Heartland Pathways and Kickapoo Rail Trail Lead Illinois Prairie SAVING Preservation AMERICA’S Efforts PRAIRIES

Winter.16 Inspiring Movement

Connecting the Wild West 2015 Rail- Trail Hall of Fame On the Urban Conservation Trail I SUPPORT Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Name: Stuart Jonas Where I live: My wife and I live in Grand Rapids, Mich. Age: 56 What I do: I am an account manager for a biometric firm, although I have been back to work for only a few months because of an illness I’ve had for the past five years. My hobbies are playing my custom-built guitar, and riding a bike when the weather and my body will cooperate. I also like to do as a hobby what I do in my job: work with computers. Most inspiring articles I’ve read recently: I have been most inspired by The Grand Rapids Pressarticles by Sue Schroder about other people’s struggles with cancer, since that hits oh so close to home. Latest or greatest accomplishment: I have at least two of them: learning to take care of myself and walk after brain surgery on a non-malignant tumor; then, six months later, surviving stage 4 Non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I like to think that the thought of riding with my friends was one of the most powerful motivators I had, next to my family. I’d rather be: ME—because others may look appealing, but their lives might have the same ups and downs as mine. And, who knows, theirs could be worse. Besides, I have come to like who I am and what I am. A personal goal: Riding the Dick Allen Lansing to MACkinaw bike ride; it’s about 300 to 400 miles, depending on the route, but the scenery and camaraderie would be great. A person I admire: My wife’s aunt, Mim Schneider. She battled cancer for at least four years. Although she lost the fight, she always smiled at the world and the people she met. She was a great example of living with a disease and not letting it control your entire life. Inspirational quote: “What I do this day is very important because I am trading a day of my life for it.” —author unknown My favorite rail-trail experience: When I completed my final treatment, a good friend promised me a “victory lap” on our bikes. Little did I realize it would turn out to be a longer ride than I expected. We spent the better part of the morning and into early afternoon riding. It was a gorgeous day, and riding was a real pleasure, with great scenery and a good friend to share it with. Now I need to “pay it forward” to someone else who has gone through cancer treatment and has come out on the victory end of it. I’ve been a Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) member since: I joined RTC in 2012 and have been a paperless member since 2013. Why I support RTC through a paperless membership: Two reasons: 1) to give to a cause I wholeheartedly support, and 2) to not forget to make my donation to that cause. I kept forgetting to make the donation; I found the paperless membership to be quick to make, and painless for me and the family budget.

Add your unique voice to the rail-trail movement by becoming a paperless member of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Learn more at railstotrails.org/support

or call 202.331.9696. BRIAN KELLY rails t o trails winter.16 Inspiring Movement

features

The Outdoor Advocate St.14 Louis-based active lifestyle consultant and trail developer Greg Brumitt discusses why trail use is a powerful driver in urban conservation initiatives. BY AMY KAPP

Connecting the Wild West: 16the Greater Yellowstone Trail Passing through three states and a vast collection of parks and federally protected lands, the proposed 180- mile Greater Yellowstone Trail project is creating new links to America’s preservation heritage. BY KATIE HARRIS

A View From … The Wild From20 birds to buﬀ alos (and even s ea lions), these wildlife snapshots prove that you never know what nature has in store along America’s rail-trails. BY DANIELLE TAYLOR

Saving America’s Prairies Running through some of the last tallgrass prairie in the world, Illinois’ Heartland Pathways and Kickapoo Rail Trail are helping to preserve—and8 create connections to— one of America’s critical ecosystems. DAVID REID DAVID BY ELIZABETH STRIANO CHRIS BUCHER 24 Community Connections departments I Symbolic Legacy: Pennsylvania’s Heritage Rail Trail County Park and

CAMRIN DENGEL Point of View Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail (2015 2 Rail-Trail Hall of Fame) I Midwest Masterpiece: Minneapolis’ 3 Members Network Midtown Greenway (2015 Rail-Trail Hall of Fame) Tracks ‘n’ Ties I In Memory of Rail-Trail Champion I4 Eye On: Alabama’s Rotary Trail Deb Hubsmith I Trail Tales: A Lifetime of Biking Comes Full Circle for Philly Railroad Rail-Trail Report 16 Retiree 26 27 Destination: Florida 6 Greetings From … Part of Florida’s award-winning state Connecticut, Wyoming, Missouri park system, Tallahassee’s St. Marks DOUG ALDERSON and Virginia Trail is a scenic and challenging 16-mile 27 ride connecting welcoming towns, river On the cover: Late-blooming prairie Asters and Goldenrods grow along an unused rail bed. The life, historic sites and the 500,000-acre Monarch butterﬂ y stores food as winter nears. Apalachicola National Forest. Photo by Chris Bucher BY DOUG ALDERSON

railstotrails N winter.16 1 point of view rails t o trails

Th e magazine of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), A Wonder Drug a nonprofi t organization dedicated to creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people. As with many years in the past, I began 2015 with a New Year’s resolution. Despite a relatively active lifestyle, I had gained a couple of pounds per year for the last decade. I PRESIDENT Keith Laughlin discovered that this can happen when your age creeps up while your metabolism slows down. So I resolved that I was going to walk 3 miles a day in 2015. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Guy O. Williams, Chair; M. Katherine Kraft; I stuck with my goal for a couple of months. But, as often happens, my resolve was Gail Lipstein; John P. Rathbone; Chip Angle; Mike Cannon; challenged. Sometimes I was traveling and couldn’t fi nd the time. Or I was staying in Kenneth V. Cockrel Jr.; Matthew Cohen; David Ingemie; Rue Mapp; Frank Mulvey; Charles N. Marshall; a motel on a major arterial road, and there was no safe place to walk. On other days, I Doug Monieson; Tim Noel; T. Rowe Price; Tom Petri just didn’t feel like it. MAGAZINE STAFF Th is went on for months. I didn’t stick to my resolution, but I never abandoned it Editor-in-Chief Amy Kapp either. Director of Communications Elizabeth Striano Staff Writers Laura Stark, Katie Harris Th en in May, it all changed. On a whim, I bought myself a Fitbit—a high-tech Editorial Consultants Wendy Jordan, Sharon Congdon pedometer that I wear on my wrist to track my daily steps and mile- Design/Production Manifest LLC Art Director Jeff rey Kibler Aage. Th e device uploads the data to my smart phone and computer. I set a new goal of walking 10,000 steps and 5 miles a day. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy was incorporated in 1985 as a nonprofi t charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Th is was daunting because I hadn’t been able to consistently meet Internal Revenue Code and is a publicly supported organization my 3-mile-per-day goal. But by eff ortlessly logging my walking, as defi ned in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) and 509(a)(1). A copy of the current fi nancial statement, or annual report, and state the device began to change my behavior. Instead of struggling to registration fi led by RTC may be obtained by contacting RTC fi nd time to walk, I built it into my day. I now often walk 4 miles at the address listed below. Donations to RTC are tax-deductible. a day as part of my round-trip commute to the offi ce. I walk a mile RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY every day at lunch. I take a walk after dinner on many nights. It has Headquarters become such an ingrained habit that I always feel like it. 2121 Ward Court, NW, 5th Floor Washington, DC 20037-1213 Since May, I have walked an average of 7 miles per day. I’ve lost Phone 202.331.9696 all of the weight that I gained in the last decade. And I have never Email [email protected] Websites railstotrails.org felt better. I can’t give all the credit to walking, because I engage in TrailLink.com other forms of physical activity and I’m now more careful with my Field and Regional offices: diet. But there is no doubt that regular walking has been the biggest Midwest Yellow Springs, Ohio single factor in my weight loss. 614.837.6782, [email protected]

If walking could be encapsulated in a pill, the pharmaceutical Northeast Camp Hill, Pa. industry would market it as a wonder drug in television commercials 717.238.1717, [email protected] BRIAN GERHARDSTEIN featuring a long list of side eff ects that are all positive. Western Oakland, Calif. Th e U.S. Surgeon General recently reaffi rmed the benefi ts of this universal activity 510.992.4662, [email protected] in his Call to Action on Walking, where he encouraged everyone to make it a part of Florida Tallahassee, Fla. 866.202.9788, rtcfl [email protected] their daily life, and to get involved in building more walkable communities. My personal experience with walking has made me even more aware of the impor- Rails to Trails is a benefi t of membership in Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Regular membership is $18 a year, $5 of which tance of trails in our communities. In some places, trails connect residences to schools, supports the magazine. In addition to the magazine, members giving children the opportunity to safely walk to school. In others, they provide fami- receive discounts on RTC gifts and publications. Rails to Trails is published four times a year—three in print, one digital— lies or senior citizens a safe and pleasant place to spend time together while building a by RTC, a nonprofi t charitable organization. Copyright 2016 healthy walk into their daily routine. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. ISSN 1523-4126. Printed in U.S.A. My resolution for 2016? To walk an imaginary trail 2,000 miles long and maintain POSTMASTER Send address changes to Rails to Trails, 2121 my current weight. Go to railstotrails.org/walkwithkeith to join me on my adventure! Ward Court, NW, 5th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20037-1213. Happy Trails!

