RTC TrailBlog : florida

Florida's $50 Million a Savvy Investment in the State

Jake Lynch — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:30:00 GMT

Florida's decision this week to set aside $50 million for the creation of a 275-mile cross-state trail is not only great news for those of us who love trails, biking, riding and hiking - it is also a tremendous shot in the arm for thousands of main street businesses and the state's economy.

Long gone are the days when a "trail" was merely a quiet place to take a leisurely stroll, pedal your bike and appreciate chirping birds and swaying branches.

Trails are now multi-million dollar economic engines, critical investments at the heart of an outdoor recreation economy in which Americans spend $646 billion every year, $38.3 billion of that in Florida. Did you know that Americans now spend more money each year on bicycling gear and trips ($81 billion) than they do on airplane tickets and fees ($51 billion)?

Which is why $50 million to create a coast-to-coast trail across Florida is a savvy investment in our state's tourism infrastructure, and one which will pay for itself many times over in a few short years.

This is not speculation. All across America, states with less-established tourism industries than Florida's are building sustainable, growing economies around destination trails. The prime example is the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage through western Maryland and Pennsylvania, which generates $40 million in direct spending by trail tourists each year, single-handedly sustaining small communities and sparking new commercial activity in large ones.

But destination trails are also driving the establishment of new businesses and boosting local economies in Michigan, West Virginia, California, Ohio, Utah, Montana, New York... it's a long list, and growing.

Republican Senator Andy Gardiner and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad head a group of officials and supporters who deserve credit for their leadership and for envisioning how this facility will help re-shape Central Florida and contribute to a new and evolving Spacecoast economy.

RTC and our local partners like the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation worked closely with Sen. Gardiner in developing and promoting such an investment in Florida's trails. It is terrific to see an elected official who is listening to his constituents and understands the strong local support for such projects in the region.

Already the national trail community is abuzz about the prospect of a 275-mile trail from St. Petersburg to Titusville. This $50 million investment to connect a number of existing rail-trails to create a continuous trail adventure across Florida will bring visitors from across America and around the world, and put this state at the forefront of a sustainable economic boom.

There is already evidence of the economic potential of rail-trail systems that connect our communities here in Florida. In downtown Dunedin, private business occupancy rates increased from 30 percent to 95 percent following the establishment of the Pinellas Trail. The West Orange, Little Econ and Cady Way trails in Orange County supported 516 jobs and had an economic impact of $42.6 million in 2010, according to a study conducted by the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. In 2009, Florida's eight state trails and the Cross Florida Greenway had more than four million visitors, generating an estimated economic impact of $95 million.

This is without even touching upon the proven positive impact of local trail systems on real estate values and liveability indexes - two data points which are crucial to a region's ability to resist recession and retain residents and businesses.

So, congratulations to Florida's elected leaders for their wise and far-sighted investment in the state. At a time when the public is demanding fiscal responsibility, this investment in creating a remarkable destination trail will continue to reap returns for Floridian residents and business for many years to come.

Photo of riders on the Pinellas Trail courtesy Pinellas County.
Photo of trail-users at a local restaurant in Maryland by RTC.

Volunteers Needed for Florida Trail Campaign

Jake Lynch — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:06:00 GMT

RTC is proud to have more than 25,000 supporters in the Sunshine State. Our Florida state office continues to work hard for you in promoting trails and active transportation.

As you may know, we have spent many years protecting the Florida Greenways and Trails Program and ensuring that walking, bicycling and trails remain eligible for federal transportation dollars. Now, we are in the midst of our 60-day legislative session and trails are on the verge of a renaissance. Though it's too early to be certain and make that claim just yet, I do look forward to updating you at the end of the session and hope the momentum and leadership continues in Tallahassee. Regional connections stand to gain and many elected officials are embracing trails as economic engines, job creators and alternative transportation.

Earlier, I alerted you to the Florida Water and Land Legacy Campaign. This ambitious effort is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to complete a statewide interconnected trail system. The goal is to have the funding initiative on the 2014 ballot, so a lot of work needs to be done right now! Please consider assisting the campaign by becoming a Volunteer Signature Collector. To volunteer or request more information about the campaign, you can sign up online.

Thank you! I look forward to reporting back to you soon. Now, get out there and enjoy the Florida sun while you ride.

Trail Across Old Tampa Bay a Leap Forward for Florida

Jake Lynch — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:33:00 GMT

Florida has some work to do. When it comes to creating walkable, bikeable environments, the Sunshine State is consistently rated one of the most dangerous places in America for anyone outside of a car.

But things are starting to change, thanks in part to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) more than 20 years of advocacy and coalition building in Florida, and a dedicated community of local planners and advocates. This month, work began on a multi-use pathway alongside the Courtney Campbell Causeway, passing over Old Tampa Bay and connecting Clearwater in Pinellas County with Tampa in Hillsborough County.

