"Trails and greenways are often seen narrowly when it comes to their benefits. People tend to focus on the recreational or environmental aspects of trails and greenways, failing to see the big picture—the total package of benefits that a trail or greenway can provide to communities, including public health, economic and transportation benefits, and even the effect on community pride and identity."  -Rails to Trails Conservancy

Regional active transportation network map
SPC staff developed and maintains a Regional Active Transportation Network Map​. Mapped features include existing and planned land and water trails, on-road bicycle facilities and amenities like bike repair stations, bike parking and trail access/parking locations.

Connect your town to a nearby trail

​Trail Town Program

North Country Trail Towns

River Town Program (Allegheny + Monongahela Rivers)

Start a riverfront project in your town

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Raise awareness of the economic benefits of trails

Rails to Trails Conservancy guidance:

• Making the Value Case for Trails​​
• Trail User Survey Workbook

publications

• Active Transportation and Real Estate: The Next Frontier

• ConservationTools / Economic Benefits of Trails

• Economic Research (reports, studies and resources developed by the Trail Town Program® or partners)

• From Trail Towns to TrOD: Trails and Economic Development

• Outdoor Recreation: An Economic Engine​​

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Promote trails

Increase awareness of trails + trail amenities

​FreeWheeling Easy in and around Western Pennsylvania, Volume NE
This informative trail guidebook, which is available for purchase, was created by Roy Weil and Mary Shaw to support development of the trail systems by: Raising awareness of trails and building the community of trail users; providing discounted copies of the guidebook to trail councils for their use in fundraising; and contributing proceeds from sales to the Trail Volunteer Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation.  In addition to collecting information for the guide, Roy and Mary gained additional knowledge by actually riding the trails. The result is a comprehensive trail guidebook that will be a useful resource for trail riders and trail developers alike!

• Order a copy here.

Organize a trail event

• Celebrate Opening Day for Trails

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Learn more about existing and planned trails in the region and beyond

​Imagine a trail that connects the country...
Picture yourself … pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects along historic routes. Imagine the incomparable experience of exploring America’s heritage by trail—its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places. Consider the economic opportunities and the benefits for communities along the route of a multiuse trail that stretches more than 3,700 miles between Washington, D.C., and Washington State.

COUNTY + REGIONAL trail organizations

• Allegheny Ridge Corporation

• Allegheny Valley Land Trust

• Armstrong Rails to Trails Association

• Butler-Freeport Community Trail

• Cambria and Indiana Trail Council

• Conemaugh Valley Conservancy

• Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance

• Friends of the Riverfront

• Indiana County Parks and Trails

• Montour Trail Council

• Mountain Watershed Association

• ​Murrysville Trail Alliance

• Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy

• Regional Trail Corporation

• Roaring Run Watershed Association

• Sheepskin RailTrail

• Steel Valley Trail Council

• Trans Allegheny Trails

• Westmoreland County Parks

• Yough River Trail Council

multi-state trail organizations

• Allegheny Trail Alliance/GAP

• Collier Friends of the Panhandle Trail

• Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition

• North Country Trail Association - Butler Chapter

• North Country Trail Association - Wampum Chapter

• Ohio River Trail Council

• Warrior Trail Association - Keystone Trails Association

Water trail organizations

• Loyalhanna Watershed Association

• Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Main Line Canal

• Raccoon Creek Water Trail Association

• Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

• Upper Monongahela River Association

State + National Trail websites

• ExplorePaTrails

• Rails to Trails Conservancy

• TrailLink

Bridges for Sale
Are you looking to bridge a gap in your trail?  Look no further than PennDOT’s metal truss bridges marketing program, perfect for adaptive reuse on biking and walking trails.  ​If you or your organization is interested in Pennsylvania’s historic metal truss bridges, please browse through the available bridges on PennDOT’s Bridge Marketing website.

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