Rails-to-Trails Conservancy announced plans for its Great American Rail-Trail, connecting 4,000 miles of rail-trail and other multiuser trails between Washington State and Washington, D.C. The plans come after nearly two years of analysis and collaboration.
The full route of the trail comes out later this year, but includes 12 gateway trails. Confirmed gateway trails include Capital Crescent Trail between Washington, D.C., and Maryland; a 185-mile trail within Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park; the 29-mile Panhandle Trail through Pennsylvania and West Virginia; 270-mile Ohio to Erie Trail; Cardinal Greenway and Hennepin Canal Parkway, both in Indiana; 52-mile Cedar Valley Natural Trail in Iowa; one of the longest rail-trails in the country, the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail in Nebraska, at 219 miles; Casper Rail Trail in Wyoming; Headwaters Trail System in Montana; Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes in Idaho; and Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail in Washington State.
“At RTC, we’ve known the potential of a coast-to-coast rail-trail for decades,” said Keith Laughlin, president, RTC. “But before we committed to bringing this vision to life, we wanted to be certain it was viable. With open trails comprising more than 50 percent of the potential route, combined with strong local and state enthusiasm, we are now confident that the Great American Rail-Trail can be completed. RTC is ready to lead the effort to connect the trail across communities, counties and state lines to create a seamless off-road biking and walking journey for the country.”
“The Great American Rail-Trail is a bold vision — one that will take years to complete. The investment of time and resources necessary to complete this trail will be returned many times over as it takes its place among the country’s national treasures,” he continued. “As we embark on the journey to complete the Great American Rail-Trail, we embark on the single greatest trail project in the history of the United States. One that comes with an important legacy of unity, ambition and access to the outdoors for the nation. One that represents an opportunity to do something big for America.”
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