At the 2022 MACo Summer Conference, an expert panel discussed the impact of trail networks on communities and housing values.
No longer seen as just a path in the woods, trails have become an important tool for driving economic development and creating cohesive communities. These underappreciated assets bridge different points of interest and drive tourism, all while providing a source of local recreation and connecting the workforce to their communities. This expert panel discussed the ins and outs of trail development and management and how leveraging these overlooked assets can benefit Marylanders.
Title: The Path to Economic Revival: Leveraging Trails & Nature
Speakers:
- Natalia Sanchez, Outdoor Recreation Planner, National Park Service’s (NPS) Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program
- Dan Hudson, Trail Manager, Maryland Park Service
- Kate Patton, Executive Director, Lower Shore Land Trust
Moderator: Delegate Eric Luedtke
This panel started with a thank you to Delegate Eric Luedtke. Officials from MACPRA presented the Delegate with an award for his hard work on opening access to parks statewide. Dan Hudson presented three different trail projects: ranging from rural, urban, and confined landscapes. Kate Patton walked through the basic process of trail development. Natalia Sanchez discussed federal resources for trail development.
More about MACo’s Summer Conference:
