How stretches of pavement and a little shade can improve local and regional transportation, bolster public health, and strengthen local economies

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Without even closing our eyes, most of us can picture the scene in almost every community that has invested in a good trail or greenway: early-morning walkers with coffee in hand, kids learning how to ride bikes, runners getting their cardio knocked out after work, and someone walking a dog that actually looks more like it’s walking them. But when we sit back and reflect on that scene, the steady stream of everyday use it generates is exactly the point. Multiuse trails and greenways aren’t just recreational amenities; they’re transportation infrastructure, a spark plug for community health, and an economic development tool hiding in plain sight.

Across the United States, the strongest trail systems do three things at once:

1. Make physical activity safer and easier to fit into daily life (without requiring a gym membership or heroic motivation). (CDC)
2. Create a safe, comfortable space for alternative forms of transportation, including walking, biking, scootering and more. (CDC)
3. Improve the economic “gravity” of nearby neighborhoods and downtowns, supporting small business activity, raising property values, and attracting reinvestment. (Rails to Trails Conservancy)

Let’s unpack the health and economic benefits, then take a look at some real-world examples from around the country.

Health benefits that can be seen on waistlines and datasets

Trails make movement the default

Public health guidance increasingly emphasizes environments that make it easy to be active, ranging from safe routes to nearby destinations to appealing places to walk or bike. Trails and greenways deliver exactly that by providing dedicated community space away from the dangers of vehicular traffic and connecting people to parks, schools, jobs, and errands. (CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that access to parks and trails supports physical activity and can reduce stress and strengthen community connections. 

Trails can “move the needle” on activity levels

A recent peer-reviewed study examining users on 14 U.S. trails across the country found that trail users were highly active, and reported that the share of people meeting physical activity recommendations rose substantially when including trail use. (ScienceDirect) That’s a massive win: trails don’t just serve those who are already active, they can help make activity more routine and attainable to folks of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Mental health and social health count too

Greenways add something sidewalks often can’t: a calmer setting, greenery, and social “eyes on the space.” Those “eyes on the space” are critical to safety via what is called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or CPTED (pronounced sɛp-tɛd). CDC materials have noted that well-designed parks and trails can reduce stress, support mental health, and encourage neighbors to interact. (CDC)

Economic benefits that go beyond “nice to have”

Trails and greenways affect local economies in a few predictable and scientifically measurable ways:

1) They increase nearby property values and tax base

When a trail turns an underused corridor into a desirable address, land values tend to respond favorably. The key point for local governments isn’t just higher home prices, but a broader tax base that can be a catalyst for funding critical services and infrastructure.

2) They boost foot traffic and customer traffic for local businesses

Trails create reliable, daily “main street” movement, often weaving their way near coffee shops, restaurants, neighborhood retail, and service businesses. When combined with high-quality public transit, the number of square miles made accessible can expand dramatically.

3) They attract investment and catalyze redevelopment

Trails are often early, visible signals that an area is changing. A few of the positives include:

• revitalization 
• infill
• new housing

But it is important to keep in mind a few necessary safeguards, including anti-displacement strategies, affordable housing, and support for legacy businesses. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy summarizes these categories in the following way:

• health, 
• transportation options, and 
• economic revitalization

These are the three core outcomes seen in trail communities across the country. (Rails to Trails Conservancy)

U.S. examples: where trails and greenways are delivering results

Now for the fun stuff: five examples of greenways across the country that have embodied the themes that we have been discussing thus far. If you are a planner, mayor or member of city council, I recommend making use of all of the links available, as they open up a wealth of valuable information.

Razorback Greenway (Northwest Arkansas): a regional spine with health and economic returns

The Razorback Regional Greenway in Northwest Arkansas shows what happens when trails are treated as regional infrastructure rather than isolated amenities. Stretching roughly 40 miles, from the Arkansas-Missouri border to the south of Fayetteville, studies have shown that the impacts of Greenway use in the region are massive: tens of millions of dollars annually in combined health and business benefits, including reduced healthcare costs, avoided vehicle trips, and visitor spending. This increasingly critical portion of the region’s transportation infrastructure links downtowns, schools, parks, hospitals, corporate campuses, and cultural destinations.

