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Focus Term: Tourism and Economic Development


Blog
Trail Moments | A Tale of a Tour: Traveling by Trail in Wisconsin
February 24, 2022

Traveling by bike allows you see snapshots of people’s daily lives and interact with them. “Traveling lets you see a thousand lives you might have lived.”

Traveling by trail | Courtesy Rachel and Patrick Hugens
Blog
Take an American Adventure on 10 Presidential Pathways
February 20, 2022

Just in time for Presidents’ Day, here are 10 multiuse trails that share ties with some notable U.S. heads of state.

Virginia's Mount Vernon Trail | Photo by TrailLink user ringogarcia1972 Virginia's Mount Vernon Trail | Photo by TrailLink user ringogarcia1972
Blog
Indiana’s Big 4 Trail
January 10, 2022

Surrounded by tree canopies, beautiful countryside and the charm of small towns, the Big 4 Trail traverses a Midwestern wonderland. The developing rail-trail serves as an important regional connector—spreading diagonally across Boone County, crossing into Clinton County and, eventually, continuing into Tippecanoe County.

Indiana's Big 4 Trail | Courtesy Town of Zionsville
Blog
Trail Moments | Letting the Good (and Bad) Times Roll: New York Bike Shop Opens in the Midst of a Covid World
January 02, 2022

Simon’s bike rental shop, a first for the town, is situated on Hurleyville’s Main Street, just steps from the rail-trail. “It’s 7 miles of beautiful, flat pavement.”

Fortress Bikes interior | Courtesy Hal Simon
Blog
Breaking News: The Rock Island Trail Is On Track to Be Game-Changer for Missouri
December 13, 2021

The State of Missouri announced that they have officially railbanked the 144-mile Rock Island Railroad corridor.

Graphic by RTC, photo courtesy Missouri Rock Island Trail Inc.
Blog
Federal Grants RAISE the Bar for Active Transportation Investments
November 22, 2021

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced nearly $1 billion in RAISE grants this cycle, “that will improve infrastructure, strengthen supply chains, make us safer, advance equity, and combat climate change.”

Courtesy Getty Images
Blog
Taters and Trains: The Great Big Baked Potato and the Northern Pacific Line
November 09, 2021

In 1908 Hazen Titus was the new superintendent of dining cars for the now-defunct Northern Pacific Line when he overheard a conversation.

Sheet music image | Courtesy University of Colorado, Music Library
Blog
The Build Back Better Act Could Create New Opportunities for Trail and Active Transportation Funding
November 05, 2021

The Build Back Better Act includes programs that address critical transportation and infrastructure issues, such as economic development, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and equity.

Georgia's Silver Comet Trail | Photo by Seth Holladay
Blog
Close Ties: Louisiana Bootlace Trail Network
October 25, 2021

Trail advocates in Louisiana are coming together with a vision to create a 100-miles-plus trail network loop that will lace together a dozen parishes.

Part of the developing Louisiana Bootlace Trail Network, New Orleans’ Wisner Trail is nestled between two popular recreational amenities - City Park and Bayou St. John. Photo by Jennifer Ruley, courtesy City of New Orleans.
Blog
Iowa’s Raccoon River Valley Trail
September 09, 2021

In pastoral west-central Iowa, the Raccoon River Valley Trail has won this year’s blue-ribbon prize: entrance into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame.

Perry's depot along the Raccoon River Valley Trail | Courtesy Raccoon River Valley Trail Association
Trail survey graphic with black female bicyclists on trail in winter next to RTC green t-shirt