Recycled Paper Keith Laughlin, President Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Join RTC in the national conversation on walking: #outdoorwalks

2 railstotrails N winter.16 members network

Fall.15 Inspiring Movement

THE After the Storm person killed by enemy RABBIT until at least the late 1950s) are said On Sunday, Aug. 2, a severe storm with fi re during the Cuban REVOLUTION to have been from shots he fi red

Massachusetts Burning Calories, Not 60–70-plus mile-per-hour winds (the Missile Crisis of October Gets in Motion Coal: GHS Swamp at the escapees. It makes a good Texas Trail Rabbit Trail Leads Prescriptions Greenville’s Battle for Autumn Vistas Health and Wellness highest recorded was 100 miles per 1962; he was shot down from Trail story. Traveler hour) came through Michigan. It passed while fl ying a U-2 aircraft David Magagna through Leelanau County and Traverse on a high altitude recon- GRANTHAM, N.H. City. At the time, more than 400 rid- naissance mission over Cuba. Major ers were doing the weeklong Shoreline Anderson was the fi rst recipient of the Trails defi nitely have the ability to West Bicycle Tour; we were lucky that Air Force Cross, the U.S. Air Force’s sec- take us back to our childhood. Th ey often the main part of the storm stayed north ond-highest award for heroism. As there serve as windows into the colorful pasts of of us. were no surplus U-2 aircraft available our communities. On Tuesday, we rode from Frankfort for the memorial, originally dedicated to Traverse City via a revised route that in 1963, an F-86 jet fi ghter aircraft (like avoided most of the impacted areas the ones he fl ew in combat during the RV 2T until we got near town. On Wednesday, Korean War) was chosen instead. Th at I would like to second Jan Lincoln’s the layover day, one of the options was F-86 is the aircraft pictured in the cover request in her Fall 2015 Member’s to ride the Leelanau Trail (LT) up to photo’s background. Network letter, “Trail Travelers by RV.” Suttons Bay and back. I decided to take Lt. Col. Ed Sienkiewicz USAF (Retired) I am sure that there are more than two my own route out from Traverse City BONAIRE, GA. of us interested in [learning of] good RV and then take the LT coming back. I sites near rail-trails. And I would like to was astonished to fi nd that Traverse Area Th ank you! We appreciate the information follow that up with a recommendation Recreational Trail (TART) organization on this wonderful trail memorial honoring for the Lehigh Gorge State Park Trail volunteers had come out in force to Major Anderson, which demonstrates the featured in that issue. clear the 17-mile LT and the TART in power of trails in reminding us of impor- I stayed at the Hickory Run State Traverse City of all downed trees. tant moments in America’s history. Park campground, and they have full I was amazed at the number of hookup sites for RVs of any size. Th e trees that had been blown down. On campground is 10 miles from White the last couple of miles or so of the LT Remembering Our Roots Haven or 25 miles from Jim Th orpe. approaching Traverse City, the downed Th e article about the Lehigh Gorge Trail Th e state park has numerous hiking trees seemed almost continuous, but all in the Fall 2015 magazine [“Destination trails that are suitable for mountain bikes had been cleared. Pennsylvania: Th e Beautiful Lehigh and the famous 15,000-year-old boulder I think this Herculean eff ort by Gorge Trail”] brought back many a fi eld that is barely suitable for walking. the TART volunteers is well worth memory for me. I was born in White Looking forward to more suggestions for acknowledgement. Haven, Pennsylvania, and spent many RV campgrounds near biking trails as I Susan Feldman summers in Rockport, where my family plan some serious cross-country RVing KIRKWOOD, MO. owned an old building that had once from biking trail to biking trail. been a hotel. We had no running water John Back Th ank you, Susan, for this poignant or electricity, but it was wonderful. Th e WEST CHESTER, PA. example of the impact of volunteerism on state bought the property some time ago America’s trails. and demolished it. I do try to ride each Noted—again! We appreciate the many year from White Haven to Rockport and types of trail users in our national com- always enjoy it very much. Th e scene is munity, and we will continue to encourage Remembering much diff erent than it was 50 years ago. everyone to get out and use their favorite Our Heroes Interesting to see mention of the trails—in their favorite ways. Th e cover photo of the Fall 2015 issue Molly Maguires restaurant. My grandfa- of Rails to Trails magazine (linked to the ther owned 400 acres of land and an old story “Th e Rabbit Revolution”) was taken house outside White Haven. Th e house in Cleveland Park in Greenville, South was reportedly a headquarters of the infa- We’d like to hear from you. Write to “Members Carolina. Th e memorial in the back- mous Molly Maguires Gang, who alleg- Network,” Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2121 ground of the photo is dedicated to U.S. edly escaped through a window when Ward Ct., NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20037. Air Force Major Rudolf Anderson Jr., a tracked down by a Pinkerton detective. Or email: [email protected]. Letters native son of Greenville who was the only Th e bullet holes in the windowsill (there may be edited for publication.

railstotrails N winter.16 3 tracks ’n’ ties

EYE ON: Alabama’s Rotary Trail By Laura Stark

In the heart of “Magic City,” the Rotary Club of Birmingham in Alabama is helping to transform what was once an ugly railroad cut into something daz- zling. The long, muddy trough, running along First Avenue through a channel of crumbling, graffiti-covered walls 14 feet below street level, will become the Rotary Trail. This paved portal will run from Railroad Park four blocks east to Sloss Furnaces, a National Historic Landmark where iron was produced to develop the city and support World War II efforts. “It will be a river of green through downtown,” says Wendy Jackson, executive director of the country (grander even than New York Freshwater Land Trust, City’s Central Park). a Birmingham-based “When the master plan for the Red organization focused Rock Trail System was unveiled, it was on protecting lands standing-room only in an auditorium that enhance the water that held 400 people,” Jackson says. quality of local rivers Although she estimates it could take 20 and streams. She sees years or more to develop the full 750- the rail-trail as part of mile system, around 50 miles including the continuing renais- the Rotary Trail, are either completed or

sance of downtown BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL COURTESY in negotiation now. Birmingham. “We built on the enthusiasm of the In 2013, the city’s Trail under construction: Rotary Trail community,” she says. “Every commu- Rotary Club, one of the largest such Location: Birmingham, Alabama nity is working on their portion of the clubs in the world, was looking for a Used railroad corridor: Seaboard Air plan. They know that if they follow the lasting and impactful centennial proj- Line Railroad plan, at the end of the day, they’ll all be ect. “They were celebrating their 100th Length: 0.5 mile connected.” anniversary and sent out solicitations Proposed surface: Concrete Construction of the Rotary Trail has for ideas,” says Jackson, whose organiza- begun and is expected to be finished in tion presented a few ideas to the club. early 2016. Stairs and ramps will provide “They had four criteria. They wanted provided additional funding for its access to street level, and the trail will something that would impact the health construction. Although short in length, be enhanced with benches, picnic areas, of the community, grow the economy, the half-mile trail fits into a much landscaping, lighting and other ameni- help the environment or revitalize larger vision. It’s part of the growing ties. At its entrance, a 46-foot-tall sign underserved areas. They picked our most Red Rock Ridge & Valley Trail System reading “Rotary Trail in the Magic City” extensive project and said, ‘You came in that connects important destinations will beckon passersby into a world where and hit every single thing we wanted to throughout the region, such as Railroad big dreams do come true. do.’” Park and downtown Birmingham to Red For more information on the The club pledged $2.5 million for Mountain Park, which, at 1,500 acres, Rotary Trail, visit janereedrossla.com/ the project, and the city of Birmingham is one of the largest urban parks in the rotary-trail.

4 railstotrails u winter.16 trailA Life of Biking Comes Full Circle tales for Philly Railroad Retiree By Amy Kapp

hen Will Schmitt began riding serve in the Air Force. In the late the Pennypack Trail Extension 1970s and early 1980s, “I’d take lastW year, you might say things had my children down the trail with come full circle for the 69-year-old me on a bike seat,” he says. native of Northeast Philadelphia. Th e Schmitt remembers the trail Pennypack Trail is a 12.4-mile in- being paved section by section, progress rail-trail that includes a por- until the paving was completed tion of corridor along the old Fox in the 1980s. Th at, along with Chase-Newtown Branch Line in local development and concerts Montgomery, Philadelphia and Bucks in a nearby park, brought more counties. And its extension project and more people out to the trail. hits particularly close to home for His children grew up and Schmitt. moved out of the area, but all During his career, Schmitt spent three of them bike today—with a lot of time with railroads, fi rst Schmitt during family visits and working for the Reading Railroad, with their own children near

COURTESY BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL COURTESY then for Conrail and eventually their homes. for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Ask Schmitt how trails have Transportation Authority (SEPTA). aff ected him over the years, By the time he was promoted to deputy director of SEPTA’s commuter rail Fox Chase Line, the Newtown branch—which he would have over-

seen—had long ceased operating. WILL SCHMITT COURTESY “Th e ground was just sitting there was upset,” Schmitt says, adding, going to waste, but I always thought “When I think of it now, it was it would be a really neat bicycle trail,” an idyllic time to live. It would be Schmitt says. impossible to live like that in this And, as they say, where there’s day and age.” a “Will,” there’s a way. Th e same At age 12 he got his own things that had played large roles in bike, a Sears J.C. Higgins three- Schmitt’s life—biking, trails and rail speed English racer. “To me, it was like

COURTESYWILL SCHMITT lines—helped him fi nd his way back a Cadillac after riding my sister’s bike,” and he pauses before giving a there after his retirement in 2006. Schmitt says. With his own wheels, he simple and poignant answer. “I proba- Schmitt started walking on the continued to visit the trail regularly. He bly wouldn’t be a bike rider if there were Pennypack Trail when he was 4 years says he was often the only cyclist—and no trails. Around here now, with the car old to reach the local creek, where he sometimes, the only person—on the traffi c, it’s almost impossible to ride on and his family often swam. Schmitt trail, since it was a dirt trail. “I was the the street. I think I would have given up says he learned to ride a bike that only idiot riding bikes back there,” he bike riding a long time ago.” summer and that it was the trail itself laughs. “I’m really glad that the Newtown that inspired him to do so. A short He rode the trail off and on in the Branch is there. It’s a great trail,” he time later, he began to take his sister’s 1960s and 1970s, taking a break to says. bike down to the trail on his own, much to the chagrin of his mother. Share Your Trail Tales with RTC “When my mother found out I was riding down there by myself, she Facebook.com/railstotrails Pinterest.com/railstotrails Instagram.com/railstotrails Twitter.com/railstotrails

railstotrails N winter.16 5 greetings from

ᮣ JUMP FOR JOY IN CONNECTICUT Railroad Ramble: WHOOSH! e sound of speed will zoom through Salisbury, the most northwesterly town in Connecticut, during the Jumpfest Winter Festival (jump fest.org), Feb. 12–14. Ski jumping competi- tions are the highlight of the event, hosted by the Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) at its Satre Hill venue. Activities also include a snowball dance, a human dogsled race (where ﬁ ve people pull a rider on a sled) and other yet-to-be-planned events to honor SWSA’s 90th anniversary in 2016. If you have an inclination for less inclination, take a wooded walk or bike ride down the Railroad Ramble, which stretches 1.7 miles between Salisbury and Lakeville. Length & surface: 1.7 miles; asphalt, dirt and grass N End points: Farnham Road (Lakeville) to Library Street (Salisbury)

ᮣ HATS OFF TO A GREAT

TIME IN WYOMING JOE MEEHAN Wyoming Heritage Trail: roughout January and into early February, locals and visitors in Riverton, Wyoming, can have a good time at the Wild West Winter Carnival (wildwestwintercarnival.org). Fitting the cowboy theme, festivities include a “quick draw,” in which artists complete a project within an hour; a casino night; and a poker run, where participants pick up cards as they make their way through Boysen Reservoir. Other activities include a parade, a chili cook-oﬀ , a car and bike show, ice sculpt- ing, a treasure hunt, a ﬁ shing derby and hot air balloon rides. If your boots were made for walkin’, amble on down the Wyoming Heritage Trail to take in the vast arid landscape between Riverton and the town of Shoshoni, named for a nearby Native American tribe. Horseback riders (or those on a bike saddle) are welcome, too. Length & surface: 22 miles; asphalt, ballast, dirt and gravel N End points: Railroad Avenue at South

