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For more than 25 years, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has fought for dedicated funding for trail development. We secured this funding back in 1991 with the creation of the Transportation Enhancements program, (which was renamed Transportation Alternatives in the recent federal bill) and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Now, that funding is in jeopardy in California. RTP may be eliminated. Governor Jerry Brown's administration has indicated they plan to opt out of the RTP, which means elimination...

The state of California is a unique bird, particularly when it comes to transportation planning. A massive space populated with a mixture of booming metropolises, sprawling suburbs, and sparse rural areas, the Golden State's dire financial straits of late have made solving its intense congestion, connectivity and public health challenges all the more difficult, and important. The good news is that Governor Jerry Brown's administration is conscious that active transportation infrastructure - trails...

Growing support for active transportation has been manifesting itself into calls for more and safer opportunities for bicycling and walking all across the country. In some instances, this booming trend is the catalyst that pushes municipal planners to provide more bike paths, trails and pathways--a response to the demands of the population. But how prepared are the planners, designers, engineers and work crews of our state departments of transportation to deliver this active transportation infrastructure...

At Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) 25th Anniversary celebration last October, we honored a group of men and women--the inaugural Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champions--who have made a remarkable contribution to the rail-trail movement during the past quarter century. We will be posting a blog story on each of the honorees during the coming weeks. Today we recognize Greg Cox's enormous contribution to providing active transportation options to the people of California. The rail-trail movement is...

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) Western Regional Office has been watching with great interest the progression of plans for a rail-trail along Monterey Bay in the Central Coast of California. So too have the people of Santa Cruz County, and the champagne corks were well and truly popping with the announcement recently that the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) had closed the deal to acquire the right-of-way beside the 32-mile Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line. This 135-year...

The city of Brea on the outskirts of Los Angeles, Calif., is the latest municipality to tap a rail-trail project as a solution to some of the pressing transportation issues in the region. A project of the city of Brea Redevelopment Agency, the "Tracks at Brea" will one day run through the city center, linking recreational spots, schools, businesses and neighborhoods. The four-mile rail-trail will create a new route perpendicular to creek and river trails in Orange County, eventually connecting to...

Last Saturday the residents of El Monte, California, celebrated their city's fantastic location in the middle of the Emerald Necklace network of trails with a community bike ride for all ages on the Rio Hondo bike path . More than 220 riders came out to enjoy the easy trails and get some exercise as they toured the path to Peck Water Conservation Park and the Whittier Narrows. The community bike ride capped off a season spent raising the profile of local trails through an 'Rx for Health' program...