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 […]

In thousands of communities, the place people head for some exercise is the trail. Whether they’re training for a marathon or using their local trail system to get to work, people are racking up minutes of physical activity on the trails where they live. These moments on the trail are so much more than a […]

Project Details Lead Authority: The Circuit Trails CoalitionTotal Project Cost: $182,378,211Funding Pledged to Date: $137,428,211 Federal: $70,307,797Mixed Fed/State: $9,472,435State: $23,000,062Local: $18,602,262Private: $16,045,655 Shovel-Ready: Immediately, depending on segmentType: Suburban, urban Transformative Impact Job Creation: An estimated 764 jobs directly1 Economic Impact: A study by the New Jersey Department of Transportation found that active transportation contributed nearly $500 million to the state’s economy in 2011.2 Another 2011 study […]

A region brimming with great trails makes for an appealing outdoor destination. That is why the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition (IHTC) is working to complete and connect a system of shared use trails across 51 counties in western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and southwest New York. IHTC’s vision is that this “Industrial Heartland” […]

This report was made possible through support from the York County Economic Alliance Trail Town Program, York County Department of Parks and Recreation, and the York County Rail Trail Authority. Trail Towns Program is a collaborative process with outreach to local governments, residents, and business owners in order for each town to reach its potential […]

A Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) TrailNation project, and led in partnership with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA), the Industrial Heartlands Trail Coalition brings together leaders from more than 100 agencies and organizations across four states– Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and West Virginia, to establish the Industrial […]

A new analysis by Headwaters Economics in partnership with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy reveals that the Great American Rail-Trail®—the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail—will have a significant economic impact on the communities it serves due to the trail’s potential to bring visitors, businesses, spending, jobs, income and tax revenue to the communities along the 3,700-mile route. The Great American […]

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE GREAT AMERICAN RAIL-TRAIL VISION Imagine pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects you to historic routes from coast to coast. You’re enthralled in the experience of exploring America’s heritage—its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places. Consider the intimacy […]

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is leading a national study to better understand the barriers to trail use with a particular focus on race and gender. Our research is built upon regional and national survey instruments developed and implemented over the past 18 months, with a goal of better understanding how the trails movement can support efforts to bring more […]

Join trail professionals from around the United States for an in-depth discussion around data collection along trails. Panelists share how they have developed trail traffic monitoring programs, on the local, regional and national level, as well as how they are collecting more detailed information about who is using their trails. The discussion includes a focus […]