Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, California, one of more than 22,500 projects with Recreational Trails Program funding
Trails funding for changing times The Recreational Trails Program responds to national trends
By Stuart Macdonald, Editor American Trails Magazine
T
he flexibility of Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funding has enabled States to direct grants to projects
that respond to changing public needs. Local project sponsors and public land managers have used RTP funding for trail projects that address current issues of, accessibility, employment, and safety. Trails and greenways increasingly
adress issues of national significance affecting public health, public lands, and community improvement. A review of 25 years of RTP grants provides more on these national trends.
Promoting Physical Activity
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that “Promoting physical activity among children and adults is a priority national health objective in the United
36
Promoting Physical Activity - Hikers at Seven Oaks Preserve Trail, North Carolina; photo by Nancy Pierce
WINTER 2017-18
AmericanTrails.org
States.” According to Active Living Research, “A growing body of evi- dence shows that the built environ- ment can positively influence physical activity for both recreational and trans- portation purposes.” Our schools, parks, trails, and other outdoor recre-
ation spaces are exactly the kinds of facilities designed for physical activity. The term “active transportation” describes the efforts by cities, towns, and suburban areas to plan and build interconnected networks of trails that tie in with open spaces as well as the
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