"In the not too distant future, this will be a spectacular stretch of trail that will build on the international draw of the area," says RTC's Florida State Director Ken Bryan. "Seeing this important project move forward is also evidence of the strong local support for the region's growing trail system."

This four-mile section, including a half-mile bridge portion, is a critical link in a developing network. Replacing a connection that was lost with the closure of the old Gandy Bridge Trail in 2008, the trail alongside the Courtney Campbell Causeway will provide a link to the extensive Pinellas Trail network to the west, and the growing network of non-motorized pathways around Tampa to the east.

When RTC launched a campaign in 2009 to urge the Florida Department of Transportation to make better use of federal funding dedicated for walking and biking infrastructure, a Courtney Campbell Causeway trail became the 'poster child' for the huge public improvements these funds could make.

Just a few years later, that advocacy effort has paid off, with a partnership of local agencies tapping into federal Transportation Enhancements (TE) funding, much to the delight of not only bikers and walkers in the area but also local business owners, public health officials, tourism agencies and elected officials. According to Tampa Bay online, an association representing Tampa's Westshore Business District is supportive of the trails' benefit to area hotels and office workers.

The trail will also make a more accessible feature of the natural setting which draws many thousands of visitors each year.

Images courtesy Florida DOT

Pinellas Trail the Centerpiece of Brian Smith's Legacy in Florida

Jake Lynch — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:00:00 GMT

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. During the past few months we have been recapping the achievements of each champion. Today we recognize Brian Smith's enormous contribution to developing a network of trails and pathways in Florida.

In his four decades in urban and regional planning, Brian Smith has witnessed firsthand the evolution of the role of trails in communities. During this time, planning professionals began to move the transportation focus away from traditional highway systems and toward bike and pedestrian facilities, a progression Smith refers to as a "maturing of the transportation system."

Combining his planning focus with an energetic service spirit, Smith was instrumental in the creation and expansion of the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail, one of Florida's most popular and unique urban pathways-and a member of the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. Connecting the cities of St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs on Florida's Gulf Coast, the Pinellas Trail is a marvel of non-motorized urban connectivity in a state where such pathways are rare and sorely needed. Its success as a recreational facility and transportation corridor has made it a model for urban pathways across the nation, and the Pinellas Trail helped jumpstart the rail-trail movement in Florida. Smith is currently the planning director for Pinellas County and the executive director of the Pinellas County MPO.

Smith's experience with the Pinellas Trail and in planning at the regional level has made him a valuable member of the broader trails, bike and pedestrian community. He has worked with many other areas to establish trails based on the successes of Pinellas County. Smith is nationally recognized as a generous technical resource for others planning pedestrian and bike trail projects, and as a passionate and knowledgeable advocate of urban pathways.

Smith dedicated the Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion grant given in his honor to the creation of new signage and navigation markers along the Pinellas Trail.

Photo of Brian Smith receiving his Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion award from RTC President Keith Laughlin by Scott Stark/RTC

From Razor Wire to Postcard Shot - New Bridge a Fine Feature in Gainesville, Fla.

Jake Lynch — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:34:00 GMT

By Laura Stark

There's no way to put this nicely: the Southwest 13th Street bridge was just plain ugly. But construction is currently under way to transform the Gainesville, Fla., pedestrian overpass--which once featured cage-like siding and razor wire on top- into a magnificent gateway feature for the city. The Depot Avenue Rail-Trail, which runs across the structure, will undoubtedly benefit from the project.

"You didn't feel comfortable going on the old bridge," says Diane Gilreath, project manager for the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency, which is responsible for the structure. "It felt abandoned, like you shouldn't really be there. The new bridge not only makes you want to be there, but brings more people to this section of the rail-trail."

The agency's concept for the bridge was something that would represent not only the city's history, but also its present day and future. That vision came to life in a remarkable design from Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc., that featured a railroad track--representing the railroad commerce upon which the city was founded--twisted into a double-helix DNA strand to embody the research and advances in biotechnology being conducted at the University of Florida and Shands Hospital.

Although still under construction and months from completion, the striking design is already attracting attention.

"People drive by and pull out their cell phone cameras," says Gilreath, "and their mouths gape open."

Not surprisingly, an observation platform providing a prime photo opportunity is being built into the bridge, along with a stairway that will take travelers on street level up to the rail-trail, a connection that was never available before. As many residents--particularly students--also use the route at night, white lighting was added throughout the structure to increase safety, which will have the effect of making the bridge quite dramatic after dark.

"What people perceive on the bridge during the day and what they perceive at night will be completely different," says Gilreath. "The bridge is not going to disappear at night."

And the choice to use energy-efficient LED lighting is just one example of many environmentally friendly considerations made for the project. Another is a rain garden, which will transform the slope under the rail bridge into a series of terraces that allow stormwater to soak into the soil, rather than wash down into the street.

