Rails to Trails Conservancy marked fifth
anniversary of iconic national trail alongside Warrior Expeditions,
REI Co-op, members of Congress and state offices of outdoor
recreation with call to fully fund the federal Active
Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program
WASHINGTON, May 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Rails to Trails Conservancy, the nation's largest
trails, walking and biking advocacy organization, today marked five
years of progress toward completing the country's first
cross-country trail with a celebration and call-to-action at
the U.S. Capitol.
The Great American Rail-Trail represents
the potential of active transportation infrastructure that connects
the nation.
RTC pointed to the far-reaching demand from people for safe
spaces to walk, bike and be active outside, and communities
leveraging outdoor recreation for economic development, as key
factors in the need to create dedicated, sustainable federal
funding sources to connect trail and active transportation systems
nationwide.
"The Great American Rail-Trail represents the potential of
active transportation infrastructure that connects the nation,"
said Ryan Chao, president of Rails
to Trails Conservancy. "It magnifies the opportunity for connected
trail systems to deliver economic prosperity, quality of life and
safe mobility to millions of Americans. It also makes clear the
significant need we have to create dedicated and sustained funding
so we can adequately invest in creating, connecting and maintaining
trails and walking and biking infrastructure in every
community."
The Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program is a
new program that provides dedicated funding for the planning and
construction of safe and connected active-transportation networks
and long-distance spine trails. The program was authorized in the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and received its first appropriation
in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 federal funding bill. RTC,
Congressional champions and partners across the country are
continuing to advocate for full program funding in the FY 2025
federal budget.
At the anniversary event, RTC was joined by partners at Warrior
Expeditions, REI Co-op, members of Congress and state offices of
outdoor recreation in celebrating the progress that's been made to
connect the trail, as well as the tangible benefits it provides to
the 50 million people who live within 50 miles of its route and the
millions who will use it from around the world.
Since the route for the Great American Rail-Trail was introduced
in 2019, more than 100 miles of new trail have been completed and
more than $148 million in federal,
state, local and private funding has been invested to advance this
vision. Nearly 6% of the remaining route to be completed—160
miles—is in development currently. A recent study conducted by
Headwaters Economics found that when the cross-country trail is
complete, it is expected to unlock more than $229 million in spending each year in the
communities it serves.
"The Great American Rail-Trail will make a real and reliable
economic impact in Wyoming. Not
only do its travelers go at a slower pace than a minivan headed
through to Yellowstone, but the route is designed to send people
into small communities all across the state. That adds up to a
projected $13.2 million in visitor
spending every year," said Patrick
Harrington, manager of Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, a
division of Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources.
The event showcased the mental health benefits of increasing
access to nature and the outdoors, serving as the launchpad for a
team of veterans with Warrior Expeditions. The outdoor therapy
program helps veterans transition from their wartime experiences
through long-distance outdoor expeditions, and a team is riding the
route of the Great American Rail-Trail in its entirety this
summer.
"After sacrificing so much for the country we love and its way
of life, there is no better way to gain an appreciation for our
nation's natural beauty and diverse communities than by biking
across it. Peddling nearly 4,000 miles over three months is an
awe-inspiring experience as you pass through so many protected
lands—and it restores one's faith in humanity from the hospitality
and generosity of local communities along the way," said
Sean Gobin, executive director of
Warrior Expeditions.
The veterans, Brandon Blankenship
of Weeki Wachee, Florida (U.S.
Army, Cavalry Scout, 2002–2008), KP Haueter of Green Ridge, Missouri (U.S. Air Force, Airlift
Navigator, 1983–2007), Michael
Kohler of Josephine, Texas
(U.S. Army, Engineer, 1995–2015), Callie
Leaver of Auburn, Alabama
(U.S. Army, Military Police, 1987–2022), Allen Megginson of Winston Salem, North Carolina (U.S. Army,
Cavalry Scout, 2003–2007), Suzanne
Williamson of Milford,
Pennsylvania (U.S. Army, Logistics, 1987–2014) and
John Wirth of Rapid City, South Dakota (U.S. Army, Infantry,
2001–2022), will travel from Washington,
D.C., to Washington State
across the proposed route of the Great American, drawing attention
to the trail's development and the potential it represents for the
well-being of the people and places it serves.
The Great American Rail-Trail is Rails to Trails Conservancy's
flagship project to connect a cross-country, multiuse trail,
stretching 3,700 miles across 12 states between Washington, D.C., and Washington State. For more details about the
Great American, including photos and video for press use,
visit greatamericanrailtrail.org and follow
@greatamericanrailtrail and #GRTAmerican on social media. For
information about the Warrior Bike Ride, visit
warriorexpeditions.org.
Rails to Trails Conservancy is the nation's largest trails
organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million
strong—dedicated to building a nation connected by trails,
reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk,
bike and be active outdoors. Connect with RTC at
railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on
Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram.
Warrior Expeditions is a veteran nonprofit
outdoor therapy program that helps veterans transition from their
wartime experiences through long-distance outdoor
expeditions.
CONTACT: Patricia
Brooks, patricia@matchmapmedia.com, 202.351.1757
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SOURCE Rails to Trails Conservancy