Connecting People And Trails

DECIDING ON TRAILS is for every local champion, thought leader, and dreamer who knows that trails can make a difference in their community if only their town would recognize the value of trails. Written by one of the first Trail Town practitioners, it covers the history of Trail Towns, recommended best practices, and how the concept has been adapted in dozens of places around the U.S. and Canada. This book is not a "how to" for structuring a Trail Town program. Rather, it is a call to action for trail communities and those dedicated individuals who want to cultivate a trail culture, embrace Trail Town best practices, and to once and for all "decide on trails." If you want more for your community and know that trails are part of the solution, this is the book for you. WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT DECIDING ON TRAILS "Deciding on Trails is a 'must read' for communities that hope to integrate trails into their placemaking efforts. Amy's passion, knowledge, and empathy are evident in her work and make her the perfect person to tell this Trail Towns story." --Laura Torchio, Director of Education, Project for Public Spaces "This ground-breaking book addresses head on something that has long been missing from conversations about trails: that they are more than the sum of their economic impact. Amy perfectly captures the many reasons communities ought to connect to their trails. Easy to digest, fun to read, and full of inspiration, this book is destined to become a staple in my trail reference library. " --Mike Passo, Executive Director of American Trails "Deciding on Trails is a book for people who want more for their places. This carefully researched, heartfelt book will easily convince community champions to embrace their trails. And these pages are not only full on inspiration, but this book provides these champions with the tools they need to make the most of their community's trails." --Kent Spellman, Consultant at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

"In 2009, while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Robert Moor began to wonder about the paths that lie beneath our feet: How do they form? Why do some improve over time while others fade? What makes us follow or strike off on our own? Over the course of the next seven years, Moor traveled the globe, exploring trails of all kinds, from the miniscule to the massive. He learned the tricks of master trail-builders, hunted down long-lost Cherokee trails, and traced the origins of our road networks and the Internet. In each chapter, Moor interweaves his adventures with findings from science, history, philosophy, and nature writing--combining the nomadic joys of Peter Matthiessen with the eclectic wisdom of Lewis Hyde's The Gift. Throughout, Moor reveals how this single topic--the oft-overlooked trail--sheds new light on a wealth of age-old questions: How does order emerge out of chaos? How did animals first crawl forth from the seas and spread across continents? How has humanity's relationship with nature and technology shaped the world around us? And, ultimately, how does each of us pick a path through life? With a breathtaking arc that spans from the dawn of animal life to the digital era, On Trails is a book that makes us see our world, our history, our species, and our ways of life anew"--Book jacket flap.

Explore 81 of the best rail-trails and other multiuse pathways in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. All across the country, unused railroad corridors have been converted into public multiuse trails. Level and accessible, these paths are ideal for a brisk fitness walk, bike ride, or stroll with the family. In Rail-Trails Southeast, the experts from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy present the best of these routes, as well as other multiuse pathways, in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Many rail-trails are paved and run within view of the most scenic parts of town. Others offer rugged scenery on ungroomed, mostly dirt, and somewhat wild paths. Explore the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Alabama, voted “Best Recreational Trail” in the country in a USA Today poll. Take in a beautiful blend of nature and art along the famed Atlanta Beltline in Georgia. In the Carolinas, enjoy coastal beaches, hickory forests, abundant farmland, and more on segments of the East Coast Greenway; or travel from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks along North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Whether you’re on feet or wheels, you’ll love the variety in this collection of multiuse trails that total nearly 700 miles! Inside you’ll find: Informative descriptions written by rail-trail experts Detailed maps for every featured trail GPS coordinates of parking waypoints Icons indicating the activities that each trail accommodates Information you can rely on from the official guide to rail-trails “You can now throw away all your self-help books on fighting depression, losing weight, toning muscles, finding something to do with your kids, and learning American history. Just use this guide, find a great trail—and enjoy!” —Peter Harnik, Director, Center for City Park Excellence, Trust for Public Land

Explore 72 of the best rail-trails and other multiuse pathways throughout California. All across the country, unused railroad corridors have been converted into public multiuse trails. Level and accessible, these paths are ideal for a brisk fitness walk, bike ride, or stroll with the family. In Rail-Trails California, the experts from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy present the best of these routes, as well as other multiuse pathways. Many rail-trails are paved and run within view of the most scenic parts of town. Others, such as the Merced River Trail, offer rugged scenery on ungroomed, mostly dirt, and somewhat wild paths. Take in the Southern California sunshine on the smooth Bayshore Bikeway. Enjoy sandy beaches, sea lions, and shopping along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Travel between two artificial lakes on the Crystal Springs Regional Trail or between two dams on the Sacramento River Rail Trail. Find public art, a Japanese garden, and a wildlife preserve along the Orange Line Bike Path. Experience the varying personalities of the 25-mile Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail. Whether you’re on feet or wheels, you’ll love the variety in this collection of multiuse trails! Inside you’ll find: Informative descriptions written by rail-trail experts Detailed maps for every featured trail GPS coordinates of parking waypoints Icons indicating the activities that each trail accommodates Information you can rely on from the official guide to rail-trails “You can now throw away all your self-help books on fighting depression, losing weight, toning muscles, finding something to do with your kids, and learning American history. Just use this guide, find a great trail—and enjoy!” —Peter Harnik, Director, Center for City Park Excellence, Trust for Public Land

Explore 57 of the best rail-trails and other multiuse pathways in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. All across the country, unused railroad corridors have been converted into public multiuse trails. Level and accessible, these paths are ideal for a brisk fitness walk, bike ride, or stroll with the family. In Rail-Trails Mid-Atlantic, the experts from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy present the best of these routes, as well as other multiuse pathways, in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. Many rail-trails are paved and run through the most scenic parts of town. Others, such as the 34-mile Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail, traverse dense forests, open fields, and lush waterways. Some explore the area’s history, like Maryland’s 13-mile Baltimore and Annapolis Trail. Tour the nation’s capital, visit the site of a historic Civil War battle, and enjoy the serenity of the rural countryside along the Mid-Atlantic’s many great pathways. Whether you’re on feet, wheels, or skates, you’ll love the variety in this collection of multiuse trails! Inside you’ll find: Informative descriptions written by rail-trail experts Detailed maps for every featured trail Driving directions to trailheads Icons indicating the activities that each trail can accommodate Information you can rely on from the official guide to rail-trails “You can now throw away all your self-help books on fighting depression, losing weight, toning muscles, finding something to do with your kids, and learning American history. Just use this guide, find a great trail—and enjoy!” —Peter Harnik, Director, Center for City Park Excellence, Trust for Public Land