You don’t often see articles about parking meters in Runner’s World, but what they’re doing with old machines in Colorado is big news for trail athletes there.

Ten out-of-service meters were retrofitted with credit card readers and installed around Steamboat Springs by volunteers. People can swipe their cards while walking by to make donations of $5 or more, which goes to restore trails along the Yampa Valley–trails that are very popular with hikers and runners alike. The volunteers who spearheaded the project hope to raise about $1 to $1.5 million through the project, and got the idea after visiting Los Angeles, where donations to old meters help the homeless.

Read the whole story here. Is there a similar program in your area? Let us know–email editor@parking-mobility.org.