RAIL-TRAIL BENEFITS: GOOD FOR INDIVIDUAL & COMMUNITY HEALTH

Rails-trails provide significant and tangible economic, health, and quality of life benefits in communities across the country.  Investments in rail-trails have transformative effects in cities and towns, as abandoned industrial areas become once again vital assets for community use and economic and environmental renewal.  Rail-trails create and advance opportunities for recreation, alternative transportation, adventure and heritage tourism, economic development, historic preservation, healthy lifestyles, and environmental conservation. In communities, they can become centers for social gathering and fundraisers for communities causes. They also help serve to attract new residents and businesses to trail communities.

Articles on Trail Tourism and Economic Impact:

Rail-Trailers Take Morgantown and demonstrate Potential of Trail Tourism to WV https://www.dropbox.com/s/dcyftgmtmm4ihuh/Rail-Trailers%20Take%20Morgantown%20and%20Demonstrate%20Potential%20of%20Trail%20Tourism%20to%20West%20Virginia.pdf?dl=0

Prosperity Comes in Cycles
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d015umj3gw0g4ts/prosperitycomesincyclesarticle.pdf?dl=0

More on the benefits can be found at the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website:
http://www.railstotrails.org/experience-trails/benefits-of-trails/