Third Street (Riverton) to East First Street near U.S. JENNIE HUTCHINSON JENNIE 26/20/East Second Street (Shoshoni)

To learn more about these and other trails, check out TrailLink.com, a searchable database of more than 30,000 miles of trails nationwide. TrailLink The website and TrailLink apps include detailed trail descriptions, interactive maps, photographs and ﬁ rst-hand ratings and reviews. By Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

6 railstotrails N winter.16 Connecticut

Wyoming greetings from

ᮤ FUN ON THE FRISCO IN MISSOURI Frisco Highline Trail: In the southwest corner of the Show Me State, the showy Christmas on the Frisco (christmas onthefrisco.com), Nov. 20–21, oﬀ ers an array of activities as varied and fun as any pile of presents: a craft show, parade, 5k color run and breakfast with Santa. e merriment kicks oﬀ with a holiday light show at the Willard trailhead for the Frisco Highline Trail. After the show,

TERRY WHALEY/COURTESY OZARK GREENWAYS INC. GREENWAYS OZARK WHALEY/COURTESY TERRY continue on the 36-mile rail-trail, which heads north to Bolivar, to see why it makes a scenic destination year-round. Length & surface: 36 miles; asphalt, crushed stone and dirt N End points: West Kearny/ Route 744 near I-44 (Springﬁ eld) to West Jackson Street (Bolivar)

ᮤ A FIRST-RATE SKATE IN VIRGINIA Elizabeth River Trail: e Winter Carnival at MacArthur Center in Norfolk (visitnorfolktoday.com/ macarthur-on-ice-winter-carnival) has plenty of fun for the young and young at heart. From Nov. 21 through Jan. 18, the center oﬀ ers a whopping 7,200-square-foot outdoor ice rink, an ice palace, a 55-foot-tall Ferris

COURTESYVISITNORFOLK wheel with enough lights to make any Christmas tree jealous and a variety of other family-friendly rides. For those who feel more comfortable in shoes than skates, the Elizabeth River Trail beckons; winding 9.5 miles along the waterfront, the trail takes in views of ships, barges, navy vessels and tankers. Do you have a perfect rail-trail “postcard” for Greetings From …? Send a photo and event information, along with how we can contact you, to: Length & surface: 9.5 miles; asphalt and N [email protected] or Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Magazine/ concrete End points: Harbor Park Stadium Greetings From, 2121 Ward Court, NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20037. to Hampton Boulevard and Terminal Missouri Boulevard Virginia railstotrails N winter.16 7 By Elizabeth Striano SAVING AMERICA’S

Illinois leaders and rail-trail advocates work to restore a dwindling ecosystem

rom a distance, the fl ow- tribution. In fact, tallgrass prairie is one drain the wetlands and cut through the PRAIRIESers and grasses growing of the most depleted ecosystems in the dense prairie sod. So began the removal of alongside the old highways world. the prairies in the Midwest to make way and roads in East Central In Illinois, a good portion of what for agriculture—particularly corn and Illinois can look remarkably remains is found almost exclusively along soybean farms—which now dominates like dense stands of nuisance the railroad corridors that crisscross the state. weeds. But those who take swaths of intensely farmed, highly prized Local trail developers and conserva- the time to stop and get agricultural land. When settlers fi rst tionists have recognized the potential to out of their car for a closer look will be arrived, farmers considered the prairie convert the corridors in their midst to Frewarded with bursts of color and a vari- land a nuisance with its insects, its alter- multi-use trails and thus, they hope, to ety of leaf shapes and sizes from hundreds nating wet and dry seasons, and its plants permanently protect a disappearing natu- of species of wildfl owers and tallgrasses— boasting taproots dozens of feet deep and ral treasure—tallgrass prairies. some that can tower up to eight feet. several inches wide. Unused railroad corridors have been ese are the remnants of the tallgrass By the early 1800s, they realized that purchased, trail plans have been made, prairies that once covered more than 60 the prairies were among the most fertile and long-nurtured dreams have begun to percent of the state and now stand at less agricultural lands in the world. And by unfurl. e battle is ongoing, however, than 0.01 percent of their original dis- then they had the tools they needed to and fi ngers are crossed as one rail-trail is

8 railstotrails N winter.16 The rich soils that support the tallgrass prairies of the Midwest are also valuable as agricultural land.

Illinois leaders and rail-trail advocates work to restore a dwindling ecosystem

poised to break ground, funding is sought tion of an entire ecosystem, a situation linking Champaign and Vermilion coun- PRAIRIESto make another project a reality, and perhaps no more evident than in East ties, from Urbana on the west to Kickapoo potential interconnecting corridors are Central Illinois, where, some say, the his- State Park in Danville on the east. Along eyed for the future. tory of rail-trails really began. this trail are remnants of tallgrass prairie as “Because of their longevity, when well as woodlands and wetlands—diverse A Hope and a Dream you set aside and retain a railroad cor- natural resources that used to dominate the Most people think of rail-trails as places ridor, you also pull aside and retain the area before agriculture took over. for transportation, recreation or commu- ecosystem associated with that corri- Almost 20 years in the making, the nity activities. But these trails often pro- dor,” says Timothy A. Bartlett, executive Kickapoo trail project is part of a larger vide tangible, measurable environmental director for the Urbana Park District eff ort to create an interconnected regional benefi ts that are less obvious to typical (urbanaparks.org), which is planning to trail network that dates back to 1988. trail users, such as improved water qual- develop a park with a trailhead to mark at eff ort was initially championed by ity in adjacent streams and rivers, habitat the beginning of the trail in downtown one man, David Monk, a preservationist, preservation and creation of wildlife cor- Urbana. environmentalist, naturalist, educator and ridors, and mitigation of the eff ects of Bartlett is working on a project to cre- activist who has been working for more climate change. In some areas, all these ate the Kickapoo Rail Trail (kickapoo than 30 years to preserve the prairies of

beneﬁ ts come together in the protec- railtrail.org), a 24.5-mile recreational trail Illinois. CHRIS BUCHER PHOTOS:

railstotrails N winter.16 9 ELIZABETH STRIANO STRIANO ELIZABETH In 1987, Monk founded Heartland Pathways (prairiemonk.org/heartland pathways), a nonprofit organization dedicated to prairie preservation. A year later, Heartland Pathways purchased three sepa- rate segments of unused rail corridor total- ing 33 miles and more than 330 acres, and encompassing many acres of valuable prairie remnants. The goal: to create the Heartland Pathways trail system and help preserve the diversity of the grasslands that used to flourish along the corridor. “At the time, it was sort of outrageous to buy 33 miles of railroad bed,” Monk says. The Heartland Pathways trail project is located west of Champaign-Urbana, directly opposite the Kickapoo Rail Trail. The plan is eventually to connect the two, though additional corridor would need to be purchased before that could happen. “The vision is to have the two trails—the Heartland Pathways and the Kickapoo Rail Trail—connect through the cities of Urbana and Champaign,” Monk says. According to Daniel J. Olson, executive director of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) (ccfpd.org), Monk was key to getting this ambitious David Monk has been project started. “He really is a visionary. working for more than He knew the rail line needed to be saved 30 years to preserve to protect the prairies,” Olson says. “David the prairies of Illinois. JARAD SMITH JARAD

was instrumental in recognizing the value of and be completed in six phases. this land and in getting it, and he has been Ultimately, the Kickapoo trail will con- working on it ever since.” nect several small towns, which should bene- fit greatly from an influx of tourists and local Project Status and Future users. In fact, two villages already are prepar- After 17 years of negotiations, the deal ing: St. Joseph has added a downtown wine for the Kickapoo Rail Trail finally closed bar, where fundraising events have been held, about a year ago. The Vermilion County and Oakwood has a “trailside” ice cream and Conservation District (VCCD) (vccd.org) sandwich shop that’s open for business. recently received a $2.1 million grant from According to Steve Buchtel, executive the state of Illinois that will be used for the director of Trails for Illinois (trailsfor first phase of trail development, building illinois.org), a trail advocacy nonprofit, a segment that will run from Oakwood to the potential for tourism in East Central Danville in Vermilion County. Funding Illinois is high. “The world is in love with is being finalized for the second phase, a rural Americana, but there’s no access to segment in Champaign County that will that for most people,” he says. “What’s really run from Urbana to St. Joseph. Planners cool about trails like the Kickapoo and are hoping to break ground on both phases Heartland Pathways is that they connect to sometime in 2016. The entire project is a lot of main streets and get people off the

CHRIS BUCHER expected to cost approximately $10 million interstates.”

10 railstotrails u winter.16 “We are hoping this initial develop- This segment starts at White Heath and railroad equipment and excursion trains ment will help spark interest, support,” says runs west for 23 miles, through Clinton that use a former railroad line. Bartlett. “People will see it’s happening, and Lake State Recreation Area and Weldon “We are hoping that the popularity of they’ll want to see it continue.” In particu- Springs State Park. “We have lost trails to the Sangamon River Trail and the upcom- lar, he says, project supporters are hoping farm pressures before,” Monk adds. “The ing Kickapoo trail will help generate public that a large and spectacular trestle bridge thing is to try and convince locals of the interest and support,” Monk says. over the Vermilion River will capture the value of trails to their communities.” Monk’s group is thinking well beyond attention and imagination of local residents. Because the Heartland Pathways deal its current holdings, however. Heartland That’s one reason trail development was closed before federal funding for trails was Pathways hopes to purchase a 3-mile planned to start there. available through the Intermodal Surface tract of contiguous rail corridor between But “the absolute first thing we did was Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, the Seymour and Bondville that is being con- to identify very sensitive areas, including project is not eligible for many of the tra- sidered for abandonment by the Canadian wetland and prairie areas,” Olson says. “We ditional grant mechanisms used for trail National Railroad; it could form the did that before the engineering even began development, making funding a difficult basis of an eventual connection with the so that we could tell the engineer, ‘You’ve proposition. Monk is hoping that increased Kickapoo. In addition, the group is eyeing got to protect these areas.’” In addition, public support will spur local and private the purchase of an old roadbed adjacent because these prairies have already been dis- investment. to an active railroad corridor north of the turbed—through the initial development of The southern fork of the project is fur- Heartland Pathways, to create a rail-with- the railroad corridor, farming on adjacent ther along. A small portion of trail has trail. From a biodiversity perspective, Monk lands, ongoing roadwork and, sometimes, already been developed south of White says this 15-mile section from Paxton to encroachment—restoration and repair will Heath. One segment is the 1.2-mile Rantoul is one of the best prairies left in also be needed. Sangamon River Trail, which the city of the state. For his part, Monk is hoping develop- Monticello (cityofmonticello.net) leased ment of the Kickapoo Rail Trail will help and developed for city residents. Another Collaboration and Education jumpstart development of the Heartland segment that’s up and running is the In addition to the CCFPD and the Pathways as well, ensuring long-term pro- 1-mile-long East Prairie Bicycle & Walking VCCD, many groups are collaborat- tection of that corridor. The high value of Path, a rail-with-trail just east of the city. ing on the Kickapoo Rail Trail project. land for agricultural use makes it all the And a third area, between Seymour and The Champaign County Design & more difficult to protect, Monk explains. White Heath, has been developed by the Conservation Foundation (CCDC), for “Unfortunately, the northern portion of the Monticello Railway Museum (mrym.org), example, is working to obtain private Heartland Pathways is in jeopardy,” he says. which includes more than 100 pieces of donations and individual funding to CHRIS BUCHER CHRIS BUCHER

