New National Recreational Trails designated for 2016

Americantrails.org

Secretary Jewell, National Park Service Director Jarvis Announce 6 New National Recreation Trails

On June 3, 2016, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis announced the designation of six local and state National Recreation Trails to the National Trails System.

“By designating these new National Trails, we recognize the efforts of local communities to provide outdoor recreational opportunities that can be enjoyed by everyone,” said Jewell. “Our world-class network of national trails provides easily accessible places to enjoy exercise and connect with nature in both urban and rural areas while also boosting tourism and supporting economic opportunities in local communities across the country.”

“The network of national recreation and water trails offers expansive opportunities for Americans to explore the great outdoors,” said Jarvis. “With summer here, I hope everyone will take advantage of a trail nearby to hike, paddle or bike. It’s a great family outing and an opportunity to fill your lungs with fresh air and enjoy the beauty of the world around us.”

National Recreation Trail designation recognizes existing trails and trail systems that link communities to recreational opportunities on public lands and in local parks across the Nation. Each of the newly designated trails will receive a certificate of designation, a set of trail markers and a letter of congratulations from Secretary Jewell.

Both the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture have the authority to approve designations in response to an application from the trail's managing agency or organization. The National Recreation Trails Program is jointly administered by the National Park Service and the Forest Service in conjunction with a number of other federal and not-for-profit partners, notably American Trails, which hosts the National Recreation Trails website.

The following trails were designated as National Recreation Trails for 2016:

CALIFORNIA: Backbone Trail
CONNECTICUT: Shetucket River Water Trail
FLORIDA: Bartram Trail in Putnam County
MAINE: Johnson Brook Trail
OKLAHOMA: Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area Trails
WASHINGTON: Roche Harbor Trails

Read more about the trails here:
http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/16nrts.html