You might think of trails in rural or mountain regions, but we’re not focused on one place or one type of trail; rather, we look for opportunities to bring more trails to communities, which often means repurposing existing rail lines. And you might not know this, John, but Trust for Public Land is the second-most prolific rails-to-trails organization across the country.
TPL’s Director of National Trails Initiatives, J.T. Horn, speaks enthusiastically about creating backcountry trails, but also repurposing existing infrastructure into carbon-free transportation corridors: “Trails are one of the ways we deliver great open space in cities and rural communities,” he says. “If you’re thinking about laying out a trail in an urban landscape, existing linear features such as rail lines and utility rights-of-way are one of the best ways to connect people, get them out of their cars, achieve climate benefits, and increase access.” Plus, he adds, “when we are doing our best work, we can reunite communities by changing the original narratives written by many rail lines that historically divided communities.”
From The 606 in Chicago, a former elevated rail line through an industrial stretch of the city's northwest side, to Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail in Northern California, and the Cuyahoga-Lake Link Trail in Cleveland, we’ve connected communities across the country. But with 1 in 3 people in the U.S. still lacking close-to-home, quality greenspace, we've got more work to do.
Your support is essential to this work, ensuring that these trails, greenspaces, and public lands continue to bring communities together—and remain places we can access freely.
The next, most inspiring project we work on is waiting for your matched support. Thanks for being a part of it.
