Trails and greenways positively impact individuals and improve communities by providing recreation and transportation opportunities, and influencing economic and community development.

Impediments to trail and greenway construction include a scarcity of resources and funding, and in some areas, a lack of acceptance and support. A need exists to raise awareness of the value and benefits and thus the priority given to trail and greenway projects. Tools are needed to help communities, planners, and advocates transform trail plans and concepts to construction ready projects and then into completed and well maintained trail infrastructure. This is where the Greater Cleveland Trails & Greenways Conference comes in.

Our friends at Share the River captured a conversation with Jay Walljasper, popular speaker, award-winning writer, veteran communications specialist and leading authority on community issues, during the 2016 Greater Cleveland Trails & Greenways Conference. Listen in on what he has to say about the power of rivers.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

The conference this year is in Downtown Cleveland and focuses on Vibrant Neighborhoods through People-Powered connections. The Showcase is an opportunity for municipalities, non-profits, park systems and for profit enterprises to highlight their accomplishments and share “Best Practices.”

Nominations to recognize and award outstanding trail & bikeway projects, creative trail programming and creative community engagement/project promotion events will be accepted until 6pm on April 26, 2018. Find all the details at GCTrails.org.

Visit GCtrails.org for up-to-dates information about the agenda, presenters and sponsors as it becomes available, and register now at Eventbrite.com.

To become a sponsor or for comments and questions, call 216-749-3720 x12 or send a message to info@gctrails.org.