Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition (IHTC) 10 year Evaluation & Success Strategy
A Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) TrailNation project, and led in partnership with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA), the Industrial Heartlands Trail Coalition brings together leaders from more than 100 agencies and organizations across four states– Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and West Virginia, to establish the Industrial Heartland as a premier destination offering a 1,500-miles-plus multiuse trail network experience.
In recognition of the IHTC having been in operation for nearly a decade (2013 – 2023), PEC engaged Cycle Forward to assess the coalition’s success to date. Working closely with RTC and RTCA, the coalition was engaged to reflect on successes and challenges of the past decade and to develop strategies to work even more effectively in the future. This 10-Year Impact Report presents those findings, including significant support for the continued support and role of the coalition, with 95% of survey respondents finding the coalition to be helpful in their work, and many indicating that the multi-state vision has added credibility to the pursuit of trails and active transportation in their communities.
In November 2021, the trails and active transportation community celebrated the passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which ushered in unprecedented funding for trails—as well as new opportunities to create and connect the infrastructure people need to walk, bike and be active outside. Within the bill was record-level funding for existing programs—including major increases in funding for active transportation programs such as Transportation Alternatives (TA)—significant policy changes, and new eligibilities and programs prioritizing safety, equity and climate.
In November 2021, the trails and active transportation community celebrated the passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which ushered in unprecedented funding for trails—as well as new opportunities to create and connect the infrastructure people need to walk, bike and be active outside.
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