March 2003

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Resources of Interest
Rail-Trail design recognition program, Deadline March 31
In an effort to promote creative and innovative designs of rail-trails that will inspire future trail designers and communities, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the Society of Landscape Architects are inviting nominations for recognition at the upcoming TrailLink 2003 on June 27, 2003 (see next item). Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of experts in the field of trail design. All winning submissions will be displayed during the conference, and select winners may receive additional recognition on the RTC Web site. Entries may be for designs of trails already open or designs of proposed trails awaiting construction. All entries must meet ADA requirements. No fee is required for submissions, which are due no later than March 31, 2003. Visit www.railtrails.org/traillink2003/program/recogprog/default.asp for details and submission directions.

Register Online for Traillink: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's 4th International Trails & Greenways Conference
Attend TrailLink 2003: Designing for the Future and be a part of the most dynamic exchange on the status of trails and greenways today! This conference is the premier international trails and greenways conference. Link up with the world's experts, share your experiences, participate in field trips to New England projects, and examine how trails and greenways have gained global momentum as tools for addressing design, smart growth, livable communities, brownfield restoration, and promoting public health. Online registration available at www.railtrails.org/traillink2003/regex/regform/registrationform.asp.

Safe Routes to Schools Toolkits available
Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S), a popular program spreading across Canada and the U.S., is designed to decrease traffic and pollution and increase the health of children and the community. The program promotes walking and biking to school through education and incentives that show how much fun it can be. The program also addresses the safety concerns of parents by encouraging greater enforcement of traffic laws, educating the public, and exploring ways to create safer streets. (In California, there is also a capital funding program of the same name, which funds infrastructure improvements.) A SR2S toolkit, developed by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition and produced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is available free of charge. Check out the toolkit to find out how you can start a Safe Routes to Schools program in your community. It's available through www.saferoutestoschools.org/, or to order a hardcopy, contact Sue Knaup of the Thunderhead Alliance at (928) 541-9841 or sue@thunderheadalliance.org.

ENHANCING AMERICA's communities guidebook available
Enhancing America's Communities: A Guide to Transportation Enhancements (TE), produced by the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse, replaces the original TE guidebook, A Guide to Transportation Enhancements, which debuted in 1999. This new 32-page, full-color guide features information on federal and state TE requirements, how to develop a project application, as well as 21 new case studies of TE projects that have successfully contributed to community revitalization in the form of transportation, economic revitalization, and community preservation. To order your free copy, please email the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse at ntec@transact.org or call (888) 388-6832. You can also download a PDF version of the guide from www.enhancements.org (click on "What's New" in the left-hand menu).