railstotrails u winter.16 11 ELIZABETH STRIANO STRIANO ELIZABETH complement any state or federal funds reach and education on prairies. Some secured by the county agencies. Bike University of Illinois students have vol- enthusiast groups and private bicycle busi- unteered for trail development and main- nesses throughout the East Central area tenance activities, and others have done have staged events and fundraisers to sup- prairie research. port the trails. Student involvement also extends to “It’s been quite the overall effort local county schools. Schoolchildren are between several agencies here trying to pre- bused in to help plant seeds and seedlings serve what little we have left,” Olson says. while learning about the prairie ecosystem. “It’s pretty incredible.” In this way, they too can become stewards Ongoing collaboration and education of the land. are critical to the project’s long-term suc- County staff have been successful in cess, Bartlett says. Education helps people showing farmers that they have shared understand why ecosystems like tallgrass interests and concerns, such as invasive prairies are worth protecting and helps species control, or drainage and storm- residents to better connect with their local water management. “Around the Kickapoo area. The plan for the Kickapoo is to have railroad corridor, for example, farmers that educational information posted along the have drainage issues work cooperatively trail that details the natural and cultural with corridor managers,” Bartlett says. history of the area, creating a rich story. “That’s a win-win approach there.” Once “People who know the history of the the farmers understand the value of pro- prairies and know what’s in the ground, tecting the prairies and developing a trail, they support protecting and restoring it,” they become supporters as well. Bartlett says. Long-term collaboration will be needed Researchers at the nearby University of once the trails are in place, because pre- Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have stud- viously disturbed prairies require active ied the prairies for many years, primar- management to preserve biological diver- ily through the Prairie Research Institute sity and maintain an ecologically healthy (prairie.illinois.edu), a consortium of ecosystem. When a prairie has been dis- Adria Hamel with son Jacob and daughter Hailey enjoy a bike ride over the several state survey groups. In addition to turbed, the natural processes that origi- Sangamon River Trail bridge, which runs regular surveys, the groups provide out- nally maintained the system are reduced along the Heartland Pathways. CHRIS BUCHER

or eliminated. That means ongoing maintenance such as removing invasive species, performing prescribed burns, replanting and seeding, and restoring natural hydrol- ogy may need to occur. To support ongoing restoration efforts, for the past decade native plant seeds have been collected from both abandoned and active railroad corridors. One group that has been hard at work on these efforts is Grand Prairie Friends (GPF) (grand prairiefriends.org), an all-volunteer, nonprofit conservation organization. The CCFPD also collects seeds for larger prairie restoration.

A 100-year-old trestle bridge spanning the Conservation and Rail-Trail History Vermilion River near Danville that will be a highlight of the Kickapoo Rail Trail This level of collaboration between conservationists and trail builders isn’t always

CHRIS BUCHER the norm. But the Heartland Pathways has

12 railstotrails u winter.16 Kickapoo Rail Trail East Prairie Bicycle 24.5 miles & Walking Path N Heartland Pathways 1 mile 33 miles Future Connection paxton Sangamon River Trail illinois FORD COUNTY 1.2 miles I ILLINOISN rantoul

Ve D rm 57 il io D E WITT Clinton Lake n 74 State Recreation R i v COUNTY Area e r I Kickapoo State bondville Recreation clinton Area danville A Salt Cre champaign 74 ek seymour urbana st. joseph oakwood Weldon Springs University State Park white heath of Illinois Salt Fork N monticello Urbana- Champaign VERMILION MACON CHAMPAIGN COUNTY A COUNTY COUNTY 72 57 PIATT Sangamon River COUNTY DANIELLE MARKS its roots in the early history of Illinois trail act of preservation itself. Th ey accomplish during construction—have become the development. According to Buchtel, the this by protecting ribbons of greenway, least disturbed areas of prairie, a refuge for project harks back to one of the fi rst rail- which is where those environmental ben- prairie plant species that have crept back in trails developed in the country, the Illinois efi ts originate. But what is it about the over time. “Th e lack of trees and minimal Prairie Path (read more about the trail on prairies that inspires such special dedica- disturbance of the soil has allowed many p. 21). tion to environmental stewardship? prairie species to persist,” he explains. And “Th e rails-to-trails movement started According to conservationists, it’s their although the railbeds are narrow, at 50 to here in Illinois,” explains Buchtel. It all complexity and the larger role they play 100 feet wide, they are in fact corridors began with May Th eilgaard Watts, a writer in providing habitat for hundreds of spe- that allow movement of plants, insects, and naturalist who had a vision far ahead of cies, improving water quality, reducing the animals and water “unlike the highly frag- the time to convert out-of-service rail lines eff ects of climate change and more. mented landscape” in other areas, he says. for recreational use. Watts, a Rails-to-Trails “Preserving the remnants in place is Unfortunately, the tallgrass prairies Conservancy Doppelt Family Rail-Trail extremely important due to the complex- that once covered much of Illinois after Champion, staved off developers to protect ity of life and the food web that thousands of years in the making are 75 miles of interurban rail line so that peo- developed in prairie commu- now almost gone; the best that ple could see and enjoy the tallgrass prairies. nities,” explains Steven R. can be done is to try to recon- “From Watts’ perspective, the reason Buck, natural areas coordina- struct anew and protect what people would walk on the trail would be tor for the Illinois Natural remains. to see this natural environment,” Buchtel History Survey (wwx.inhs. “It takes about fi ve to 10 says. “Really, the trail movement started in illinois.edu/organization/ years for a regrowth prairie to conservancy.” admin), a division of the look like a prairie. Until then, In his work, Buchtel says he often sees a Prairie Research Institute at the site will look like weeds,” rift between conservationists and trail users. the University of Illinois. “Th ese Monk says. “Th ere is no room for STRIANO ELIZABETH “Bringing those two groups together again remnants function not only as home instant gratifi cation. Prairie plants have is so important, because they both ulti- to species that are not very mobile, but deep roots, and they have to establish fi rst mately want the same thing.” Not only that, also as critical stopover points for species before the fl owers arrive. Even then, the he says, but “research shows the more time that are mobile or migratory, such as the fl owers are small and not showy except in people spend out in nature, the more open monarch butterfl y and bird species. Th e numbers.” they are to conservation messaging. Th en late-blooming fl ower species, the myriad of But, he adds, “We are preserving the they can learn how to become good stew- insect species and the ripening seed are all only tallgrass prairie habitat remaining ards of the land and can teach [others].” critical to many of the migrating bird spe- here and in much of the world.” cies that evolved in North America,” Buck Environmental Beneﬁ ts of Trails says. “All the fi elds of ripening corn and Elizabeth Striano is RTC’s director of communi- Many trail developers acknowledge that soybeans in this area are of little use to so cations and marketing. In addition to writing any rail-trail project can provide environ- many species.” about and promoting America’s trails and public mental benefi ts, whether intentionally as a Buck says he fi nds it ironic that these lands, Striano likes to visit rail-trails with her project goal or unintentionally through the disturbed railroad corridors—ripped up family and her two dogs, Luca and Figo.

railstotrails N winter.16 13 Conservation By Amy Kapp Through Outdoor Opportunity GREG BRUMITT espite his experience in conser- Midwest’s most bike-friendly cities and fea- Trails are great places for kids to play, vation-focused trail manage- tures a LEED-certifi ed commuter bike hub and that’s important as America deals with ment, Greg Brumitt doesn’t that supports the country’s largest regional “nature defi cit disorder.” As people become consider himself a conserva- bike trail network. more engaged with technology, they are tionist.D He prefers to be called an “outdoor In his home city of St. Louis, in 2014, becoming more separated from the out- advocate,” because that’s what he believes is Brumitt became director of conservation doors. Having that basic access that draws key to encouraging people to become stew- and community service for the Great Rivers people outside and onto the land is incred- ards of their communities. And his career Greenway District, which is developing a ibly important. Trails also have a unique might be proof positive. 600-mile trail network. He also initiated the ability to capture people’s imaginations. After 20 years in the technology fi eld, organization’s fi rst conservation eff orts by ey are transporters, taking people to dif- Brumitt became heavily involved in out- focusing on urban stream habitat improve- ferent places than they are typically in their door programming and trail development, ment. Now he is owner of Active Strategies, everyday lives. fi rst as a whitewater kayaker and later as a consulting practice specializing in park Dayton’s trail system has blossomed in director of business development for the and outdoor/active-lifestyle culture develop- the past couple of years, in part because of Nantahala Outdoor Center in Asheville, ment, community activation and resiliency. what we did with the regional bike plan and North Carolina. While there, he founded We recently spoke with Brumitt to get encouraging active living. We put formal Asheville’s Mountain Sports Festival, now in his take on trail-led conservation. programs in place that encouraged people its 15th year. to get out and use the trails for recreation In 2005 he launched the fi rst out- Why are trails powerful drivers for and engagement with nature. People got door recreation initiative at Five Rivers promoting conservation, particularly excited about the community, and that MetroParks in Dayton, Ohio, and helped in urban areas? initial excitement allowed us to have other create the region’s comprehensive bike For people to care about land and con- conversations about what they could do to plan. He went on to found Outdoor servation issues, they have to be able to make their community better. Connections, a diverse group that focuses experience the land fi rst. Trails are often the In many cases, trails are set next to rivers on how to get people outdoors, engage fi rst places where people can move around and other water sources, which are natu- them in conservation and help cre- outside, specifi cally in urban settings—espe- rally developed corridors. But communi- ate a more livable, resilient Dayton. cially people who aren’t “outdoors” people ties don’t always utilize and maintain them Today Dayton is recognized as one of the in the traditional sense. because of a lack of understanding of their