Farther east, the trail leads to a historical train depot, which is currently being renovated and will house a museum, visitor center and café. That's just one of many improvements slated for the aptly named Depot Park, where the 1860 building is situated. The park will be a hub of recreational activity, including trails that lead all over the city and beyond, such as the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Park Trail that whisks visitors out of the busy downtown area and into beautiful natural surroundings teeming with wildlife.

Those anxious to see the new bridge and restored depot will have to wait until the fall, when both projects are scheduled to be completed. But, when they do visit, says Ron Sill, the lead designer for RS&H, "There's absolutely nothing like it. If you see the bridge, you'll never forget it."

Photo and concept drawing courtesy of Reynolds, Smith and Hills Inc.

'We The People' - Grassroots Energy Drives Bike/Ped Improvements in Florida

Jake Lynch — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:20:00 GMT

Saturday's opening of the first section of the East Central Regional Rail Trail (ECRRT) in Volusia County, Fla., was a great opportunity to witness firsthand the growing enthusiasm for walking and biking in that state.

Consistently ranked as the most dangerous state in America for pedestrians, a number of counties in Florida have recently begun concerted efforts to improve their bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, inspired by the example of municipalities across the nation that have shown such investment returns a marked improvement in lifestyle and business activity.

Volusia County is a leader in this movement, and Saturday's ribbon-cutting was the result of a combined energy for trails, biking and walking in the county, from a proactive council, a business community focused on tourism and providing a favorable working environment, and local residents eager to bike and walk for recreation and commuting.

Elsewhere in Florida, the grassroots nature of this demand is evident.

In Orange City, a volunteer community organization installed a light tower along a key pedestrian route to enable students to walk safely to school.

According to an article in the Daytona Beach News Journal, when students begin their trek to one of the three schools clustered on Orange City's west side each morning, they walk in darkness.

"Because seven students from University High and River Springs Middle schools in Orange City have been among the 17 involved in crashes coming or going from school this year, the community has been looking for ways to make pedestrian and bicycle routes to school safer," the article states.

So earlier this month, the Manatee Festival Committee installed a 30-foot light tower at one of the key intersections in the hope that it will improve safety conditions until a permanent solution could be found. The group is also looking into a way the city might provide a similar temporary light for another dark intersection nearby.

Photo of opening day on the East Central Regional Rail Trail courtesy of Volusia County.
Photo of poor pedestrian conditions courtesy of Dan Burden.

Join the Maiden Voyage! Volusia County to Celebrate Opening of Regional Rail-Trail

Jake Lynch — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:30:00 GMT

Even with hundreds of communities across America striving to build and improve their trails, greenways and bike path systems, Volusia County in east-central Florida continues to distinguish itself in its commitment to non-motorized infrastructure.

This coming Saturday, February 25, the residents of Volusia County will celebrate a significant milestone in their remarkable trail-building schedule with the opening of the first segment of the much-heralded East Central Regional Rail Trail.

The Volusia County Council invites all residents to join them in celebrating a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first 5.7-mile trail segment of what will eventually be one of the longest rail-trails in the state, covering 50 miles between Enterprise to Edgewater, in addition to a 10-mile leg through Brevard County to Titusville.

The ceremony is set for 10 a.m. at the trail entrance at the intersection of Perimeter Drive and Providence Boulevard, Deltona.

The Volusia Transportation Planning Organization will give bicycle helmets to the first 100 people.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their walking shoes, inline skates or bikes and take a 'maiden voyage' along the trail, which runs through wooded and rural areas to State Road 415 in Osteen. Parking will be available at Thornby Park and the Publix shopping plaza on the corner of DeBary Avenue and Providence Boulevard.

The trail segment is 12-feet wide and is accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, inline skaters and people with disabilities. Rest stops, with benches, are provided along the way.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) President Keith Laughlin and Florida State Director Ken Bryan will join a host of local elected officials at the ribbon cutting. RTC has enjoyed a close relationship with the trail proponents and planners of Volusia, and surrounding, counties, helping them realize their ambitions for an extensive trail system that is both an amenity for locals and a draw for visitors.

"This beautiful trail will provide recreational amenities while promoting a healthy lifestyle for county residents, and the economic value to our nature-based tourism initiative is unmatched," says County Council Representative Patricia Northey, a long-time proponent of trails. "I could not be more pleased with our new trail, and I know the communities it travels through, Deltona and Enterprise, have embraced it as well."

For more information about the East Central Regional Rail Trail, visit: volusia.org/trails/railtrail, or call the Volusia County Parks, Recreation and Culture Department at 386.736.5953.

Map of the planned Volusia County Spring to Spring and East Central Regional Rail Trail system courtesy of Volusia County.

