According to
recent articles in American Trail magazine, trails provide enormous benefits for communities, workers, and the nation in general.
Here are some important economic figures that relate to the benefits of trails:
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| hikers enjoying the trail |
- Active outdoor recreation generates $730 million to the economy each year.
- Trails and other outdoor pursuits provide 6.5 million jobs annually.
- There are 437 million recreational visits to Interior-managed lands.
- One U.S. trail generated an estimated 80,000 trips w/ trail users spending $40.8 million.
- Bicycle recreation supports more than $924 million in tourism.
- Although the per capita annual cost of trail use is $209, per capita annual direct medical benefits was $564. This means that every dollar spent on trails provided $2.94 in direct medical benefit.
While one U.S. Senator is refusing to vote for highway funding as long as some of the money is going for trails, the opposite should be happening. In light of the figures presented above, and for numerous other reasons, the amount of trail funding in transportation apportionments should be increased. Unlike roads, trails:
- are cheaper to build
- are cheaper to maintain
- provide more jobs per mile
- provide health benefits
- provide recreational opportunities
- provide viable transportation options
- are much more environmentally sustainable
If you haven’t yet done so, contact your representative and urge them to fully fund all trail options in U.S. transportation funding.
Coming up on the trailsnet blog:
- Information about new active travel websites
- Information about a possible huge format change for the trailsnet website
- Information about new maps to be included on the trailsnet website
- Information about the National Trails System
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Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/09/23/trails-benefit-communities-nation/
If you’re looking for real adventure, check out
the Great Himalaya Trail website.
By the way, I probably won’t be doing this one. I’m out of breath just thinking about it.
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Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/09/15/367/
Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/09/15/photo-book/
Ohio has incredible trails, and lots of them.
Thanks to an email from Ohio trail advocate, Pam, I recently became aware of the miles and miles of trails in Ohio. Pam directed me to the Ohio Bikeways website where I found not only a great trail resource, but also an area specifically devoted to long distance trails in Ohio. I believe this is the only website I know (besides trailsnet of course) that has a specific section just for long-distance trails.
Keeping in mind, only a couple states have trails that are over 100 miles long, Ohio has at least four trails that are slated to run over 100 miles; these trails are the Ohio to Erie Trail (325 miles), the North Coast Inland Trail (NCIT) (270 miles), The Ohio & Erie Towpath trail (100 miles), and the Great Ohio Lake-To-River Greenway (100 miles). Most of these trails are not yet complete, but when they are, Ohio may well become the go-to destination for active travelers worldwide.
So thanks to Pam for alerting me to the wonderful network of trails in Ohio and thanks to the visionaries in Ohio for seeing the need for such trails and moving toward a true Trailtopia. Last year, trailsnet christened Wisconsin as the “Trail State of the Year.” This year, we’re casting our vote for Ohio. I can’t wait to visit Ohio to ride its trails, meet its people, and enjoy the beautiful sights.
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Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/08/28/ohio-is-this-years-trail-state/
Thanks to Everytrail user Ben, I recently found out about an awesome trail activity called Rollerpacking. It involves an overnight trail trip on inline skates. Basically, it’s back-packing on inline skates. Of course, it requires a nice smooth paved trail, but there are plenty of those featured on trailsnet. (Just click on the “Locate Trails by State” link above.) I don’t know about you, but that sounds like an awful lot of fun to me.
Ben roller-bladed the Western Maryland Rail Trail which runs parallel to the C & O Canal Towpath trail. I have had the pleasure of riding my bike on both of those trails and thoroughly enjoyed them. Now I want to go back and try them on inline skates, a recumbent, a Trikke…
I appreciated Ben sharing information about his roller-packing trip. He reminded me of the much-appreciated snowcone stand near the trail in Hancock, Maryland. He also reminded me of how many trails are located in the Washington D.C./Maryland area. From the C & O trail, riders can access the Capitol Crescent trail, the Western Maryland Rail Trail, The Mount Vernon Trail, and the world famed Appalachian Trail. So thanks to Ben and to all of you who send me your trail stories whether by blog comments (preferred method), email, or Everytrail contacts.
I’m soon going to be publishing my fall foliage trail recommendations. I’d appreciate hearing from any of you who have suggestions for fall color trails. Feel free to leave a comment with your recommendation. And if you haven’t signed up to “Follow” trailsnet, please do so in the column to the right.
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Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/08/23/rollerpacking-am-i-the-last-to-hear-about-this/
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Put on your skates &
hit the ice!! |
Winter may be a ways off, but I thought you trail buffs would be interested in this awesome winter sports trail in Winnipeg, Canada. It is the Forks River Trail and has been officially recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Longest Ice Skating Trail.
Since it is a natural trail, it is obviously closed right now. But if you love to ice skate, and you’ve always wanted to explore Canada, then head to Winnipeg, put on some ice skates and give the Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail a try.
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Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/08/18/worlds-longest-ice-skating-trail/