14 railstotrails N winter.16 value. e perspective change that comes to bring the entire community together approach to managing the life cycle of a gre- with trail use helps start diff erent conversa- rather than go it alone to tackle what can enway is the result. tions about how communities can conserve be complex problems when dealing with land and how that helps improve the lives corridor acquisition, urban streams and Are there any confl icts or challenges in of residents. en, conservation becomes conservation. trail-development-related conservation and part of the communities’ strategies to move preservation that can impede the process? forward. What are some examples of these In general, there’s always been tension collaborative efforts? between conservation and recreation. At the What were the thought process and For one greenway that’s actually going into federal level, there are wilderness strategies strategy for the Great Rivers Greenway construction next year, we pulled a group that keep many acres of land roadless, yet District’s efforts in urban stream habitat together to look at several streams to assess many recreation advocates want more access improvement in St. Louis? What were the the current conditions and, where possible, into them. And there are certainly key habi- challenges? implement smart restoration strategies. tats we do need to protect and don’t want to e larger initiative came out of a 2010 We launched a pilot project in which put a paved trail across. But that doesn’t nec- regional planning eff ort. e commu- GRG would simultaneously develop the essarily mean natural surface trails would be nity told Great Rivers Greenway District greenway while working with our partners inappropriate. So it’s all about balance and, (GRG) through surveys that we needed to and funders to do stream restoration, such I believe, making sure that the people stay GREG go beyond just building greenways, and as bank restructuring and grade control engaged and care about conservation, or we that we should put more care into the local to add a riffl e-pool structure back into the will have trouble gaining support for future streams and watersheds. e idea of GRG stream. conservation, much less new parks and trails. being involved with clean water was part of When streams are healthy, they have With urban land, we have to be very its founding in 2000. a stair-step structure that drops to a riffl e careful about how we go about conserva-

MICHAEL KILFOY, STUDIO X, MAPLEWOOD, MO MAPLEWOOD, X, STUDIO MICHAEL KILFOY, e old model was to build the green- pool. e features are really important habi- tion and at what levels. We need to under- BRUMITT ways working with communities and then tats for all types of aquatic life. One prob- stand the ramifi cations and how everything let the communities take care of them. Our lem with urban streams is that you have so works together. Ultimately, I see trails and new aim was to improve and restore the many impervious surfaces such as parking greenways as green infrastructure in urban natural conditions around which the green- lots and pavement. e stream morphology settings. e questions for me are: Where ways were built, and to be more involved in is too small to handle the volume and veloc- are the most appropriate places to locate working with the communities to maintain ity of water running off from these surfaces, trails? Where will they have the biggest com- them. We also focused heavily on promo- so the streams become scoured out and munity benefi t and the least habitat impact? tion and public engagement; there was banks get undercut. e banks and grading ere is a balance to be found, particularly in a strong marketing eff ort to educate the are highly impacted; the drop structure isn’t urban areas where development has already public on the value of conserving and using there. occurred. greenways. Grade control allows us to put some of en we can encourage appropriate use as Many of the greenway corridors are situ- the structure back in place. a catalyst for conservation, as opposed to the ated on previously developed urban land, ere also are collaborations at the basic black-and-white thought process of “Use it, some being brownfi elds. level. For example, Ameren, a local utili- or don’t use it.” Many of the streams have been impacted ties company, worked with GRG to clear by development, and there was a challenge some of the greenways of invasive species What is the most important thing people in securing funding for urban streams as a to maintain vegetation under their power can do to be good trail stewards? good deal of the past funding tended to be lines. en we were able to go in and plant People need to be active. Use greenways focused on streams in more rural areas. native species. and take care of them. Introduce them to As a regional entity, we coordinated neighbors and friends. If there isn’t strong eff orts across jurisdictions in the region to What impact of the GRG work have you advocacy for them, beginning with use and develop an integrated process to provide the seen so far? awareness, trails aren’t a foregone conclu- best greenways possible, while doing the e conservation and community strategy sion in many communities. Funding can be best for the land they were on. ere are 96 changed how the GRG is working internal- incredibly el usive for trails. diff erent municipalities in St. Louis County ly and how it thinks about itself and green- e more a community is involved in alone, so coordination in and of itself was way development. e greenway planning eff orts to create trails and greenways, the also a big challenge. and project management side has became higher the chance they’ll happen. We started pilot projects that brought fully integrated into the conservation and a lot of people to the table. It was an eff ort community side. A more comprehensive Amy Kapp is editor-in-chief of Rails to Trails.

railstotrails N winter.16 15 he smell of sagebrush in in the distance remind us to keep our rain advocates, land managers and departments the late afternoon sun is gear at hand and not get complacent. We’re of transportation throughout the region, intoxicating, and I need to in the rural West now. the remaining segments are in various remind myself to keep my Th e rail-trail is an essential link in the stages of development. eyes on the trail. Th ere’s Greater Yellowstone Trail, a proposed Th e Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem so much to look at that a 180-mile, non-motorized, multi-use trail (GYE) is home to the budding trail sys- Tperson could be overwhelmed by it all. system that will pass through three states, tem. It’s estimated that the region com- My friend and I are riding on a seg- a handful of wildlife refuges and state prises more than 20 million acres (34,000 ment of the Ashton-Tetonia Trail, a former parks, and endless tracts of U.S. Forest square miles) of contiguous wildlands rail corridor in Eastern Idaho between two Service land. Today, more than 100 miles that extend beyond state boundaries to sleepy agriculture towns beneath the Teton of the route are passable. Due to the work include portions of Wyoming, Idaho and Range. While the Wyoming side of the being done by trail Montana. And Tetons often gets more press for its beauty, while most the Idaho side is stunning in its own right. Sweeping potato fi elds, open sky and thunderheads

Connecting the Wild West: The By Katie Harris Greater Photos by Camrin Dengel Ye l l o w s t o n e

Trail16 railstotrails N winter.16 people are familiar with its most famous lands and numerous Bureau of Land lands that people can access. And the diver- feature, Yellowstone National Park, the Management holdings. sity of land uses, from mountains to agri- ecosystem itself is much more exten- With a region as large as the GYE, land- culture and everything in between, is part of sive and encompasses another nationally scapes are guaranteed to be varied. But the what makes this region so treasured.” protected stretch of land to the south, range of scenery here is nearly indescribable. When it comes to connecting that diver- Grand Teton National Park, as well as fi ve Some would say it’s an embarrassment of sity, the conversation naturally shifts to the national forests, three national wildlife riches, a notion that isn’t taken for granted Greater Yellowstone Trail. Stitching together refuges, state by locals, including Tim Adams, executive the greatest assets of each part of the region, lands, tribal director of Teton Valley Trails and Pathways the trail will not only showcase the land- lands, (tvtap.org), a trail advocacy group based in scapes along the way but also take trail private eastern Idaho. “Th is part of the country has enthusiasts to the wild lands that the region such incredible assets,” Adams is so famous for. says. “Two national Th ree main segments, each roughly 60 parks and endless miles in length, make up this burgeon- federal ing trail network. Th e easternmost chunk, in Teton County, Wyoming, meanders through Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole. Th e segment eventually crosses the Teton Range via Teton Pass, where it bottoms out. From there it brings riders to the second segment, in Teton Valley, Idaho, which is respectfully referred to as the “quiet side of the Tetons.” Th e third piece, which begins in northern Pathways in Grand Teton Valley, Idaho, traces Henry’s Fork of Teton National Park are part of the 180-mile the Snake River above Ashton, Idaho, and proposed trail network into Montana. Th e northern terminus of called the Greater the trail is in West Yellowstone, Montana, Yellowstone Trail. a popular entry point for Yellowstone The National Park. Th e segments have their own character and draw, but each is part of a united eff ort to better connect people to public lands. Th e trail system serves as a corridor between Greater towns and through the region, and also as a link to the wild lands of the West through which it runs.

Visionary Thinking “Th ere are pieces and parts that have been Ye l l o w s t o n e worked on by communities for [more than] 25 years, but initially there wasn’t a plan, a vision for a whole system,” says Tim Young, executive director of Wyoming Pathways (wyopath.org), which works to enhance trails and pathways for safe biking and walking. “Th e segments that inspired the route began in the 1990s, and we’ve been chipping away ever since.” Th e roots of the Greater Yellowstone Trail can be traced in some part to the Millennium Trails program, an initiative created by the Clinton administration in Trail railstotrails N winter.16 17 that, of the 41 watersheds that help make up the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Teton Valley has been of primary con- cern because of its rich and diverse natural resources and because of intense pressure for development. “Teton Valley has [some of] the most incredible and important habitat for Yellowstone-based species, but [this] is Wheat fields and open sky of Eastern Idaho also some of the most threatened habitat,” Matkins says. “It’s definitely something to the late 1990s as a way to celebrate the populous towns, Victor and Driggs (popu- be cherished.” millennium. The White House Millennium lations 1,900 and 1,600 respectively) are Matkins adds that, from the perspective Council, in partnership with government connected by the 7-mile Victor to Driggs of the land trust, agriculture and conserva- agencies and national organizations, includ- Rail-Trail, which is used year-round by folks tion in Idaho go hand in hand. “Keeping ing Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, selected on foot, bike and skis. This is one of the open space open is what allows wildlife standout trail projects across the country to completed, well-loved and heavily used seg- to move through,” she says. “There is an honor as visionary trails that reflected defin- ments of the Greater Yellowstone Trail. incredible amount of wildlife habitat on ing aspects of America’s history and culture. This valley has a deep history, and these agricultural lands, and our goal is to When Young, who was then working for around every corner is another reminder protect it the best we can.” Teton County, was asked if he had an exem- of days past. The role of early Native The Victor to Driggs Rail-Trail is an plary project, he knew immediately that the Americans is an undercurrent of the region, important connector, not just for the old highway that traversed Teton Pass—a and reminders of their importance to the towns but also for the national forest lands stretch of road that hadn’t seen motor- area are common. An example is Nez Perce, that surround the valley. Adams says the ized traffic in decades—would be a perfect one of the peaks in the Teton Range, named trail and national forest are inextricably contender. after a tribe that historically summered in tied. “Every time we talk about the rail- Despite the fact that the segment was the region, long before trappers, traders and trail, we’re looking for spurs or access in enough disrepair to make bike travel less explorers discovered the incredible natural points into federal land,” he says. “The than ideal, it was selected for a Millennium wealth of the ecosystem. spurs to forest access are numerous on both Trails grant in 1999. With additional sup- Railroad development made an indelible sides of the valley.” port from two Public Lands Highways mark in the early 1900s, with trains carry- North of the Victor to Driggs Rail-Trail grants received in the two years that fol- ing freight, particularly agricultural equip- is a small gap to Tetonia, which is the south- lowed, the project went from vision to real- ment and products, as well as passengers. ern terminus for the Ashton-Tetonia Trail, ity, and the old road was restored to a con- Hints of that history still pepper the valley. a heralded example of rural rail-trails in the dition suitable for non-motorized use. In fact, the steaming engine memorialized West. This rustic path is not simply a part “That success made us think that con- on Victor’s town welcome sign reminds visi- of the Greater Yellowstone Trail. It’s an inte- necting the region by trail was possible,” tors of that heritage. gral link that spans the north end of Teton Young says. “We were making great prog- Arguably the most pervasive historical Valley and provides the foundation for con- ress in this part of the valley, but the con- narrative centers on agriculture. From cattle nections beyond its current length. This nections further north hadn’t been looked at to wheat to the famous Idaho potatoes, the unpaved trail was funded in part by the seriously, and it got us interested in looking region’s agricultural tradition lives on, both at it [all] comprehensively.” through current production and relics of days gone by. Out-of-service grain elevators Something to Be Cherished and farm outbuildings are scattered along The eastern side of Teton Pass descends 6 the trail route. miles in Wyoming and then crosses into The ethics at the foundation of living Idaho as the gradient begins to even out. in the region and working the land— Biomes change almost immediately from hard work, hardiness and loyalty to the high pine forest to sweeping agriculture landscape—remain. But today, another lands and streams lined with willow and narrative has reappeared, one of preserva- cottonwood. tion and conservation. Joselin Matkins, On the eastern flank of the Teton Range executive director of the Teton Regional is Teton Valley, Idaho. The valley’s two most Land Trust (tetonlandtrust.org), explains

