RTC TrailBlog

Building is Believing in a Future You Can't See Yet

Jake Lynch — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:00:00 GMT

What was, what is now, and what could one day be. It sounds like a philosophical mantra, or a visualization technique, but really it describes what the rail-trail "business" is all about.

The before and after photo. The transformation. The potential. The undiscovered future.

This past weekend, within the space of just a few hours, I found myself face to face with both the "before" and the "after" - one community trying to imagine a popular destination rail-trail in their area, and another already living the dream.

On Saturday, the Allegheny Trail Alliance and trails supporters in Pennsylvania and Maryland threw a wonderful party to celebrate the completion of the Great Allegheny Passage, and specifically the finished construction of a section of the trail on the outskirts of Pittsburgh.

We already know how popular the GAP is, but it was reaffirming to see the many thousands of riders and trail fans coming out to show their love and appreciation for this remarkable asset.

On our way back to Washington, D.C., my wife and I stayed overnight in the lovely town of Friendsville, M.D., a one main street, blink and you'd miss it type place on the Upper Youghiogheny River. (It's also just off Interstate 68, but a river is a much nicer landmark than an interstate, don't you think?)

Chatting with the very friendly owner of the Riverside Hotel, where we stayed that night, I asked if there was a nice walk to be had around the town, maybe something along the steady-flowing river just yards from the hotel's front porch.

"Well, there's a little trail along the other side of the river," she replied. "It's built along an old railroad bed, so it's nice and flat. It's a bit overgrown in parts, though..."

Turns out just the day before, the community of Friendsville had met at the café next door to try and muster some local volunteers and a coordinated effort to keep the trail in good condition. Although this one trail, named the Kendall Trail after the historic, abandoned community at its terminus, is only two miles long it is a key segment of what could be a terrific system in a beautiful part of the world.

Already popular with kayakers and river-seekers, Friendsville is conscious that adding another reason to stop in town and stay the night would be a great help to the local economy. The Great Allegheny Passage is less than 15 miles to the north. Elsewhere, the nonprofit Garrett Trails is developing hiking and biking connections throughout Garrett County. The potential is enormous.

"Well, but it's only two miles. What can two miles do? People aren't going to visit a town for two miles..." some might say. That's what they said about the Great Allegheny Passage, back in the 80s. Before it was a connected trail, it was random pieces of rail-trail that just happened to share a corridor. Bit by bit, local communities put together their own, short sections. It wasn't until much later that the bigger picture came into focus, by which time, of course, it all seemed so obvious.

But at the beginning it doesn't always seem obvious, and it all has to start somewhere. In Friendsville, whether the locals can believe that investing a whole bunch of time and energy into a short, two-mile section of rail-trail is going to pay dividends some day is a matter of faith. Belief in a future they can't quite see yet.

It's great to see them taking the first steps. I hope they find the courage and conviction to take more.

Photos by RTC

The Prevention Fund: Smart Money For Local Programs. So Why is Congress Trying to Kill It?

Jake Lynch — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:30:00 GMT

When a neighborhood in Seattle realized it desperately needed to make it easier for local children to walk or ride to school in order to keep those kids healthy and active, the Prevention Fund helped them do it. The Bicycle Alliance of Washington used Prevention Fund money to find and map the safest routes to schools in that neighborhood, and trained teachers on how to encourage the kids to bike or walk.

In southernmost Illinois, one rural community was suffering from high rates of obesity caused, in part, by a lack of close and affordable recreation facilities, such as gyms and pools. That community was able to use Prevention Fund money to print and distribute maps of trails in the area where people could get regular exercise for free. They also produced bold signs that said "Start Walking" - nothing like a little encouragement!

Already, the people in that community are getting healthier. Talk about bang for your buck - a few maps and some signs as a way of solving the most pressing public health challenge of our time. Simple, smart.

When it comes to making positive changes to local communities, our experience tells us that nobody does it better than the people who live in that community. Locals groups and leaders are invested in the place, and so their solutions are appropriate for that place, creative, cost-efficient, and driven by community understanding and passion.

