In April 2019, The Professional TrailBuilders Association joined American Trails for their 24th International Trails Symposium & Training Institute held in Syracuse, NY. The biennial event brought together trail professionals and enthusiasts from across the nation to collaborate and share information about the funding and sustaining of all types of trails, as well as hiking, biking, recreation and much more.
In addition to the activities that took place during the symposium, the groups led the Legacy Trail program for the purpose of creating a new trail and leaving the Syracuse area with sustainable improvements at Pratt's Falls County Park and Highland Forest County Park. During the conference, the city of Syracuse also launched its new Gotcha Bike Share program, giving riders a front row seat to the city action via electric bike rentals.
Also underway is the Empire State Trail — a new state initiative designed to enhance outdoor recreation and tourism development. The Empire Trail is set to be completed by the end of 2020, with a 750 continuous mile route spanning the state from New York City to Canada and Albany to Buffalo. Nearly 400 miles of the Trail already exist in disconnected segments, but upon completion, the Empire Trail will be the longest multi-use trail in the nation.