Volusia County's Bright Trails Future Hinges on Survival of Transportation Enhancements

Jake Lynch — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Volusia County on central Florida's eastern coast continues to distinguish itself as one of the most proactive and energetic trails communities in the nation. And it is reaping the rewards, too, with a robust and dynamic commercial center, a growing population and a burgeoning reputation as a tourist destination.

Not resting on laurels earned by the unveiling of the Spring-to-Spring Trail and an enviable network of bike and pedestrian facilities, Volusia County is now undertaking work on what will soon be one of the longest rail-trail conversions in Florida.

The East Central Regional Rail Trail (ECRRT), which uses an abandoned section of the Florida East Coast Railway purchased by the state of Florida and leased to Volusia and Brevard counties, is being developed as a multi-use trail for walkers, runners, inline skaters, bicyclists and people with disabilities. When complete, it will travel more than 50 miles from Enterprise, east to Edgewater, and south to Titusville.

The best-laid plans don't linger too long on the drawing board in Volusia County, and work on the ECRRT has already begun. Officials plan to cut the ribbon on phase one of the trail, from Providence Boulevard near Green Springs Park in Enterprise to the intersection with State Route 415 in Osteen, in late January 2012.

"The neighbors are already using those sections that are completed, and it is a hit!" says Pat Northey, vice chair of the Volusia County Council and a respected supporter of trails projects in the region.

That Volusia has had success moving such projects from vision to completion is no accident. Thanks in part to the leadership of Northey and County Chair Frank Bruno, Volusia now sets aside a minimum of $1 million a year for trail development, which enables them to secure matching state and federal funds, providing tremendous economic value for taxpayers.

However, further construction of the ECRRT relies heavily on the continuation of the Federal Transportation Enhancements (TE) program--the only dedicated federal funding source for construction of walking and biking infrastructure. Volusia and Brevard counties are banking on more than $6.6 million of TE money programmed by the Florida Department of Transportation for the financial years 2014 to 2016. Given the current political attacks on funding for non-motorized transportation, this important funding is far from guaranteed. The future of a trail project that local officials believe will be an economic and social boon for the area is tied inextricably the future of TE; should the U.S. Congress opt to compromise or reduce TE, the ECRRT may be the first of many casualties.

"Volusia County recognizes the value of trails," Northey says. "We know that in addition to providing recreational opportunities for our residents, we are developing a nature based economic engine for the county. It isn't just about quality of life, but also building those small, niche business that support trails activities."

The region is one of many across the country in which trails are an integral component of the local economic program. A key part of the county's application for grant funding to support the construction of the ECRRT is its importance to the commercial redevelopment of downtown Titusville.

"Trails are popular amenities that draw millions of users a year, they have aided in the revitalization of downtown areas and are becoming a key amenity in new developments," reads the county's recent application for a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. "The development of the East Central Regional Rail corridor into a multi-use trail promulgates the vision of the Downtown Titusville Community Redevelopment Area Plan, and it has the potential to be a catalyst in the redevelopment process... The plan notes that creating a safe and welcoming environment for pedestrians is a priority. The rail-trail will be instrumental in providing pedestrian access to the downtown area."

Florida has witnessed the energizing potential of trails before. Before the construction of the West Orange Trail in Winter Garden, the downtown area was blighted with empty storefronts. Since the trail opened the downtown area has been revitalized, with nearly 100 percent of the storefronts now occupied. In Dunedin, the arrival of the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail increased occupancy rates from about 35 percent to near capacity. In Pennsylvania, businesses along the Great Allegheny Passage attribute 25 percent of their revenue to proximity to the trail.

With the timeline for completion uncertain, county planners made the conscious decision to complete the trail from the outside in. With the middle section of the trail largely rural and open space, the belief is that getting the trail ready in the populated areas first will build a solid user base, and increase demand for further connections.

"Our rail trail stretches the length of the county, and as you travel from the west to the east you travel through planted pine and hardwood hammocks and the beautiful and historic Turnbull swamp," Northey says. "The ecology along the trail is varied and beautiful, changing with the season. It will be a great ride whatever the time of year."

Photo of the Spring-to-Spring Trail, and map of the ECRRT and Spring to Spring Trail, courtesy of County of Volusia Parks, Recreation and Culture Division.

From Florida to Prince William Sound, Linda Crider's Wide-Reaching Legacy

Jake Lynch — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:00:00 GMT

At Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) 25th Anniversary celebration in 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 pay tribute to Dr. Linda Crider, who in a wide-reaching career has promoted opportunities and education for walking and biking in a diverse range of communities.

Dr. Linda Crider describes her advocacy of bicycling and trails as "one of her life's passions." From bicycling education programs in her native Florida to transportation planning in a remote Alaskan village, Crider's promotion of active transportation has spanned a number of decades, and many landscapes.

