Where Trails Intersect, People Come Together

Trails are more than just a recent outdoor phenomenon and have, in fact, been used by both animals and humans since the dawn of time. Some trails were formed naturally over long periods of time by flowing water. Others formed due to animal activity including the tracking of wild game for food, traveling between different feeding and watering areas, for migratory purposes, to safely avoid predators, and to find mates. Native Americans used trails for activities like hunting, warfare, trade, and ceremonial purposes. When Europeans arrived and began to move westward, some of those same Native American trails became migration routes. With heavy use, some trails widened for carts and eventually became permanent roads, but the abundance of natural trails and man-made greenways located throughout our region don’t simply provide reliable transportation corridors. The physical presence of a trail or greenway creates a new ecological edge, increasing light intensity and prompting a shift in the composition of wildlife and plant species, thus encouraging biological diversity. Along rivers and brooks, they support healthy ecosystems by forming natural buffers that protect the quality of our water. They provide natural air filtration and vehicular carbon sequestration, which reduces air pollution and improves air quality. When dedicated for conservation, they preserve natural landscapes and protect the habitats of native plant and animal species. They also create opportunities for healthy recreation and environmentally responsible transportation by enticing people of all ages with attractive avenues on which to walk, jog, hike, cycle, or skate to local parks, natural preserves, cultural features, historic sites, and commercial destinations.