The current (Fall 2010) issue of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) magazine has several articles that may of interest. The cover story on the 22 mile Cape Cod rail trail gives its history, some photos, and touring tips. It also has a story and photos of the NY High-Line, an imaginative reuse of an abandoned railroad trestle on Manhattan’s west side that is helping to renew that neighborhood. We’ll never know f RI could have done something similar with the old Jmestown Bridge.
RTC also notes the East Bay Bike Path and recommends an event at the nearby Coggleshall Farm. Other features noted trails in Kansas, West Virginia, Michigan, one in Ireland, and regional cooperation between CT and MA on a trail from Yale to Northampton. If only RI and MA could make such news.
Also noted is RTC support for the Active Community Transportation Act (HR4722) pending in Congress and now with 60 co-sponsors, but none from RI. The bill would provide competitive grants to communites for projects to encourage biking and walking, and the RTC profiles Billings, Baltimore, and Fort Wayne that are doing some of that already.
Its inspiring to see the progress being made around the country. Pleas reply to bschiller@localnet.com for more info on any of this.