NEW YORK, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With spring in full bloom, it’s time to answer the call of the great outdoors! Recently Vice President of Communications at Rails to Trails Conservancy, Brandi Horton, conducted a satellite media tour in partnership with D S Simon Media to highlight hidden-gem trails and share compelling reasons to explore them this season, just in time for Celebrate Trails Day.
Rails to Trails Conservancy, the nation’s largest trail, walking and biking advocacy organization, is calling on people across the country to get outside on trails this spring to celebrate the many ways that trails and connected trail networks make a difference in people’s lives.
Central to the organization’s call to action is Celebrate Trails Day, hosted on April 26, 2025, with events planned nationwide that showcase the direct impact that trails deliver to people and places—inspiring more people to make trails, walking and biking part of their everyday lives while sending a clear message that trails are essential infrastructure for America.
“Celebrate Trails Day is more than a day outside,” said Brandi Horton, RTC’s vice president of communications. “It is a day of joy and action. An opportunity to come together to celebrate America’s trails and the ways they uplift our country’s economy, health and quality of life. When we show up on trails, we’re making clear that these spaces are vital.”
Here are five reasons to get outside on trails this spring, and on Celebrate Trails Day, says RTC:
- There are more opportunities to walk, bike and be active outside than ever! More than 42,000 miles of multiuse trails and over 150 trail networks are in development nationwide. People can find their perfect trail using RTC’s free trail-finder app, TrailLink. And, on Celebrate Trails Day, there will be hundreds of events to get people outside across the country.
- Community comes together on the trail. Trails are gathering places nationwide, building community and bringing people together across generations—improving the lives of everyone from families, to veterans to retirees seeking quality-of-life amenities. Trails are part of what makes American great.
- Our time on the trail builds a strong economy. When we head out on the trail, we boost the nation’s economy. Trails and active transportation contribute more than $34 billion each year to the U.S. economy and are part of the growing $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, which powers everything from manufacturing to construction and small businesses across the American landscape.
- Trails are key to quality of life, creating joyful, vibrant public spaces that provide opportunities for everyone to be physically active. As trails are connected into regional trail networks, their impact grows, making it safer and easier for families to walk and bike, while boosting the well-being of people and places.
- It's the right time to let elected officials know that trails matter to you. On Celebrate Trails Day and every day, our time on the trail is an act of advocacy sending a message that trails are essential and a smart investment in our country’s well-being.
“Springtime is one of the best seasons for outside adventures with milder weather across the country. On Celebrate Trails Day, hundreds of events will take place to inspire everyone to get active outside on trails,” said Horton. “This spring, while we’re outside doing our favorite things on the trail—enjoying nature, birdwatching, hiking, biking, or taking an afternoon with our families—remember that when we spend time in these spaces we send an important message that trails are essential.”
Find ideas and tips for getting outside and photo content for use with credit to RTC, visit RTC’s Celebrate Trails Day website and follow #CelebrateTrails on social media.
About Brandi Horton
Brandi Horton serves as RTC’s vice president of communications, where she amplifies the joy and impact that trails deliver to build the public and political support needed to create, connect and maintain the nation’s trail networks. She is passionate about the role of collaboration and partnership in creating meaningful and lasting impact for people and places, designing and implementing campaigns that support ambitious goals around community development, equity and inclusion, and quality of life. Brandi lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her family, where she regularly frequents the Four Mile Run and W&OD trails en route to work, the playground, and little league games.
About Rails to Trails Conservancy
Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC), the nation’s largest trails organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong. RTC is dedicated to building a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Celebrate Trails Day
Celebrate Trails Day is the annual celebration of the spring trail season, recognized on the fourth Saturday in April. The national day of celebration is organized by Rails to Trails Conservancy, the country’s largest trails, walking and biking advocacy organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong. RTC is dedicated to building a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Follow #CelebrateTrails on social media for updates and connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on social media.
About D S Simon Media:
The firm is well known as a leader in the satellite media tour industry and produces tours from its studio and multiple control rooms at its New York headquarters. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, consumer goods, entertainment, retail and non-profits. Established in 1986 the firm has won more than 100 industry awards.
About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of Rails to Trails Conservancy.
Dante Muccigrosso
Director of Media Integration & Client Reporting
E: dantem@dssimon.com
C: 973.524.0104
A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eb3ed1df-9e66-4445-84f4-c327e2d0ef3d
