Latest news with #CelebrateTrailsDay
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Celebrate Trails Day Uplifts Far-Reaching Impact of Connected Trails Nationwide
Impact survey of Rails to Trails Conservancy's annual event finds 33,000 people participated, spending $1.3 million and racking up 3.4 million minutes of physical activity WASHINGTON, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rails to Trails Conservancy's annual nationwide celebration of trails clearly illustrated the far-reaching benefits that connected walking and biking infrastructure deliver to people and places in all types of communities nationwide. As the U.S. Department of Transportation continues its review of nearly $3 billion in grants that were issued to trail, walking and biking projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Celebrate Trails Day made clear the universal demand for and direct impact of this infrastructure in America's small towns, suburbs and cities alike. 'There is unmatched potential in trail networks to make walking and biking part of our everyday lives, unlocking all of the good that happens when we are active outside, in the places where we live,' said Brandi Horton, RTC's vice president of communications. 'Celebrate Trails Day was a moment to unite everyone in a common appreciation for trails—and more than 33,000 people got outside to lift up the the impact of connecting trails where they live. This is evidence that our time on the trail is so much more than a day outside.' On Celebrate Trails Day, more than 275 events took place across the country, bringing together over 33,000 people—citizens, families, neighbors, advocates and elected officials—to experience the potential and impact of the nation's developing trail and active transportation networks. In a survey of participants, RTC found that, on average, people spent $41 preparing for or participating in Celebrate Trails Day activities, generating an estimated $1.3 million in direct spending associated with the day—providing a tangible example of the ways that trails and active transportation contribute more than $34 billion annually to the U.S. economy. In addition, people reported spending an average of 104 minutes being physically active on Celebrate Trails Day—28% more time than a typical day (81 minutes) and more than two-thirds of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity. In total, Celebrate Trails Day generated more than 3.4 million minutes of physical activity nationwide, evidence of the power of trails paired with programming to serve as a catalyst for people to be active. In response to Celebrate Trails Day, people universally reported mental health benefits as a reason for using trails (97%), followed by physical activity (81%). Other reasons for using trails included a place to spend time with friends and family, a way to interact with the community, and connect with nature. Those surveyed referenced trails as safe places to avoid traffic, especially for seniors, children and pets. In Jefferson County, Ohio, over 600 people came from across the region and beyond to celebrate the opening of the Hellbender Preserve and Recreational Trail, the first piece of multiuse trail in the county and a new segment of RTC's cross-country Great American Rail-Trail®. County commissioners shared that people came from far and wide as they heard that the event was part of Celebrate Trails Day—leveraging the opportunity to build deeper support for the county's new amenity. 'I'm not really surprised, I believe our people are starving for this type of thing. It's quality of life. … It makes the future really interesting. We want to keep moving it forward,' said Jefferson County Commissioner Tony Morelli in an interview with the Herald-Star. Celebrate Trails Day is facilitated by RTC annually on the fourth Saturday of April, inviting people across the country to get outside on trails in their community for events and activities that encourage physical activity, stewardship, and community engagement. The event is made possible with the support of organizations including: Athletic Brewing Company, the premier Celebrate Trails Day sponsor; Bob's Red Mill; Brompton; Catrike; Earth Day Initiative; Green Sports Alliance; HBCUs Outside; iHeart Media; Latino Outdoors; Mirrycle; NEMO Equipment; Patagonia Old Town; Po Campo; REI Co-op; Saris; and Sportsbackers. Survey results for Celebrate Trails Day represent 1,087 responses gathered via SurveyMonkey between April 26 and May 4, 2025. Active minutes were calculated using the total number of estimated participants in Celebrate Trails Day, and the average time reported spent on trails on Celebrate Trails Day from 745 responses. Estimated total spend was calculated using the total number of estimated participants in Celebrate Trails Day, and the average dollar amount spent on or to prepare for Celebrate Trails Day from 271 responses. Rails to Trails Conservancy is the nation's largest trails, walking and biking advocacy organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong. RTC is dedicated to building a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Follow #CelebrateTrails on social media for updates and connect with RTC at and @railstotrails on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. CONTACT: Patricia Brooks, [email protected], 202.351.1757 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Rails to Trails Conservancy
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Patoka Township firefighters show how they rescue people in grain bins
PRINCETON, Ind. (WEHT) — Every year, there are a number of farmers who get stuck in grain bins — and some do not make it out alive. Here in the Tri-State, Patoka Township firefighters are one of the several agencies that have tools to save lives. Only three people have been rescued from a grain bin in Gibson County within the last 20 years. Patoka firefighters are offering a rescue demonstration on how they save lives when disaster strikes, however. Outside the USDA-Gibson County Farm Service Agency, Patoka Township firefighters say some farmers are likely to become stuck once grain is wet and cannot feed correctly. That grain may crust — and if a farmer breaks the top — they will find themselves stuck with nowhere to go. If they struggle, they will only sink themselves deeper, creating a lot more pressure. 'You got extremely large bins at a large number of farms with a lot of grain and a lot of weight. So, the more pressure you put on someone — kind of imagine a hug — someone squeezes you tighter and tighter when they're giving you a hug, it's going to be harder to breathe, harder to move, everything like that,' says Patoka Township Firefighter Sam Hagerty. Firefighter Dillion Murray demonstrates being waist deep in grain. If the grain were at stomach level, breathing would be incredibly difficult, and he would continue to sink. That's why time is of the essence. After getting information like how long the person has been inside, these firefighters will put in a rescue tube and auger to push out the grain, corn or soybeans. Though Firefighter Murray can pull himself out in knee deep of grain, it's already a tiring task. To prevent emergencies, Patoka Township Firefighters recommend farmers letting others know that they'll be working on grain bins when going out. Check out what's new at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in 2025 Patoka Township firefighters show how they rescue people in grain bins Henderson County church continues to raise money for youth programs at Tri-Fest Evansville joins nationwide Celebrate Trails Day initiative Ascension St. Vincent Indy 500 Princess spreads positivity at the hospital Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Check out what's new at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in 2025
