Celebrate Trails Day returns on Saturday, April 27, which means it’s time to lube up those bike chains, lace up that new pair of sneakers, and pack some snacks — the trails are calling!
The annual celebration promotes trails as places of outdoor recreation and transit. The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) supports the development and maintenance of trails through coalitions like the Industrial Heartland Trails in western Pennsylvania and Greater Philadelphia’s Circuit Trails. We partner with counties, municipalities, trail groups, and others to close trail gaps and connect communities.
At PEC, we are guided by the mission of getting people outside as a means of fostering a commitment to outdoor stewardship. It’s not just a philosophy. Research shows that the more people connect with natural places through activities like hiking and biking, the more likely they are to get involved with activities like signing up for trail maintenance or joining cleanup workdays.
To help get people in the spirit of Celebrate Trails Day, we are highlighting some of the festivities scheduled for this weekend in the places where PEC staff live, work, and play.
Industrial Heartland Trails
The Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition (IHTC) footprint consists of a 1,500 planned network that will connect Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and New York. Since helping to launch the effort in 2013, PEC has coordinated and provided support for ground-level planning along four of the IHTC’s eight regional corridors (pictured).
1. Plant Walk and Social Ride
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Pittsburgh
Friends of the Riverfront is hosting two events. The first, Plant Walk with Herbalists without Borders, will run from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the Duck Hollow Trail. The Celebrate Trails Day Bike Ride also begins at 11 a.m., starting from the Millvale Riverfront Park.
2. Handmade Market
WHEN: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Morgantown, WV
Mon River Trails Conservancy is organizing a Handmade Market from 12–5 p.m. Events include an art walk in the Wharf District, a guided hike, live music, kids’ activities, and more.
3. Nature Walk in the Laurel Highlands
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: C.W. Resh Memorial Park
Mountain Watershed Association is hosting a guided nature walk on the Indian Creek Valley Trail from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. to see spring blooms and budding foliage. For more information, visit their website.
4. Fairmont Celebrate Trails Day 2024
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Fairmont, WV
The City of Fairmont will have snacks, drinks, and information on nearby trails, and attendees can join a guided hike on the Marion County Trail.
5. Canal Cleanup
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: Summit Lake Park in Akron, OH
The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition is organizing a canal cleanup at Summit Lake Park. Drinks and snacks will be provided. For more information and to register, visit their website.
6. Rails to Trails of Wayne County Ohio
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Wooster, OH
Wayne County Trails will feature various food trucks at three trailheads from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Food options range from Laotian fare to a donut wagon. For more information, visit the event website.
7. Sheepskin Social Ride
WHEN: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Sheepskin Trail in Uniontown, PA
A leisurely, 2-mile social ride is taking place on the Sheepskin Trail at 3 p.m. The ride begins at Hutchinson Park Sheepskin Trailhead and ends with food and drinks at Maruca’s Pizza Shop. For more information, visit their website.
8. Lunch and Ride
WHEN: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Kane Manor Inn in Kane, PA
TAMED-Trail Association of the McKean/Elk Divide is once again hosting a Celebrate Trails Day gathering. Enjoy a light lunch and a ride, run, or walk on the Knox & Kane Rail Trail. Shuttle service will be provided. RSVP here.
Circuit Trails
The Circuit Trails network consists of more than 400 miles of interconnected multiuse trails in southeast Pennsylvania and New Jersey. PEC is working to close trail gaps with the vision of establishing 800 miles of continuous trails. We also support organizations that improve access to and increase use of the Circuit Trails through the Circuit Trails Community Grant Program.
1. Celebrate Trails Day for Adaptive Users
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Exton Park Trailhead of the Chester Valley Trail, 132 Church Farm Lane, Exton, PA 19341
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, IM ABLE Foundation, PA Center for Adapted Sports, Philadelphia Bike Expo and Varlo Sports will offer demos of adaptive cycling equipment and an expo of organizations that support adaptive recreation.
2. Quest for the Golden Grabber
WHEN: April 20 through 28
WHERE: Delaware & Lehigh Trail
A cleanup event is taking place along the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC). Each bag of trash, TV, couch, or tire collected will earn $5 to support DLNHC’s 165 Trail Fund. Various prizes will be awarded for categories like the most trash collected, the most tires collected, the most electronics collected and the most interesting items (judge’s choice).
If you’d like to host your own event and have questions, contact [email protected] to get connected with the local trail landowner, find out where to leave trash for pick up, and to get access to clean-up tools and trash bags stored at the National Canal Museum in Easton.
3. Artworks Trail Jam
WHEN: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
WHERE: D&R Trail Entrance at the Trenton Battle Monument
Artworks Trenton, a Circuit Trails Community grantee, is once again hosting an afternoon celebrating public art projects. There will also be a trail cleanup and cycling activities.
4. Birds of a Feather
WHEN: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Tacony Creek Park, Whitaker Ave and Loudon St, Philadelphia, PA 19120
The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Inc. (TTF) is hosting its third “Birds of a Feather” event, featuring local artists live-painting along the Tacony Creek Park trail and nature/water activities for people of all ages. To register, visit the event website.
For a full list of Celebrate Trails Day events #OnTheCircuit, visit circuittrails.org/blog/celebrate-trails-day-events-2024/.
If you can’t make one of these events, consider getting friends and family together for a celebration of your own. Pennsylvania offers an abundance of parks, forests, rivers, and lakes, and trails provide a means to explore these beautiful places.
Learn more about PEC’s trail work at pecpa.org/land.