Local Advocacy Groups to Celebrate National Trails Day

Mark your calendars for Celebrate Trails Day 2024 on April 27, 2024! Hosted annually on the fourth Saturday of April, this spring celebration envisioned by the Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) invites everyone to embrace America’s remarkable trails and trail systems. Organizations throughout the Eastern Shore will be hosting several events to honor and appreciate trails’ invaluable role in our lives and communities.

Trails are essential for offering chances for exploration, adventure, and discovery, inviting people of all ages and backgrounds to go on memorable adventures in the outdoors. These benefits range from encouraging physical activity and mental well-being to fostering connections with nature and facilitating economic development.

As part of Celebrate Trails Day in the Talbot County area, Talbot Thrive, a non-profit dedicated to promoting healthy and safe outdoor mobility for everyone living, working, and visiting Talbot County will be hosting a guided walk on the proposed path of the Oxford Connector Trail at 2 p.m. as part of Oxford Day. Participants can meet in the parking lot in front of the tennis courts.

In addition to celebrating existing trails, efforts are underway to expand and enhance trail infrastructure on the Eastern Shore. A group led by the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) in Easton, MD is spearheading plans to create a comprehensive regional trail network connecting communities and highlighting the region’s natural and cultural assets.

In addition, a new trail map has been developed by the Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative with support from the Rural Maryland Council. It provides detailed information about trail locations, amenities, and points of interest, making it easier for residents and visitors alike to plan their outdoor adventures.

Whether it’s a guided hike, a trail cleanup initiative, or a family-friendly nature walk, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and make a positive impact in your community on Celebrate Trails Day and throughout the year. Visit https://www.eslc.org/celebratetrails/ to learn about all the trail events on April 27 and join in celebrating the beauty and significance of our local trails.

To learn more about the ongoing efforts to advocate for more trails on the Eastern Shore, visit https://www.eslc.org/towns/eastern-shore-regional-trail-vision/. Learn more at RailsToTrails.Org/CelebrateTrails Explore the trail map at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/413da86ab8f94d8e801ca66df4787a1f

AI Disclosure: The Spy and its writers may use artificial intelligence tools to support accuracy and clarity in our reporting.

Francoise Sullivan is the new Associate Editor of The Chestertown Spy and a community advocate based in Worton, Maryland. She previously served a term on the Kent County Board of Education, where she focused on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and student-centered policy. Sullivan also serves as Chair of the Kent County Chapter of the Delmarva Pride Center. Her work centers on local government, education, and civic engagement, providing clear, accessible coverage of issues affecting Kent County.