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 […]
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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…
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!
Creating a New “We”: PA Downtown Conference Reflections
I’d like to reflect on the PA Downtown Conference’s opening keynote presentation, which focused on how we can aspire to become a stronger, more unified nation. The speaker, Shaylyn Romney Garrett, co-authored The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do it Again. Her co-author was Robert Putnam, best known for Bowling Alone.
Swamp Rabbit Trail Trip Report
I stopped by the Swamp Rabbit Trail in early December. I had been in nearby Spartanburg, South Carolina attending the Appalachian Leadership Institute (and also had given a keynote presentation at the Carolina Thread Trail Forum in neighboring North Carolina)…
Gushing Over the High Trestle Trail
The High Trestle Trail in Iowa is one of my favorite trails to talk about. I visited in 2015 and was completely enamored with the High Trestle Trail Bridge. I’ve been sharing the story of the bridge ever since. In fact, when I issued the first “Trail Townz” Zine last year, I put it on the cover and included a story. I’ve pasted the story below…
Cycle Forward Celebrating 10 Years in Business
Cycle Forward is celebrating 10 years in business! It’s been a heck of a ride that continues to become more thrilling. Founder Amy Camp has built connections and shared ideas in communities far and wide and is eager to keep going. In the meantime, this is a milestone worth celebrating!
Cycle Forward at the International Trails Summit
It’s been a few long years since the trails community has gathered for the International Trails Summit (ITS). This year’s ITS is being held in Reno, Nevada from April 17-20. If you’re attending ITS, please stop by exhibit booth 217 to see me. I’ll have all sorts of info about Cycle Forward, free stickers, and […]
