To partner with local,state and national agencies and organizations to promote the establishment, stewardship and public enjoyment of a traffic-free, multi-user trail (the East Coast Greenway -- ECG) linking cities, towns and natural areas from Maine to Florida.

Description:
The East Coast Greenway is a trail system linking together scores of local, firm-surface trails into a 3,000-mile long route that will span 15 states plus DC. When completed, this urban version of the Appalachian Trail will provide safe, traffic-free travel, exercise, recreation and tourism opportunities to people of all ages and abilities, especially to city-dwellers. The East Coast Greenway Alliance (ECGA) is a nonprofit, membership organization that sets the vision, defines the criteria for the trail, provides needed coordination among the many players who develop, own and manage the trail and promotes public awareness. Working through volunteer committees in each state, ECGA partners with local organizations and agencies to complete the trail, get it signed, produce user maps and arrange for continued stewardship of the trail, while serving as a powerful advocate for sustainable transportation. As a linear park the Greenway protects the environment, connects open spaces, facilitates natural processes, such as filtering air and water pollution and contributes to the health and well being of trail users and to the livability of their communities.

History:
The East Coast Greenway Alliance was founded in 1991 by trail advocates whose vision was to create the first long distance East Coast city-to-city multi-use greenway corridor for walkers, hikers, cyclists and other non-motorized users. The ECGA was incorporated in NY State in 1995 and granted 501c(3)status in 1996. Fifteen state and District of Columbia committees are the foundation of our dedicated volunteer corps that includes our national Board of Trustees, Trail Council and Advisory Board. Our staff operates out of our national office in Wakefield, RI, and out of 5 remote locations in MA, RI, FL, NY and NJ. The ECGA has a nation-wide membership of 5000 and is expected to grow to 6000 by the end of 2006. Over the past 16 years, ECGA has made enormous strides in transforming the Greenway from dream to reality. It has built a solid organization, mapped out most of a safe, continuous route (on and off-road), completed 21% of the route as off-road trail, leveraged over $900 million in public funding to complete ECG segments along the route, moved more trail into the development pipeline and gained national recognition.

Contact people:

Karen Votava, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Kitty Carter, Office Manager, (phone), (email) Linda Arendt, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 401, 789-4625

Address:

27 North Road Wakefield, RI 02879 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.greenway.org

Directions:

Take the Wakefield Exit off Rte 1 South. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp. Go through one traffic light and turn right at the next light. Go through two traffic lights. After crossing. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: less than .5 mile, 10 min. minute walk