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Abstract
Converting abandoned railroad corridors to recreational trails often generates opposition from adjacent residents. Opposition can arise during the planning process of establishing the trail. However, concerns about abandoned railroads being converted to trails are often misconceptions. Once a park is developed these concerns often disappear. This research examined the differences in adjacent residents' and nearby businesses' perceptions and support for the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail (PMRT) located in Michigan's Midland and Isabella Counties. In Midland the trail is seven to eight years old, while in Isabella, the trail was being planned with construction scheduled shortly after the study. Many Midland County residents and businesses held more negative views similar to their Isabella counterparts during the development phase. However, the results suggest the experience of Midland County residents with the rail-trail once established reshaped their opinions towards greater acceptance. These and other distinctions are outlined in this paper.
Parent Publication
Citation
Moufakkir-van der Woud, Afke; Vogt, Christine A.; Lynch, Joel; Nelson, Charles. 2003. Converting abandoned railroads to recreation use in Isabella and Midland Counties: a comparison of residents and businesses adjacent to a rail-trail. In: Schuster, Rudy, comp., ed. Proceedings of the 2002 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-302. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 247-252
