Trails

OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 27, 2024 -- With the goal of sharing its expertise on trail development and construction, the Midwest Region of RTCA led a well-attended trails workshop Oct. 16 and 17 at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, North Dakota.

The National Park Service announced the selection of seven new communities and partners across the southeast to receive expert consultation from the NPS to help spur local recreation, conservation and economic development opportunities. The recipients —located in FL, GA, KY, LA, SC, and TN — were selected through a competitive process and will receive assistance to help make their rivers, trails, greenways and open spaces vital, life-enhancing parts of their communities.

The recommendations in this proposal are the culmination of four years of collaborative work by the Cascade Head Scenic Research Area (CHSRA) Trails and Access Coordination Team, a diverse group of stakeholders, residents, nonprofits, and federal, state, and local agencies. Together with information gathered through stakeholder input, this Coordination Team developed recommendations that both improve the recreational experience and protect the resources of the CHSRA.

In 2000, Groundwork Lawrence facilitated a community planning effort that became the Spicket River Greenway. Today, the Spicket River Greenway consists of 3.5 miles of new and restored parks and trails that connect multiple neighborhoods, schools and community centers.

Recreation Northwest collaborated with The National Park Service - Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program to develop a community program that would get more people outside and active in their parks and trails. NPS-RTCA engaged residents, healthcare providers, and park and land managers in assessing local health needs, evolving a community vision, and inventorying parks and outdoor recreation opportunities.

The nonprofit organization, Alaska Trails, recognized that Alaska’s rich natural environment could help improve the health of residents, increase quality of life and further advance the state’s recreation economy. To evolve their vision, Alaska Trails requested assistance from the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA) and 41 other public and nonprofit organizations.

Thanks to the efforts of a National Park Service partnership with nonprofit organizations, local, and state agencies, Lakeshore visitors can now safely stroll, bike, and in winter months ski portions of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage Trail. A 27-mile route linking the neighboring communities of Glen Arbor and Empire, Michigan, to visitor destinations within the National Lakeshore.

The Blue Mountain Region Trail Plan is a community-driven strategy that spans over two states, three counties and involves more than 30 partners. The National Park Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program worked with Washington and Oregon towns to plan a 354-mile multi-purpose trail network that fosters physical and community connections in the region.

The community of Moab requested assistance from the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA) to help revitalize Lions Park, the central hub for all roadways, and make it a welcoming gateway to the city.

With assistance from the National Park Service, the community of Kingston, New York, in Ulster County is well on its way to becoming a hub for outdoor recreation and active transportation. The Ulster County Rail Trail Connection Project seeks to expand the current trail system and convert abandoned rail corridors to create an interconnected network throughout the county.