Experienced Placemaker Helping to Build Vibrant Communities
Amy Camp has been at the center of the trail town movement for 15 years. She coaches and supports local leaders and communities in trail town development, strengthening heritage tourism, and accessing the outdoor recreation economy. She also offers nature-based experiences that foster growth and connection.
Meet Amy Camp
Amy Camp is a trail tourism expert, placemaker, and professional coach. She is the founder of Cycle Forward, a consulting agency that supports trail communities across the United States and Canada. Amy helps community leaders better connect to and fully leverage their trails.
Amy started working with trail communities in 2007. Before starting Cycle Forward, one of the major highlights in her placemaking effort was helping to establish the Trail Town Program® along the Great Allegheny Passage. It is also this nationally recognized project that inspired Amy to start her own heritage tourism consulting services in 2013. As a firm believer in the benefits of trails, Amy has seen these natural assets nourish individuals, elevate local economies, and contribute to community vibrancy.
Trail Tourism & Placemaking Projects
Central Ohio Greenways: Bringing Trail Towns to Central Ohio
Trail town initiatives are typically led by trail and tourism organizations. When a Metropolitan Planning Organization comes along with the idea of developing a program, it approaches trail towns a bit differently. In 2021, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission hired Cycle Forward to develop a program that places as much value on local quality of…
Continue Reading Central Ohio Greenways: Bringing Trail Towns to Central Ohio
Hazelwood Riverfront Master Plan: Reconnecting Residents with the Monongahela River
Every so often, a person gets to work on a project that can make a significant difference for a community and also feels deeply personal. This was the case for Amy when she was invited to assist in creating the Hazelwood Riverfront Master Plan. Developing a plan to reconnect Greater Hazelwood to the Monongahela River had been a long time coming.
Continue Reading Hazelwood Riverfront Master Plan: Reconnecting Residents with the Monongahela River
Get started on elevating natural assets to strengthen your region.
Select Clients
Amy’s Writing About Placemaking and Trails
Start a Connellsville-Pittsburgh GAP ride with AMTRAK
Enjoy a 60-mile GAP ride without ever getting into your car. This route is made possible by catching an early morning train from Pittsburgh to Connellsville and then biking back to your starting point.
Two Fayettes Finding their Way – Exploring the outdoor economy in two Fayette counties
Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and Fayette County, West Virginia…both are experiencing growth spurred by the outdoor economy. I participated in two unrelated tours last month, but quickly realized there were overlapping themes.
Deciding On Trails: 7 Practices of Healthy Trail Towns
Deciding on Trails is a call-to-action for the local leaders, community residents, and dreamers who want to make a difference in their community by offering better nature experiences and connections to trails. This book is also an excellent tool for trail and community advocates who wish to cultivate a trail culture and spur economic development with a regional or statewide scope.
