COLUMBUS—On Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, media are invited to a panel discussion hosted by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) at WOSU’s Ross Community Studio to reveal new data about the trail networks that are developing across the country, and the effect that infrastructure will and is having on America.
The panel will feature RTC, Latino Outdoors, and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) for a discussion about the urgency to connect this walking, biking and active transportation infrastructure and what it will take to get there, spotlighting Columbus as a specific example of progress and potential.
What: America’s Trail Networks—An Exploration of the Scope and Impact of the Nation’s Developing Trail Networks
When: Dec. 12, 1 p.m. Eastern
Where: WOSU’s Ross Community Studio, 1800 N. Pearl St., Columbus, Ohio (See it on a map.)
Who: Ryan Chao, President, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
William Murdock, Executive Director, MORPC
Melodie Mendez, Northeast Regional Coordinator, Latino Outdoors
Note: For those participating virtually, the discussion will be streamed live from WOSU’s studio at railstotrails.org
Press interested in attending in person or virtually should RSVP to Patricia Brooks at patricia@matchmapmedia.com.
Columbus is home to some of the nation’s best trails. That’s why it’s the hub of the regional Central Ohio Greenways network, an anchor in the statewide Ohio to Erie Trail, and along the route of the cross-country
Great American Rail-Trail, which stretches 3,700 miles from Washington, D.C., to Washington State. The region’s longstanding commitment to trail development makes it a prime example of what it takes to prioritize and accelerate the pace of efforts to connect trails into larger active recreation and active transportation systems across the country.
Research shows that connecting trails and other walking and biking networks significantly maximizes the benefits of the infrastructure and is critical to efforts to encourage more people to walk and bike as part of their day-to-day activities. In Ohio and other states across the country, federal funding to support the development of trails, walking and biking infrastructure is at an all-time high. That funding, paired with the demand from people and places for more safe, convenient ways to walk, bike and be active outside, has created a perfect storm for advancing the connectivity of the country’s trails and active transportation infrastructure. This event is part of RTC’s TrailNation™ initiative, redefining how the country builds trail networks and the impact these equitable trail systems can have on people and places. Learn more about efforts across the country to expand access to safe spaces to walk, bike and be active outside at railstotrails.org/trailnation.
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 outside. Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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