Reasons to Promote Rail Trail Development

Below are my “Top 10 11 12 13 Reasons to Promote Rail Trail Development.”

1. Provide free access to recreational opportunities with healthy benefits
2. Stimulate economic development: retain and attract businesses, stimulate new business
3. Increase property values by making communities more desirable
4. Increase recreational tourism
5. Preserve and highlight early transportation routes
6. Provide routes for alternative transportation to work, school, or town
7. Provide a site for special activities as benefit runs, biking clinics, etc.
8. Reestablish the links between small towns that once thrived with railroad activities
9. Help build community partnerships
10. Provide environmental benefits by protecting natural resources and habitats
11. Provide educational opportunities both historical and environmental
12. Enhance the marketability of the locale
13. Rail trails are lots of fun!

For additional supporting information on the positive effects of Rail Trail development click the links below.

Rail to Trails Conservancy

York County Rail Trail Authority

C&O Canal Trail - Williamsport, MD

Last week, I came across an article on one of my favorite towns along the C&O Canal Trail,



Williamsport, MD.  The article which is linked below focused on business owners in Williamsport's plan to attract tourists. This tourist has been attracted to Williamsport since my first bicycle trip down the C&O Canal. Beautiful town located next to the Potomac River. I have enjoyed pizza at Tony's Pizza Time Cafe, coffee and sandwich at Desert Rose Cafe and had my bicycle serviced at River City Cycles. However what made me a fan of Williamsport, MD were the people.

I recommend that anyone planning a trip along the C&O Canal Trail plan a stop in Williamsport, MD.

Business owners: Williamsport's plan to attract tourists is working.

Rail Trail Expansion Continues To Grow

Humboldt County, CA hopes to continue the trend of recent rail trail expansion by proposing the conversion of a 145 mile line between Humboldt County and Willits. Below is an excerpt and link to the full article.

Humboldt County group pushes rail-to-trail conversion

By GLENDA ANDERSON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

It's been 13 years since a freight train rumbled along the precarious 145-mile line between Willits and Humboldt Bay.

Now, reflecting a nationwide trend, a Humboldt County group is proposing that the decrepit, rock slide-prone railroad tracks that run through the steep Eel River Canyon be converted into trails for hikers, bikers and equestrians.

“Unless they find a way to bring rail service back, they ought to allow us to turn it into a trail,” said Chris Weston, a teacher, real estate investor and founder of the fledgling Eel River Trails Association.

Click here to read the entire article.

League of American Bicyclists * National Bike Summit

National Bike Summit
March 8-10, 2011
Grand Hyatt|Metro Center|D.C.

Acting on a simple solution - national bike Summit

There are more people riding bikes than ever. Yet half of all U.S. trips are three miles or less, and more than 90 percent are made by car. The National Bike Summit has improved bicycle-friendliness and livability in many communities, but the need and opportunity to improve physical activity, safety and livability in the U.S., while reducing congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on oil – remains greater today than a decade ago.

League of American Bicyclists * National Bike Summit

13,000 Mile of Converted Rail Trails

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More than 13,000 miles of unused rail lines already have been converted into recreational trails nationwide. To see where our state of N.C. is in relation to others click here. For a a state by state search visit TrailLink.com.

Virginia Creeper Trail Excursion

My wife and I along with 2 of our boys just returned from a trip to the VA Creeper Trail. The Creeper Trail in Damascus, VA is one of my favorite rail trails. The trail is 34 miles long from White Top Mountain to Abingdon, VA. Several hiking trails including the Appalachian Trail are in the area if you like to mix a little hiking into your vacation. What a wonderful excursion!


Of course the rail trail has its many beautiful sites. And despite our numerous visits to the Creeper we always find something new and exciting along the trail. But they are only part of what makes for a wonderful getaway. Unexpected occurrences that are not often taken into consideration when planning excursions are what make it special. Who could possibly anticipate how much fun it is to wrap blankets around each other while sitting on the deck of a secluded cabin after sundown and gaze at millions of stars? Or the thrill of a 9 year old catching a large catfish in a cool rain.

The greatest wonders of all were the angels we met along the way. Friendly, warm helpful people! Particularly helpful was the young man who volunteered to carry one of our bicycles that had a broken chain for 2 miles.

Great memories that will be recalled for years to come! To view more photos click here.

Mass Central Rail Trail

 

An intrepid adventure traveler can still find traces of it in the wilderness. A 104 mile railroad line was shattered by a hurricane in 1938. The line once stretched from downtown Boston to Northampton, MA.
Now, almost seventy years later, dedicated volunteers, property owners and our government agencies and business partner in 24 communities are working to dig it out and open it up. Instead of trains there will be tourists and locals, bed & breakfast inns, cross-country skiers, bicyclists, hikers, joggers, and babies in baby carriages.

Mass Central Rail Trail