Created by the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the Prevention Fund is the nation's first large dedicated source of funds for preventing health problems. As we see in the above examples, making it easier for people to regularly walk or bike is a simple but powerful preventative medicine. Thanks to the Prevention Fund, relatively small investments in promoting walking and biking are saving the nation many billions of dollars in future health care costs.

That is why I am alarmed by continued efforts by some in Congress to undercut the Prevention Fund. Working with allies in the public health community, we are monitoring threats to the Prevention Fund as Congress works towards a budget for next year.

You can see why the Prevention Fund makes good sense - for our nation's health and its bottom line.

We are going to need your help in the next few weeks to protect the funding for this vital program. I hope you will take the time to act when, as we expect, the Prevention Fund faces an imminent threat. All you need to do now is take a few moments to sign up for our Action Alerts, and you'll be the first to know when the trails and health community is ready to rally to the defense of the Prevention Fund.

Image courtesy www.pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden

From Possible Abandonment to Community Ambition - South Carolina Cities To Purchase Rail Corridor

Jake Lynch — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:20:00 GMT

A little bit of information can have a powerful effect.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Early Warning System is the only service in the United States that scans for the proposed abandonment of railroad corridors in every state, information we then send to relevant local communities and trail advocates to alert them of the potential for a rail-trail.

In October of last year we learned that Pickens Railway Company had filed for the abandonment of 8.5 miles of track near the cities of Pickens and Easley in Pickens County, South Carolina. Our blog, email list and eNews blasted that out to our friends and partners in South Carolina and our network of 500,000 trail fans across America.

Eight months later, Pickens and Easley have taken this great opportunity and run with it.

It was terrific to read in the Easley Patch today that both cities' councils have eagerly approved purchasing the former Pickens Railway line in order to create a bicycle and pedestrian trail, inspired by the great popularity of the nearby Swamp Rabbit Trail.

"It's going to draw a lot of people to the area," said Pickens Mayor David Owens. "When they come in, they're going to eat, they'll buy gas. That's what it's all about for us, to draw people into town."

"It's going to bring revenue to Pickens, the county, Easley as well. I think it's a win-win for all of our residents."

Hear, hear.

Congratulations, Pickens County. It's terrific to have you join the movement toward a more healthy, active and prosperous America.

The Inspiring Story of How Trails and Bikes Helped The Rust Belt Bounce Back

Jake Lynch — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:11:00 GMT

When Rails-to-Trails Conservancy got involved in the development of the Morgana Run Trail in southeast Cleveland in 2008, we were still exploring the impacts and potential of rail-trail projects in urban areas and underserved neighborhoods. While we knew that improving access to stores, workplaces and transit, and providing safe and convenient pathways for recreation could do great things for residents and local businesses, we had only just scratched the surface on grasping the transformative impact of the humble trail.

So, 5 years later, it is amazing to hear how the people of Cleveland talk about the Morgana Run.

"Morgana Run was really the genesis for a lot of what has happened over the last couple of years in Cleveland," says Clevelander John Mitterholzer of the Gund Foundation. "It really has inspired people to look at other neighborhoods and create similar systems."

"We didn't expect when we began to work on the trail that it would be anything more than a nice little amenity," says Marie Kittredge of Slavic Village Development, the community development corporation that RTC partnered with on the Morgana Run. "We didn't realize that it would become the center of our rebranding and new neighborhood identity."

Earlier this year I returned to Cleveland with RTC's Manager of Communications, Jake Lynch, to talk to local business people, leaders, advocates and young entrepreneurs about exactly what trails like the Morgana Run and the resultant boom in biking and walking has meant for them and the city they love.

What we heard, and recorded in this short documentary video, was inspiring. As someone who personally puts so much time and energy into building trails and trying to improve access to active transportation for all Americans, seeing firsthand the fruits of this labor was incredibly satisfying. Not only that, it inspired to me to continue to help other cities reap the same benefits that Cleveland is now enjoying - where the downtown population is growing, new businesses are being born and thriving, and a whole new choir of biking and walking advocates is being created by the undeniable improvements they see in their city.

Way to go, Cleveland. The Rust Belt is bouncing back, big time.

