Who builds and manages trails?
Most trails in America are publicly built and managed. However, most of the enduring ones occur in a partnership between agencies and concerned citizens. A classic of this kind is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail where thousands of volunteers each year contribute hundreds of thousands of hours to keep this trail clear, safe, well-marked, and well-monitored. The recent trend of converting abandoned railroads to recreational trails has been fostered by the largest national trails organization — the 75,000-member Rails-to-Trails Conservancy — linking citizen advocacy with state and county projects that have captured over 10,000 miles of former railbeds for trails.
