation's trails, and we're thrilled to be able to honor her in this way," said Ryan Chao, president of RTC.
  • "He signed off on every grant or award that was made in his name and was pleased to recognize Congresswoman Norton.