Rails-to Trails Conservancy

“Anybody heard of it? I guess it is a nationwide movement to convert old railways into hiking, horseback riding, skiing trails. I haven't really heard that much about it.”

“I used to be a member, maybe for 10 years, like mid 80s to mid 90s. Good group at what they do.”

“They've converted quite a few railways around the state. Some of them are very nice, although multi-use.”

“I'm aware of a number of trails in Wisconsin--didn't know it was a national movement.

Ya gotta check out the Elroy-Sparta trail. Easy riding, great scenery, and three tunnels --one is 3/4 of a mile long. The first time we checked out that tunnel, someone asked us if we had a flashlight. We said "no." The guy said "bummer!" He was right. Had to turn back because we could see nothing including the end of the tunnel. Get in far enough you can see neither end--GREAT time!”

“There's one in Park City, UT. I've biked on it several times before. It's a nice, well-graded, hard-packed trail that runs about thirty miles through a lot of small towns. This is the only one I've used. I don't know where any others are.”

“One of the best goes across the state of Missouri, called the KATY Trail.
Kansas could have some great trails from rails, but there are groups here that actively oppose them.”

“Yep, the KATY trail is awesome to bike, particularly the sections that run along the Missouri River bluffs.”

“Hmmm, might have to get out on that KATY trail this summer. Rails-to-Trail Conservancy has books available to tell you how to go about all the steps involved in finding, converting and selling area people on the idea of a rail trail. Also, attorneys, etc., to fight the fights. And while it used to be just old RR beds,I think now they help where people want to make new trails from "scratch," also.

Rails to Trails Conservancy website”

“Katy trail runs thru Tulsa too.”

“Yes, they bug me all the time for money.”

“I received an opinion poll from them(?) this week, but I haven't opened it yet. I think the poll was from them. I definitely remember someting from RTTC...

I've never corresponded w/them before. I have no idea why they're sending me mail...

Anyhoo, RTT's are everywhere.”

“Oh yeah.
In a similar vein...

What is the group that removes old dams? The old Julliette dam on the Ocmulgee needs to go. The mill has been outta commision for decades. The dam sits above the best shoals on the river. I would imagine that the multi-hundred acre lake covers more shoals.

The removal of that dam would add an additional 25 miles of unobstructed waterway to the Altamaha/Ocmulgee Rivers, which is already the longest unobstructed waterway in the East.”

“As a full-fledged Northerner,I must say, what the heck are shoals??! (I think I was told what they were on the Buffalo River trip to Arkansas, but don't remember.... DOH!)”

“Lots of rails-to-trails in MI.”

“We drove under a pretty cool looking rails-to-trails on I-95 on our way home from Florida on Sunday. I didn't know you could landscape a railroad trestle. Who'da thunk it.”