A few cultural and educational spots along the Razorback Greenway include (Razorback Greenway Map): countless K-12 facilities across the region, the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville), the new Walmart Home Office (Bentonville), Downtown Springdale (Arkansas), Pinnacle Hills Promenade (Rogers), and more!

Indianapolis Cultural Trail (Indianapolis, Indiana): a trail as downtown economic infrastructure

Indianapolis’ Cultural Trail is frequently cited because it was evaluated with real metrics. An Indiana University Public Policy Institute analysis found that property values within 500 feet of the trail increased by roughly 148% between 2008 and 2014, representing approximately $1 billion in new assessed value. Businesses along the trail reported increased foot traffic and customer spending, reinforcing the idea that trails can function as linear main streets when designed intentionally.

Among the highlights of Indianapolis’ Cultural Trail (Cultural Trail Map): Indiana University - Indianapolis, Indianapolis City Market, the Indiana State Museum, the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, and more!

Katy Trail (Dallas, Texas): strong returns near a high-use urban trail

Dallas’ Katy Trail demonstrates the economic leverage of a well-designed urban trail. A relatively modest public investment helped catalyze hundreds of millions of dollars in adjacent development, with land values increasing significantly closer to the trail (Annual Reports). The Katy Trail now serves as both a recreational destination and a daily transportation route, supporting nearby restaurants, retail, and residential growth.

If you are looking for some sights and sounds along the Katy Trail, you might check out (Katy Trail Map): Southern Methodist University, Downtown Dallas, Reverchon Park, Turtle Creek Park, and more!

Atlanta BeltLine (Atlanta, Georgia): trails as city-shaping infrastructure

The Atlanta BeltLine illustrates the long-term potential of pairing trails with land-use planning and value-capture strategies. More than a single trail, the BeltLine is a comprehensive framework that uses greenways, parks, and transit investments to guide redevelopment. Its success has generated substantial private investment while also highlighting the importance of equity tools, such as affordable housing strategies, to ensure long-time residents benefit from rising values (Community Playmaker).

Making a trip to Atlanta and the BeltLine? Here’s a few spots that won’t disappoint (Atlanta BeltLine Map): the Atlanta Zoo, Washington Park, Georgia Tech, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and more!

Constitution Trail (Bloomington - Normal, Illinois): daily mobility with community-wide impact

Constitution Trail is a locally focused but highly effective multiuse trail system whose strength lies in everyday use. Residents rely on the trail for walking, biking, commuting, and errands, making physical activity a natural part of daily life while providing a safe, low-stress alternative to driving. This consistent use supports improved public health outcomes across age groups. Economically, Constitution Trail functions as a defining community amenity. Proximity to the trail enhances neighborhood desirability and helps attract residents, students, and employers, while nearby businesses benefit from regular pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The trail demonstrates how well-connected local greenways can deliver meaningful health and economic benefits without the scale of a regional megaproject.

Scheduling some time for the Blo-No? Don’t forget to check out: Illinois State University (Normal), Uptown Normal, Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington), Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary, and more!

What makes trails “work” (and how to avoid common pitfalls)

While we might all agree that the examples listed above sound awesome, there is a lot of work that goes into trails fitting seamlessly into a region’s transportation system. If you’re part of the team tasked with creating a trail system for your city, town or region, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind along the way:

• Connectivity beats scenery alone. The most-used facilities connect people to destinations: neighborhoods, schools, parks, job centers, and commercial districts. (CDC)
• Safety and comfort drive who uses it. Lighting, crossings, separation from traffic, clear wayfinding, and maintenance determine whether the trail is “for everyone” or only for the confident. (CDC)
• Economic benefits should be paired with equity strategies. If property values rise (often a sign of success), communities can respond with tools like affordable housing requirements near the corridor, property tax relief for long-time residents, and support programs for legacy businesses. (The BeltLine’s experience is a common reference point for why this matters.) (Federal Highway Administration)

Closing: the healthiest and most prosperous communities make it easy to say “yes”

Multiuse trails and greenways succeed because they meet people where they are. They don’t require a special event, a membership, or a big lifestyle overhaul. They just make the healthy choice easier—and then, quietly, they start changing how a place functions.

A trail is a place where kids get independence, older adults get safe mobility, neighbors see each other, small businesses get daily foot traffic, and a community’s “quality of life” becomes something you can actually measure—steps taken, trips replaced, storefronts filled, and tax base stabilized.

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