"An Englishman's home is his castle"

[ponytug]

I looked at buying a house once that was next to "open space" but while looking at the house, I saw that the trail through the open space was next the backyard of the house. It was non stop people using that trail while I was there. I hated it, you have more privacy in a city on a tiny lot then living next to a public trail!!!

We looked at a couple like that, and for almost all of them came to the conclusion that you did; it wasn't worth it. We rented one place with direct, private access, no trail, which was like having an extra big side yard.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Larry Caldwell]

All that those rails to trails paths do is create access for people to sneak onto private property.
OK, maybe they do serve other purposes yet that doesn't make me statement any less accurate.

What those rails to trails paths do is beautify the deterioration of the US rail system.

 

[MossRoad]

My wife and I hike rails to trails paths fairly often. We have an abandoned line with a trestle over a creek on the edge of our property. I was saddened when the RR officially abandoned it that the county didn't even attempt to make it a trail. However, there might have been some legal issues, as it was an easement that returned to the adjacent property owners upon abandonment.

 

[Dftodd]

My wife and I hike rails to trails paths fairly often. We have an abandoned line with a trestle over a creek on the edge of our property. I was saddened when the RR officially abandoned it that the county didn't even attempt to make it a trail. However, there might have been some legal issues, as it was an easement that returned to the adjacent property owners upon abandonment.

There is a walking trail that covers most of the distance across the city we live in. Trail entrance is about a mile from our place. Usually twice a month we will load the dog in the truck and take her to the trail.

They actually do road races and occasional bike races on it as well.

Trail has a bmx dirt track, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a few other goodies.

We take the grandkids over occasionally as well.

 

[Hay Dude]

All that those rails to trails paths do is create access for people to sneak onto private property.
OK, maybe they do serve other purposes yet that doesn't make me statement any less accurate.

Yep

At our town meeting regarding the abandonment of one of our RR lines, all the rails to trails supporters clad in their little smartglasses gave their PowerPoint presentation on their positive spin on rails to trails. Then one of our town elders, who had land along the tracks gave his own presentation of rails to trails over RR tracks in another town. It was covered in trash, needles and soiled diapers. Crimes had been reported & committed on them.

Nobody on the supporting side could answer (1) who would clean up the trash? (2) Who would patrol the trail for safety? And most of all, who would PAY for #1 & #2?
We also discussed how it could be used for drug use, and as a path to elude cops.

That was 20+ years ago and fortunately, the tracks are being reclaimed by Mother Nature. There aint gonna be no
”rails to trails” nonsense destroying property values here. Funny thing was the biggest supporter, who recently moved into the area, sold her house and moved. She wasnt here to stay, just to burden us with the bills for all her pie in the sky BS. Best things that could happen are leave em be or hopefully become a railroad again.

Had same thing happen with a walking trail on land behind one of our elementary schools. A $65,000 boondoggle. It was a paved 1 mile loop. Now its all cracked, with weeds growing through the cracks. No snow removal in winter. Now the worry is someone will trip and sue for a fall. The main supporter moved in from Chicago and also has moved from our community, whereabouts unknown.
Now we gotta pay to replace sections of it and maintain it. No money set aside for maintenance/repair fund.
Everyone that supports this nonsense seems to think building it is where the expense and problems end

 

[Fixastuff]

It was covered in trash, needles and soiled diapers. Crimes had been reported & committed on them.

I've been on many rails to trails rides and never seen anything remotely like that, just smooth riding and awesome views, then stoping at the small businesses(that couldn't exist without the rails to trails) along the route for food and drinks.

 

[Hay Dude]

I've been on many rails to trails rides and never seen anything remotely like that, just smooth riding and awesome views, then stoping at the small businesses(that couldn't exist without the rails to trails) along the route for food and drinks.

Somehow I have a feeling many rails to trails supporters would be less supportive if it was running behind the back windows of their homes….

Heres a little sample of the other side of what you might see. Need more let me know. Theres dozens of stories like it.

https://www.wdtv.com/content/news/New-task-force-to-tackle-rail-trails-513101001.html

https://www.wdtv.com/content/news/President-of-Rail-Trails-Trash-breaks-my-heart-471819024.html

 

[MossRoad]

https://www.wdtv.com/content/news/New-task-force-to-tackle-rail-trails-513101001.html

https://www.wdtv.com/content/news/President-of-Rail-Trails-Trash-breaks-my-heart-471819024.html

Boy, that's a shame. The trails that we frequent are beautifully maintained.

 

[Hay Dude]

Boy, that's a shame. The trails that we frequent are beautifully maintained.

Isnt it?
And thats what created the fear that our trails would end up that way.
I‘m a runner and exerciser and I want more outlets for outdoor exercise, but I value privacy and increased property values, too. Put the trials somewhere where peoples RE values dont diminish from lack of privacy and the invitation for nefarious behavior.

Some loser could walk down the trail at night, grab your garden hose, turn it on and flood your basement!

 

[Hay Dude]

Couldn't you say the same thing about roads? Lol. I've been to towns in West Virginia that seem like they survive the summers based on rails for trails tourist traffic.

Somehow I think roads for automobiles have just a wee bit more importance than a rails to trails project.