Crider's involvement in Florida's trails and cycling community began in the 1970s, first during her work in the governor's office, and then as an active member of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Florida Chapter (and later an RTC Florida advisory board member).

Crider was a founding board member of the Florida Bicycle Association in the 1980s. She later founded and served as executive director for Bike Florida, Inc., and for 18 years was director of the University of Florida's Bicycle and Traffic Safety Education Program. She directed a number of multi-modal research efforts and training programs for the Florida Department of Transportation, helping make bicycling and walking safer and a more integral part of communities.

In 1997, Crider launched one of the nation's first Safe Routes to School programs. In 2009, she was contracted to shape a plan to address the needs and opportunities for non-motorized transportation in the Prince William Sound region of Alaska, where she had spent a number of summers earlier in the decade. During Crider's time there in 2009, she helped the city of Cordova develop a Safe Routes to School program, and her work led to the nomination of the Copper River highway as a Scenic Byway.

Crider was recently recognized with a Lifetime Achievement award by the national Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals.

To receive the Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion grant named in her honor, Crider selected the Palatka to Lake Butler State Trail. RTC played a key role in preserving the corridor for conversion to a rail-trail, which Crider says has the potential to "redefine Palatka as the trail hub of northeast Florida."

Photo of Dr. Linda Crider, being presented with her Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion award by RTC President Keith Laughlin, by Scott Stark/RTC

Florida Rail-Trails a Model for America's Great Outdoors

Jake Lynch — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:09:00 GMT

Launched in 2010, America's Great Outdoors (AGO) initiative represents a unique effort by the federal government to reconnect an increasingly urban and sedentary American population with the nation's parks, trails and open spaces.

In the past 12 months, AGO leaders have been visiting sites all over the country to learn about how various municipalities and recreation groups are promoting outdoor recreation and learning in their regions--a listening tour that took in a range of landscapes, from urban high schools to protected wilderness. The result was one of the largest conservation-related public dialogues in our nation's history.

A few weeks ago, about 18 months since AGO was launched, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar released a progress report heralding some of the most successful efforts to promote healthy recreation and outdoor tourism across America. AGO findings will come as no surprise to supporters of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: trails are one of the most critical pieces to encouraging more Americans to be active and to explore their natural surroundings.

The developing 50-mile East Central Regional Rail-Trail (ECRRT) in central Florida was one of the projects singled out in Sec. Salazar's report. RTC's Florida field office was instrumental in the early stages of the ECRRT, which was purchased by the state of Florida Office of Greenways and Trails in 2007 and is the longest out-of-service rail line ever purchased in Florida.

RTC's involvement with the ECRRT goes back almost 20 years, during which time we worked closely with the railroad that owned the line, as well as the local agencies applying for funding to purchase the corridor.

Volusia County is currently constructing the first of what will be a number of segments, as that county, under the leadership of County Chair Frank Bruno and Vice Chair Pat Northey, continues to build a strong and connected trails landscape. When completed, the ECRRT will link a number of urban centers with rural areas, providing a pathway for both commuters and recreational users.

A press release issued by Sec. Salazar's office last week stated that "while Interior cannot commit to federal financial support for the projects identified in the report due to budgetary constraints, Secretary Salazar is committed to doing everything possible to advance each project in the coming year through whatever means available."

RTC's long history of involvement with trail-blazing efforts in Florida was also evident in Salazar's heralding of another trails project: the Shingle Creek Trail. RTC is part of a multi-jurisdictional design team working on the Shingle Creek Trail, which, when completed, will stretch 32 miles through one of Florida's most urban regions, from the Wekiva River in Seminole County to Lake Tohopekaliga in Osceola County. It will also link to the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile network of multi-use trails and greenways along the Atlantic Coast from Canada to Key West, Fla.

Completing the Shingle Creek Trail will increase access to the river and provide recreational opportunities in urban Central Florida, a perfect example of why trails are a lynchpin of the AGO's effort, which connects recreational and transportation goals with key public health challenges.

"With children spending half as much time outside as their parents did, and with many Americans living in urban areas without safe access to green space, connecting to the outdoors is more important than ever for the economic and physical health of our communities," says Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, in an introduction to this month's report.

Other trails projects noted in the AGO progress report include the Jordan River Parkway, a paved trail that crosses three counties and runs more than 50 miles from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake, the Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park and Trails, and the Three Rivers Greenway around Columbia, S.C.

For more information on the AGO initiative, visit americasgreatoutdoors.gov.

Photo by Boyd Loving/Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

Pete Bostich: A Passion for Rail-Trails

Karl Wirsing (RTC) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:50:00 GMT

By Mark Cheater

It was a motorcycle, ironically, that got Pete Bostich into the rail-trail movement. The Orlando, Fla., resident was in a debilitating accident on his motorbike a few years ago, which led him to rail-trails as part of his recovery in 2010. Since then, Bostich has pedaled more than 3,000 miles on trails in Florida, Georgia, Maryland and Pennsylvania--"Hence, I owe RTC a lot of my time in the future for as much as I have used them!" he says. Lately, the 54-year-old retired sales engineer has been spending much of that "pay back time" helping our Florida and national offices in the battle to preserve federal funding for trails, walking and biking.

