Trail Maintenance Symposium

Sunday, September 21

The Trail Maintenance Symposium is a specialty event featured within the Pennsylvania Greenways and Trails Summit, taking place on Sunday, September 21. It is presented in partnership with The Maintenance Institute and WeConservePA.

Join trail and park professionals, land managers, volunteers, and advocates for a focused symposium on trail maintenance strategies, innovations, and best practices. This event dives deep into the real-world challenges and solutions of maintaining sustainable, accessible, and resilient trail systems in an era of increased use and environmental pressures. Whether you are unpaved trails, urban greenways, or multi-use networks, this symposium offers hands-on insights, expert-led sessions, and real-world case studies to help you make informed, lasting impact on your trail systems.

The program includes one general session, followed by two breakout periods, each offering a choice of two concurrent sessions. They are the only on-site sessions offered on Sunday. Lunch is not provided for this event, but refreshments will be served on arrival and mid-afternoon. Participants may choose to attend this Symposium as a standalone event or include it as part of their two- or three-day Summit registration. In addition, tickets for the Sunday Reception and the Monday Reception & Dinner are available for anyone attending who wishes to extend their experience and enjoy more networking opportunities.

AGENDA

12:00-1:45 PM
Welcome and General Session: Cracks in the Foundation: Prioritizing Trail Maintenance
Over the past 40 years, Pennsylvania has built a 9,800-mile multi-use trail network that drives tourism, supports local economies, and connects communities. While trail construction has thrived, long-term maintenance has lagged due to limited funding and resources. This interactive session introduces the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s new Trail Maintenance Assessment Guide and insights from the Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy, offering practical strategies for sustainable, prevention-focused trail upkeep.

2:00-3:15 PM
Breakout Period 1

• Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance of Surfaced Trails
  Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM) is a set of practices that reduce erosion and long-term costs by restoring natural drainage patterns and minimizing concentrated runoff. This session will explore surface and base drainage, trail surfacing options, sustainable trail design, and maintenance strategies to support environmentally and financially resilient trail systems.
• Trailbuilding by Hand: Methods for Sustainability & Accessibility
  Join Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) staff for an overview of sustainable natural surface trail design and construction. Learn how AMC integrates accessibility, stormwater management, and native materials into trail projects—including unpaved All Persons Trails—drawing on over 100 years of experience and 1,800 miles of trail stewardship.

3:30-5:00 PM
Breakout Period 2:

• Managing Native, Non-Native & Poisonous Vegetation Along Trails
  This session covers key topics in trailside vegetation management. Part 1 focuses on identifying and managing toxic native plants common along trails and waterways, with guidance from vegetation expert Melissa A. Bravo on reducing exposure risks. Part 2 features a facilitated discussion on managing native and non-native plants in Eastern PA, including species-specific control methods, trail planning considerations, and strategies for engaging volunteers in stewardship.
• Tailoring Solutions to Ownership and Resources
  Proper trail maintenance is vital for safety and longevity, but varied ownership and ecosystems in Pennsylvania create unique challenges. This workshop features panelists sharing diverse strategies for managing trail upkeep amid issues like erosion, overuse, and climate impacts.

Click here to view the full agenda.