A region brimming with great trails makes for an appealing outdoor destination. That is why the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition (IHTC) is working to complete and connect a system of shared use trails across 51 counties in western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and southwest New York. IHTC’s vision is that this “Industrial Heartland” […]

This report was made possible through support from the York County Economic Alliance Trail Town Program, York County Department of Parks and Recreation, and the York County Rail Trail Authority. Trail Towns Program is a collaborative process with outreach to local governments, residents, and business owners in order for each town to reach its potential […]

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 […]

A new analysis by Headwaters Economics in partnership with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy reveals that the Great American Rail-Trail®—the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail—will have a significant economic impact on the communities it serves due to the trail’s potential to bring visitors, businesses, spending, jobs, income and tax revenue to the communities along the 3,700-mile route. The Great American […]

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE GREAT AMERICAN RAIL-TRAIL VISION Imagine pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects you to historic routes from coast to coast. You’re enthralled in the experience of exploring America’s heritage—its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places. Consider the intimacy […]

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is leading a national study to better understand the barriers to trail use with a particular focus on race and gender. Our research is built upon regional and national survey instruments developed and implemented over the past 18 months, with a goal of better understanding how the trails movement can support efforts to bring more […]

Join trail professionals from around the United States for an in-depth discussion around data collection along trails. Panelists share how they have developed trail traffic monitoring programs, on the local, regional and national level, as well as how they are collecting more detailed information about who is using their trails. The discussion includes a focus […]

The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a developing 101-mile trail that connects dozens of Northeast Ohio communities. With 87 miles on the ground, this trail is an important economic asset in the region and a critical link in the Cleveland to Pittsburgh corridor, part of the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition’s 1,500-miles-plus regional trail […]

Trail Impact Survey prepared by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to help investigate in the economic impact of trails. 

The Delaware & Hudson (D&H) Rail-Trail is a multi-use stone trail located in rural northeast Pennsylvania that has significant snowmobile use. It generally follows the border of Susquehanna and Wayne counties and reaches to the New York state line from its southern terminus near the city of Carbondale.  From December 2015 through October 2017, Rails-to-Trails […]