A Year of Joy and Progress for Trails
This year really underscored how trails are transforming lives and bringing joy to people and communities—as Rails to Trails Conservancy worked to advocate for and empower trail network development across the country. Trails and trail networks continue to solidify their place as essential infrastructure for everyday life, and RTC is so proud to be celebrating new trail openings, record-level investments and community-led advocacy that more deeply connected us all to the places we live, work and want to be.
Tapping Into the Joy of Trails
Throughout the year, energy and optimism were evident on trails across the country.
RTC’s Celebrate Trails Day 2024 was the largest yet for the nation, with events held on April 27 in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Around the country, people demonstrated their support for trails via group rides, nature walks, family-friendly festivals, volunteer cleanups and more, reinforcing the roles trails play in connecting people to their communities, to nature and to each other. Together, thousands of people logged an incredible 2.1 million active minutes outdoors on Celebrate Trails Day.
2024 Benefits of Trails
97%
of people report that trails make a difference for their mental health and well-being.81%
of people say they go to trails to be physically active.85%
of people say that having events or programming on the trail motivates them to be physically active.53%
of people report being active at least 5 days in the past week.
This collective enthusiasm for time spent on trails reflects a broader movement to connect people and places. This spirit of the trail was exemplified this year by the Great American Rail-Trail®, which reached a major milestone—it’s fifth anniversary! In celebration, RTC partnered with a team of veterans from Warrior Expeditions, who used the birthday commemoration as a launchpad to bike the 3,700-mile route, showcasing the potential of trails to foster healing and purpose.
“After sacrificing so much for the country we love and its way of life, there is no better way to gain an appreciation for our nation’s natural beauty and diverse communities than by biking across it.”
—Sean Gobin, Executive Director, Warrior Expeditions
RTC and partners across the Great American’s 12 states and the nation’s capital made some awesome progress in 2024 as we worked to fill in gaps along the route. Communities saw new trail segments completed in five states as well as key advances in planning and feasibility, including a newly approved 10-mile route that will close a gap in Nebraska’s MoPac Trail East between Omaha and Lincoln. The impact of the Great American Rail-Trail on the forward progress of this section of trail has been invaluable, said Julie Harris, executive director of Bike Walk Nebraska, who—when asked—gave it a “10 out of 10 in terms of importance.”
“[Closing the gap] might have happened eventually, but it would not have happened right now if not for being part of this cross-country trail,” affirmed Harris.
Don’t miss: “Someday, We’ll Bike on a Path Across America. But First, Nebraska.” (The New York Times, November 2024)
By the Numbers
The Great American Rail-Trail officially surpassed 55% completion in 2024!
- 11.9 new miles were added, bringing the total added since the project launched to 124.79.
- An additional 160 trail miles are in the pipeline, signaling steady momentum toward realizing the vision of a 3,700-mile coast-to-coast trail.
- $161.1 million has been invested in trail development, including $35.1 million in new funding this year alone!
Investing in More Spaces to be Active Outside
Record-Level Federal Investment in 2024
With more states embracing impactful policy changes, communities of all sizes and across diverse geographies are benefiting from the transformative power of investments in multiuse trails and greenways. RTC led the advocacy and provided direct assistance and resources to help communities secure an estimated $2.8 billion in federal funding for active transportation in 2024. Impactful programs include Transportation Alternatives and the Recreational Trails Program—the nation’s largest sources of federal funding for trails, walking and bicycling—as well as other federal discretionary grants such as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s RAISE program. Through RAISE, more than $425 million was awarded to projects entirely focused on trails, walking and bicycling in 2024, and that funding is already being put to work to create, connect and maintain America’s trail system.
Many of these investments will create more connectivity within neighborhoods and between regions, prioritizing projects that bring safe, convenient walking and biking access to under-resourced and underrepresented communities. For example, in Washington, D.C., $25 million will create new access to the Capital Trails Network, and in Baltimore, a portion of a $15 million grant will be used to connect South Baltimore with the developing 35-mile Baltimore Greenway Trails Network. In Wisconsin, the City of Waukesha received $1.1 million to design two key trail bridges within the regional Route of the Badger trail network, addressing safety concerns at highway intersections. All three trail networks are part of RTC’s TrailNation™ initiative, a nationwide effort to catalyze trail and active transportation networks for millions of Americans.