18 railstotrails u winter.16 federal Transportation Enhancements pro- to one another,” says Brian gram (now the Transportation Alternatives Schilling, pathways coordina- The trail traces Program) and opened to the public in tor for Teton County and the through the 2010. Over its 30 miles, the trail weaves town of Jackson, Wyoming. lodgepole pine together rolling farmland, world-class fish- “The hope is that someday forests near Yellowstone ing destinations such as Bitch Creek, and the national parks and Teton National Park. aspen stands that make tunnels of green in County [will] no longer [be] the summer months and shimmering gold the outliers when it comes to in the fall. world-class tourism destinations, but [will because we’re surrounded by them in Teton The Ashton-Tetonia Trail’s northern ter- be] the norms in this regional network.” Valley,” Adams says. minus is in Ashton, but the corridor—and Schilling agrees, adding that this is the opportunities—extend beyond. Some seg- The Conservation-Recreation Balance case throughout the Greater Yellowstone ments are completed trail, and others, such Schilling notes that the intersection between Trail corridor. “The [trail] is a great way to as the segment from the Montana state conservation and recreation—and how it get people to the national forest, into the line to the town of West Yellowstone, are relates to trail development—is often on national parks and onto other federal lands. completely undeveloped. A few sections are the minds of residents in the West. Many But even on their way to those recreational eligible for Federal Lands Access Program people place national parks at the highest opportunities, they are having a recreational (FLAP) grants, which speaks to the impor- tier of conservation, and Yellowstone, the experience.” tance of the corridor in connecting people nation’s first national park, is the lynch- As Young affirms, connecting people to public lands. pin of the entire ecosystem. “We’ve tried to the wildlands of the West is a prior- Only a sliver of the Greater Yellowstone to find a balance between the impact to ity for the route. “This is land that we all Trail will be in Montana, but Treasure State natural resources and the desire to provide own,” Young says. “From national forest to residents are as enthusiastic as ever about opportunities and convenience for people,” [Bureau of Land Management land] to the the potential for inclusion in the regional he says. parks, it’s ours.” trail. In fact, communities within the Greater And the experience of traveling the “This has been a long time coming,” says Yellowstone Ecosystem have been practicing Greater Yellowstone Trail has the poten- Kelli Sanders, co-owner of Freeheel and a nuanced dance for generations—and with tial to turn awestruck visitors into advo- Wheel, a bike, ski and coffee shop in West positive results. The most relevant example cates for conservation. On a portion of Yellowstone. “It would be such a dream for came during construction of the pathway pathway in Grand Teton National Park, the railroad bed to be used, making it biker stretching north from Jackson into Grand a 7-mile segment that runs along the val- friendly, and hopefully skier friendly in the Teton National Park. Running parallel to ley floor, paralleling the Teton Range, I wintertime.” the National Elk Refuge, the trail signifi- meet Sarah Rice Scott, a bike tourist from While the national parks are already a cantly opened up whole sections of both the Washington, D.C. Scott made the journey powerful tourist draw (more than 3 mil- park and the elk refuge that people hadn’t to northwest Wyoming specifically to ride lion visitors come to Yellowstone annu- really experienced from their cars. “The the segments of the Greater Yellowstone ally), many see the potential of the Greater southern 6 miles of Grand Teton National Trail that have been completed. Yellowstone Trail to spread that concen- Park were essentially a drive-through for “I look up at these mountains and I just trated tourism to other, less-visited parts of decades,” Schilling says. “Now, [they’re] get it,” Scott says. “This landscape captivates the region. “This will be a destination facil- enjoyed by hundreds of people every day you. And being able to ride along the base ity that helps connect outlying communities in a really low-impact way. I think that’s a of the mountains …” she trails off as she huge success story.” gazes upward at the alpenglow gracing the He continues, “When I ride that seg- tip of the Grand Tetons. “It’s breathtaking.” ment of pathway, I see tons and tons of “Once you experience this place, you Bike tourists exploring the rural route near birds, more than I do anywhere else in the want to speak up for it,” Scott says, climb- Island Park, Idaho valley. Sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans, ing back on her bike for her final miles of Canada geese, 55,000 songbirds that I have the day. no idea what they are. It’s so unbelievable to see them all. It’s something that you don’t Katie Harris is the campaigns and media coordina- really appreciate until you’re out there.” tor for RTC’s communications team. She is a frequent user and advocate of active transportation Moved by the Mountains and commutes by bike in Washington, D.C. When “Everything we do [to develop trails] … she’s not on her bike, she’s whitewater kayaking continues to feed access to our federal lands, or dreaming of big trout in the rivers of the West.

railstotrails u winter.16 19 a view from...

Astoria Riverwalk, Oregon  Situated just feet from the coastline of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon’s 6.4-mile Astoria Riverwalk is an urban trail with an unusual wildlife attraction. More than 2,000 bark- ing sea lions announce their presence even before trail users reach the Port of Astoria’s East Mooring Basin, where the pinnipeds spectacularly congregate on the docks. However, the 800-pound sea lions cause significant damage to property along the docks and to the boats moored there. Marine mammal experts also note that the animals’ takeover of the docks and frequent interac- tions with humans are detrimental to the sea lions’ health. The port is exploring nuisance strategies—including an unsuccessful attempt with a fake orca last spring—to encourage the sea lions to relocate to the nearby rock breakwaters, also visible from the riverwalk. Despite the problems, the large colony of sleek mammals attracts attention from tourists and locals alike. Bald eagles, pelicans and Canada geese also frequent the coastline and give trail users wildlife viewing options both in the skies and on the sea. WILSON JENNILYN

s railroad companies of the past laid track across the American landscape, they created pathways through portions of Athe country that would otherwise remain unseen by human eyes. THE WILD Today, trail users traveling along the footprints of these former rail lines find the unique access offers rare opportunities to view wildlife in its native habitat. From moose in Maine and alligators in Alabama to cormorants along the California coast, animals seen from rail-trails give their human visitors incentive to sustain these habitats and conserve resources to help them thrive. These four trails showcase some of the diverse wildlife you

may see on your next visit. REID DAVID

20 railstotrails u winter.16 By Danielle Taylor

COURTESY FERMILAB THE WILDIllinois Prairie Path, Illinois  also serves as a Monarch Waystation for Clocking in at 61 miles, the Illinois migrating butterflies. Prairie Path (IPP) was established in the The most popular wildlife attraction mid-1960s and quickly became one of is slightly off the path. The campus of America’s first successful rail-trail conver- Fermilab, a physics laboratory adjacent sions. Along its route, people can view to the trail in Batavia, features a private deer, squirrels, rabbits, voles, groundhogs, herd of bison that visitors can see follow- toads, birds and other woodland and ing a short detour off the IPP. The lab’s grassland creatures, many of which use first director established the initial herd the trail and its surroundings as a shel- in 1969 as part of a program to help pre- tered refuge amidst the Chicago suburbs. serve the prairie history of the state. Since Since the trail’s creation 50 years ago, a then, the lab has continued to maintain major focus of the Illinois Prairie Path a herd of 30 to 70 animals. The bison Corp. has been to preserve, restore and habitat also attracts some beautiful birds reestablish the prairies located along the and has been at least the temporary home trail. These have been critical in providing of snow buntings, eastern bluebirds, great needed natural habitats for many spe- horned owls, greater white-fronted geese

CARLTON HOLLS CARLTON cies displaced by urban sprawl. The trail and Ross’s geese.

railstotrails u winter.16 21 Weiser River Trail, Idaho  In southwestern Idaho, the Weiser River Trail meanders through an 84-mile cross section of the state’s variable landscape. Shifting from mountain meadows and evergreen forests along its northern end to open desert canyons in the south, the trail intersects more than 1,400 acres of wildlife habitats and gives its users something new to see around every bend. Birds spotted include burrowing owls, sandhill cranes, northern harriers, peregrine falcons, wild turkeys and violet-green swallows—a range of species that illustrates the diversity of environments found on the path. Larger animals include bear, coyotes, mountain lions, elk and wolves. The Weiser River adjacent to the trail is a popular destination for fishermen looking to catch wild rainbow trout. Friends of the Weiser River Trail established and maintains the pathway with limited munic- ipal support. Part of the group’s mission statement is “to protect and enhance the riparian and other natural habitats within the corridor.”

Methuen Rail Trail, Massachusetts   This unassuming trail on the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border packs a lot of wildlife into a mere 2.4 miles. Trail walkers and riders can expect to see deer, turtles, rabbits, snakes, otters and more, but the trail is best known for its wide variety of birds. The 18-acre Nevins Bird Sanctuary sits along the pathway and provides a protected habitat for hundreds of birds, giving visitors plenty to see. Two counts in the summer of 2010 yielded observations of 39 avian species, ranging from song sparrows and red-winged blackbirds to great blue herons, red-tailed hawks and even one immature bald eagle. The endangered Blanding’s turtle, recognizable by its yellow-speckled shell, makes its home here and finds the sandy soil alongside the railbed to be ideal for nesting. The Methuen Rail Trail Alliance brings attention to the reptile’s conservation status and encourages the public to look but not disturb the animals, and to learn about the factors threat- ening this turtle’s survival.

