The National Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a nationwide network of trails from greenways, multi-use trails and former rail lines. They “reimagine public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors” and connect corridors to establish restored places for healthier communities. RTC collaborates with state and local agencies to create valued community spaces for everyone. Every person deserves the opportunity to have access to a safe space to walk, bike and be active in their community. Providing trails separate from vehicle traffic has the opportunity to transform our neighborhoods.
Join our webinar on August 10, 2022 and hear Ken Bryan, the Florida Director for RTC. While summer travel is at an all-time high during August this webinar will look into how the Rails to Trails Conservancy is changing interstate travel with the Great American Rail-Trail. He will share how the nation’s largest trails organization took the dream of a cross country trail and made it a reality. This webinar will focus on the benefits this trail brings to local communities and the economy, as well as how utilizing existing structures such as greenways, rail-trails, and other multi-use pathways will make it possible to connect nearly 50 million people to this trail.
RTC undertook a year-long assessment of potential route options of more than 34,000 miles of existing, multiuse trails nationwide. They evaluated more than 300 state and local trail plans to identify planned future trails and met with more than 200 local trail partners and more than 50 state agencies representing the trails along the route. The end goal was to outline criteria to ensure safe, non-motorized travel on a route that is entirely walkable and bikeable. Ultimately, this trail criteria specifies that the Great American Rail-Trail be one contiguous route that is initially more than 80%, and ultimately entirely, off-road and separated from vehicle traffic; uses existing trails to the extent possible; can be reasonably direct from Washington to Washington; will yield to the state and local jurisdictions through which it will cross; and will serve as a catalyst for local economic development, including providing services for long-distance travelers.
To learn more about the National Rails-to-Trails Conservancy click here.
Visit our online trail guide or Florida State Parks, or Find Your Park to locate a park near you.
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Download our fun August iPhone background!