States Acknowledge Importance of Mode Shift in Reducing Vehicle Emissions
In reviewing state Carbon Reduction Program plans, RTC found that more than 30 states across the political spectrum documented the importance of mode shift (i.e., shifting car trips to walking, biking or public transportation) and reducing vehicle miles traveled as important to reducing emissions.
Big Ballot Wins for Trails and Active Transportation
When trails are on the ballot—they win. This was evident in communities across the United States, which are demanding more safe, accessible and sustainable transportation and recreation options, and reinforcing a growing national trend of voter support for trails, biking, walking and public transit.
In 2024, RTC supported seven successful ballot initiatives across six states in collaboration with local and state partners that resulted in a collective billions of dollars for trails and active transportation. These initiatives were largely driven by local advocacy and collaboration, highlighting the desire for communities to invest in safe, accessible, sustainable transportation and recreation options.
In Pennsylvania, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) approved landmark funding—including $120 million in federal Carbon Reduction Program funding to connect significant segments of the 800-mile Circuit Trails network in the Greater Philadelphia–Camden, New Jersey area. On a related note, California’s Proposition 4 secured $1.54 billion for climate resilience measures (which includes trail funding), and neighboring Washington residents voted to preserve a major climate law ensuring funding for trails and active transportation.
The Midwest saw some exciting developments in regional connectivity—as Johnson and Story county voters in Iowa passed local funding measures for trails, including key sections of the Great American Rail-Trail, while voters in Ohio approved a levy generating $60 million annually for trails and sidewalks. Meanwhile—down South in Lake County, Florida, voters approved $25 million for trails as part of a conservation bond, and in New England, Maine’s $30 million trails bond will repair and expand trail access statewide.
The poll also showed overwhelming support among Baltimore residents for complete streets initiatives and a significant desire for walking and biking infrastructure, which respondents viewed as a critical component for the well-being and connectivity of Baltimore’s neighborhoods. Learn more in “Baltimore Voters Support Equitable Transportation Funding and Enhanced Trail Infrastructure.”
Uplifting Communities, Connections and Connectors
To elevate and unlock the economic, health and quality-of-life benefits of trail networks nationwide, RTC awarded 41 Trail Grants in 2024 totaling more than $421,000. RTC is proud to support the work and leadership that goes into creating lasting connections and impact in the communities the grantees serve—bringing new infrastructure and programming to make it more equitable for people to safely walk, bike and be active outside.
What’s New in 2024?
- In Missouri, the master plan for the Rock Island Trail was released by Missouri State Parks last fall, spurring two groundbreakings in 2024. Gerald, a small city on the eastern end of the Rock Island corridor, was the first, with a celebratory kickoff for their trail in January. Owensville followed suit with a groundbreaking for their 2.5-mile section in April at the City Hall.
- In California, a new 8.2-mile trail segment between St. Helena and Calistoga opened on the Napa Valley Vine Trail.
- Pennsylvania closed one of their Top 10 Trail Gaps. Officials cut the ribbon on the 0.1-mile Bridge Street Crossing along the D&L Trail in Morrisville. The new segment, which consists of two ramps and a street crossing, forges an ADA-accessible connection on the D&L Trail that was previously impassable and creates a 75-mile section of uninterrupted trail from Bristol to Easton.
Honoring Sarah Clark Stuart, 2024 Rail-Trail Champion
In October 2024, RTC was pleased to name Sarah Clark Stuart—trails and transportation manager for the City of Philadelphia Department of Streets—the Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion of the year for her visionary leadership on the Circuit Trails network, which will eventually connect across 860 miles in Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey. Central to the progress of the Circuit Trails, Stuart’s advocacy, ingenuity and determination have made it safer and more accessible to walk and bike across the region.
Learn more about Stuart and her impact.
Hawaii Enters Hall of Fame!
The newest member of RTC’s Hall of Fame, Ke Ala Hele Makālae on the Hawaiian island of Kaua‘i, stretches 8 miles from Lydgate Beach Park to Kuna Bay. Frequently hailed as a prime example of the collaboration between government, private and community partnerships, the trail—chosen for the Hall of Fame by a national vote—offers island residents and visitors a safe, paved and scenic space for exercise and transportation. The much-loved trail also offers opportunities to gather insight into local culture, ecology and history through wayfinding and interpretive signage. RTC was pleased to induct the trail into the Hall of Fame in a formal ceremony in Hawaii in August!
Donate
Everyone deserves access to safe ways to walk, bike, and be active outdoors.
