Meet the Council

Trail-based recreation in New York State 
embraces a wide variety of activities enjoyed 
by many people.  The planning and manage-
ment of these linear corridors encompasses a 
broad range of interests expressed by 
user groups as well as municipal, state, 
and federal agencies.

What the Council Does

The New York State Trails Council was formed in October, 1981 to ensure citizen participation in trail planning and management.  The citizens advisory board was organized to:

• advocate trail interests to all levels of government and to the public;
  (see our list of recent issues)

• provide a reliable source of information
  on trail based recreation; 
  (see our links page)

• coordinate efforts to develop, construct, 
  and maintain recreational trails;

• foster trail user ethics and provide a 
  forum for mediating differences 
  among trail user groups.

Who the Council Is

The Trails Council currently consists of 
delegates representing twelve trail activities, 
including:

• ATV trail riding (2 delegates needed as of 1/2006!)

• Bicycling (both mountain bike and road bike) (2 needed)

• Cross Country (Nordic) Skiing (1 delegate needed)

• Equestrian Trail Interests

• Four-Wheel Drive (1 needed)

• Hiking

• Running (3 delegates needed)

• Snowmobiling 

• Snowshoeing (2 delegates needed)

• Motorized Trail-Bike riding

• Water Trails (1 delegate needed)

The representatives for each of these user groups are trail users who do not represent commercial interests.

Who May Join the Council

Other trail-user groups interested in representation on the Trails Council may petition for inclusion.  All delegates must represent trail users, not commercial interests. Please see the delegate information kit for more info.

Who else is on the Council

Agencies represented on the Council are as follows:

• Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

• Department of Environmental Conservation

• Canal Corporation

• Department of Transportation

• Hudson River Greenway Conservancy

• New York State Senate

• Federal Highway Administration

• National Park Service

• Parks and Trails New York

• Department of Health

• The Tourism Advocate

These Agency representatives serve as advisors to the Council.  They do not have voting privileges but may participate in discussions and raise issues for the Council to consider.  The Trails Council is provided with technical assistance and support through OPRHP and the DEC.

How to Learn More About the Council

For further information about the New York State Trails Council, please contact:

or contact the Council Chair

page last updated: 05/01/2008