The Department of the Interior announced the newly designated National Recreation Trail yesterday. Our wonderful Eastern shore got a nod, with the Eastern Shore Trail:
"The Eastern Shore Trail is a 36-mile multi-purpose trail for pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle use along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay in Baldwin County, Alabama. The trail traverses waterfront, historic, wilderness and small town areas, both off- road and paralleling roads. Because of the wide variation in grade, elevated boardwalks and high-rise bridges, both wooden and metal, are common components. The most significant product of this trail effort is the demonstrated support garnered by Baldwin County volunteers. As one trailside resident says, “The trail is our front porch... where we connect with friends and neighbors.”Do you know of a trail that you think should be nominated? Let us know! For more information on the Trails, to find out what 5RDS and WildNative have planned to take advantage of these great Trail systems and help you get out there. Please email us:
info@5rds.comExcerpt included below:"National Trails Day June 5: Secretary Salazar Announces Designation of 31 New National Recreation Trails in 15 States Supporting "Let’s Move" in America’s Great Outdoors
WASHINGTON, DC – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the designation of 31 trails in 15 states as national recreation trails, adding more than 716 miles of trails to the National Trails System. The announcement comes in anticipation of National Trails Day on June 5, when trail dedications and other activities will take place at new and existing trails.
"From coast to coast, the National Trails System helps connect American families with the wonders of the great outdoors," said Salazar. "These new national recreation trails, built through partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, will create new opportunities for fitness and stewardship while creating a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren."
In announcing the new designations, Salazar highlighted two important initiatives established by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to encourage Americans to enjoy the great outdoors as part of a healthier lifestyle.
Last month, President Obama launched the “America’s Great Outdoors Initiative” to protect special places and to help Americans reconnect to the outdoors. Under his leadership, the administration is reaching out to communities across the country to hear good ideas about conservation and to learn about the efforts that ordinary Americans are making to conserve our land, water, and wildlife. More information on the initiative can be found at
http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors.
Meanwhile, the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” initiative is promoting a healthier lifestyle for children by encouraging them to eat healthier foods and become more physically active.
“I hope that millions of Americans will take advantage of the opportunities provided by our national trails to embrace a fuller, healthier lifestyle,”Salazar said.
Every national park will waive entrance fees on the weekend of June 5-6 to help encourage people of all ages to get outside and use trails for exercise and exploration. In addition, hundreds of organized activities including hikes, educational programs, bike rides, trail rehabilitation projects, festivals, paddle trips, and trail dedications will take place. A listing of activities is available at
http://www.americanhiking.org/Get-Involved/National-Trails-Day/.
The national recreation trail designation recognizes existing trails and trail systems that link communities to recreational opportunities on public lands and in local parks across the nation. The first ones were established in 1971.
Each of the trails will receive a certificate of designation, a letter of congratulations from Secretary Salazar, and national recreation trail markers. The trails join a network of more than 1,000 previously designated trails that total more than 12,500 miles.
The national recreation trail program is jointly administered by the National Park Service 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 trails website at
http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails.
The following 31 trails have been designated as national recreation trails:
ALABAMA (9)- Canoe and Kayak Trail Limestone County Alabama
- Doc Hilt
- The Eastern Shore Trail
- Minooka Park Trail System
- The Richard Martin Trail
- Smith Lake Park Walking/Bike Trails
- Sportsman Lake Trails
- Stony Lonesome OHV Park Trail System
- Veterans Park Trail"
The full article is available online at http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Announces-31-New-National-Recreation-Trails-in-15-States.cfm.
Kristian...
Imagineer
