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Focus Term: Tourism and Economic Development


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Changemakers for Trails Training: Making your Voice Heard and Shaping Federal Decisions
March 24, 2025
This is a crucial moment for the walking, biking and trails movement, and through our collective advocacy, we can ensure that trails have the robust support and funding they need to remain safe and vibrant pillars of our community! During this training, RTC panelists discussed how recent federal decisions could affect the way trails are […]
Photo courtesy TrailLink
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Central Indiana Trail-Oriented Development Study
March 16, 2025
Trail-oriented Development (TrOD) is a planning approach that clusters residential and commercial spaces around trails, creating walkable, human-scaled environments designed for active transportation, recreation, and business growth. Central Indiana features a growing network of trails, including the Monon Trail and Fall Creek Trail, with vibrant areas like Broad Ripple and Carmel Midtown successfully embracing TrOD […]
Indiana's Indianapolis Cultural Trail | Photo by Cindy Dickerson
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Kansas’ Prairie Spirit Trail State Park
March 03, 2025

The 53-mile Prairie Spirit Trail State Park encompasses iconic Kansas landscape and was the first significant rail-trail in Kansas.

Historic Garnett Depot along the Prairie Spirit Trail State Park | Photo courtesy Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
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Arizona’s Rillito River Park Trail
February 03, 2025

Tucson’s Rillito River Park Trail is a 137-mile trail network and took top honors in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice polls in both 2021 and 2022.

Rillito River Park Trail's Tracks and Trails mural | Photo Courtesy Pima County Public Art
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16 Trails Featured in Movies and Television
January 28, 2025

For some cinematic fun, here’s a list of 16 trails featured in movies and television including Rocky, Field Of Dreams and Stand By Me.

Rocky Balboa statue in Philadelphia | Photo courtesy Eva Garcia
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Hawai’i’s Ke Ala Hele Makālae
September 04, 2024

Ke Ala Hele Makālae, which runs for 8 miles along Kaua’i’s Coconut Coast, was inducted into Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame.

Bicyclists on Hawaii's Ke Ala Hele Makālae | Photo courtesy Kauai Path
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Missouri’s Rock Island Trail State Park: Building Miles and Momentum
July 08, 2024

The Katy Trail State Park and Rock Island Trail State Park would form a trail loop of almost 450 miles—something unique to the world.

Groundbreaking in Owensville, Missouri, along the developing Rock Island Trail State Park | Photo courtesy Friends of Rock Island Trail State Park
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Pennsylvania’s Armstrong Trails
July 08, 2024

Pennsylvania’s Armstrong Trails is a 52.5-mile route—connecting more than a dozen communities in Armstrong, Clarion and Westmoreland counties.

Armstrong Trails board members | Photo by Chris Ziegler
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Five Years Of Progress On Great American Rail-Trail Elevates National Impact Of Active Transportation Infrastructure
May 07, 2024

RTC marked 5th anniversary of the Great American Rail-Trail alongside Warrior Expeditions, REI Co-op, members of Congress and state officials.

Warrior Expeditions bike ride to commemorate 5th anniversary of Great American Rail-Trail | Photo by Mariah Miranda Photography
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10 Unique Lodgings Along the Great American Rail-Trail
April 14, 2024

We highlight lodging along the Great American Rail-Trail, and history buffs can find more from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Washington's Iron Horse Inn Bed and Breakfast is located adjacent to the Cle Elum Depot along the Great American Rail-Trail | Photo courtesy Iron Horse Inn Bed and Breakfast