From Rails to Trails - Boston doccumentary premiere

Documentary filmmakers are giving Boston a unique opportunity to get a sneak preview of From Rails to Trails on October 14^th in advance of its public television premiere.

From Rails to Trails is a powerful new documentary tracing the 60-year fight to transform abandoned railroads into public trails. What began as a grassroots dream has become a national movement: today, the U.S. boasts more than 26,000 miles of multi-use paths where trains once ran. Massachusetts has been particularly ambitious in creating shared-use trails, aiming to connect and extend up to 1,000 miles of paths statewide.

Narrated by Edward Norton, the film uncovers the legal battles, political clashes, and community triumphs that shaped the rails-to-trails revolution—from small-town showdowns to landmark Supreme Court cases. Along the way, it highlights the visionaries and everyday citizens who turned forgotten railways into vibrant spaces for walking, biking, and recreation.

Directed and produced by Dan Protess and executive produced by Peter Harnik, the documentary features interviews with Pete Buttigieg, Tommy Thompson, and Howard Dean.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see From Rails to Trails in advance of its public television premiere, and get a behind-the-scenes look from the film’s Director and Executive Producer, plus a look ahead from Ryan Chao, President of Rails to Trails Conservancy