Rails to Trails

Railroads were once the primary form of getting both people and products from one town to another through the first half of the twentieth century. Their popularity eventually gave way to the car, semi-truck, and airplane. As fewer people and products used the trains, the railroads abandoned their tracks. For years, these railway corridors just sat there unused. Finally people rediscovered abandoned railways as a source of new trails for exercise and recreation. They started converting railways into trails for outdoor recreation by walkers, joggers, runners, bikers, in-line skaters, and even cross-country skiers (when there's snow on the ground).

Rails to trails, as it is commonly called, have a lot of positives. The most obvious benefit is that they provide corridors to history and nature. They create green spaces through developed areas. As people enter these greener areas, many become interested in protecting their natural surroundings, wildlife, and historic landmarks like bridges and tunnels. These trails also increase tourism, which boosts local businesses.

Not everyone is happy with the rails to trails idea. Railroad tracks were built a long time ago when much of the land was farmland. Now towns, suburbs, and developement have built up around the railways. Some landowners don't like the idea of hikers and bikers going through their land. They argue that the public may have owned the land for transportation, but don't have the right to use the same land for recreation.

Unused railway corridors provide a resource for communities look for recreational opportunities. There are questions we should ask: Should the railroad corridors become part of the private property they run through? Who is responsible for maintenance and upkeep? And what happens if recreational users trespass on private property?

What do you think?

Would you mind having thousands of people walking, biking, skating, and skiing through your property every year? Is it any different from having a sidewalk in front of your house?