Eastern Pennsylvania Greenways & Trails Summit

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!

Overnight block room accommodations are available now at Historic Hotel Bethlehem, 437 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA. Please call the reservation desk at 888-231-9320 and ask for the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor / Eastern PA Greenways & Trails Summit group rate. All summit registrants will receive a code to use online when booking overnight accommodations at Historic Hotel Bethlehem.

The Planning Committee for the 2026 Eastern PA Greenways & Trails Summit is seeking proposals for educational sessions to be presented at the 2026 Summit.  

The Summit will be hosted September 16-18, 2026 at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 

Join the regional trails community by contributing to three-days of inspiring speakers and breakout sessions on the hottest topics in greenways and trails. 

We are seeking 60 and 90-minute presentations on the following topics/areas:

1. Policies and Planning 

• Ordinances, Zoning/SALDOS, and Trail-Oriented Development 

• Trail Use and Programming Policies 

• Designing and Building with Sustainable Materials 

• Trails as a Climate Mitigation and/or Adaptation Strategy 

• Supporting Local Maintenance and Community Development   

• Partnership & Engagement 

• Stewardship & Maintenance 

2. Community and Access 

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging   

• ADA Accessibility and Universal Design 

• Motorized and Multi-Use Trails Networks (E-bikes, ATVs, etc) 

• Active Transportation, First/Last Mile Solutions, and Transit Integration 

• Water Trails   

• Event Use 

3. Funding and Impact 

• Funding: Public, Private, and Public-Private Partnerships 

• Technology and Trends 

• Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and Economic Development 

• Trails as Public Health Infrastructure 

• Organizational Development and Volunteer Engagement 

4. Local and Heritage Highlights 

• Connecting History, Heritage, and Trails 

• Lehigh Valley Project Showcase 

* We will accept proposals on additional topics. We encourage creativity! Curious if a topic is relevant or have other questions – reach out to us directly at economicdevelopment@delawareandlehigh.org

Please spell out all acronyms and abbreviations

Deadline – Please submit your proposal by Friday, April 24, 2026 @ 2PM  

Please note: If you are selected as a presenter, your PowerPoint presentation must be submitted by August 30, 2026.  

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