Decisions about trail design, funding, operations, maintenance, and promotion depend heavily on one thing: knowing how many people use trails, where they go, and when. Trail usage data helps local governments, state agencies, and community groups justify investments and shape the future of New York’s trail networks.

Since 2005, we’ve used trail counts to move beyond anecdotes and show real, measurable evidence of trail popularity. In partnership with the New York State Canal Corporation, local municipalities, and agencies like the Department of Health and regional planning organizations, we’ve conducted counts in dozens of locations across the state.