Time to Make it Happen

I'm a downtown economic developer by profession. With almost twenty years of experience helping communities revitalize their downtown, connecting downtowns to trails is one of those ideas that shows up in almost every conference, strategic plan, and community conversation.

Everyone agrees it’s important. Everyone can point to great examples. But far fewer communities actually move from talking about it to seeing real people come off the trail, into downtown, and spending money. The difference isn’t in having a better vision; it’s in taking practical, focused steps that turn that idea into something people can experience.

The first steps are less about building something and more about getting alignment, clarity, and a winnable starting point.

Here’s how I’d approach it, grounded in how Main Street communities actually get things done:

1. Start with a simple, shared question: Why does this matter?

Before anything else, get your core group aligned on the purpose.

• Is it about driving downtown foot traffic and sales?

• Supporting local entrepreneurs?

• Improving quality of life for residents?

• Positioning your community as a regional destination?

If you skip this, you’ll end up with partners pulling in different directions (Parks thinking recreation, DOT thinking safety, Main Street thinking economic impact).

Keep it plain: “We want trail users to come into downtown, stay longer, and spend money.”

That clarity shapes every decision that follows.

2. Map what you already have (don’t assume it’s obvious)

Most towns already have a connection; it’s just weak, unclear, or unpleasant.

Do a quick, practical assessment:

• Where does the trail currently end or pass closest to downtown?

• What is the actual route someone would take today?

• How long does it take (walk/bike)?

• Where does it feel:

  • unsafe

  • confusing

  • uninviting

The key is to identify your “last 500 feet problem.”That final stretch is almost always the barrier.

3. Walk it like a visitor (this is non-negotiable)

Do this with a small group: you, a business owner, a planner, maybe a cyclist.

Physically start on the trail and try to get downtown.

Ask as you go:

• Would I know downtown is nearby?

• Do I feel safe crossing streets?

• Is there anything pulling me forward (visual cues, activity)?

• When I arrive… does it feel like I’ve arrived somewhere worth stopping?

Take photos. Note friction points.

This step replaces assumptions with reality, and it’s incredibly persuasive when you bring others along.

4. Identify your “anchor point” in downtown

Don’t try to connect to all of downtown at once.

Pick one clear destination:

• a coffee shop

• brewery

• pocket park

• public plaza

• cluster of businesses

This becomes your landing zone.

The goal is not “connect the trail to downtown. It’s “connect the trail to this specific place that people will actually stop at.”

5. Build your core team early (keep it small and practical)

You don’t need a huge committee, you need the right people:

• Main Street (you / downtown leadership)

• Parks & Recreation or greenway staff

• Planning/transportation

• 1–2 engaged business owners near the connection point

Optional but helpful:

• local cycling/running group

• tourism partner

Keep it focused on people who can solve problems and move things forward, not just weigh in.

6. Fix the connection before you build the connection

This is where a lot of communities get stuck waiting on funding.

Instead, ask: What can we improve in the next 60–90 days with little or no money?

Examples:

• Temporary signage: “Downtown → 3 min.”

• Painted arrows or creative crosswalks

• Add bike racks at your anchor businesses

• Clean up landscaping or visibility issues

• Adjust lighting or add string lights

These are signal moves; they start changing behavior immediately and build momentum.

7. Give people a reason to try it (early programming)

Don’t wait until it’s perfect.

• Host a “Bike to Downtown Day”

• Offer small incentives (discounts, free drink, etc.)

• Partner with businesses to welcome trail users

You’re testing behavior: Will people actually come if invited?

8. Capture quick wins and tell the story

This is critical for long-term investment.

Track simple things:

• number of participants

• business feedback (“we saw new customers”)

• photos of activity

Then share it:

• with your board

• with elected officials

• with partners

This is how you move from “idea” to “we need to invest in this.”

9. THEN move into bigger planning and funding

Once you’ve:

• proven demand

• built partnerships

• identified the exact connection route

Now you’re ready for:

• streetscape improvements

• capital funding

• formal trail extensions

Closing

The impact of connecting trails to downtown is no longer theoretical; it is measurable, repeatable, and consistently proven across communities of all sizes. When done intentionally, these connections do more than move people; they bring new customers, support local businesses, and strengthen a community’s identity as a place people want to visit and stay.

Two widely cited studies highlight just how significant that impact can be:

• A national analysis by Headwaters Economics and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy found that a connected trail system like the Great American Rail-Trail could generate over $229 million annually in visitor spending, along with thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue.

• A long-term study of the Silver Comet Trail showed $118 million in economic impact, supporting over 1,300 jobs and generating millions in tax revenue for local communities.

These are not outliers; they reflect a broader pattern seen in trail communities across the country.

Connecting trails to downtown is one of the most practical and proven strategies a community can invest in. When that connection is clear, safe, and intentionally designed, it transforms trails from passive recreation assets into active economic drivers. Trail users become customers, visitors become repeat guests, and downtown becomes part of a larger experience rather than a separate destination. The evidence is clear: communities that make this connection well don’t just see more activity, they see stronger businesses, increased investment, and a more vibrant sense of place that benefits residents and visitors alike.

Now let's get to work. Our kids and grandkids will thank us!