Play Your Part in Connecting 750 Miles of Trails Around Greater Philadelphia

Jake Lynch — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:31:00 GMT

Imagine 750 miles of bicycle and pedestrian trail connecting the Philly and Camden region - linking people and neighborhoods with workplaces, shopping centers and parks.

That's the idea behind "The Circuit" - and it's coming closer to reality.
On June 17 and 19, my staff and I will be at two open meetings to provide more information on this exciting project - and to let people know how to help. Supporters of trails and building better cities for Pennsylvania and New Jersey are encouraged to come along.

Just click on this link to register.

When & Where:
Haverford Meeting (PA)
Monday, June 17
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Haverford Community, Recreation & Environmental Center
9000 Parkview Drive
Haverford, PA 19041

Camden Meeting (NJ)
Wednesday, June 19 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Camden County Boat House
7050 N. Park Drive
Pennsauken, NJ 08109

So far, more than 250 miles of The Circuit have been completed, and there are 50 miles currently being built. When complete, this incredible project will connect more than 750 miles of bike and pedestrian trails throughout Greater Philadelphia.
Attend one of these two meetings - presented by The Circuit Coalition and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia - to learn more about which trails are currently being built and how you can help make sure more progress is made to complete The Circuit.
Hope to see you there!

From the Capitol to the Countryside, There's a Lot Going On in Illinois

Jake Lynch — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Here at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, we got a lot of love for the Prairie State. Illinois is doing some terrific things related to its trails and bike- and walkability, from downtown Chicago to the rural reaches of the southern part of the state.

Did you know that Illinois boasts both the busiest trail in the nation (Chicago Lakefront Bike Path) and possibly America's first rail-trail (Illinois Prairie Path)?

There is a lot going on in Illinois to advance the trails and active transportation movement, and we aim to help continue that terrific work.

The Illinois Department of Transportation recently launched a new initiative to develop a statewide bike plan: www.illinoisbikeplan.com.

In May, the Illinois General Assembly passed SB 1042, an important bill which will provide liability protection to private landowners when they open their land to trails and recreational uses.

This critical piece of legislation, now awaiting the signature of Governor Pat Quinn, fixes a long-time legal problem that hindered development of recreational lands in Illinois.

The legislature also passed SB 1341, which makes changes to the state grant programs for open space development. The changes make it easier for distressed communities to qualify for grants by requiring only a 10 percent match. This small but significant step is a great, cost-effective way for Illinois to help some its struggling small cities and towns tap into the booming trails tourism economy.

It is only with the support of our more 35,000 supporters in Illinois that we can make the Prairie State one of the best places in America to ride, walk and enjoy the great outdoors through trails.

Thank you for supporting Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

Photo of the Illinois Prairie Path courtesy www.TrailLink.com

Diving Into MAP-21: Using CMAQ to Fund Bike/Ped Projects

Jake Lynch — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:00:00 GMT

In 2012, the US Congress adopted a new bill to govern surface transportation programs through September 2014. That bill, referred to now as MAP-21, provides opportunities for creative communities to develop good networks of trails and active transportation facilities.

But the new bill came with some significant changes, and transportation planners and advocates are still coming to grips with exactly what the new bill means for local efforts to build and maintain active transportation systems such as trails, sidewalks and bike paths.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is leading the effort to provide education and resources related to MAP-21. In this blog series, we demonstrate how communities can leverage the programs funded by MAP-21.

In our second post of this series, we examine the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) Program. CMAQ is an initiative to reduce congestion and air pollution by improving multi-modal transportation networks - that is, supporting transportation options other than driving a car.

CMAQ money is available to states and metropolitan areas that have been identified as having air quality problems, and can be used to fund bike/ped projects within an existing road or transit corridor. CMAQ funds are distributed by metropolitan planning organizations on a regional level. Some choose to program annually, and others on a multi-year basis.

Case Study: The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) allocates CMAQ funding in the Philadelphia region. The DVRPC has funded many trail and roadway projects that are part of the regional bikeways plan. These include connections to transit stations and completion of gaps in trail networks. Today, a collaboration of environmental, health, transportation, foundation and local government officials called The Circuit is overseeing the implementation of this regional plan. For more information, visit www.connectthecircuit.org.

