Building Trail-Friendly Communities: Insights from American Trails’ Webinar

Trails have the power to transform communities, fostering economic growth, cultural vibrancy, and healthier lifestyles. The recent webinar by American Trails, Building a Trail-Friendly Community: Three Things You Can Start Today, explores the profound impact trails can have on localities and offers actionable strategies to make the most of these opportunities. Presented by trail community experts Michelle Archie and Amy Camp, the session emphasizes practical steps communities can take to connect with trails and their users.

What Is a Trail-Friendly Community?

Being a trail-friendly community is both a mindset and a practice. It doesn’t necessarily require joining a formal trail program—although doing so can be beneficial—but it does demand intentionality in connecting with trails, engaging locals and visitors, and celebrating trails as vital resources.

According to the North Country Trail Association, a trail town is a community through which a trail passes that:

• Supports trail users with services.
• Promotes the trail to residents.
• Protects and celebrates the trail as a shared resource.

By adopting this mindset, communities can leverage trails for economic development, increased tourism, and enhanced quality of life.

Three Practical Strategies for Creating Trail-Friendly Communities

1. Extend an Invitation Trails should feel welcoming to both residents and visitors. A successful trail-friendly community actively invites people to explore the area and the trails it offers. Here are some creative ways to extend that invitation:
   • Wayfinding Signs: Help people navigate trails and nearby amenities with clear, engaging signs. Signs that display distances in minutes can make destinations seem more accessible.
   • Art Installations: Sculptures or murals that reflect the trail’s character can entice visitors to explore further.
   • Unique Amenities: Install fun bike racks, public water refill stations, or small gathering spaces like gazebos or parklets to encourage people to linger and enjoy the area.
   • Local Events: Host events like walking tours, chalk art competitions, or trail clean-up days to foster community engagement and pride.
2. Understand Your Audience Knowing who uses your trails and what they want is crucial. Use tools like surveys, QR codes at trailheads, or simple observational studies to gather data about:
   • Visitor origins (ask for zip codes).
   • Trail usage patterns.
   • Desired services or improvements.

   Engaging local businesses as partners can also provide insights. Encourage shop owners to ask their customers about their trail experiences and report back on trends.

3. Cultivate Trail Culture A thriving trail culture integrates trails into the community’s daily life. This involves:
   • Encouraging residents to embrace trails through educational programs and events.
   • Showcasing the community’s connection to trails with local art or public initiatives.
   • Supporting businesses that align with trail-friendly values, such as bike rentals, cafés, or outdoor gear shops.

   One shining example comes from Franklin, Pennsylvania, where a local yarn shop embraced the town’s trail culture by creating a bicycle-themed storefront display. Small gestures like this weave trails into the fabric of a community.

The Bonus Step: Assess Your Community

A Trail Town assessment can help communities evaluate their current trail-related offerings and identify opportunities for improvement. Michelle and Amy’s checklist-based assessment encourages communities to examine:

• In-town amenities and services.
• Trailhead accessibility and infrastructure.
• Overall visitor experience.

Using this tool, communities can develop actionable plans for fostering connections with trails and addressing gaps in services.

Key Benefits of Trail-Friendly Communities

1. Economic Growth: Trails attract visitors who spend money on local dining, lodging, and retail.
2. Improved Health and Wellness: Trails encourage active lifestyles for residents.
3. Cultural Vibrancy: Trails can serve as venues for public art, events, and community gatherings.
4. Environmental Stewardship: A trail-friendly ethos often leads to greater care for natural resources and local ecosystems.

Learning More

For communities looking to dive deeper into the trail town concept, several resources were highlighted:

• Trail Towns 101 Course: Offers in-depth strategies for making trails work for communities.
• American Trails Webinars: A treasure trove of past sessions, including topics like trail benefits and economic impacts.
• Amy Camp’s Book: Deciding on Trails delves into the seven best practices for cultivating trail-friendly communities.

Trails are more than just paths—they are gateways to connection, culture, and growth. By extending a welcoming hand, understanding user needs, and fostering a trail-loving culture, any community can maximize the value of its trails. With actionable steps like those shared in the webinar, the journey to becoming a trail-friendly community can start today.