Eastern PA Greenway & Trails Summit

September 2, 2020

Alex MacDonald and Josh VanBrakle

Bureau of Recreation and Conservation

It’s Trails Month – Trails for ALL

• What did 12,000 Pennsylvanians tell us about TRAILS?

• Final Trail Plan Recommendations

• Trails for All – who can access trails within 10 minutes?

• Ask DCNR

#10 plan - 1964-2020 #3 plan - 2001-2019 release in Fall 2020

Recreation Plan Vision Enjoyable outdoor recreation is

welcoming to all and accessible in every Pennsylvania community.

Trail Vision Develop a statewide land and water trail network

to facilitate recreation, transportation and healthy lifestyles.

Five years

20 Recommendations

70 actions

Join our Thursday morning (11-12) webinars starting

October 1

2020-2021 DCNR grant requests

Over 12,000 Pennsylvanians responded….

• Lion Polls (fall 2018/spring 2019) –“Pennsylvanians”

• Online Survey (summer 2019) non-random-“8,000+ Outdoor Enthusiasts”

• Local Recreation and Park Provider Survey

• Focus Groups – Blacks & Hispanics

• Access to PA’s Outdoor Areas

• Trail Surveys

Reports posted on DCNR’s Outdoor Rec Plan webpage: Plan Link

#1 Hiking#2 Walking/running #7 Kayaking#9 Biking

We asked Pennsylvania outdoor enthusiasts which of 20 activities did they participate in during the past year. What was the top activity?

2019 Public Survey

Gender and Age Matters

2019 Public Survey

Where do Pennsylvanians Recreate?

#1 - Local Parks/Trails#2 - State Parks#3 - Private#4 - National Parks

Pennsylvanians’ Highest Funding Priorities

1. Maintenance

2. Protect wildlife /fish habitat

3. Restore damaged rivers

2019 Spring Lion Poll

Local Park/Rec Providers’ Highest Funding Priorities

1. Maintenance

2. Building paths that connect places

3. Build more greenways/trails

2019 Local Provider Survey

Outdoor Enthusiasts Top Facility Investments

2019 Public Survey

TRAILS #18% increase from 2014-2019

Local Park/Rec Provider Top Facility Investments

2019 Local Provider Survey

Positive trend for TRAILS - 38% increase from 2014-2019Motorized trails/parks - 5%-20%

Trail Providers 2014 plan “score card”

1. Complete Top Ten Gaps

2. Identify priority projects – leverage JOINT investment

3. Destination trails in each region

Outdoor activities outdoor enthusiasts would like to try….

2019 Public Survey

Help participating in outdoor recreation….

1. MaintenanceProviders should avoid creating new infrastructure until current maintenance needs are met.

Cleanliness important

2. Trail UseTop facility mentioned More trails that connect different areasDesire for single use trails Need for better signageExpand motorized 2019 Public Survey

2020-2024 Land and Water Trail Network Strategic Plan

New: PA’s Trail Definition A designated route on land or water with public access

for recreation and/or alternative transportation opportunities such as walking, hiking, fitness,

backpacking, cross country skiing, bicycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, four-wheel

driving, all-terrain vehicle riding, off-highway motorcycling, canoeing, kayaking, etc. for users of all

ages and abilities.

1. Close Priority Trail Gaps in Pennsylvania’s statewide land and water trail network with the overall goal of having a

trail within 10 minutes of every citizen.

2. Coordinate state and federal funding programs to leverage maximum investment in priority trail projects.

3. Cultivate diverse partnerships to build capacity to address local and regional trail need.

4. Provide more opportunities and connections for everyone to regularly use a trail.

“69% of Pennsylvanians agree they can safely access a trail within 15 minutes of where they live.”

White respondents agreed more than Black/African Americans.

5. Connect communities and community assets and establish accessible trail networks.

“70% of

Pennsylvanians

agree that outdoor

recreation

amenities such as

parks and trails

attract new

residents and

businesses to

communities.”Spring 2019 Lion Poll

6. Maintain and improve existing land and water trailsand related infrastructure.

7. Promote Pennsylvania’s trails and their economic, environmental, and health benefits.

Pennsylvania’s Plans – How can YOU help implement?

Pennsylvania’s Plans – How can YOU help implement?

Rec Plan action: Double the number of LNT trainers and specialists - how many of your volunteers/staff are trained?

Your Turn