UA Center for Economic Development Coordinates Alabama Trails Conference

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Center for Economic Development is coordinating a two-day conference that will highlight the benefits of recreational trails in Alabama.

The Alabama Trails Commission, Alabama State Parks and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs are co-sponsors.

The conference, “Celebrating 75 Years of Service of Alabama State Parks” will be Thursday, April 10, and Friday, April 11, at Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge, off Alabama 227 in Guntersville. The conference will highlight Alabama’s top trails and include information on methods of making Alabama a leading destination for trail supporters.

Keynote speakers are Jeffrey Lusk, executive director of the Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreational Authority in West Virginia; Edwin McBrayer, director of the PATH Foundation in Georgia; and William Prince, program manager of The Progress Fund/Trail Town program in Pennsylvania.

Other featured topics include the East Coast Greenway; Red Mountain Park; horses; accessibility; the Chief Ladiga Trail; connecting communities; rail trails; Liveable Communities in Alabama; birding trails; off-highway vehicles; and adventure trails. In addition, representatives of Guntersville will discuss their multi-use trails system.

The deadline to register is March 31. Cost of registration is $175 per participant (lodging not included) and includes admittance to all programs, discussions meals and a birding walk as well as social and networking opportunities with persons involved in trail development.

Trail organizations, outdoor enthusiasts and state agencies started the conference in 2011.

The purpose of the Alabama Trails Commission is to make Alabama a nationally recognized destination for hiking, biking, running, horseback riding, motorized off-highway vehicles and water sports. It employs a ground-up, statewide, coordinated approach fostering vigorous participation by local, regional, state and federal agencies, stakeholders, higher education centers and nonprofit organizations.

To register and learn more about the conference, visit the conference website: www.landoftrails.org. For those interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the conference, contact Martha Whitson at Martha.whitson@ua.edu.