WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) introduced legislation to bring national recognition to the American Discovery Trail – the nation’s only coast-to-coast, non-motorized recreational trail. The American Discovery Trail Act would authorize signs on federal land along the American Discovery Trail, assisting hikers and bikers in navigating the trail, providing more safety, visibility, and accessibility along the trail, and benefiting outdoor recreation and tourism.
“The American Discovery Trail connects trails through state parks and federal lands with county roads in rural areas and sidewalks in towns and communities from coast to coast,” said Senator Coons. “I’m a strong believer in the value of trails and what they represent—outdoor recreation, tourism, and economic development for local parks and towns. Trails like the American Discovery Trail connect communities with each other and the outdoors. Enhancing the American Discovery Trail will give more Americans the opportunity to enjoy this unique network of trails, beginning in Delaware’s own Cape Henlopen State Park.”
“The American Discovery Trail helps highlight some of the many natural gifts and man-made wonders that make the United States so special,” Senator Capito said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Senator Coons so more Americans can explore and enjoy the trail in West Virginia and the many other states and communities it connects from coast to coast.”
"The American Discovery Trail Society strongly endorses Senators Chris Coons’ and Shelley Moore Capito's initiative and leadership in introducing a bill that would facilitate signing the American Discovery Trail,” said Peter Schoettle, an Executive Committee member of the American Discovery Trail Society. “The ADT helps thousands of Americans to discover America. This hiking and biking trail links America from coast to coast. While there are some notable north-south trails, the ADT is the only major east-west non-motorized route that joins Delaware on the Atlantic with California on the Pacific, and provides connections with hundreds of other local trails all across the country. Allowing signs that mark the American Discovery Trail could enable Americans to visit and get to know other parts of our nation. That could help to reduce the polarization and divisions that today burden our country."
The American Discovery Trail is made up of more than 6,800 miles of continuous, multi-use pathways stretching from Delaware’s Cape Henlopen State Park to Pt. Reyes National Seashore, California. The trail splits into northern and southern routes at Cincinnati, Ohio, rejoining at Denver, Colorado.
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