Here's what you can expect at The Empire State Greenways Conference

Creating Connections: The 2025 Empire State Greenways Conference

Join Parks & Trails New York and partners from state and local government, trails planners, trail advocates, and anyone interested in the future of New York's greenway trails network from October 15 to 17 in historic Kingston, New York.

Here’s a snapshot of what you’ll see at this year’s conference:

• Inspiring Keynotes & Panels: Visionary leaders Janette Sadik-Khan and Ryan Chao headline with insights on urban transformation and nationwide trail connectivity, complemented by a panel on Ulster County’s multi-use trail system linking communities and promoting health and conservation.
• Wide-ranging Concurrent Sessions: Focused on themes like accessibility, advocacy, design, and safety, these sessions will offer practical tools and best practices from nonprofit leaders, planners, and advocates to build a connected, equitable, and resilient greenway network across NY.
• Engagement & Networking Events: Interactive workshops, scenic field trips, and social gatherings—including a kickoff happy hour and a mid-conference dinner—will foster collaboration and community-building among trail professionals, planners, and advocates statewide.

Registration is now open: https://www.ptny.org/events/empire-state-greenways...

Keynote & Plenary Sessions

Keynote Speakers: Visionary Leaders in Urban Transformation and Trail Connectivity

The Empire State Greenways Conference is proud to feature two keynote speakers whose work has reshaped how people move through and experience cities, communities, and landscapes across the country and around the world.

Janette Sadik-Khan, Principal at Bloomberg Associates and former NYC Transportation Commissioner, is a global leader in sustainable urban design, known for pedestrianizing Times Square, expanding bike infrastructure, and launching Citi Bike. Ryan Chao, President of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, leads national efforts to build a connected trail system for recreation and transportation, advancing bold initiatives like the Great American Rail-Trail and advocating for trails as vital community infrastructure.

Plenary Talk: Trailblazing Together: Developing Ulster County’s System

Ulster County is home to an evolving network of multi-use trails that link communities, foster recreation and tourism, support healthy lifestyles, and promote conservation. The trails, including the Empire State Trail, traverse an urban center, small towns, and rural lands.

This panel brings together key catalysts working towards a countywide trail system—representing municipal planning, land conservation, grassroots advocacy. The panelists will highlight real-world successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

Concurrent Sessions

The Empire State Greenways Conference will offer a robust slate of concurrent sessions highlighting the innovation, collaboration, and on-the-ground work shaping New York’s greenway network. Sessions span a variety of critical themes, including community engagement, accessibility, trail design, maintenance, trail advocacy, urban connectivity, youth activation, and safe streets.

Attendees will hear from nonprofit leaders, engineers, planners, government officials, and grassroots advocates as they share case studies, lessons learned, and best practices. From rural trail towns to dense urban corridors, these sessions reflect the full spectrum of challenges and opportunities involved in creating a connected, equitable, and resilient statewide greenway system.

Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a community leader just getting started, these sessions will provide practical tools, fresh ideas, and new partnerships to support your work on and off the trail.

A full schedule will be coming out soon, but in the meantime, here are some examples of sessions you won’t want to miss:

• Building Trails, Building Support: Political Lessons from LIG and QueensWay
• Creating a Trail for All – Accessibility at the Fjord Trail
• Mending Broken Trails: Centering People, Safety, and Communities
• Greenways That Last: Lessons in Design, Maintenance, and Partnerships
• Getting on Track: Working with Utilities & Railroads to Create Greenway Trails

Making Connections & Getting Outside

TrailMix: A Collaborative Workshop on Connected Communities

On Thursday during lunch, we will host an interactive lunchtime workshop focused on building a more connected, community-integrated trail system. Through small-group discussions, participants will share local successes, challenges, and ideas for linking trails to neighborhoods, safe streets, and the broader transportation network. This is a unique opportunity to network across regions, exchange practical insights, and help shape the future of a cohesive statewide trail system.

Field Trips

There will be six options for field adventures showcasing Hudson Valley greenway highlights by foot or bike. Three activities will be offered the afternoon of Wednesday 10/15 and Friday afternoon 10/17 after the morning sessions to conclude the conference. On Wednesday, conference attendees will have the option to explore newly enhanced sections of the O&W Rail Trail on foot, learn more about the historic Stockade District on a walking tour, or take a ride along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail (transportation will be provided).

On Friday, attendees will have the option to tour Sojourner Truth State Park, take a ride along the Ashokan Rail Trail (transportation will be provided), or take a walking tour through the Village of New Paltz to learn more about creative ways to integrate greenway trails into community planning and policy priorities to support economic development.

Happy Hour Kick Off

On Wednesday evening, we will gather together at The Venue Uptown: Washington Square to open the Empire State Greenways Conference! Connect with fellow trail professionals, planners, advocates, and community leaders from across New York State while enjoying local beverages, light fare, and great conversation. Whether you're a longtime trail champion or new to the greenway movement, this is the perfect chance to network, share your excitement for the days ahead, and toast to the growing momentum for connected, community-centered trails. Dinner will be on your own this evening, but luckily there are plenty of great options in Kingston!