How did you first get interested in rail-trails?
In 2008, I was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident and spent the next eight months in a wheelchair. I started riding a bicycle as rehab, but with hearing loss--also from the accident--even side streets were scary. On May 9, 2010, I got on a rail-trail for the very first time. My son-in-law Eugene and I rode the West Orange Trail from Apopka-Vineland to Winter Garden. I loved every minute of it! I was hooked!

What do you like about rail-trails?
I love rail-trails because they're getting me healthier and stronger and keeping me from being a negative statistic in an overburdened health care system. Obesity is becoming a major health concern, and we find ourselves having to pay to do any type of physical exercise. Rail-trails offer a safe opportunity for people to get into a healthy lifestyle that has long-term benefits on our infrastructure, economy and environment!

I also love rail-trails because they link us to where we came from. Look beyond the pavement and you will see hints of how a community came to life. Ride any rail-trail and I guarantee there is a hidden history lesson!

Rail-trails also link us to a better future. Next time you are in traffic sitting at a red light, look at the other cars and see how many have a single occupant. How many people could have walked or cycled if the infrastructure were there? How much money could we have kept out of the pockets of OPEC members and placed into our own economy? Rail-trails are a required foundation for that kind of future.

What drew you to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy?
I found RTC because, by nature, I am an adventurer. RTC creates opportunities for adventure, new places to discover and better ways to challenge my physical limits. I remain engaged because I value the work they do for everybody, member and nonmember alike. Our voice needs to be heard loud and clear by those in government and elsewhere. And I promise you that I will remain engaged as long and my voice and heart allow me!

What makes you such a passionate advocate for rail-trails?
I don't know where I would be in my recovery process from my 2008 accident if it weren't for rail-trails. I owe a lot in the way of health and attitude to RTC. It is time for me to pay back. I desire to keep the RTC network in the growth mode and to see usage exponentially grow with the network.

What do you think is biggest threat to rail-trails?
The lack of knowledge that the vast majority of casual rail-trail users have to the potential loss of rail-trail funding in the next federal highway transportation bill.

Dollars are getting scarce. The private sector isn't contributing as much because they don't have as much. Government is facing the same problem, but that is compounded with the fact that every special interest group is trying to get its large share of the pie at the cost of the smaller players. We are going to be the losers if we don't get our senators and representatives to see that rail-trails are legitimate, economically valuable infrastructure needs.

Tell us about the work you're doing to protect federal funding for rail-trails?
On a daily basis, I watch my news searches for Rails-to-Trails, John Mica [a member of Congress from Florida who, as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has major influence over funding for rail-trails] and Florida government actions that can affect rail-trails and cycling. I respond via e-mail to government officials with my viewpoint. I also network with friends who share my interest.

What's the best thing other trail users can do to help support the cause?
First and foremost, find out who your congressmen and senators are. Save their e-mail address. Then watch the RTC website or "like" them on Facebook. Watch for calls to action and be ready to send your opinion to your representatives.

Secondly, recruit anyone and everyone you know who takes advantage of rail-trails. Rail-trails attract an incredibly diverse cross-section of our population, but most of them are not members of any organization or even aware of RTC. Get them on the same page with you and have them contact their representatives. I would love to see this become a call to arms for all RTC members to get on the trails and start recruiting the non-member trail users to join the ranks to be heard by our government officials.

Remember, we are the little guys in this game, and most of the time the little guys get beat up by the big guys; unless of course the little guys win with sheer numbers. We need to do that!

............................

For more information about how you can help out in the effort to preserve federal funding for rail-trails, become part of RTC's Action Alert Network.

Photos by Kathryn Prestera, courtesy of Pete Bostich.

Florida County Continues to Pursue its Trails Future

Jake Lynch — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:41:00 GMT

A major county in Florida is being heralded for a new study that not only outlines cost-effective strategies for building new trails and greenways, but also quantifies the environmental, economic and social benefits of such facilities.

The Miami-Dade County Trail Design Guidelines and Benefits Study received an award of honor from the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (FLASLA) in the category of Planning and Analysis, following up on similar recognition in recent months by the American Planning Association (APA) Florida Gold Coast Section for best plan, report or study, and a national finalist in the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) professional design awards.

