Shared with permission from on 28 September 2026
Photos taken by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Inc. and Paul Puleo.
For full size photos, visit this link.
Written by Alice Wanamaker, DLNHC Economic Development Manager
From September 16–18, more than a hundred trail professionals, municipal planners, conservationists, and outdoor advocates gathered at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem and across the Lehigh Valley to connect, collaborate, and chart the future of Pennsylvania’s outdoor spaces.
The energy over the three days was contagious, proving that greenways and trails are much more than scenic paths; they are vital engines for economic stability, public health, and local heritage.
The summit was built around four major themes: Policies and Planning, Community and Access, Funding and Impact, and Local and Heritage Highlights. Attendees participated in breakout sessions exploring how regional and interstate trails shape our communities.
A highlight of the Summit included a panel of local leaders who took the stage to emphasize just how much the outdoor industry drives Pennsylvania’s growth.
Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski highlighted how open spaces and trail networks boost local tourism and community health. Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds welcomed guests to the City, invited them to explore the many outdoor spaces and thanked them for the work they do to continue to improve access to outdoor spaces throughout their communities. Tina Smith (Northampton County Community & Economic Development Director), Samantha Pearson (Lehigh County Department of Community & Economic Development Director), and Sierra Fogal (President of the PA Outdoor Business Alliance and business owner) teamed up for an inspiring panel on how expanding access to outdoor recreation directly improves quality of life and fuels business growth.
The summit didn’t just stay inside a conference room! Attendees laced up their sneakers and put on their bike helmets for mobile workshops across the Lehigh Valley. These tours gave participants a firsthand look at regional trail development projects and offered a fantastic opportunity to network with fellow conservation professionals out in the field.
An exciting moment of the summit was a sneak preview delivered by Helena Kotala, Program Manager at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC). She introduced PA Trail Finder, an upcoming interactive website designed to help residents and visitors discover the state’s massive trail network. Whether you want to hike, bike, paddle, cross-country ski, or just explore, this tool will connect you with a trail that matches your exact interests. Keep your eyes peeled, it’s scheduled to debut later this year!
Organizers with the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC) summed up the spirit of the event perfectly: “By sharing real-world case studies and launching new planning tools, attendees return to their communities equipped to build stronger, more connected outdoor networks.”
The Summit including a business expo giving participants an opportunity to learn even more from presenters, sponsors and leaders in the Pennsylvania Outdoor Industry. Pictured here, DLNHC Trails & Conservations Director Liz Rosencrans connects with Denis Demara of Wildlands Conservancy. Photo by Paul Puleo
The 2026 Eastern Pennsylvania Greenways & Trails Summit was funded in part by WeConservePA and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program funded through the Federal Highway Administration, funded in part with financial assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Environmental Stewardship Fund and sponsors: Northampton County, The Link Trail Network, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc., Wilson Consulting Group, Earth Conservancy, Lehigh County, Gilmore & Associates, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Simone Collins Landscape Architecture, Kate’s Real Food, Woodland Design Associates, Inc., Endless Mountains Heritage Region, NV5, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area, Discover Lehigh Valley, Wildlands Conservancy, Campbell Thomas & Co., Studio 9 Design, Just Borne, LaBella PC, and Strauss & Associates.
