Kempthorne Announces Designation of 36 New National Recreation
Trails in 24 States
Office of the Secretary
Contact: Shane Wolfe
For Immediate Release: June 1, 2006
(202) 208-6416
Secretary Kempthorne Announces Designation of 36 New National Recreation
Trails in 24 States
WASHINGTON-Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today designated 36 trails
in 24 states as new National Recreation Trails, adding more than 800 miles of
trails to the National Trails System.
"The new trails joining the National Recreation Trail System illustrate the
diversity of the country's pathways," Kempthorne said. "These remarkable
resources provide outdoor recreational opportunities that include the chance to
hike the rolling tundra of Alaska's backcountry, paddle an urban waterway in
Milwaukee, bike an abandoned railway in Utah, ride an equestrian trail in
Virginia, or wander along a nature loop in Oklahoma."
The announcement coincides with the 14th annual celebration of National
Trails Day on Saturday, June 3, 2006. The theme for this year's event,
"Experience your Outdoors", encourages people to use trails for exercise and
exploration. More than 1,100 locally organized activities will take place
throughout all 50 states including hikes, educational programs, bike rides,
volunteer repair projects, festivals, paddle trips, and trail dedications. A
complete schedule of activities is available at www.NationalTrailsDay.org.
Each of the trails inducted into the National Recreation Trails System will
receive a certificate of designation and trail markers. They join a network of
more than 900 trails encompassing more than 10,000 miles.
The National Recreation Trails Program is jointly administered by the National
Park Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program and the U.S.
Forest Service in conjunction with a number of other federal and nonprofit
partners, notably American Trails, which hosts the National Recreation Trail
website at www.american trails.org/nationalrecreationtrails.
The Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) is a community
resource of the National Park Service. RTCA staff provides technical assistance
to community groups and local, state, and federal government agencies so they
can conserve rivers, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways. More
information is available online at http://www.nps.gov/rtca.
Secretary Kempthorne designated the following 36 trails as National Recreation
Trails:
Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail - This 28-mile
rail-trail and bikeway traverses areas rich in cultural history, such as the
Wasatch Mountains near Park City and the wetland meadows in Silver Creek Canyon,
providing not only recreational opportunities for local residents, but
alternative transportation options as well.
Alaska
Bird to Gird Pathway - This 13-mile scenic rail-trail connects the communities
of Girdwood, Bird, and Indian, and offers views of the ocean, mountains, and
glaciers.
St. Paul Island High Bluffs Trail - Located in the Alaska Maritime National
Wildlife Refuge, this 6-mile backcountry trail takes visitors through a
landscape of coastal cliffs, rolling tundra, windswept beaches, and the Bering
Sea.
Arkansas
Josh Park Memorial Trail - Located along the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers'
scenic Greers Ferry Lake, this 1.9-mile fitness and walking trail offers an
array of experiences for hikers, runners, bicyclists, and nature enthusiasts.
California
Mountains to Sea Trail - This 22-mile urban nature reserve and bikeway starts in
Weir Canyon and travels through six jurisdictions, providing trail users of all
ages the opportunity to experience the diversity of the 50,000-acre Irvine Ranch
Land Reserve.
District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia
Potomac River Water Trail - This water trail and greenway traverses over 300
miles, offering diverse experiences and exciting opportunities to view the
varied landscapes and rich history of the Potomac River.
Illinois
Sam Vadalabene Great River Road Bike Trail - Known as one of the oldest trails
in St. Louis and a key connector, this 21.5-mile scenic rail-trail offers
visitors a variety of recreational experiences along the Mississippi and
Illinois Rivers.
Iowa
Raccoon River Valley Trail - This 56-mile rail-trail is the backbone of the
Central Iowa Trails Plan, linking numerous trails within the region and offering
recreational opportunities to more than half a million people.
Maine
The Carson Trail - Located in the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, this
1-mile interpretive trail and greenway traverses three natural habitats and
offers numerous opportunities to view wildlife.
Maryland
Sligo Creek Parkway Trail - This popular 10.2-mile urban trail/bikeway connects
Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, providing not only recreational and
educational opportunities for local residents, but alternative transportation
options as well.
Michigan
Paint Creek Trail - This 8.9-mile rail-trail, identified as the first rail-trail
in Michigan, is an integral part of the extensive Oakland Trail Network and
follows the Paint Creek as it flows through diverse natural habitats, offering
nature lovers the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife.
Missouri
Frisco Highline Trail - Known as the second longest rail-trail in Missouri, this
36-mile historic scenic corridor connects several railroad towns from
Springfield to Bolivar and provides close-to-home opportunities for bicycling,
horseback riding, and more.
Smithville Lake Trail - Located near Kansas City, this 20-mile multi-use trail
provides a natural haven where visitors can enjoy an array of recreational
activities, such as hiking and biking.
New Hampshire
Little Cherry Pond - Located at the heart of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish
and Wildlife Refuge, this one-mile backcountry and birding trail winds through
six different forest communities and offers views of the Presidential Range of
the White Mountains.
New York
Cunningham Park Southeast Preserve Trail - This 2-mile urban trail/bikeway takes
the visitor through one of the most undisturbed natural areas in New York City,
abundant with oaks, native wildflowers, flowering dogwood, and ferns.
