Parks & Trails New York - working to expand, protect and promote a network of parks, trails and open spaces throughout our state for use and enjoyment by all

Trail advocates from throughout the state networked with friends old and new, recharged their batteries, and gathered many new ideas to take home to their communities. The two-day conference had something for everyone:

Field trips to four of the area’s premier trails
Inspiring talks by Canal Corporation Director Carmella Mantello, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash, and well known New England trails advocate Craig Della Penna
Nine different workshops on subjects such as creating trail networks; designing, constructing, and funding trails; quantifying the benefits of trails; and ensuring the long-term viability of trails and trail organizations
2007 Greenway and Community Trails Awards Dinner
More than 20 exhibitors provided information on trail-related products, services, and projects.

Trails Conference featured in Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

Parks & Trails New York’s conference played a critical role in setting a course for the newly launched Statewide Trails Coalition, a consortium of nonprofits and local governments who are joining together to raise a strong and unified voice for trails in New York. At the closing conference session,participants came together to share cider and donuts and participate in an “Idea Café.” They talked about what a Coalition might do to address a variety of critical trail issues. The issues were recorded on flip charts by conference participants as well as submitted by the nearly 60 organizations and local governments who signed on to the Coalition prior to the conference.

Parks & Trails New York is processing this important feedback and will be actively communicating the results of the Idea Café and proposed next steps to all Coalition members and conference participants.

Speaker Presentations and Hand-outs

Community Trail Awards Dinner

Conference Pictures