Danielle Taylor is a freelance writer currently traveling across the United States in search of adventure and intriguing stories. A former executive editor for the National Recreation and Park Association’s Parks & Recreation magazine, she focuses her work on outdoor recreation, public lands and travel. Follow her journey at danielle-taylor.com.

22 railstotrails u winter.16 ALL PHOTOS: TIMOTHY J. VERMETTE PAT TRAINOR (2) Celebrating 30yearsof buildinganddefendingrail-trails! 2016 Calendar: 14 Rail-Trails That INSPIRATION CYCLING LIFESTYLE Order online todayatrailstotrails.org/calendar Helped BuildtheMovement It’s Here! RTC’s Official for the for momentummag.com/rails-promo premium magazine subscription trial Sign upfor aFREE1-year

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winter.16 23 community connections

2015 RAIL-TRAIL HALL OF FAME forces. After the Battle of Gettysburg miles of trail and explore more than in July 1863, thousands of wounded 250 years of American history between Symbolic Legacy soldiers used the railway to evacuate Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg. to hospitals. President Lincoln trav- —Danielle Taylor It’s only fi tting that Pennsylvania’s eled on the line in November 1863 Heritage Rail Trail County Park and to deliver his now-famous Gettysburg Maryland’s Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail Address. Following Lincoln’s assassina- Midwest Masterpiece unite at the Mason-Dixon Line, per- tion in April 1865, just days after the fectly representing the history of a rail end of the war, the Northern Central Minneapolis clearly is doing something corridor steeped in the confl icts of the Railway transported his remains from right. A 2014 study by the U.S. Census Civil War, and joining in plans for an Baltimore to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Bureau revealed that the city boasted a exciting future. It’s equally fi tting that in a section of the funeral train procession bicycle commuter rate nearly seven times 2015, the 150th anniversary of the Civil from Washington, D.C., to Springfi eld, the national average. War’s conclusion and the assassination of Illinois. Much of this success can be attribut- President Abraham Lincoln, they share e railroad changed ownership sev- ed to the Midtown Greenway, a 5.5-mile the honor of being placed in the Rails- eral times but remained operational until rail-trail running east to west through to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) Rail-Trail 1972, when Hurricane Agnes severely south Minneapolis. Each day, thousands Hall of Fame. damaged miles of track. By 1984, the of commuters hit the trail, helping the “ ese are outstanding examples of Maryland Department of Natural city reduce fuel emissions and promote iconic rail-trails that had yet to be recog- Resources had converted the Maryland a culture of physical activity. Because nized,” says Liz orstensen, RTC’s vice portion into the Torrey C. Brown Rail the trail has very few intersections president of trail development. “ ey Trail, also known as the Northern Central with other thoroughfares, it off ers the are both really well utilized and seen as Railroad Trail. Pennsylvania opened the fastest option for traveling crosstown. important assets in their communities.” fi rst portion of the connecting Heritage Additionally, the trail has spurred devel- Together, the stewards of these out- Rail Trail in 1999, and additional por- opment along its route, generating new standing trails have perfectly balanced tions along the northern end have been income streams for Minneapolis and its the job of remembering their history and opening in stages since 2007. e last 2 residents. providing for their present and future miles of trail needed to connect the main Recognizing the positive impact this communities. trail and its northern extension are on trail has had on its community and seeing e former Northern Central schedule to be completed in 2016. it as a noteworthy example for other cit- Railway provides the footprint for the “ e Torrey C. Brown trail now ies to follow, RTC chose to highlight the attracts nearly a million user visits annu- Midtown Greenway in 2015 by induct- ally, [and] based upon the most recent ing it into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. study, the Heritage Rail Trail attracts “It is one of the most popular bike nearly 300,000 annual user visits,” says commuter routes in the city, and one of Carl Knoch, former trail development the busiest bikeways in the state,” says manager for RTC’s Northeast Regional Soren Jensen, executive director of the Offi ce and chairman of the York County Midtown Greenway Coalition. “More Rail Trail Authority (yorkcountytrails. than 5,000 people bike on it each day org) board of directors. “ e trail has during the summer months, and we esti- been an economic boon to the small mate more than 1 million bike trips are towns along the route, with new business- taken on it each year.” The Heritage Rail Trail celebrates its railroad past with Steam Into History. es forming to serve trail users and existing A 1912 directive from the JOHN GENSOR businesses seeing increased traffi c.” Minneapolis City Council mandated rail-trails, now spanning nearly 44 e Heritage Rail Trail also celebrates that all rail lines running through the miles of crushed stone. In the early its history and draws tourism with city had to be laid below street level to 1800s, the railroad carried passengers Steam Into History, 10-mile excursion reduce collisions with other vehicles and and freight between Baltimore and train rides alongside the trail powered by pedestrians, so the Milwaukee Railroad York, Pennsylvania. Confederate troops a replica 1860s steam locomotive. dug a trench to accommodate its rail attacked the critical rail line in the sum- Together, the two trails compose a line. Eighty years later, the below-grade, mers of 1863 and 1864, destroying central portion of the developing Grand uninterrupted corridor caught the eye of bridges that soon were rebuilt by Union History Trail, which will link more 250 a few local bike advocates. e Midtown

24 railstotrails N winter.16 community connections

Jim Oberstar and other programs now operate in all 50 states advocates to craft a legislative and Washington, D.C. agenda to advance walk- “Deb was a friend and tireless advo- ing and biking nationwide. cate who never relented in her drive to Building on federal transpor- make Marin County and all of America The stunning Hiawatha bike and tation legislation, she helped a healthier place,” said RTC President pedestrian bridge along the Midtown defi ne several programs that Keith Laughlin. “While she departed Greenway in Minneapolis TONY WEBSTER TONY would carry the bike/ped this earth far too young, she leaves a Greenway Coalition (midtowngreen movement beyond the individual project legacy that most humans could not hope way.org) was fi rst organized in 1992 as stage to one advocating safe active-trans- to achieve in 100 years.” a collection of like-minded volunteers. portation systems around the country In honor and gratitude for her pas- After nearly a decade of property nego- for people of all ages and abilities. sion and accomplishments, RTC named tiations, organizational changes and gov- In 2000, Deb worked tirelessly on Deb its 2015 Doppelt Family Rail-Trail ernmental interventions, phase one of implementation of the Safe Routes to Champion, a designation that places the rail-trail opened in August 2000. School Pilot Program in Marin County, her among a special group of visionaries “ e Midtown Greenway is the one of two participating sites. It incorpo- who’ve made remarkable contributions crown jewel of rail-trails,” states rated the Mill Valley-Sausalito Path—one to rail-trails. RTC notifi ed Deb of this Marianne Wesley Fowler, senior strate- of the nation’s pioneering rail-trails— designation shortly before she passed gist for policy advocacy at RTC. “It’s into its plan. Deb’s dream to ensure a away in August. A set of benches located integral to the city’s transportation pat- fully funded national program would be above San Francisco Bay, south of the tern. e trail’s incredible usage anchors advanced in 2005 with passage of a Safe Cal Park Hill Tunnel, bears an inscrip- that whole system.” Routes to School Program in Congress’ tion honoring Deb’s memory and her e trail is so popular among com- SAFETEA-LU transportation legislation. selection as Rail-Trail Champion. muters, Jensen says, that it even has a She also was vital in securing the “ ere are few for whom it can be rush hour in the afternoon. Because it is ratifi cation that same year of the claimed that they were necessary to the plowed in the winter and lighted at night, Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot advocacy eff orts that brought walking it’s used at all hours and in all seasons. Program (NTPP), for which Marin and biking to the fore in American com- “[ e Midtown Greenway] has truly County served as one of four test munities,” said Marianne Wesley Fowler, forged the way for [Minneapolis] to communities in the United States. RTC’s senior strategist for policy advo- become one of the lead communities Additionally, she helped form the NTPP cacy and a longtime friend and colleague in America for walking and biking,” working group charged with guiding the of Deb’s. Fowler says. initiative to completion. “Deb stands among them, and she —Danielle Taylor Marin County NTPP eff orts will be missed.” included restoration of the 1,100-foot —Amy Kapp 2015 RAIL-TRAIL CHAMPION Cal Park Hill Tunnel as the lead project, closing a regional network gap between In Memory of Rail-Trail San Rafael and Larkspur and providing Deb Hubsmith, expanded access to the San Francisco RTC’s 2015 Champion Deb Hubsmith Rail-Trail Bay Ferry. Opened in 2010, the Cal Park Champion Rails-to-Trails Conservancy was deeply Hill Tunnel stands as a national model saddened by the passing of friend and for how the recycling of old rail facilities colleague Deb Hubsmith on Aug. 18, and application of innovative designs 2015, after a two-year battle with acute can help reconnect America’s com- myeloid leukemia. She was 46. munities. NTPP would be responsible Deb was a passionate and gifted for averting 85.1 million vehicle miles champion for many of the advances the traveled as opposed to biking or walking nation has seen in trails and bike/ped between 2009 and 2013. policy and practice over the past 20 years. Deb’s persistence and eff orts helped As a leader of the Marin County lead to the founding in 2005 of the Safe Bicycle Coalition in California, which Routes to School National Partnership, she helped found in 1998, Deb worked for which she served for many years as with the late Minnesota Congressman executive director. Safe Routes to School HEALING DEB BLOG LOVE COURTESY

