ATHENS / ALABAMA / LONDON (IT BOLTWISE) – The conversion of old railway lines into recreational trails has developed impressively in the USA. What once began as a small project in Alabama has grown into a nationwide network of nearly 42,000 miles, attracting people of all ages and interests.
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The history of rail trails in the USA is an impressive success story of infrastructure transformation and revitalization. What began as a small project in Alabama in the 1980s has grown into a nationwide network of recreational trails. These trails not only provide a safe way to exercise outdoors, but also support the community and local economy.
The origin of this movement lies in the crisis of the railway industry that began in the 1960s. With the decline of the railways, many lines were closed, creating space for new uses. Visionaries like May Thielgaard Watts recognized the potential of these abandoned corridors and initiated the first projects to convert them into recreational trails.
A crucial factor in the success of the Rail Trails was the concept of rail banking. This legal instrument allowed the railway corridors to be preserved for future use while also being used as recreational routes. This provided a win-win situation for communities that benefited from the new routes and for the railroad companies that did not have to completely abandon their corridors.
The Rails to Trails Conservancy, founded by Peter Harnik and David Burwell, played a central role in promoting and supporting this movement. Through lobbying, legal support and mobilization of local communities, they played a key role in ensuring that the Rail Trails network continued to grow. Today, these paths are not only an important part of leisure activities, but also a symbol of the successful transformation of infrastructure in modern society.
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