PA Environmental Council Updated Survey Shows Trail Use Increased 17% In 2020, Some Trails By Over 150%

On February 3, the PA Environmental Council released an updated report on trail use across the state and how it was affected by the pandemic and found a 17 percent increase in use during 2020 with individual trails recording over 150 percent increases.

PEC based the report on surveys of 67 trail managers with data from 38 different trail counties to get a more complete picture of trail use.

Pennsylvanians’ reconnection with the outdoors and trails became a bright spot in an otherwise bleak 2020. 

By most trail manager accounts, this was a successful year for trails. Attracting new audiences to outdoor recreation is what trail advocates have always wanted. 

With every success, however, comes challenges: increased littering, overuse, and backlogged maintenance, to name a few. 

Incredibly, despite the challenges faced in this unprecedented year, three quarters of trail managers perceive the pandemic’s impact on the trail they manage to be “mostly positive” (up from 60 percent in the Spring). 

This positive outlook is likely due to the new interest and attention brought upon trails.

PEC believes increased use and the impacts on trail resources is here to stay. This report serves as a call to all those who believe in trails – legislators, local officials, agencies, trail groups, and trail users – to double down on their support. 

As the value and importance of this infrastructure becomes even clearer to Pennsylvanians, we need to ensure that the investments that have been made in our recreational infrastructure are maintained and supported.

Click Here for a copy of the full report.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, PEC Bill/Regulation Tracker, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on Facebook.  Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts.  Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.

Related Articles:

-- Dramatic Increase In Visitors Caused Strains On Already Understaffed, Underfunded State Parks, Forests And Facilities At DCNR

-- New Poll: 86% Say Parks, Trails, Outdoors Are Essential To Their Physical, Mental Health During Pandemic; State Parks Saw 26.6% Increase In Visitors

-- New Poll Shows 90% Of PA Voters Want Senate, House Members To Address Environmental, Conservation Priorities, Provide More Funding For Critical Programs

-- 90% Of PA Voters Want Senate, House To Provide More Funding For Critical Environmental, Conservation Programs - That Didn’t Happen In 2020

[Posted: February 3, 2021]  PA Environment Digest