Local governments can use CMAQ funds to fill in the gaps in their networks. You can also use CMAQ to create better multi-modal connections. For example, you can establish a goal for Complete Stations - all transit stations accessible to all persons via all modes of transportation.

CMAQ is one of the largest sources of funding. We recommend you use it for the larger, multi-year projects. Just be sure that your project is transportation-focused and reduces vehicle miles travelled. That is how it will best qualify for CMAQ funds.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy helps communities develop interconnected networks of trails and active transportation facilities. Do you have a success story involving CMAQ funds? Let us know. Do you need help identifying the best funding sources for your project? Get in touch with the RTC office near you.

Beyond the Ribbon-Cutting, What You Sometimes Don't Hear About How Trails Get Built

Jake Lynch — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:41:00 GMT

The determined grassroots effort in Danvers, Mass., to build their local rail-trail was typical of the kind of "can-do" attitude we often see behind successful rail-trail projects.

They scrapped and scraped, put in many volunteer hours, and found creative ways to raise funds when money was tight. In addition to making headway on the development of the trail itself, this committed effort also showed the state's elected officials that this project was one the community cared deeply about.

So it was great to see last week the local residents and businesses behind the Danvers Rail Trail receive a huge boost in the form of a $50,000 grant courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), money that will be used to finish trail surfacing in Danvers and nearby Wenham.

Unfortunately, as the ribbons get cut and the cameras flash, what sometimes gets lost in the news coverage of these exciting projects is where this money came from.

Though the local papers neglected to mention it, this grant, and many others supporting grassroots projects just like it across the country, came from the Recreational Trails Program. Funded largely by gas taxes from off-road vehicles, since 1992 the Recreational Trails Program has enjoyed remarkable bipartisan support and funded nonmotorized and motorized trails in every state. It remains one of the few federal sources dedicated to the construction and maintenance of trails.

Using relatively small amounts of money, the Recreational Trails Program enables local groups like these champions in Danvers to promote the benefits of trail use and build and maintain trails in their state.

Why is it important that the general public be made aware that the Recreational Trails Program is responsible for so much terrific trail development? Because despite its tremendous success, the program constantly faces the threat of elimination. Each year, state governors can opt out of the program by notifying the U.S. Department of Transportation of that intention by August 31. This decision would erode one of the few remaining dedicated sources for trails funding and siphon that money to other programs and works.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy wants you to tell your Governor that the Recreational Trails Program, and the trails it makes possible, is important to you and communities in your state. And we've made it quick and easy to do so. Simply visit www.railstotrails.org/SaveRecTrails and add your voice to support trails.

Photo courtesy Danvers Rail Trail Advisory Committee

"I Didn't Want Oak Hill to Die" - Struggling City in West Virginia Turns to Rail Trail for Rejuvenation

Jake Lynch — Fri, 31 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Here at RTC I am always looking for stories about rail-trails helping revive the commercial center of small communities. But every now and then I come across an example so beautiful it immediately impresses upon me the fact that, in some parts of America, trails are so much more than the gravel and tar they are made of.

"I didn't want Oak Hill to die," says Vicki Setterl, a resident of Oak Hill, a small city in southern West Virginia. "It seemed for a while that everything was moving to Fayetteville or Beckley. I love Oak Hill and I felt like we needed to capitalize on our assets, which are a beautiful trail and the amphitheater."

Determined to keep her community together and inject life back into its struggling businesses, Vicki saw the White Oak Rail Trail that runs through the city as the perfect hub for a new beginning. So last year, Vicki and a few friends organized the first annual White Oak Rail Trail Expo, a business and tourism event where local entrepreneurs could display goods and promote themselves.

The community responded. On the morning of the expo, hundreds of tents lined the rail-trail, and the city of Oak Hill was bustling once more.

Turns out, the expo did more than just provide a spark for the local economy. "It was like a reunion," Vicki told the Fayette Tribune this week. "People saw people they hadn't seen in years and stopped and talked and hugged along the trail. I cried when I saw how many people came out."

