Politics: @Interior Secretary Haaland Designates Nine New National Recreation Trails
In celebration of Great Outdoors Month and National Trails Day on June 4, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today announced the designation of nine new national recreation trails in seven states, adding nearly 600 miles to the National Trails System. The newly designated trails join a network of more than 1,300 existing national recreation trails, which can be found in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
“The National Trails System, which includes national scenic, historic and recreation trails, offers an abundance of opportunities to experience the breathtaking landscapes of our country, all while supporting outdoor recreation activities and boosting local economies,” said Secretary Haaland. “These new trails will help expand community connections to green spaces where children can play, families can connect, and a love and appreciation for the outdoors can be nurtured.”
“National recreation trails are community-based pathways that provide quick, easy and affordable access to the benefits of spending time outdoors,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “They are sources of civic pride that support options for recreation and alternative means of transportation. Whether you are an equestrian or pedestrian, paddler or peddler, we invite you to explore these trails.”
National recreation trails are jointly coordinated and administered by the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, in conjunction with a number of federal and nonprofit partners. The designation of a national recreation trail can be done by either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture on an existing local or regional trail with the consent of the federal, state, Tribal, local, nonprofit or private entity that has jurisdiction over the trail. The trail's managing agency or organization must apply for the distinction. The application period for new national recreational trails is currently open until November 1.
Today’s trail designations are consistent with the principles of the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative, a locally led and voluntary nationwide effort to conserve, connect, and restore the lands, waters and wildlife upon which we all depend.
The list of newly designated trails is below and ready for exploring. Each will receive a certificate of designation, a set of trail markers and a letter of recognition from Secretary Haaland.
FLORIDA
The 7.25-mile Seven Mile Loop Trail in the Crystal River Preserve State Park offers hikers and cyclists the opportunity to explore Florida as they travel though diverse coastal habitats. The trail is primarily on limestone, and is suitable for hiking, running, and mountain and gravel biking. The trail crosses several freshwater tidal creeks that offer opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, or quiet appreciation of the extraordinary beauty of this unique place.
MISSOURI
The Fulbright Spring Greenway Trail provides vital connections within Greene County, Missouri. This 6.98-mile natural-surface loop trail connects four parks, an elementary school, housing subdivisions, other local trail systems. Many residents refer to this trail as the emerald necklace, as it connects so many unique outdoor spaces just minutes from Downtown Springfield, Missouri.
NEW YORK
The 1.43-mile Inwood Hill Park Orange Trail provides a path through the only forest in Manhattan. Glacial potholes, giant slabs of glacial schist, and historic structures such as Straus Mansion and Cock Hill Fort showcase the area’s geological and human history. This moderate to vigorous trail will take visitors through the heart of the park’s Shorakapok Preserve with dramatic views of Spuyten Duyvil Creek, the Hudson River, and the New Jersey Palisades.
The New York State Canalway Water Trail is comprised of over 450 miles of land cut canals, and interconnected lakes and rivers with more than 150 public access points for paddlers. The water trail follows the New York State Canal System across the full expanse of upstate New York, offering visitors a wealth of places to visit and sights to see. The waterway flows through time and history, connecting magnificent scenery and communities, many of which have been welcoming canal travelers for nearly 200 years.
OHIO
The Conotton Creek Bike Trail is an 11.4-mile designated rail-trail of scenic serenity located in Northern Harrison County, Ohio. It traverses through the Conotton Valley parallel to the Conotton Creek. The trail offers visitors the opportunity to experience wetlands, farms, forest, rock formations, wildlife and five covered bridges that were built on original railroad bridge platforms.
The Little Miami State Park is a 50-mile multi-use, asphalt rail-trail paralleling the Little Miami River in southwestern Ohio. The Little Miami State Park provides a gateway trail between the trail systems in the Greater Cincinnati area and the trail systems in northern Ohio. For most of its route, the park follows the Little Miami River, a state scenic river and national wild and scenic river.
SOUTH CAROLINA
The 60-mile South Carolina Revolutionary Rivers Trail in Florence County, South Carolina, carries paddlers into the cypress and tupelo laden swampland that Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion used as a hideout when fighting the British. In addition to rich history, the trail provides visitors access to the area’s terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem.
TEXAS
The Bob Woodruff Park and Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve Trails are 9.9 miles of continuous trail that connects two adjacent parks and encompasses a total of 1,100 acres. Functioning as part of a regional trail network, the multi-use trails provide easy access to a number of public facilities including pavilions with cooking grills, a playground, a sand volleyball court, restrooms, an amphitheater, a recreation center, a dog park, two man-made lakes, soft-surface trails, a treetop adventure course, a nature and retreat center, and ample parking.
VIRGINIA
The 2.7 miles of the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Trail System consists of seven, interconnected trails that provide opportunities to observe the wildlife and vegetation of the refuge’s seven distinct habitats- ocean, beach, marsh, shrubs, grassland, maritime forest and freshwater bay. Trail surfaces vary from boardwalk, crushed stone, sand and gravel.
###
About the U.S. Department of the Interior
The Department of the Interior (DOI) conserves and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people, provides scientific and other information about natural resources and natural hazards to address societal challenges and create opportunities for the American people, and honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities to help them prosper.
