PTNY hits the road to promote the power of trails!

Trails are game changers for communities, whether they’re increasing opportunities for accessible recreation, revitalizing main streets through sustainable economic development, or improving the physical and mental health of community members and visitors alike.

And your dedicated premiere statewide greenway trail advocate, Parks & Trails New York,has been busy spreading the good word (and work)! We’ve been hitting conferences in every corner of the state… and even crossing the country… to maximize the impact of New York’s greenways network.

Erie Canal Bicentennial Forum on Accessible Recreation (April 10: Rochester, NY)

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal in 2025, PTNY convened with partners, municipal leaders, community planners, and developers to discuss promoting accessible recreation along the Erie Canal and Erie Canalway Trail.

Greenway trails like the Erie Canalway Trail provide vital recreation opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, providing gentle slopes and firm surfaces to wheel, bike, run, and walk on. The trail can only be successful in welcoming ALL, though, if universal design principles are considered for all aspects of the trail experience: trailheads; convenient and safe routes from neighborhoods to trails; and frequent and accessible restrooms and businesses. We are grateful to the NYS Canal Corporation for hosting this informative and engaging event, and all the participants who are working hard to make the Erie Canalway Trail the best and most accessible resource for all New Yorkers.

NYS Tourism Conference (April 17-19: Niagara Falls, NY)

A room full of tourism professionals gathered in April to hear an update from PTNY on the progress and vision for the future of New York’s greenway trail system. The PTNY Team also provided information on the best ways for tourism professionals to promote trail-based recreational tourism in their regions, counties, municipalities, and businesses.

New York’s greenway trails–and the visitors who come from all over the world to experience them–are already a source of sustainable economic development for many of New York’s rural communities, especially on longer greenway networks like the Empire State Trail and Genesee Valley Greenway. In order to make New York the number one destination for trail travelers, and maximize economic impact, PTNY is working toward a fully-connected, statewide network of trails and communities who are prepared to welcome these outdoor enthusiasts.

NYS Public Health Partnership Conference (May 1-3: Saratoga Springs, NY)

PTNY joined the NYS Public Health Association, the NYS Association of County Health Officials, and NYS Association for Rural Health at the 2024 Public Health Partnership Conference in early May. Public health colleagues from local county health department directors to community-based organizations presented on a wide range of topics, providing key insights and on important initiatives and information impacting the health of New Yorkers across the state. .

At the conference, PTNY shared our vision of a network of community greenway trails branching off of the spine of the Empire State Trail. Greenway trails have a significant positive impact on local communities in a variety of ways. PTNY chose to highlight the myriad benefits to mental and physical health provided by time spent on greenways. We also put out the call for the public health community to join our advocacy efforts at the Greenways Advocacy Summit on May 20: pushing for the Greenway Trails for a Green Future package and stumping for additional funding to build out the state’s greenway trails network.

National Outdoor Recreation Conference (May 6-9: South Lake Tahoe, CA)

Last, but certainly not least, PTNY staff made the trek across the country Lake Tahoe for the National Outdoor Recreation Conference this May! This conference is the premier nationwide gathering of outdoor recreation professionals, recreation resource planners, land managers, policy makers, tourism and destination stewardship partners, researchers, consultants, innovators, and leaders in outdoor recreation. The gathering provided opportunities for learning, networking, and field-based case studies… all with the stunning natural beauty of the Lake Tahoe region as a backdrop.

During the conference, PTNY and the Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway (FOGV) received a Project Excellence Award in recognition of our work advancing the Genesee Valley Trail Town Initiative over the past three years. Presented annually, the Project Excellence Award confers recognition on collaborating agencies and organizations key to the success of exemplary outdoor recreation projects. PTNY and FOGVG received the award during the lunch program, and jointly presented a poster highlighting the initiative’s successes during an evening networking session on Tuesday.

And Coming Soon… Greenways Advocacy Summit! (May 20: Albany, NY)

The next step in creating a statewide, grassroots “big tent” movement to support our greenways network is bringing all these partners and advocates together! It’s not too late to register to join us in Albany for PTNY’s inaugural Greenway Advocacy Summit. We’ll showcase innovative initiatives, leading policy advancements in greenway development, and engage in legislative meetings at the Capitol to secure support for the Greenway Trails for a Green Future bill package and funding in next year’s state budget for trail development. It’s going to be an important–and fun–party to celebrate the vision of a truly connected and safe network of greenways across NYS. You won’t want to miss it!