More Than Just a Path

Trails provide a broad range of benefits to the communities lucky enough to have them. They provide opportunities for people to relax, socialize, and exercise.

​In the words of Zak Klein (Program Officer at Quimby Family Foundation and member of the MTC Advisory Committee), "We're living in an era of technology and screen time becoming really dominant in our economy, and in our work and family life, and I believe that trails offer a unique opportunity to not only discover your environment but discover yourself. I also think that nearby access to a natural place is a human right, and I believe in trail networks as being as fundamental infrastructure to pursue that human right." 

Infrastructure for a Healthier, Connected Maine

​When we view trails as fundamental infrastructure, we begin to see their impacts rippling across every aspect of Maine life. They aren’t just luxury amenities—they are solutions to modern challenges.
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Economic Impact: Powering Local Communities

Just like roads and bridges, a well-connected trail network is a proven economic driver. Maine’s outdoor recreation economy thrives when trails are accessible. From attracting visitors to urban restaurants and gear shops to powering the rural hospitality industry to increasing nearby property values, our trails provide a massive return on investment that sustains local businesses and creates year-round jobs.​

Mental & Physical Health: Balancing the Screen Time Era

​As screen time dominates our work and family lives, trails offer an essential antidote. Nearby access to nature lowers stress, boosts mental clarity, and encourages daily physical movement. By investing in trails, we are investing in preventative healthcare for every Mainer, giving families free, accessible spaces to disconnect from devices and reconnect with themselves.
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Supporting physical activity like walking, hiking, and biking on trails provides an enormous boon for public health. In fact, a recent study found that residents living within less than a mile of newly built trails get an average of 45 minutes more exercise per week than they did before they had that available infrastructure.

These public health benefits translate into demonstrable, long-term financial savings for families and taxpayers alike. A literature review by the American Heart Association revealed that for every single dollar invested in building trails, nearly three dollars in medical cost savings may be achieved. Beyond the physical advantages, stepping away from the screen to spend time outside on trails has proven mental health benefits, having been shown to significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and social isolation

Another recent study found that those living within less than a mile of the new trails were getting on average 45 minutes more exercise a week after the trails were built than they were before they had that available infrastructure. 

Protecting our Natural Heritage - Climate Resilience

True trail infrastructure doesn't just serve humans, it safeguards our natural environment. Over half of Maine’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. Trails provide safe, accessible, alternative routes for commuters, and the more we can promote active and multi-modal transportation, the less we will all continue to contribute to global climate change.
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Furthermore, as the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy notes, “greenways and trails help preserve important natural landscapes, provide needed links between fragmented habitats, and offer tremendous opportunities for protecting plant and animal species.” Well-designed trails serve as vital tools for wetland preservation and improving air and water quality, allowing humans to experience nature with minimal environmental impact.
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Public Safety & Active Transportation

If access to nature is a human right, people must be able to reach it safely. Our Trails for Transportation initiatives ensure that pedestrians, cyclists, and multi-use trail enthusiasts have dedicated, protected pathways separated from vehicle traffic. Building safe crossings and connected town networks reduces accidents, protects vulnerable commuters, and ensures everyone can move through their community with dignity.
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