The D&L Blog

Hi, I’m the new Trail Programs Manager for D&L.  This is a new position that oversees programs that aid the public, businesses, and municipalities in enjoying, promoting, and protecting trails. These include continuing programs like Trail Patrol and Trail Tenders along with new programs like Trail Towns.

As you can see trail comes up a lot in the titles.  And that’s great for two reasons. First, because the D&L Trail is an incredible amenity and forms the backbone of the National Heritage Corridor. And second I love trails! I know that trails are great resources that promote healthy citizens, better environments, and robust economies that improve the quality of life in a region.

I moved to the Lehigh Valley from the Rocky Mountains and on my very first morning here I woke up from my hotel in downtown Easton and went for a run on the

D&L Trail.

As I entered the D&L Trail – Forks of the Delaware Trailhead and ran along the well maintained and scenic trail along the river, I remember saying to myself “This is different from Utah, but this is a great trail that I’m excited to explore it!” And less than two years later, I couldn’t be more thrilled to use my passion for trails with the D&L as Trail Programs Manager!

My goal is to have communities embrace trails as great local resources that benefit residents and visitors.  How do communities achieve this? First by creating and maintaining trails. Next we need to support trail users from bikers, hikers, walkers, paddlers, runners, and even skiers (with a lot of help from Punxsutawney Phil!) getting out on the trails. And last we want to encourage these trail users to frequent trail related businesses and events.  The D&L Trail is a great example of this model. Since 1988 we have been working on connecting and building more trails and are getting closer to our goal of a complete D&L trail in 2020. Already we can document the fruits of our hard labor: in 2012 over 280,000 people used the trail and directly injected $16.3 million into the local economy!

So how can you get involved with our amazing trail system? Choose from these programs that you can participate with:

• Trail Patrol – Are you an active trail user? Already out on the D&L Trail regularly? Then join Trail Patrol as a volunteer ambassador. These volunteers assist trail users, increase trail safety, and report trail conditions resulting in better trails.
• Trail Tenders – Want to get your hands dirty? Like giving back to the trail you use? Then join us on projects that assist the trail landowners with maintaining and improving the trail. Projects include trash pickups, removing brush, preserving historic structures, and improving trail amenities.
• Trail Towns – Aspire to have your town attract more visitors? Want your business to benefit from trail users?  Then join us to help make your town trail friendly and benefit from the thousands of trail users passing through.

I’m particularly excited about our new D&L Trail Towns program.  Building off the past success of Market Towns (2001-2006) in the Anthracite region and Landmark Towns (2007-2016) in the Delaware Canal Region we are launching a new Corridor-wide trail town program.  This takes the Main Street Principles and focuses on the trail and trail users, so that towns can benefit. Be on the lookout for more details about D&L Trail Towns in 2017.

I look forward to meeting you on the trail!

Brian

[email protected]
610 923 3548 x234 | 215-781-2605 (mobile)