Our History

Over 35 years of building connected communities — one trail, one policy, one partnership at a time.
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Founded
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Years of Advocacy
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Communities Served
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Members Engaged
1988
Founding

Born on the Riverfront

A group of cycling advocates was asked by the Mayor of St. Louis to promote a bicycle and walking trail along the St. Louis riverfront. Trailnet was founded with a bold, facility-oriented vision for active, healthy communities.

  • Restoration of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
  • The Riverfront Trail
  • Grant’s Trail
Early 2000s
Regional Impact

Building a Greener Region

Trailnet played a pivotal role in advocacy efforts for taxpayer levies that created the Great Rivers Greenway District in St. Louis City, St. Charles, and St. Louis counties — and the Metro East Parks and Recreation District in Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois.

Mid 2000s
Strategic Shift

From Trails to Policy & Planning

Trailnet played a pivotal role in advocacy efforts for taxpayer levies that created the Great Rivers Greenway District in St. Louis City, St. Charles, and St. Louis counties — and the Metro East Parks and Recreation District in Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois.

  • St. Louis City & County Complete Streets Policies
  • St. Louis City Anti-Harassment Ordinance
  • 30+ community Bike & Pedestrian Master Plans
2016
Bold New Vision

Connecting St. Louis

From 2016-2018, Trailnet engaged more than 4,000 individuals and 60 partner groups across the community to identify the areas with the greatest need for on-street bike and sidewalk improvements. The final plan identified priority routes, but Connecting St. Louis transcended those specific projects by transforming the conversation about biking and walking connectivity and safety in St. Louis. Connecting St. Louis was a pivotal moment in Trailnet’s decades-long fight to persuade the public, elected officials, civil servants, corporate leaders, and the philanthropic community to embrace a vision for a mobility network that truly connects St. Louis. Learn more: Connecting St. Louis 

Today
The Road Ahead

A Connected St. Louis

Trailnet is changing the way we think about streets. Imagine a St. Louis where streets invite connection, foster safety, and strengthen community. In this vision, we transform public expectations to create a St. Louis where everyone is connected and where mobility options meet their needs. To achieve this, Trailnet makes three key mission-driven commitments. Trailnet will 

    1. Challenge and educate decision-makers on the dangers of car-centered street design and the many benefits of streets for all.
    2. Empower St. Louisans to demand better and safer streets.
    3. Show people what better streets look and feel like.