Resounding Regional Support for Trails

Beth Porter with the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program, who has been an integral part of the Coalition’s creation over the past year.

Beth Porter, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program, National Park Service

Blanca Stransky, Deputy Superintendent of George Washington Memorial Parkway, National Park Service
“We can’t consider biking a secondary mode of transportation. This is now a primary mode of transportation for many, many people in this area.” -Congressman Don Beyer, Jr.Congressman Beyer gave a shout out to important trail connections, like from the Mount Vernon Trail to Memorial Bridge. He noted that “…In the past, we’ve invited NPS and WABA to check out the problem spots together. These discussions help people to plan, react and take things to the next level.”

Congressman Don Beyer, Jr.

Peter May, Associate Regional Director for Lands, Planning, and Design for the National Capital Region for the National Park Service
“The only way to establish a truly regional trail network is to work together with local governments and trail partners. And this is where the Coalition is a game-changer. The Coalition can be a cohesive element, bringing us together and providing a forum for planning and sharing resources, coordinating activities to strengthen and expand the trail network throughout the Washington Area.” -Peter May, Associate Regional Director for Lands and Planning, National Park ServiceWe heard from Captain Sara Newman, Director of the Office of Public Health for the National Park Service. She encouraged the Coalition members look at trails and parks in a new role, “one in which they are solutions for many of the social service needs of the American public,” such as preventative chronic disease.

Captain Sara Newman, DrPH, MCP, Director of Office of Public Health, National Park Service
“…existing parks, trails, and green space in the DC area are the largest healthcare facility that we have.” -Captain Sara Newman, DrPH, MCP, Director of the Office of Public Health, National Park ServiceMatt Liddle from REI told the inception story of REI’s involvement in the Capital Trails Coalition, from funding Trails Symposiums in 2014 and 2015, and seeing how important trails are to the DC region. He announced that REI is investing $500,000 in the project over the next three years, and explained that REI is investing in this way because they know they’re members in this region want this work to be done, and will benefit in both the short and long term.

Matt Liddle, Outdoor Programs and Outreach Mid-Atlantic Manager, REI

Charles Glass, Assistant Secretary for Policy Analysis & Planning, and Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access for the state of Maryland at Maryland Department of Transportation
“The District is a key part of this regional puzzle. The Capital Trails Coalition can help us make sure everyone in the DC and region as a whole has access to this incredible resource.” -Sam Zimbabwe, Acting Chief Project Delivery Officer, District Department of Transportation

Sam Zimbabwe, Acting Chief Project Delivery Officer, DDOT
“What better place than the nation’s capital to demonstrate what this kind of system would look like. The Washington DC region gets over 20 million visitors per year. Imagine if some small percentage of them can experience this trail network and can take those ideas back home and say ‘We want that too.’” -Keith Laughlin, President, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Keith Laughlin, President of RTC

Greg Billing, Executive Director of WABA
If you represent an organization or agency and would like to be involved with the Capital Trails Coalition, you can find more information here. For more information, and to sign up for updates, visit www.capitaltrailscoalition.org
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