railstotrails N winter.16 25 rail-trail report

What We’ve Been Up To RTC’s work on this project is made almost $250,000 to Maryland and possible by the generous support of the Pennsylvania this summer as par- n Working in partnership with George Gund Foundation. Contact: Eric ticipants of RTC’s 14th Annual Alta Planning and Design, RTC Oberg, [email protected]. Pennsylvania Rail-Trail Sojourn. recently provided a significant Each rider spent approximately $300 boost to the development of a trail n RTC recently conducted a compre- on equipment, $100 on food and drink through Ventura County, California. hensive survey of trail managers to and $250 on accommodations before The Ventura County Transportation better understand maintenance costs or after the event in towns along the Commission (VCTC) has been seek- of trails. Results of this study show that rail-trail. Riders passed through 2 miles ing to build a rail-with-trail along the maintenance costs typically are not as of a recently completed section of the 32-mile Santa Paula Branch Line rail high as trail managers anticipated. Per- Sheepskin Trail leading to Dunbar, corridor, which runs across the entire mile yearly average costs for rail-trail Pennsylvania, a key segment of the area’s county. maintenance assessed in the study ranged developing regional trail network. When When the project was initially from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on complete, this segment will create more proposed, the agricultural community whether the trail was asphalt or stone than 500 miles of contiguous trail sys- strongly objected to the trail, raising dust. This assessment supports the find- tem throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland concerns about trail users impacting ings of the more detailed budgets that and West Virginia. It is estimated that their operations. By interviewing trail a few dozen trail managers provided, such a trail would generate more than managers and farmers experienced with which averaged $2,026 per mile per $40 million in direct spending from trail trails adjacent to active agricultural land, year. This figure includes the value of users annually. Contact: Tom Sexton, RTC and Alta were able to demonstrate volunteer service, which was assigned an [email protected]. how trails across the country have been equivalent hourly rate. When compared able to safely coexist with farms, with against the finding that 58 percent of n The popular Sojourn is back many of the farmers becoming trail trails reported using volunteers, these again—but this year, it’s bigger and advocates. Barry Bergman, manager of annual cost figures may decrease signifi- better! RTC is proud to present the trail development for RTC’s Western cantly. Approximately 200 respondents 2016 Sojourn Series, four rides in Regional Office, delivered presentations representing rural (37 percent), urban four states, showcasing some of the on the project at the California (14 percent), suburban (13 percent) and best trails across the nation! From Trails and Greenways Conference mixed rural/suburban (36 percent) rail- Pennsylvania’s Great Allegheny Passage and the International Trails Symposium. trails participated in the survey. For more to Florida’s Miami to Everglades trail, Contact: Barry Bergman details and to access the full study, go the Sojourn Series includes much-loved [email protected]. to the RTC Resource Library at railsto favorites and some brand-new good- trails.org/resource-library. Contact: ies. The first ride of the series kicks off n Touching 50 counties in Tom Sexton, [email protected]. in February, and the final excursion is Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York planned for October. Stay tuned for and Ohio, and having an envisioned n Nearly 300 cyclists provided more information: railstotrails.org/ network of 1,450 miles, the Industrial an estimated economic boon of sojourns. Heartland Trails Coalition is the largest trail network project in which RTC is currently collaborating. In ANNOUNCEMENT the first two years of the project, more Doppelt Family Trail Development Fund – than 111 organizations and agencies have Call for Applications participated in planning and coalition Proposals are being accepted through early 2016 for the Doppelt Family Trail meetings. RTC recently completed phase one of a groundbreaking trail-traffic Development Fund. This new grant program was launched in 2015 to support modeling project for this region that organizations and local governments that are implementing projects to build and has, for the first time, created an ana- improve rail-trails. Under the Fund, RTC will award up to $85,000 per year for the lytical way to segment large trail systems next five years to selected projects through a competitive process. The fund was into trail “typologies.” Phase two, which established by Jeff Doppelt of Great Neck, New York, a long-time supporter of RTC includes the deployment of dozens and development of rail-trails in the United States, and an additional anonymous of automated trail counters, was sched- donor. For more information on the grant, go to railstotrails.org/funding. uled for implementation in fall 2015.

26 railstotrails u winter.16 destination

mature longleaf pines, increasingly rare. The native habitat in which they flourish Destination: is hilly, sandy and rich in native grasses, wildflowers and rare animals. By moving slowly, we sought glimpses of a Sherman’s Florida fox squirrel, a tree climber about twice the size of an average gray squirrel and with a black and white face that resembles The St. Marks that of a rhesus monkey. We also looked for larger pines with white bands. The Trail—a Florida First bands mark cavity trees occupied by the STORY AND PHOTOS BY DOUG ALDERSON endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, the only native woodpecker that drills a cavity in a living tree. The Apalachicola National Forest boasts the largest concen- tration of these birds in the world, and breeding populations are exported from the forest to help repopulate other protected lands. Since the woodpeckers are small, about 7 inches long, we yearned for a good pair of binoculars to spot one. To explore the Apalachicola National Forest’s longleaf forests in depth, you can access the Munson Hills Off-Road Bike Trail from the main St. Marks Trail trailhead. This is a scenic and challenging n average bicyclist could have moved faster than the first train course that moves up and down ancient on the Tallahassee-St. Marks Railroad. That’s because the sand dunes now transformed into forest- cotton-filled cars were drawn by mules in 1836. But soon a ed sand hills. Hard-packed clay has been placed on the trail so bicyclists will not locomotive was brought in, quickening the pace, and in 1865, during A become bogged down in loose sand dur- the Civil War, the railroad transported Confederate troops to the Battle ing dry periods. This trail has expanded of Natural Bridge, 6 miles east of the tracks. The trains ran until 1983, to include the Twilight Loop for a total making this the longest-running railroad in Florida. of 21 miles through the national forest. The St. Marks Trail also features a parallel Given its history, it seems only fitting local parks) in 1999, 2005 and 2013. An unpaved equestrian trail. that the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic additional 4.5 miles north of the main The first section of the St. Marks Railroad State Trail—commonly called trailhead at Capital Circle—Tallahassee’s Trail closely parallels State Road 363, the St. Marks Trail—is Florida’s first version of a beltway—connects to Florida making for traffic noise. The noise fades paved rail-trail project. The 12-foot-wide State University and is maintained by the away around mile 2, where the trail path begins just south of Tallahassee on city of Tallahassee. The St. Marks is the veers west to skirt the small hamlet of State Road 363 and ends at the charm- longest completed section of the planned Woodville. We stopped at the J. Lewis ing coastal village of St. Marks, where 120-mile Capital City to the Sea Trails. Hall Sr. park, welcoming its restrooms cyclists often have a meal and a beverage On a recent ride along the St. Marks and water. We weren’t hungry for lunch before making the long climb back to Trail with friend and co-worker Britney yet, but a seafood restaurant, sandwich Tallahassee, gaining a nose-bleeding eleva- Moore, I noted the distinct character shop and Chinese restaurant are available tion of almost 30 feet in 16 miles. of each section of trail. The first few in Woodville, along with several conve- The 16-mile St. Marks Trail is managed miles skirt part of the 500,000-acre nience stores and a grocery store. It’s hard by Florida’s Division of Recreation and Apalachicola National Forest. Pine trees to go hungry on the St. Marks Trail. Parks and is part of the state park system, are the norm here, but not the more com- As we headed south past Woodville, which won National Gold Medal Awards mon pine trees grown in rows for paper the trail became rural and canopied with (the nation’s highest honors for state and production. These are thick stands of lush hardwood trees. We paused beneath 

railstotrails u winter.16 27 28 dry up, andsometimestheyare dry simply ing seasonorif their swampsorponds ally move onlandduring the springmat- ago,” McCreery said.Alligatorsoccasion- one crossed infront ofthestore notlong on thetrail?” nirs. By theway, didyou seeanyalligators back andbuysomefurniture andsouve- cooling off here, alotofpeoplecome “Th etrailiswonderful,” hesaid. “After trail usersandfree popsiclesforchildren. George McCreery, off ersfree icewaterfor the Beach Trader giftshop. Th e owner, off thetrailahundred yards toaccess trail crossing isclearlymarked, we veered regardless ofhow oneisdressed. toattendservices, invitation toeveryone panied by aspiritualmessageandan drinking fountainbesidethetrail,accom- Church. Th econgregation a has installed cabin-style Wakulla United Methodist we madeapleasantdiscovery atthelog- suitable forchildren ofallabilities. Playground—a speciallydesignedfacility rooms, shadedpavilionsandaBoundless Wakulla Station trailhead,withwater, rest- hot day.” At mile9,agoodrest stopisthe the canopyfeeloftrail,especiallyona pling oneofthepinkberries.“And Ilove “Oh, thoseare sweet,” saidBritney, sam- tree drippingwithripeberries. a mulberry the St.chatterto usersof Marks Trail. McCreery offers free coldtreats andfriendly Beach Trader gift shopowner George destination rails “Well, they’re onthemove now. Abig “Uh, no,” Ianswered. Just pastU.S.Highway 98, where the A couplemilessouthofthetrailhead, to trails ◆

winter.16 two massive open-airdining rooms, one now ago withahotdog cart; heboasts Stanley West hisbusiness20years started lowfi ntuna,theday’s special).Owner St. Marks River (inourcase,itwasyel- the Riverside Cafeontheshores ofthe trail tradition:enjoying fresh seafoodat we decidedtohonoralong-standing fee foramuseumtour. forfree ofafort orpayasmall stone ruins trails stophere, butvisitorscanroam the such a turbulent history. All roads and land bicyclists, hikersandboaters,couldhave a peacefulspot,visitedtodayby tourists, south. It wasdiffi culttofathom how such water thatleadstotheopenGulf, 5miles of saltmarsh,tree islandsandfl owing Marks River andscannedthevast expanse centuries. We stoodontheshore oftheSt. fought forcontrol oftheregion forseveral es—along withswashbucklingpirates— Confederate andNative Americanforc- site iswhere Spanish, English, American, of the Wakulla andSt. Marks rivers, this of St. Marks. Situated attheconfl uence Apalache Historic State Park inthetown rode another2milestotheSan Marcos de sticky from eatingdrippingpopsicles,we along theSt. Marks Trail. never beenareport ofaggressive alligators and Britney andIaren’t phased.Th ere has But toFloridians, alligatorsaren’t new, seeking asunnyspotinwhichtobask. By thistime,lunchwasinorder, so Leaving theBeach Trader, ourfi ngers tasty food. year forhealth,relaxation andaccessto people whoutilize thecanopiedpatheach is alsogoodforthemore than140,000 community.” ness. Th etrail’s beengoodforthewhole make up15to20percent ofmybusi- we’re attheendofabiketrail. Trail users to beattheendofarailroad, andnow to wantcomehere,” West said.“It used highway, soitisadestination. You have up theroof emittedasweet aroma. sands ofthatchedpalmfronds thatmake structure known asachickee.Th ethou- of whichisaSeminole Indian pen-sided miles fromthe St. Marks Trail. 2 Tallahassee,just of south lives paddler,he ized trails in the state. An avid cyclist, hiker and & Trails, the lead planning entity for non-motor- bureau chief for the Florida Ofﬁce of Greenways River.”Kissimmee the for Dawn assistant is He Adventures,” “WatersLess Traveled”and “New winning outdoor books, including “Wild Florida award-several of author the is Alderson Doug No doubtthehistoricSt. Marks Trail “Th is town isnotalonganymajor danielle@daniellemark dmmark www Har Danielle Mark s@v tfield, .daniellemark 364 Lak All ar by DanielleMark Map Illustr a.metr Danielle Mark

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winter.16 bwwakulla wakulla ), ), 29 Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Non-Proﬁ t U.S. Postage PAID 2121 Ward Court, NW, 5th Floor Rails to Trails Washington, DC 20037-1213 Conservancy

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