A rail-to-trail project is the conversion of an abandoned railway into a multiple use trail. A number of cases in the U.S. have shown that rail-to-trail transfers can serve to create recreational opportunities for jogging, cycling, and walking. However, providing ecological benefits along with recreational ones have not been widely considered in rail conversion projects. Furthermore, the conflicts between ecological use and recreational use along abandoned rail development sites are not fully understood.This thesis explores the concept of combining ecological conservation and recreational goals in developing rail-to-trail projects through the design of a practical application. A final framework followed the form of a greenway showing how its design can allow for harmonious use by both humans and wildlife. Design solutions were examined through the lens of a real project: Firefly Trail, Athens, GA.