July 2020
Trail use up as we seek relief in pandemic
Bike shops selling out of bikes. Families heading out regularly for walks together. Gym-goers rediscovering running outside. Across the country, these are some of the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic being reported by trail organizations and the recreation industry.

In March 2020, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council began statewide research to measure how business and recreational closures along with stay-at-home orders impacted trail use. "The main takeaway," write authors of a PEC report, "is that the state's non-motorized trails have served as an outdoor recreation outlet for Pennsylvanians.... Whether in urban centers or rural villages, people...have found refuge in trails. Because of this, PEC full supports and encourages all levels of government — local, county, state, and federal — to treat outdoor recreation investments as a critical part of economic recovery as we move forward."

These are challenging times, but we are grateful for the growing recognition that trails bring a huge return on investment in terms of health, community engagement, transportation alternatives, environmental stewardship, and more.
Join us: Events to "tour" 9/11 Trail and support its development
Tour de Trail: Berlin to Flight 93
In response to safety concerns posed by COVID-19, we have moved our second annual ride through the beautiful Laurel Highlands region of Pennsylvania —including a loop through the grounds of the Flight 93 National Memorial — to a virtual event. We're sorry not to experience the beautiful route with you in person, but supporting the 9/11 Trail has never been easier. Register, take a bike ride at your convenience, and receive a Tour de Trail t-shirt. 
Take the virtual 9/11 Trail Challenge

Looking for motivation to get walking, running, or biking? Challenge yourself to complete 1,300 miles, the length of the entire September 11th National Memorial Trail — as these three friends (left) are doing as they walk on trails near their homes in Maryland.

​Register for the free challenge and follow along on our tracker. Notify us as your mileage brings you to each of the 9/11 memorial sites and we’ll send commemorative swag.
Board member Borza honored with Golden Spike
Debbie Borza brings to the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance's board the lessons she's learned over many years of working with elected officials, government agencies, and the National Park Service to secure funding for the Flight 93 National Memorial. For Borza, it's personal: She lost her 20-year-old daughter, Deora, to the Flight 93 crash.
New board & staff members join Alliance
Chuck Flink, a national and global leader in greenway design, joined the 9/11 Trail's board of directors this spring. We also also welcomed two communications staff members, Lisa Watts and Leanne Janowski.
911trail.org