The study was developed by prime consultant, AECOM, as a comprehensive reference for trail, greenway and linear park design and planning. Innovative urban trail guidelines were paired with in-depth analyses that provide direct environmental, economic and social benefits estimates. The study includes extensive research and analysis of best practices and successful comparable urban trails while providing extensive methodology to estimate direct benefits in order to prioritize limited resources.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Florida State Director Ken Bryan was part of the team that helped author the award-winning plan, using his extensive experience with rail-trail development to provide insight on how best to acquire rights-of-way and appropriate corridors for recreational pathways.

One of the features of the study was its establishment of a methodology to analyze the benefits of trails such as vehicle trip reduction, increase in accessibility, reduction in pollution, effects on property values and job creation.

"This recognition is a validation of our tireless efforts to provide quality trails and greenways throughout Miami-Dade County," says Miami-Dade Parks Director Jack Kardys.

In recent years Miami-Dade has actively pursued its stated Greenways, Trails and Water Trails Vision, "for an interconnected system that provides transportation alternatives and reduces traffic congestion; creates new recreational opportunities; increases property values; protects natural resources; and encourages tourism and business development."

A highlight of the regional trail system will be the developing Biscayne Everglades Trail, comprised of 49 miles of greenways and multi-purpose paths. It will be the only trail in the United States that connects two National Parks, and it also travels through local residential and commercial neighborhoods, increasing opportunities for tourists and residents alike. In coming years Miami-Dade County has also set itself the ambitious goal of establishing a 1- to 5-mile-wide corridor of conservation and recreation land along the county's western edge, buffering the Florida Everglades.

Miami-Dade County's belief that a strong trails network is integral to the economic future of the region is a vision shared by many cities and counties across Florida, as evident by the growing opposition from Florida elected officials to Congressman John Mica's plan to eliminate dedicated federal funding for trails, bike paths and sidewalks.

Download the report, and for more information about Miami-Dade County's vision for its trails future, visit www.miamidade.gov/parksmasterplan/trails.

Artist rendering of Ludlam Trail courtesy of Miami-Dade County Park & Recreation Department.

Past, Present and Future: A Florida Policy Update

Ken Bryan (RTC) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:26:00 GMT

Many of you were aware of the recent effort to again gut the Florida Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) this state legislative session. Initial efforts aimed to eliminate 16 Tallahassee positions and merge the trail operations with that of the Florida Parks Service. After a hard-fought session and many tough conversations, we can report that OGT will remain an office, it will keep its own identity and the nine state trails will continue to be managed by the same team that has set the high bar we have come to expect.

We will, however, lose several vacant positions as well as several valued members to the OGT team. But considering where the conversation started at the beginning of the 2011 session, this result is something to be proud of, and know that Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) will be well prepared to protect the program again next year. Kudos to the Department of Environmental Protection, Deputy Secretary Ballard and Park Service Director Forgione for their handling of a tough situation and for results that out-preformed initial expectations.

In the present, all eyes are looking to Florida. U.S. Representative John Mica of Florida's 7th District chairs the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He is considering allowing states to eliminate the federal set-aside that invests in trails, walking and bicycling. This proposal would include the Safe Routes to Schools and Recreational Trails programs, as well as the Transportation Enhancements program--the nation's largest funding source for trails, walking and bicycling.

Please tell Rep. Mica his proposal is a bad idea. For the innumerable economic, health and environmental benefits of more active transportation, now is absolutely the wrong time to be jeopardizing these crucial programs. Send him a note that eliminating the set-aside is not acceptable!

Looking to the future, there is another opportunity to make lemonade from lemons with the Florida Communities Trust (FCT). FCT will be transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection from the Department of Communities Affairs (DCA). When the program transitioned from Preservation 2000 to Florida Forever many years ago, the legislature saw the need for increasing funding for trail systems and passed into law language that required no less than 5 percent of the monies deposited into the trust to be used to acquire lands for trail systems. The intent was to start encouraging connections between neighborhoods, schools, places of business and to other parks and trails. However, DCA passed a dreadful rule that relegated this great accomplishment to mere points on an application. With the transfer to DEP and the return of such leaders as Senator Latvala, it is hoped that this regrettable rule will be corrected and the original spirit of the law honored.

Photo: Rep. Mica speaks at a hearing in Maitland, Fla.

Commemorate Memorial Day on a Rail-Trail!

Jake Lynch — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:37:00 GMT

Memorial Day marks a weekend of parades and other ceremonies to honor those who have died serving our country. It also signals the unofficial start of the summer season, when swimming pools open, barbecues fire up in backyards across the country, and families head off for weekend excursions.

This year, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has created a list of six rail-trails that offer the perfect way to get you and your family outdoors and active while exploring some of America's memorable historical sites and battlegrounds.

From the Capital Crescent Trail in the nation's capital to the Minuteman Bikeway in Boston, you can experience key moments in our country's history. These former railroad corridors are deeply rooted in American tradition, trials and triumphs, and they provide easily accessible-and inexpensive-getaways.

