The 2026 Eastern PA Greenways & Trails Summit will bring trail, greenway, and community leaders together in the heart of Historic Bethlehem for three days of learning, collaboration, and exploration. Set against the backdrop of the Lehigh Valley’s natural beauty and Bethlehem’s storied downtown, the Summit offers a unique opportunity to engage with peers, deepen professional knowledge, and celebrate the region’s trail‑focused innovations.
Throughout the event, attendees will enjoy a rich and engaging program that includes:
Inspiring keynote speakers
Mobile workshops across the region
Breakout sessions on a variety of greenways and trails topics
Social and networking events designed to connect and inspire
The 2026 Summit is 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 generous sponsors including Northampton County, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.,Wilson Consulting Group Civil Engineering & Planning, Earth Conservancy, Gilmore & Associates, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Simone Collins Landscape Architecture, Kate’s Real Food, Woodland Design Associates, Inc., Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area, Wildlands Conservancy, JustBorn, NV5, LaBellas Associates, Strauss & Associates, and an all‑star planning committee. Together, we look forward to welcoming you as we Celebrate Paths Through Time and America 250.
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Mobile Workshop #1 – Transit & Trails Training
Meeting Location: Hotel Bethlehem Lobby; walk to Walnut Street Garage
1:00 PM-2:00 PM: LUNCH with Welcome & Keynote Speaker
2:00 PM -2:30 PM: Networking & Expo Break
2:45 PM – 4:30 PM: Mobile Workshop #2 – Historic Hotel Walking Tour
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM:
Quantifying Trail Benefits: Economic Impact of the Empire State Trail
Lessons Learned in Trail Development: Eight Short Stories to Inspire Your Next Project
Leveraging Ordinances, Official Maps and Private Development for Trail Development
Walking Through World Heritage: Trails, Paths, and Heritage Interpretation at the Moravian Church Settlements
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM:
A Highline in the Little Apple: A vision of an Easton Highline and Connecting Trail moving toward reality
Engineering a Resilient Future
Countywide Trail Planning: From Concept to Implementation
Thursday, September 17
8:00 AM – 8:30AM: Registration & Networking
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Breakfast buffet with Guest Speaker Mayor William J Reynolds
9:45 AM – 1:00 PM: Mobile Workshop #3 – Bethlehem Complete Streets Tour *Bring your own bike and helmet or use bike share
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM:
Beyond the Trail: Prioritizing Pedestrian Connections that Expand Access
A Natural Alliance: Municipal Sustainability and Greenways in the Lehigh Valley
Blueprint Communities, Anthracite Heritage & Economic Development: Planning the September 11th Anthracite Connector Trail in Panther Valley Blueprint Communities
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (90 Minute Sessions)
Bushkill Creek Greenway: A Living Framework for Climate Infrastructure and Stewardship
Trail Grants Dos and Don’ts
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Expo Break
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: LUNCH with Economic Development Panel Discussion featuring Tina Smith – Director, Northampton County DCED; Samantha Pearson – Director, Lehigh County DCED; Sierra Fogal, President of PA Outdoor Business Alliance / Business Owner Pocono Whitewater
2:30 PM – 4:45 PM: Mobile Workshop #4: Tour Allentowns MLK Projects
Hop on the bus and see Allentown’s MLK Trail come to life! Join us for a mobile workshop touring all three phases of the project from Phase 1’s construction-ready design to Phase 3’s early concepts with stops along the way to dig into the details, challenges, and opportunities shaping this trail.
Phase 1: Fountain Park (near the pool)
Phase 2: Union Terrace
Phase 3: America On Wheels Museum/Hamilton Street Bridge
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM:
Innovative Solutions to Enhancing Trail Access that Build Success for Long-Distance Trails and Their Communities: The Pennsylvania Highlands Trail as a Model
Lehigh Valley Trail Connection Strategy & Toolbox to Acquire Land for Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space (combined)
Leveraged WalkWorks Grant Funding
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM:
You Don’t Need Mountains: Building Outdoor Culture in a Major Metro Region Through Trails, Policy, Youth Programs, and Community Action
The Path to a Permit: Navigating New Regulatory Challenges for Waterside Trails
Cost Effective & Sustainable Event and Business Practices & From Compost to Community: Activating Underused Spaces Through Recreation
Friday, September 18
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Light breakfast with PA Trail Finder Presentation
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Networking
10:00 AM – 2:30 PM: Mobile Workshop #5 (self-transport): Easton Silk Mill / Historic Easton Cemetery
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Eastern PA Greenways & Trails Summit brings together a network of various agencies, organizations, and outdoor enthusiasts who are involved in planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, promoting, and utilizing trails and greenways in eastern Pennsylvania to improve outdoor recreation in the Commonwealth. Over 150 professionals attend the biennial event, featuring a mix of workshops, mobile sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
Co-hosted by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC), a state designated Heritage Area, the 2026 Eastern PA Greenways & Trails Summit will allow attendees to experience the beauty of the Lehigh Valley and Downtown Historic Bethlehem from September 16 – 18, 2026. The 2026 Eastern PA Greenways and Trails Summit is being funded by an array of generous sponsors. We look forward to seeing you in the Lehigh Valley in 2026 as we Celebrate Paths Through Time and America 250!
Support the 2026 Eastern PA Greenways & Trails Summit and your local trail community by choosing a sponsorship level. Thank you in advance for your support!
Paying by check – Mail completed form and check payable to:Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton, PA 18042, Attention: Alice Wanamaker.
Eastern PA Greenways & Trails Summit Sponsor Sign Up Form
Sign up to become a sponsor of the 2026 Eastern Pennsylvania Greenways & Trails Summit
Become an Exhibitor at the Expo
Sign up to become an exhibitor at the 2026 Eastern Pennsylvania Greenways & Trails Summit
EXPO BENEFITS
150 attendees, sponsors
The expo space is structured to maximize interactions
Food and coffee breaks are strategically scheduled throughout the expo space
Expo spaces are assigned in the order received, and higher sponsorship levels receive prime locations
Multiple breaks for attendees are scheduled throughout the Summit
Full 6’ tables or half 8’ tables are available on a first come first serve basis for $100
Meals for company table attendant
Exhibit may remain set up overnight Wednesday into Thursday
Set up is Wednesday morning, breakdown is Thursday evening
Historic Hotel Bethlehem is proud to host the 2026 Eastern PA Greenways & Trails Summit in the Grand Ballroom, Lafayette Room, Northampton Room, Moravian Room and Lehigh Room. All in class workshops will be hosted in these rooms and all mobile workshops will begin and end here.
Overnight discounted block room accommodations are available at Historic Hotel Bethlehem, 437 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA. Conference attendees and overnight guests will receive free parking.
Block Group Code: 409530C1426814
Email AliceW@delawareandlehigh.org with any questions.
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Eastern PA Greenways & Trails Summit News
The 2026 Eastern Pennsylvania Greenways & Trails Summit is 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.
Trail Guides: Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area, Discover Lehigh Valley, Wildlands Conservancy, Campbell Thomas & Co., Studio 9 Design, Just Borne, LaBella PC, Strauss & Associates
Special Thanks to Our Host: Historic Hotel Bethlehem