Genesee Riverway Trail - This 15-mile urban trail/bikeway takes trail users
through the scenic, historic, and cultural heart of Rochester, linking parks,
historic districts, waterfalls, and more.
Hudson River School Art Trail - This 3-mile historic theme trail is part of a
larger network comprised of seven sites linking the home of Thomas Cole, founder
of the Hudson River School, with painting sites that inspired the work of many
artists in the nineteenth century.
Hyde Park Heritage Greenway Trail System - This 14-mile interpretive, community
trail system connects downtown Hyde Park with nearby residential neighborhoods,
four National Park sites, three town parks, and a nonprofit nature preserve.
North Carolina
W. Kerr Scott Trails: Fish Dam Creek Gorge to Bandit's Roost - This valued
9-mile multi-use trail and bikeway connects trails and recreational facilities
at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' W. Kerr Scott Reservoir with facilities
along the Yadkin River Greenway.
House Creek Greenway - This 3.2-mile urban trail/bikeway is a vital link in the
State's greenway system and features the Reedy Creek Pedestrian Bridge, the
longest pedestrian bridge in North Carolina.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail - Falls Lake South Shore - This 26-mile scenic hiking
trail is part of a larger trail system that will eventually connect 37 counties
on the East Coast, including numerous cities, state parks, and federal lands.
North Dakota
Fort Mandan Nature & History Trail - This 1.1-mile interpretive trail is located
at the replica of Fort Mandan (Lewis and Clark's wintering post in
1804-1805) and offers visitors an ideal opportunity to view wildlife along the
Missouri River.
Washburn Discovery Trail - This 2.2-mile multi-use trail connects Harmony Park
(on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail) with Riverside Park and
provides scenic vistas of the Missouri River.
Oklahoma
Centennial Trail - Located in Washita National Wildlife Refuge, this .3-mile
nature trail loops through a variety of diverse habitats and allows visitors to
observe numerous plant and animal species.
Eagle Roost Nature Trail - Located in Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, this
1.25-mile interpretive nature trail forms a loop through a diversity of habitats
and provides opportunities to view bald eagles, whooping cranes and other
waterfowl.
Oregon
Ankeny Rail Trail - Located in Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, this 1-mile
rail-trail takes visitors through a seasonally flooded Oregon ash wetland where
various wildlife (such as tree frogs, rough-skinned newts, and black-capped
chickadees) can be seen and heard year round.
Ridgeline Trail - This 14-mile urban trail/bikeway provides an extensive
opportunity for recreation and nature appreciation just a few miles from
downtown Eugene and features Spencer Butte, the highest and most prominent
landmark at the southern end of the Willamette Valley.
Pennsylvania
Mahoning Shadow Trail - This 15-mile rail-trail follows the path of the Mahoning
Creek in Jefferson County and provides views of the area's historic coke ovens
and opportunities to observe a variety of flora and fauna, such as the rare pink
lady-slipper.
Tennessee
Tennessee River Blueway - This 50-mile scenic water trail offers distinct sights
and sounds of the area's diverse natural environment, culture, and history; and
serves as a connector to Chattanooga's renowned greenways system.
Texas
San Gabriel River Trails - This 6.5-mile urban trail/bikeway follows
Georgetown's scenic North and South San Gabriel Rivers, featuring natural
springs, wetlands, a star gazing and bird watching area, and the historic Blue
Hole Park.
Utah
Gooseberry Mesa Trail - This 13.5-mile backcountry loop trail was dedicated as
the Bureau of Land Management's first official mountain bike trail in Washington
County and is now known as one of the State's supreme riding opportunities,
offering a 360-degree view of spectacular landmarks such as Zion National Park
and Smithsonian Butte.
Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail - This 28-mile rail-trail and bikeway
traverses areas rich in cultural history, such as the Wasatch Mountains near
Park City and the wetland meadows in Silver Creek Canyon, providing not only
recreational opportunities for local residents, but alternative transportation
options as well.
Virginia
Bull Run - Occoquan Trail - This 18-mile hiking and equestrian trail passes
through 5,000 acres of Occoquan shoreline parklands, accessing four regional
parks and providing shelter for a profusion of birds and other native wildlife.
Washington
Pine Lake Loop Trail - Located in Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, this
1.25-mile loop trail offers an array of opportunities to view 26 species of
waterfowl, in addition to moose, elk, and other wildlife.
West Virginia
Mon River/Caperton/Deckers Creek Trails - This 46-mile rail-trail system links
urban and rural communities in three counties and acts as a low-impact
recreation corridor, alternative transportation route, community green space,
outdoor classroom, and natural and cultural heritage park.
Wisconsin
Jacobus Park Nature Trail - This .9-mile hiking and biking loop trail takes
visitors through a woodland island in Metropolitan Milwaukee and provides a
unique natural outdoor classroom for area school children.
Milwaukee Urban Water Trail - This 35-mile water trail flows through urban
portions of the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers, providing miles
of access and paddling to the 1.5 million people in the Greater Milwaukee
metropolitan area.
(See attached file: 06-01-06 natl trails system.doc)