Page 4 - Rails To Trails_Winter 2015 Issue
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trails
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 Writers
Laura Stark, Katie Harris
Design/Production
McMURRY/TMG, LLC
Art Director
Jeffrey Kibler
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
Email
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.
O
Seizing an Opportunity
On July 28, 2014, the chance to save a 145-mile inactive rail corridor dropped out of
the sky. This opportunity, which was more common two decades ago but rarely hap-
pens today, spurred RTC and its members into action.
The corridor, part of the old Rock Island Line, runs from Windsor to Beaufort,
Mo., and intersects the 238-mile Katy Trail. The inactive line has long been on our
radar, and for the last two years, RTC has been providing technical assistance to local
trail advocates. When we suddenly found out in late July that a Missouri-based orga-
nization would not be making a bid to purchase the corridor, we kicked into high gear
to submit our own offer, with plans to railbank the corridor and immediately pass
ownership to Missouri State Parks for the creation of a rail-trail. We then worked with
local partners on a campaign to petition the corridor’s owner, Ameren, to transfer the
line to the state instead of selling it to salvaging companies—a campaign in which
more than 11,000 supporters made their voices heard.
By preserving this corridor, it was clear to us that we’d not only be facilitating the
first step in the creation of a vibrant rail-
trail, but also a 450-mile world-class trail
system. I am pleased to announce that
in late September, the Missouri Central
Railroad Company formally declared its
intention to undertake the necessary steps
to have the corridor “railbanked” and to
work with the State of Missouri to have
it preserved for trail development. The
massive groundswell of public support,
mobilized by RTC and local advocates,
demonstrated how important this potential
trail is to communities in Missouri. This
represents a great victory of the rail-trail movement and is a testament to the strong
collective voice of rail-trail advocates and growing recognition of the importance of
trails to communities everywhere.
We thank Ameren for being so responsive to the hopes and ambitions of the people
of Missouri. We also extend our gratitude to the local advocates and the thousands of
supporters in the state and beyond who have made a new trail system possible for mil-
lions of people. Their hopes and ambitions, including preserving this piece of public
land for recreation and transportation, and bolstering local economies with trail tour-
ism (a powerful benefit of rail-trails conveyed in this issue of
Rails to Trails
),
is now
one giant step closer to reality.
Our movement is truly stronger than ever—and we are so excited by the
possibilities.
Thank you for your support.
Keith Laughlin, President
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
ChrYsa nieWaLd
For future updates on the progress of the Rock Island Line, go to the RTC TrailBlog at
