Page 4 - Fall 2014
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The Unstoppable Spirit of Revitalization
There was once a time when American cities would compete with each other by
“
smokestack chasing”—loosely defined as using tax breaks and other incentives to
entice manufacturers to relocate to a region. But with the decline of traditional man-
ufacturing and the rise of the information economy, this dynamic has dramatically
changed. Today, for a region to be competitive in attracting corporate investment,
it must be a place where an information-based company can recruit a talented work
force from anywhere in the nation.
But, I submit, to be truly competitive, it must also be a place that ensures that
those who have lived there for a generation or longer can take pride in their identity
and surroundings—a place where long after a particular industry has moved on, the
spirit of the place remains.
But what kinds of places are these, and what truly sets them apart? What we
know from research is that people—newcomers or long-time residents—are drawn
to vibrant areas with parks and green space that provide ample opportunities for
social interaction and outdoor recre-
ation. And we also know that in such
places, the demand for active transpor-
tation is on the rise, as people naturally
blend how they get around with how
they work, live and play.
Because of fundamental changes in
our economy, quality of life is now a
source of competitive advantage. As a
result, trails are no longer just nice things
to have. They are vital assets that are crit-
ical to the economic competitiveness and
long-term identity of urban regions.
In this issue of
Rails to Trails
,
we explore three urban centers—Detroit, Atlanta
and Cleveland—all of which have experienced economic transition, and all of which
are embracing active transportation, and cultural mind shifts and mode shifts, to
revitalize their communities.
Take Detroit, for example, whose proximity to water as well as the nation’s major
coal, iron and copper centers helped make it an automobile powerhouse for decades
and earn the moniker “Motor City.” Though the U.S. automobile industry has
declined, the passion and resourcefulness of the young and old have not. In fact,
they are very much alive and thriving, and as we explore in this issue’s cover story,
Detroit is using its burgeoning bike culture and its wide streets to reinvent itself.
Likewise, as we see with both Atlanta and Cleveland, city leaders and entire
neighborhoods are now recognizing the numerous ways that rail-trails prove ben-
eficial to urban areas and can and do contribute to their region-wide vitality and
cultural identity.
What’s clear in these examinations:
The economic strength of an area may wax and
wane over time, but in the spirit of that place are the seeds of its renewal.
Happy Trails!
Keith Laughlin, President
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
The magazine of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC),
a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a nationwide
network of trails from former rail lines and connecting
corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.
PRESIDENT
Keith Laughlin
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Guy Williams, chair; Richard W. Angle Jr.;
Kathy Blaha; Robert M. Campbell, Jr.; Mike Cannon;
Kenneth V. Cockrel, Jr.; Matthew Cohen; David Ingemie;
M. Katherine Kraft; Gail M. Lipstein; Rue Mapp;
Charles N. Marshall; Frank Mulvey; John Rathbone
MAGAZINE STAFF
Editor-in-Chief
Amy Kapp
Editorial Consultant
Wendy Jordan
Editorial Consultant
Sharon Congdon
Staff Writer
Laura Stark
Design/Production
McMURRY/TMG, LLC
Art Director
Chad Townsend
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy was incorporated in 1985 as a
nonprofit charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code and is a publicly supported organization
as defined in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) and 509(a)(1). A copy
of the current financial statement, or annual report, and state
registration filed by RTC may be obtained by contacting RTC
at the address listed below. Donations to RTC are tax-deductible.
RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY
Headquarters
2121
Ward Court, NW, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20037-1213
Phone
202.331.9696
Fax
202.223.9257
Websites
railstotrails.org
traillink.com
Field and Regional offices:
Midwest
Canal Winchester, OH
614.837.6782,
Northeast
Camp Hill, PA
717.238.1717,
Western
Oakland, CA
510.992.4635,
Florida
Tallahassee, FL
850.942.2379,
Rails to Trails
is a benefit of membership in Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy. Regular membership is $18 a year, $5 of which
supports the magazine. In addition to the magazine, members
receive discounts on RTC gifts and publications.
Rails to Trails
is published four times a year—three in print, one digital—
by RTC, a nonprofit charitable organization. Copyright 2014
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. ISSN 1523-4126. Printed in U.S.A.
POSTMASTER
Send address changes to
Rails to Trails
, 2121
Ward Court, NW, 5th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20037-1213.
Joe Gall