This year's White Oak Rail Trail Expo well be held tomorrow, June 1, which is also National Trails Day. All vendor spaces have been booked. There will be live entertainment on the Depot Dock all day, and Virginia Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. as vendors unload, with the help of volunteers.

For more information, call Vicki Setterl at 304-573-1165.

(Oak Hill - we would love to help promote your trail and your town, too. Sign in to TrailLink.com - it's free and easy - and upload your photos of lots of people enjoying themselves on the White Oak Rail Trail.)

Aerial photo courtesy of White Oak Rail Trail Expo
Historic photo of Oak Hill courtesy of the internet...

Rural Kentucky Primed for the Opening of the Dawkins Line Rail Trail

Jake Lynch — Thu, 30 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Terrific news out of Kentucky this week with the date officially set for the opening of the first phase of the much-anticipated Dawkins Line Rail Trail, which now becomes the longest rail-trail in the state.

"Developing Kentucky trails such as the Dawkins Line not only boosts tourism dollars, but those trails spur other new business and economic development in nearby communities," Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear said during the project's groundbreaking in Royalton in September of last year.

No sooner was the first sod turned than local businessman Don Fields was already looking for a location near the proposed trailhead, seeing opportunities to open a full-service bicycle shop, a shuttle service and a coffee shop, and exploring similar opportunities for businesses to cater to horseback riders.

"The economic impact on those communities [with similar rail-trails] is in the millions every year," Fields told the local paper.

Inspired by the example of the Virginia Creeper Trail in nearby southwest Virginia and eager to reap the same economic and recreational benefits for their community, regional leaders and locals have worked hard behind realizing the vision of the Dawkins Line. And their moment of reward is close at hand!

The first 19 miles of the Dawkins Line Rail Trail will officially open on Saturday, June 15, at 10:00 a.m., with a dedication ceremony to held at mile marker 8.3. Anyone wanting more information about the event should visit the Kentucky Rails to Trails Council's facebook page.

The Dawkins Line Rail Trail will eventually run 36 miles through the largely rural Johnson, Magoffin and Breathitt counties, and will be managed by Kentucky State Parks. Set in the Appalachian foothills and with a mild grade to accommodate bikers, hikers and horseback riders of all abilities, the Dawkins Line will, for the first time, connect locals and visitors with some of the most interesting and diverse countryside in Kentucky, and plug a number of small communities into a booming trails tourism economy.

Congratulations, Kentucky. We can't wait to ride the Dawkins Line soon!

Photo courtesy Kentucky Rails to Trails Council

Diving Into MAP-21: An Education Resource for Planners and Advocates

Jake Lynch — Wed, 29 May 2013 17:35:00 GMT

In 2012, the United States Congress adopted a new bill to govern surface transportation programs through September 2014. That bill, referred to now as MAP-21, provides opportunities for creative communities to develop good networks of trails and active transportation facilities.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is leading the effort to provide education and resources related to MAP-21. In this blog series, we demonstrate how communities can leverage the programs funded by MAP-21.

In this first piece, we examine the Surface Transportation Program, or STP.

One hallmark of MAP-21 is the consolidation of programs coupled with broad eligibility criteria for projects. The STP is one of the most flexible programs. It funds projects on federal-aid highways as well as local roads. It is used for everything from congestion relief to pedestrian safety, and is available to communities of all sizes.

STP is one of the largest funding sources. It is usually available on at least a yearly-cycle. All this flexibility makes it one of the best sources of support. STP is also a very popular program for which there is a lot of competition.

Case Study: The North Shore Council of Mayors distributes STP funding in the northern suburbs of Chicago. In 2012, the council adopted new funding criteria that explicitly prioritized Complete Streets and regionally-significant multi-modal corridor projects. It also rewarded communities for demonstrating collaboration amongst government agencies. These criteria made it significantly easier for applicants to propose a wide variety of bicycle, pedestrian and trail projects. For more information about this project, visit www.nwmc-cog.org/Transportation/North-Shore-Council-of-Mayors.aspx.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy helps communities develop interconnected networks of trails and active transportation facilities. Local governments can use STP funds to fill in the gaps in their networks. You can implement a sidewalk prioritization plan, and you can advance the network in your bike plan. You can also make better connections to regional trail systems. We recommend you use STP for what it is best - flexible funding for current critical needs.

