SElylEMBER llM NAllONAL MEMORIAL rCE® World Trade Center. Pentagon, Shanksville,

SEPTEMBER I ITn NATIONAL MEMORIAL Join us in building a new national trail

In remembranceof September 11, 2001 , when the and the world were shocked by an act of terrorism beyond imagination, our citizens throughout the country have an opporhnity to be part of a national trail named the September 11 th National Memorial Trail; built as a tribute to all those who gave their all in America's singleworst terrorist attack. The establishmentof a biking, hiking anddriving trail will provide a physical linkage connecting the three memorials commemorating the tragic events that occurred at the Pentagon,Flight 93 crash site near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the World Trade Center. The trail servesas a symbol of the resiliency, perseveranceand character of the victims, their families and the aust responders on the scene.

The September I lth National Memorial Trail will eventually be a 1,300-mile non-motorized cycling and walking route. The trail will also have an on-road alignment connecting the memorials. Localities along the planned route would be vital hubs with the trail serving as an important recreational and transportation venue for promoting tourism, economic development, healthy bodies and minds, and cultural and educational opportunities for generations to come.

The trai]'s concept began on September 15, 2001 when participants Oom states, federal and local entities joined together at the Mid-Atlantic Govemors Conference on Greenways, Blueways and Green Infrastructure held in Arlington, Virginia. This multi-stateconference, which had been planned over the previous year, took place just blocks south of the Pentagon, and only days after September 11 , 2001

At the conclusion of the conference, the idea was presented of planning a trial connecting the three crash sites The thought was to establish a continuously-linked multipurpose,non-motorized trail offeringvaried opportunitiesincluding walking, hiking, cycling and handicap accessibility, which would be an actively used memorial honoring those who gave their lives upholding America's values of freedom, democracy and perseverance.

The non-profit SeptemberI lth National Memorial Trail Alliance has beenplanning the trail based on the use of existing trails and greenways, and roads wherever possible. It has received the support of the , , Virginia, Pennsylvania and , Rails-To-Trails Conservancy, the East Coast Alliance, the ,the Pentagon Memorial Fund and the federal Flight 93 Advisory Commission among others. The trail is shapedas a triangle, unbroken and forever connecting 's National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Pentagon Memorial and the Flight 93 National Memorial. The first leg of the trail begins at the Pentagon Memorial extending north along the National Park Service's 184-mile Chesapeake & Ohio National Historical Park (vb'ww.nps.gov/CHOH) which follows the in Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland; then connecting to the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage(GAP) (www.atatrail.org) completed to under the leadership of The Allegheny Trail Alliance. It proceeds east for approximately 25 miles from the Great Allegheny Passageto the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset , Pennsylvania. The Chesapeake& Ohio National Historical Park and the Great Allegheny Passageare part of the PotomacHeritage National ScenicTrail. (www.nps.gov/pohe)

The secondleg extendseast from the Flight 93 National Memorial to New York City's National September lIMemorial& Museum. This 461-mile segmentfollows roadsand existing or new trails to be built; especially taking advantageof Pennsylvania's many rails-to-trails. With strong support from the govemor's office and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Alliance has developed the route from the Great Allegheny Passageto the New Jersey line, where it continues to New York City. Somerset County is managing a DCNR trail grant for the Alliance. CSX Corporation has generously donated an abandoned railroad corridor which will be used as an important link between the Flight 93 National Memorial and the Great Allegheny Passage.A loop in the 9/1 I Trail connect Harrisburg with Gettysburg National Memorial and other sights.

The New Jersey route from Pennsylvaniato New York City follows the Liberty Water Gap Trail. This 130-mile system of trails links six trails from the Delaware Water Gap to the and the Waterfront Walk. Strong partnerships have developed with Morris Cotmty and the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry among others. A grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation has been used to develop the route through New Jersey including the connection flom New York City south to Trenton where it continues back into Pennsylvania.

The 337-mile third leg from New York City's National September 11 Memorial & Museum to the Pentagon Memorial aligns to a great extent with the East Coast Greenway; a greenway being developed for non- motorized multi-use. Under the direction of the East Coast Greenway Alliance (www.greenway.org) and called the "urban equivalent of the ", this 3,000-mile planned greenway extends from to ,

As the September 11'h National Memorial Trail approachesPhiladelphia along the EastCoast Greenway it connects with The Garden of Reflection; "the official Pennsylvania Memorial to the Victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorists" and Valley Forge. The 9/1 1 Trail then continues on the East Coast Greenwaythrough Delaware, and Annapolis in Maryland. Maryland's Departmentof Natural Resourceshas been very supportive. The route continues into the District of Columbia passing the WashingtonMonument and Lincoln Memorial across the Memorial Bridge and merging onto Virginia's Mount Vemon Trail to the PentagonMemorial with an extension to George Washington's Mount Vemon

The September I lth National Memorial Trail will be a fabric of local trails, greenways and roads weaved together. Look up the A]]iance at www.9] I Trail.ora and follow the route on our Photo Tour. Thenjoin our efforts to complete the gaps in this national trail; a pilgrimage trail to honor those heroesof 9/1 1, and a national trail for all to enjoy.

David Brinkley,President and CEO September1 1 th National Memorial Trail Alliance 91 I Trail(@comcast.net (0) 703-628-5007 www.91 I Trail.org 6/3 /2016

September 11thNational Memorial TraiIAlliance P.O. Box 6986, Woodbridge, Virginia 221 95 www:911Trail:ora . [email protected] > Z 0 D= -] B 0 30 3 0 3

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