For interactive maps, directions, photos and reviews of each of the trails on our list, as well as hundreds of other rail-trails across America, visit TrailLink.com, RTC's free, one-stop trail-finder website. With more than 19,000 miles of rail-trail throughout the country, families everywhere can enjoy a recreational Memorial Day weekend and explore historical sites along former rail lines that helped shape our country.

1. Western Maryland Rail-Trail - Maryland

This 22-mile rail-trail guides you through several eras of American history. The eastern trailhead is located a half-mile from Fort Frederick State Park, which features the stone fort used as frontier defense for the colony of Maryland during the French and Indian War, and later in the Revolutionary War.
Location: Washington County
Length: 22 miles
Surface: Asphalt

2. Richard Martin Trail (Limestone Rail-Trail) - Alabama

This 10-mile rail-trail passes through Sulphur Creek, the site of Alabama's bloodiest Civil War conflict. During the 1864 Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle, a Tennessee & Alabama Central Railroad supply train moving Union Army troops and goods from Nashville to Atlanta came under attack; more than 200 soldiers were killed. The trail is named for local trail advocate Richard Martin, who continues to push for the improvement and extension of this popular corridor.
Location: Limestone County
Length: 10.2 miles
Surfaces: Crushed Stone, Gravel

3. Palmetto Trail/Swamp Fox Passage - South Carolina

Famous for his guerilla tactics during the Revolutionary War, General Francis Marion earned the nickname "Swamp Fox" by confounding British troops in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. If you're retracing his steps, be wary of recent rainfall. The notoriously swampy conditions from Marion's heyday occasionally overtake parts of the trail as you head through coastal pine forests and wetlands.
Location: Berkeley and Charleston Counties
Length: 42 miles
Surfaces: Grass, Dirt

4. Capital Crescent Trail - Washington, D.C.

This 11-mile rail-trail takes you from the peaceful woods of Silver Spring, Md., to the historical waterfront of Georgetown in Washington, D.C.-and only a short bridge ride over the Potomac River to Arlington National Cemetery, where you can take part in Memorial Day activities. It's a great route to reach the fireworks show in the nation's capital without the hassle of crowds or parking.
Location: Silver Spring, Md., to Washington, D.C.
Length: 11 miles
Surface: Asphalt, Gravel, Crushed Stone

5. Minuteman Bikeway - Boston

This 11-mile rail-trail offers a rolling history lesson. The corridor carries visitors through Lexington and near the Lexington Battle Green, where colonial militia-the minutemen-fired some of the first shots, and suffered some of the first casualties, of the American Revolution in 1775. The pathway begins just west of Boston near the Alewife metro station.
Location: Boston, Mass.
Length: 11 miles
Surface: Asphalt

6. Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail - Florida

Running just outside of bustling downtown Jacksonville, this rail-trail crosses McGirts Creek near Camp Milton, a site steeped in Civil War history. Halfway along the trail's route is the Camp Milton Historic Preserve rest area, once home to the largest encampment of Confederate troops during the Civil War. Today, you may hear naval aircraft on training runs at nearby Whitehouse Field.
Location: Duval County
Length: 14.5 miles
Surface: Asphalt

Wherever you end up, have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend!

Photos (top to bottom): Western Maryland Rail-Trail, Capital Crescent Trail and Minuteman Bikeway, by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

New Report on Pedestrian Safety Released

Karl Wirsing (RTC) — Tue, 24 May 2011 17:06:00 GMT

This morning, Transportation for America released its annual study of pedestrian fatalities in America's urban centers. According to Dangerous by Design, more than 47,000 pedestrians were killed in the United States in the last decade, the equivalent of a jumbo jet full of passengers crashing about once a month.

More than 10 percent of all of these fatalities occurred in Florida, where Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami filled the top four spots as America's most dangerous cities for pedestrians.

The study found that an overwhelming proportion of pedestrian fatalities occur on roads lacking safe sidewalks, crosswalks and signals. Also, Americans older than 65, children and minorities are killed or injured in disproportionate numbers.

Other key findings from Dangerous by Design:

Pedestrians account for nearly 12 percent of total traffic deaths. Safe walking improvements constitute about 1.5 percent of available federal funding (Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is working to double federal investment in trails, walking and biking!);
The average pedestrian death rate for African-Americans was 48 percent higher than for non-Hispanic whites;
Nationwide, older Americans are nearly twice as likely to be killed as those under 65 years of age;
Between 2000 to 2009, 5,163 Floridians were killed in a traffic accident while walking.

But there was some good news coming out of Florida. After a poor ranking in the 2009 Dangerous by Design report, Lee County in southwest Florida made immediate steps to adopt a complete streets program, committing to making regional roads safe for all users!

For the full Dangerous by Design report, visit http://t4america.org/resources/dangerousbydesign2011.

Image: Dangerous by Design report, by Transportation for America.