Do you have a success story involving STP funds? Let us know. Do you need help identifying the best funding sources for your project? Get in touch with the RTC office near you.

Possible Abandonment Inspires Michigan Counties Behind Tamarack Rail Trail

Jake Lynch — Tue, 28 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

It is terrific to see the people of Branch and St. Joseph counties in southern Michigan continuing to pursue their ambitions for saving a 20-mile section of rail corridor and building a public trail.

After the Indiana Northeastern Railroad Company filed to abandon the section of track in September of 2012, the local residents and businesspeople saw an opportunity. That opportunity was to not only make sure the corridor remained an asset that benefitted all citizens of the area, but also to provide health, educational, economic, social and recreational benefits in a state with many great examples of the transformative potential of rail-trails.

Supported by the expert advice of Nancy Krupiarz, executive director of Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance, Friends of the Tamarack Rail Trail formed earlier this year to push the project forward and is now gathering support for a proposal to fund the acquisition of the corridor through local contributions.

"Selling this corridor to adjacent landowners or other private parties would benefit a very small percentage of the residents of St. Joseph and Branch counties," reads a petition being circulated by the group. "Selling the land to a nonprofit organization intent on developing a public accessible linear park... [benefits] all residents of the two counties."

At a community meeting in Bronson earlier this year, Krupiarz acknowledged that opposition to rail-trail projects like this one was a common part of the development process. Michigan is certainly not alone there. As Rails-to-Trails Conservancy staff across the country have witnessed, local landowners and taxpayers often express fears about the impact of the trail and question its cost to the community. With reassuring regularity, fears are allayed and the remarkable returns on the initial investment soon become clear.

As Krupiarz told those advocates gathered in Bronson, although support will be available from state and national organizations like Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, it must be locals who "own" the project and provide a sustained energy.

On that front, it is exciting to see the Friends of the Tamarack Rail Trail continue to build momentum. We wish them the very best of luck.

Trails: as Diverse as the American People They Serve

Jake Lynch — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:15:00 GMT

National Trails Day, June 1, is a many-splendored thing, because the trails it celebrates cover such a vast spectrum. Trails are long and short, urban and rural, for taking a gentle stroll through the wilderness and for picking up the groceries.

Trails have become as diverse and varied as the American people they serve. As America has changed over the decades, so too has the humble trail evolved into an important part of everyday life for millions of people.

National Trails Day is the perfect moment to celebrate the trail that you use and appreciate, whatever its size, shape or style. Hosted by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day offers a wide variety of community events, hikes and rides, demonstrations and work parties to get involved in.

National Trails Day is also the perfect excuse to simply get out on your local trail and enjoy it however you can. One of the most potent forms of advocacy is just being on the trail, using it whenever you can, demonstrating support with your presence.

For those friends looking for that next level of involvement on National Trails Day, here's a few RTC things happening around National Trails Day.

Senior RTC executive staff (the head honchos) will join Wisconsin Congressman Tom Petri to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new rail-trail project in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the latest improvement made possible by the terrific Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program. (May 31, 11:30 a.m., Workers' Water Street Park). More info: marianne@railstotrails.org.

RTC's Eric Oberg, Friends of the Little Miami Scenic Trail and REI will host a community working bee on the Friends of the Little Miami Scenic Trail. More info: eric@railstotrails.org.

In California, our manager of trail development in the west, Barry Bergman, will be at the Compton Creek Trail where local residents will continue their hard work improving this underused pathway. He'll also announce the winners of the first annual Compton Creek Art Competition. More info: barry@railstotrails.org.

If you're anywhere near southern Illinois, we strongly encourage you to check out the shebang along the Tunnel Hill State Trail. Featured in the most recent edition of Rails to Trails magazine, this 47.5-mile rail-trail is truly both a spectacular and serene ride. On June 1, the Taste of Tunnel Hill Trail Bike Ride is the perfect opportunity to ride the trail and sample some delicious local produce. Good deal. More info: www.tunnelhilltrail.com.

