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Environmental
Rail-trails are abandoned railroad corridors that have been preserved and redeveloped for walking, jogging, bicycling, horseback riding, or other forms of transportation and recreation. The over one hundred-year old natural landscape is preserved along the corridor.
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Recreation & Health
A fresh wave of interest in bicycle and pedestrian transportation was engendered by the federal highway bill passed in 1991. The bill requires each state to hire a bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. The federal highway bill, Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), also required each state to include non-motorized elements in their transportation plans.
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Educational
A link between schools, safe fitness and sports training classes, outdoor education, to name a few.
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Open Space
The trail will become a part of an extensive regional system, providing needed open space.
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Economic Benefits
Trail users will stop at towns along the way to eat, drink, camp, rent equipment, make repairs, purchase supplies and souvenirs or spend the night.
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Liability
One of the concerns of residents and adjacent landowners revolves around liability. What if someone injures him or herself on the trail near my property, or worse wanders off the trail and is injured on my property?
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Property Values
Studies and surveys from throughout the U.S. document the beneficial effects of trails and greenways on adjacent and nearby property values.
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Privacy
There are over 10,000 miles of existing rail-trails in the U.S. With that many miles of rail-trails many successful remedies are available for privacy question.
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Crime & Safety
Crime is one of the concerns that surface when a rail-trail is proposed for an abandoned railroad corridor. Will all people who use the trail bring crime with them?
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| Legal Status & Matters |
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