SANTA CLAUS, Ind. (WEHT) — Another season of thrills and fun is just around the corner at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. On Saturday, the park opens to season passholders. Holiday World staff are making the finishing touches in anticipation for opening. Next weekend, the park opens the general public, and there's plenty of time for the Tri-State and visitors across the country to make memories in Santa Claus. At all corners of the park, staff are, figuratively, dusting off the cobwebs and making everything pretty for the countless visitors who will pass the turnstiles this summer. Just feet away from the front gate, you may notice something new for the 2025 season. The park has updated the portals to different holidays, like Halloween and 4th of July. The previous signs had stood for the last 40 years. Speaking of 4th of July, walk down the windy paths and hills to find a new paint job at Eagles Flight. Look closely, and you'll find that two of the cars themed to one of the Holiday World mascots — George the Eagle. With a couple new things at the park this year, there's some that are staying just the same as years prior. That of course includes free parking, free pre-kindergarten passes, free sunscreen and the 25th anniversary of free, unlimited soft drinks. 'That's something that we've done for so many years. Family is our focus, and we're going to continue to make sure that family continues to be our focus, and we want to make sure that we make those visit the best that it possibly can be. We're never going to take those things away,' Holiday World President and CEO Matt Eckert says. Holiday World opens to the general public on May 10. Splashin' Safari opens on May 17. Check out what's new at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in 2025 Patoka Township firefighters show how they rescue people in grain bins Henderson County church continues to raise money for youth programs at Tri-Fest Evansville joins nationwide Celebrate Trails Day initiative Ascension St. Vincent Indy 500 Princess spreads positivity at the hospital Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Yahoo
Evansville joins nationwide Celebrate Trails Day initiative
VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. (WEHT) — Evansville joins a nationwide initiative to celebrate America's 42,000 miles of trails. Several organizations and the Evansville Area Trails Coalition is taking part in Celebrate Trails Day at Burdette Park. It's a day of action to showcase the amenities which some say improve the quality of life for residents. The local organizations are featuring the USI-Burdette trail to keep everyone informed about the resource, especially if they live on the other side of town. 'What's wonderful about it is that we get to feature and bring to light some of our local amenities. Some of the people on the far east side may not know or have experienced this trail. We're highlighting this trail so that people can come with other trail blazers if you want to walk or bike or roll and just experience nature while they're out on a multi-use trail,' says Evansville Area Trails Coalition Executive Director Lorie Van Hook. Van Hook says there's upcoming urban hikes over the summer. That includes Walk & Bike to School Day coming up on May 7. Learn more at Henderson County church continues to raise money for youth programs at Tri-Fest Evansville joins nationwide Celebrate Trails Day initiative Ascension St. Vincent Indy 500 Princess spreads positivity at the hospital Tri-State grocers, farmers discuss fighting food insecurity More than 100 gather in Madisonville to protest Trump administration, Garcia deportation Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Henderson County church continues to raise money for youth programs at Tri-Fest
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — Between 4,000 and 5,000 people are expected to visit downtown Henderson this weekend for Tri-Fest. For decades it's been an opportunity for everyone to support organizations making a difference, and, for its second day this year, Tri-Fest is full of smiles, rides and great food. The members from Niagara United Methodist Church from eastern Henderson County are no exceptions to that rule. It's been a Tri-Fest staple since the very beginning. 'My parents were actually mentors that started this. So I'm just kind of following in their footsteps at this point, and it's been really cool. We have a lot of fun when we come down here. We work together as a family,' says Niagara UMC member Emily Plummer. There are several of those helping hands, raising money to send area children and teens to camp to not only grow a relationship with God but to let them know they're loved and that they are never forgotten. 'We have a lot of kids that come to our church that maybe their parents don't, but the kids come for Wednesdays — we have a potluck almost every Wednesday. This money helps to keep all that going. We feed kids and anybody who comes in — they can eat. They don't have to pay for anything,' says church member Jay Cavanah. Campus are running between $350 and $400 for each child and that does not include the annual Winter Blitz conference which could go between $3,000 and $5,000 for each child. 'It's incredibly important. There have been times when Tri-Fest has supplemented many youth and in a way that we don't think we could they could have experienced what they experienced,' Plummer says. It's all thanks to the thousands of Tri-Fest-goers lining up for the ever popular porkburger, among other items at Niagara UMC. ''It's always been around, and it's real good,' says Isaiah Powell. 'It's my favorite thing down here,' adds Savanah Powell. There's still a chance for the Tri-State to give back to several of the organization. Tri-Fest continues through Sunday. Henderson County church continues to raise money for youth programs at Tri-Fest Evansville joins nationwide Celebrate Trails Day initiative Ascension St. Vincent Indy 500 Princess spreads positivity at the hospital Tri-State grocers, farmers discuss fighting food insecurity More than 100 gather in Madisonville to protest Trump administration, Garcia deportation Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