Whatever you get up to on National Trails Day, have a good one!

Photo of the Met Branch Trail in Washington, D.C., by RTC
Photo of Tunnel Hill State Trail courtesy TrailLink.com

Notice: Upcoming Railroad Abandonment in Iron County, Utah

Jake Lynch — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:40:00 GMT

RECEIVE RAILROAD ABANDONMENT NOTICES FOR YOUR STATE VIA E-MAIL

On or about May 17, 2013, Union Pacific Railroad Company filed for the abandonment of 1.03 miles of track within Cedar City in Iron County, Utah. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

NEXT STEPS: If this corridor is suitable for trail use, we strongly urge local trail advocates, or an appropriate local, regional or state agency or organization, to take action now. A "boiler plate" letter (found here) can be filed with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and the abandoning railroad using STB docket number AB-33 (sub-no. 283x). Filing this letter does not commit its authors to acquire the corridor; it merely gives time to develop a rail-trail proposal and undertake negotiations with the railroad. According to the information we have received, the deadline for filing this letter is July 1, 2013. Even if this deadline is missed, there is probably still time to contact the relevant parties, since the railroad may have experienced a delay in filing all of the paperwork, or the STB may still have jurisdiction over the corridor. However, it is important to take prompt action. The STB posts all abandonment decisions and filings on its Web site, including the complete filing for this corridor. More information on the rail corridor, including a map, can be found in this filing.

The STB has imposed a $200 filing fee for all railbanking requests. Entities filing a railbanking request may request a fee waiver or reduction, and government agencies will receive an automatic fee waiver. Throughout the process, make sure local government officials and citizen activists are kept informed of the project's progress. We also recommend contacting your state trails coordinator or your state bicycle/pedestrian coordinator.

Both of these individuals are knowledgeable about state laws and resources and may be able to assist your community with this rail-trail project. Also, you may want to contact the abandoning railroad to add your name to their service list.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE: RTC's Web site may provide valuable tools as you plan for a rail-trail, including how-to manuals, the Trail-Building Toolbox, our Publications Library and the Trails & Greenways Listserv for trail advocates and professionals. These resources can be found within the "Trail-Building" section of our Web site. If you take advantage of this information and other resources promptly, you will be well on your way to creating a successful rail-trail in your community. For more information, or if you decide to pursue railbanking, please contact Kelly Pack at kellyp@railstotrails.org.

Photo of Coal Creek Trail in Cedar City, Utah, courtesy TrailLink.com

Notice: Upcoming Railroad Abandonment in Franklin and Hardin counties, and in Wright County, Iowa

Jake Lynch — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:30:00 GMT

RECEIVE RAILROAD ABANDONMENT NOTICES FOR YOUR STATE VIA E-MAIL

On May 16, 2013, North Central Railway Association filed for the abandonment of 10.46 miles of track between Geneva and Ackley within Franklin and Hardin counties in Iowa (Google Maps image, right).

And on May 15, 2013, Union Pacific Railroad Company filed for the abandonment of 0.5 mile of track just north of the city of Belmond within Wright County, Iowa. The corridor is adjacent to the existing Franklin Grove Heritage Trail.

We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop multi-use trails that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

NEXT STEPS: If either of these corridors are suitable for trail use, we strongly urge local trail advocates, or an appropriate local, regional or state agency or organization, to take action now. A "boiler plate" letter (found here) can be filed with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and the abandoning railroad using STB docket number AB-586 (sub-no. 3x), for the corridor in Franklin and Hardin counties. For the corridor in Wright County, use STP docket number AB-33 (sub-no. 292x).

Filing this letter does not commit its authors to acquire the corridor; it merely gives time to develop a rail-trail proposal and undertake negotiations with the railroad. According to the information we have received, the deadline for filing this letter is June 30, 2013. Even if this deadline is missed, there is probably still time to contact the relevant parties, since the railroad may have experienced a delay in filing all of the paperwork, or the STB may still have jurisdiction over the corridor. However, it is important to take prompt action. The STB posts all abandonment decisions and filings on its Web site, including the complete filing for this corridor. More information on the rail corridor, including a map, can be found in this filing.