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Edward Norton Narrates PBS Doc on Transforming Abandoned Rails into Scenic Trails
15 Oct
Summary
- Edward Norton narrates new PBS documentary on rails-to-trails movement
- Norton has been a longtime advocate for the environment and the High Line project
- Documentary showcases citizen activism that led to spaces like the High Line
In a story that highlights the power of citizen activism, actor Edward Norton is narrating a new PBS documentary that explores the 60-year movement to transform abandoned railways into scenic, car-free public spaces across America. The documentary, titled "From Rails to Trails," chronicles the grassroots efforts that have led to the creation of trails like the popular High Line in New York City.
Norton, who is known for his roles in films like the 2023 climate change anthology series "Extrapolations," has been a longtime advocate for the environment. His involvement in the "From Rails to Trails" project is particularly meaningful, as he is following in the footsteps of his father, Ed Norton Sr., a former environmental litigator who co-founded the Rails to Trails Conservancy.
The documentary showcases the complex legal and political landscape that activists have navigated to transform abandoned rail lines into vibrant public spaces. Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, and former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson are among the experts who reflect on the challenges and successes of this national movement.
For Norton, the rails-to-trails initiative is deeply personal. "I knew about this effort in my growing-up years and hiked and biked on many of them," he says, recalling his early involvement with the High Line project in New York City. "It reminds us what tenacious citizen activism can accomplish."
