America's Great Outdoors: Deputy Secretary Hayes, Senator Durbin Announce Designation of 41 New National Recreation Trails

Lake Michigan Water Trail Joins National Network

[CHICAGO, IL] — Deputy Secretary of the Interior David J. Hayes and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced the designation of 41 trails in 17 states as National Recreation Trails, adding almost 650 miles of trails to the National Trails System. The announcement came in advance of National Trails Day on June 4, when hundreds of organized activities including hikes, educational programs, bike rides, trail rehabilitation projects, festivals, paddle trips, and trail dedications will take place nationwide.

“From coast to coast, National Recreation Trails help connect Americans with the wonders of America’s Great Outdoors,” said Deputy Secretary Hayes. “These new National Recreation Trails, built through partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, provide opportunities for fitness and stewardship while creating a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren.”

Today’s announcement took place on the Lake Michigan waterfront, highlighting the new Lake Michigan Water Trail – Chicago to New Buffalo Section, which is the first leg of an ambitious shoreline trail around the entire Lake.

“The Lake Michigan Water Trail’s official designation will make it easier for local residents and visitors alike to find and visit Lake Michigan shorelines. There’s no better way to take in urban landscapes like the Chicago skyline than from a canoe or a kayak. And as more people have this opportunity to enjoy this wonderful treasure on Chicago’s lakefront, more people will share in our resolve to protect the health of the Great Lakes,” said Senator Durbin.

During the event, Deputy Secretary Hayes underscored the connection of National Recreation Trails to the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative established by President Obama and Let’s Move Outside! established by First Lady Michelle Obama. Both initiatives encourage Americans to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors as part of a healthier lifestyle.

“These trails, blueways, greenways, and networks give everyone – from children to seniors – superb places to get outside, get moving, and have fun,” Hayes added.

The National Recreation Trail designation recognizes existing trails and trail systems that link communities to recreational opportunities on public lands and in local parks across the nation. The first ones were established in 1971. Each of the new National Recreation Trails will receive a certificate of designation, a letter of congratulations from Secretary Salazar, and a set of trail markers. These trails join a network of more than 1,100 previously designated trails that total more than 13,000 miles.

The National Recreation Trail program is jointly administered by the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service in conjunction with a number of other federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails, which hosts the national recreation trails website.

The following 41 trails have been designated as National Recreation Trails.

ALABAMA

• Chattahoochee Valley Railroad (CVRR) Trail – Northern Section

• Chattahoochee Valley Railroad (CVRR) Trail – Southern Section

• Chewacla State Park Trail System

• Chief Ladiga Trail (Jacksonville Section)

• Chief Ladiga Trail (Piedmont Section)

• Citronelle Walking Trail

• City of Foley Antique Rose Trail

• DeSoto State Park Trail System

• Florala-Lake Jackson Scenic Trail

• Lake Guntersville State Park Trail System

• Lake Lurleen State Park Trail System

• The Larry and Ronna Dykes Trail

• Montevallo Greenway Trail

• Queen City Park Trail

• Sunset Drive Trail

• Swan Creek Greenway Trail

• Talladega-Lincoln Outdoor Park Trails (T.O.P.TRAILS)

• Tannehill Tramway Trail

• Village Pointe Preserve Park Trail System

• Wind Creek State Park Trail System

• Yoholo-Micco, The Creek Indian Trail

ARKANSAS

• Old Post Mountain Bike Trail

• Springhill Park Mountain Bike Trail

CONNECTICUT

• Quinebaug River Water Trail – Thompson Section

FLORIDA

• Tom Varn Hiking and Jogging Trail

• Withlacoochee State Trail

ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MICHIGAN

• Lake Michigan National Water Trail – Chicago to New Buffalo Segment

INDIANA

• Ray Yellig Memorial Trail

KANSAS

• Sand Creek Trail

MARYLAND

• Catoctin Trail (Blue Trail)

MASSACHUSETTS

• The Waverley Trail

MINNESOTA

• Froland Waterfowl Production Area Interpretive Trail

NEW JERSEY

• Barclay Farm Trails

• Croft Farm Trails

NEW MEXICO

• Berg/Animas Trail

OKLAHOMA

• Sandtown Nature Trail

PENNSYLVANIA

• Blue Marsh Lake Multi-Use Trail

• Susquehanna River Water Trail – West Branch

TENNESSEE

• Warriors' Path State Park Mountain Bike Trail System

WEST VIRGINIA

• McTrail

• Ralph S. Larue/West Fork Trail

Senator Dick Durbin

America's Great Outdoors: Deputy Secretary Hayes, Senator Durbin Announce Designation of 41 New National Recreation Trails

Lake Michigan Water Trail Joins National Network

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