Pennsylvania
Greenways and Trails Summit

EVENT DETAILS and REGISTRATION

September 21 – 23, 2025 | Harrisburg

Fort Hunter Park
Photo courtesy of Dauphin County Parks & Recreation

Mobile Seminars

Mobile Seminars are interactive, on-the-move educational sessions held at various outdoor or site-specific locations. Our seven seminars combine learning with real-world exploration, allowing participants to engage directly with the environment or subject matter while experts provide insights, demonstrations, and discussions relevant to the setting.

Sunday, September 21

  • Find Your Happy! Using Technology and Partnerships to Connect and Engage in Outdoor Recreation
    Join Dauphin County Parks & Recreation and Visit Hershey Harrisburg to explore beautiful greenways and parks while discovering innovative ways to boost engagement in outdoor recreation using technology and partnerships. Participants will use the Parks Passport to check in at key locations, enjoy guided walking, and have a chance to win Dauphin County Parks swag, with transportation provided from the Hilton Harrisburg.
  • Paddling Toward Progress: Exploring the Swatara Creek Greenway
    Join Cocoa Kayak Rentals of Hershey, the Manada Conservancy, and the Swatara Watershed Association for a guided 5-mile paddle along the scenic Swatara Water Trail, while learning about efforts to create a greenway that connects natural habitats and supports sustainable land use. This mobile seminar explores the ecological and community benefits of the project, with transportation provided from the Hilton Harrisburg and a gentle, accessible paddling experience suitable for most ability levels (note: some uneven terrain may limit mobility aids).

Monday, September 22

  • Building a Sustainable Greenway – Plans, Partners & Restoration Projects
    This guided bike tour highlights key sections of the 24-mile Capital Area Greenbelt, including trail restoration projects, stormwater management efforts, and the Capital Area Greenbelt Association’s partnerships to improve and maintain the historic Cameron and Paxtang Parkways. Participants must bring their own bikes and can choose either a 7-mile, one-way ride ending at Penbrook Community Park with shuttle pickup or a 14-mile round-trip returning to the Hilton.
  • Historic Harrisburg Walking Tour & Active Transportation Showcase
    Explore Harrisburg’s rich history and its evolving streetscape on a 2.1-mile guided walking tour starting near the Hilton Hotel and winding through Riverfront Park, downtown, and the Capitol Complex. Along the way, learn how modern bike lanes, crosswalks, and other improvements are making the city safer and more connected, blending heritage with a vision for a walkable, bike-friendly future.

The Natural Trail Experience: Mobile Seminars
Participation in these two seminars is LIMITED to those registered for The Natural Trail Experience.

  • Hike, See, & Learn about Natural Surface Trails on the Appalachian Trail
    Explore upcoming improvements at Scott Farm, soon to be the Keystone Trails Association’s new headquarters, featuring enhanced facilities and collaborative stewardship of the Appalachian Trail and Conodoguinet Creek Water Trail. The experience includes a project tour, discussion on trail maintenance and volunteer efforts, followed by a three-mile hike highlighting trail design and construction techniques.
  • Experience Hershey’s Sweet Trails
    Susquehanna Area Mountain Bike Association partnered with Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center to develop 11 miles of shared-use trails that attract over 22,000 visits annually and generate $500,000 in economic impact. This session includes a presentation on the trail development, economic study, and state championship plans, followed by a 2-3 mile beginner trail tour; participants must provide their own transportation and bikes.

Tuesday, September 23

Click here to view the full agenda.