Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s (RTC), a trail advocacy organization, is encouraging Americans to kick off the spring trail season on Celebrate Trails Day, Saturday, April 23,, by getting outside and being active on their favorite trails.
Celebrate Trails Day is an annual celebration of the nation’s trails and the benefits they bring to our health and well-being. Since 2019, trail use has surged as people seek outdoor spaces for exercise and connection with friends and family. Trails make getting outdoors and around by foot, bike and wheelchair more accessible for everyone.
On Celebrate Trails Day, and beyond, RTC offers resources and [railstotrails.org/celebratetrails]events to encourage people to make trail use part of their daily lives.
As people navigate back to in-person work, school and other activities, there is an urgency in encouraging them to continue their practice of outdoor physical activity. The CDC recommends 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per day, five days per week, through activities such as a brisk walk or bike ride, yet the latest data shows that 25 percent of Americans are inactive.
Trails are a valuable resource to address inactivity, providing safe, close-to-home spaces where people can walk, bike and be active. Those who participated in Celebrate Trails Day in 2021 reported spending on average more than 90 minutes being active outside, exceeding physical activity guidelines.
Hosted on the fourth Saturday of April, Celebrate Trails Day is an annual spring celebration of America’s trails. Started by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in 2013, the celebration encourages people across the country to get outside and enjoy the nation’s exceptional trails and trail systems. Last year, more than 170 partner organizations and more than 3,500 people from 48 states and Washington, D.C., reported taking part in Celebrate Trails Day.
For more information about Celebrate Trails Day, to find events, and to enter to win prizes, visit railstotrails.org/celebratetrails and follow #CelebrateTrails on social media.
