Strong, durable outdoor economies are built on intentional partnerships amongst the agencies, non-profit organizations, municipalities, volunteer groups, and businesses who get us outdoors and drive economic activity. We will introduce participants to the recently-launched Vermont CORE Toolkit, diving into tools intended to help users gain a deeper understanding of the ecosystem of local outdoor economy partners in Vermont. Participants will come away with actionable case studies and next steps to tap into local partner networks.

Park and recreation managers often navigate the complex interplay of homelessness, park and recreation management, environmental stewardship, and social service provision. These dynamics converge in parks, forests, campgrounds, and other public recreation spaces, requiring the consideration of competing social and ecological interests.

This interactive session will be facilitated by researchers studying these dynamics. We will begin with a brief presentation about the state of research on homelessness in park and recreation management contexts. Then, we will encourage attendees to share their observations of how homelessness intersects with parks and recreation management in Vermont. Attendees will help identify gaps between existing research findings and the information and guidance local practitioners seek. The researchers will document the discussion to inform the development of a practitioner-driven research agenda on homelessness in parks that will guide future partnerships among researchers, managers, and other community partners. Attendees will be offered the opportunity to further participate in research agenda development, engage in future research, and learn about future research findings.

The Town of Danville created a Village to Village Master Plan in 2018 with the goal of improving connections along the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, supporting interest in outdoor activities, and building a sense of place and economic vitality. This presentation will highlight the work that has been done so far on the Master Plan and highlight the current projects and partners, providing specific examples of how public-private collaborations that are leveraging resources to create and improve the walk/bike infrastructure and social connections in one rural Vermont town.

This session will highlight the accomplishments of the Vermont Water Safety Action Committee and its efforts to strengthen water safety across the state.

Parks and recreation professionals are key to creating inclusive community spaces. This session highlights Move United’s free educational resources and how they can support inclusive programming in the community, including tennis, volleyball, swimming, track & field, cycling, hiking, and much more. Participants will also explore opportunities to partner with adaptive sport organizations to strengthen their programs. Through this crash course, attendees will gain actionable strategies and tools to increase access and participation for individuals with disabilities across Vermont communities.

Friends of the Rouge is establishing a 29-mile water trail in metro-Detroit. Some of these communities are home to the region’s major industry. Residents are predominantly people of color and lower income. As legacy pollution is cleaned up and recreation can be considered, creating trails uplifts the river’s value as a natural resource and while interpreting the past uses. FOTR develops systems, identifies resources, and builds capacity of localized partners to propel this vision.

Discover the B2C Bike Kitchen, a partnership effort transforming a vacant parcel along the Northern Strand Trail into a vibrant community hub.

​This session highlights how creative reuse—featuring repurposed shipping containers and discarded bicycles—and a robust multi-agency partnership (including State and municipal agencies, business sponsors, foundations, and volunteers) cultivates local resilience. Learn how free access to tools and instruction empowers trail users while activating public space to advance an inclusive, community-building active recreation ecosystem. here's the webpage for the Bike Kitchen with more info about the operation and our participant demographics: https://biketothesea.org/bk/

Too often, trail work seems to be done by an invisible “trail fairy” with little tracking, recognition, or coordination. In reality, volunteers make the magic happen. This session shares simple, field-tested systems to better track trail work, improve communication, and recognize contributions. Building on real-world case studies, participants will learn how structured yet lightweight approaches can strengthen volunteer engagement, reduce burnout, and support more efficient and accountable trail operations.

Learn about research and engage with tools for Vermont's Climate Outdoors Workforce focused on strengthening the knowledge, skills, and capacity of Vermont’s current outdoor professionals while attracting new workers into careers essential to climate adaptation and resilience. Panelists will include outdoor business from the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance and partners from the Vermont Climate Action Office, Vermont Department of Labor, Vermont Office of Workforce Strategy and Development, and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative.

This collaborative presentation features the Cross Vermont Trail, Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail and Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. It explores how cross-state partnerships transform a patchwork of rail trails, recreation paths, and on-road segments into a connected long-distance recreation network. The session highlights collaboration across organizations, user groups, and state agencies, including motorized and non-motorized stakeholders, and shares lessons in building shared vision, overcoming challenges, and advancing rural economic development through outdoor recreation.

Recreation organizations are facing increasing pressure to balance access, sustainability, and visitor experience. This session explores how partnerships with AllTrails are helping agencies expand their reach, improve trail data, and better serve diverse communities.

Recreation can do more than offer activities—it can create lasting connection. This session explores how partnering with Vermont Senior Games helps communities move beyond standalone programs to build networks of belonging, motivation, and celebration for older adults. Learn how statewide events strengthen local engagement, reduce social isolation, and unite partners around shared goals—turning participation into pride, purpose, and even gold‑medal moments.

Learn how a grassroots trail organization is working to close inclusivity and accessibility gaps in their most popular trail network. After implementing an Inclusive Spaces Audit in Cady Hill Forest, Stowe Trails Partnership is taking small but mighty steps to tackle identified areas for improvement with the help of landowners and land access partners. Explore the audit process and how collaborative thinking can make trail networks more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all.

Registration will be available to check-in, get your name badge and conference gift, and ask any questions throughout the conference.

One drink ticket included with each registration thanks to a sponsorship from GameTime/MRC Recreation.

(#69) Trail Fundamentals: Core Concepts for Sustainable Trails