A WV VTRAIL meeting participant shares thoughts. Photo by Justin Litton, Lost Trail Film & Photo. West Virginia’s first and only statewide trail plan was published nearly 25 years ago. In a state where the average adult reports feeling physically and mentally unhealthy more often than the average American, access to trails and greenways – and […]
Writing by Amy Camp
A Look Back at 2025
A New Year’s sunrise in Pittsburgh’s South Side. A New Year always calls for reflection, both on the year that was and the year ahead. Cycle Forward is buckled up for a busy year with the new P2P Regional Master Plan project. Most of our time and energy this coming year will be devoted to […]
The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor: Trail Towns Process Evaluation
Along The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC). Photo courtesy of DLNHC. The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC) is a protected region spanning five counties and 165 miles of trail between Wilkes-Barre and Bristol, Pennsylvania. The DLNHC connects people to the region by preserving its rich industrial history, natural resources, and opportunities […]
Knowing Better, Doing Better
My professional purpose is deeply tied to helping communities prosper through trails. I’ve been specializing in the Trail Town model since 2007 and spend a lot of time on this topic. And yet, I’m always learning and sometimes even have to reconsider what I thought I knew about Trail Towns. One of these moments occurred in 2023 when I learned that the Florida Trail Gateway Communities program was the first functioning Trail Town initiative. In that very moment, I realized I needed to update my book, Deciding on Trails.
First-Time Study on Trail Community Programs
For the first time, a collective study has been conducted to understand the structure, challenges, and impacts of Trail Town & Gateway Community programs across the U.S. and Canada. This survey gathered insights from 19 programs that serve hundreds of communities and thousands of trail miles. In his book, On Trails, Robert Moor writes that “every […]
Questions People Ask About Trail Towns (Part 1)
I’m passionate about the Trail Town model and have devoted the last 18 years of my life to the topic. Wow, just writing that is really kind of staggering to me! It’s more than just work for me. I feel deeply devoted to helping communities, trail managers, and entire regions figure out how to create […]
“You Can’t Bake a Cake Without Flour”: Reflections on the World Trails Conference
I have so much to unpack following last week’s World Trails Conference in Ottawa, Canada! The conference gathered 400 people from 35 countries and was a truly inspiring event. It was both a thrill and an honor to be among a global audience that was thinking about how trails can have a greater impact on planet Earth.
Spellbound on the North Atlantic: The Wonder of Whales
Some of you may know that I was in Newfoundland earlier this month. It’s a spectacular place (here are some photos). We went on a boat tour south of St. John’s hoping to see both whales and puffins. Before boarding, we noticed a white board that noted the day’s wildlife sightings. Whales weren’t listed. “Oh well,” we thought. Who can control such a thing? Our tour guide further cemented (or anchored?) the message, telling us that whale sightings are only so likely in the middle of August…
Friends of the Riverfront: Three Rivers Water Trail Management Plan
The Three Rivers Water Trail is a series of 31 river access points along the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela, and Youghiogheny Rivers in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, PA). Many Pittsburghers (including Amy!) can be found recreating along these historic rivers. The Water Trail is managed and maintained by nonprofit Friends of the Riverfront (Friends) with assistance […]
Leadership Reflections: Upon Graduating from the Appalachian Leadership Institute
In the interest of not burying the lead, let me first say I graduated from the Appalachian Leadership Institute (ALI) on Wednesday. It’s been quite the journey, one that has taken the better part of the last year to complete. I’ve gone to sessions in six Appalachian states as well as D.C. We learned about community development, economic development, tourism, housing, healthcare, and other issues and opportunities within the region. It’s been the learning and bonding experience of a lifetime! If you have the opportunity to apply to future cohorts, JUST DO IT!
