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The Future of Recreation and Trails in Pennsylvania: A Conversation with Brandon Hoover and Alex MacDonald
Manage episode 507793503 series 3658690
"We want to be native to somewhere, and I think park space and outdoor space grounds us and makes us native to the places that we call home and recognize that we occupy place in space, and we are part of that redemption story, and part of that reconciliation story of people to that place.”
Pennsylvania's latest Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) and Pennsylvania Trail Network Strategic Plan 2025-2029 reveal how the Commonwealth is adapting its 14,000 miles of trails and recreation spaces to serve evolving community needs while confronting climate realities. Our host, Marci Mowery, sits down with guests Brandon Hoover and Alex McDonald from the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The plans, developed through engagement with over 8,000 Pennsylvanians, uncovered a striking finding: 81% of residents recreate primarily for mental health benefits, significantly outpacing the 65% who prioritize physical health. It’s an insight that reflects growing awareness of nature's role in combating loneliness, particularly among younger and older adults who struggle to find recreation partners.
Climate change emerged as both a challenge and a priority. Trail providers identified severe storms as their overwhelming maintenance concern, forcing reconsideration of legacy trails built by the Civilian Conservation Corps that may need rerouting or retirement. The plans emphasize adaptation strategies like improved culvert design and sustainable trail construction that can withstand increasingly frequent extreme weather.
Local parks serve as most Pennsylvanians' primary recreation spaces, which is why improvements truly start on the community level. Not to mention, outdoor recreation generates $19 billion annually for the state. SCORP’s strategy, therefore, is connecting trail towns to this economic engine while ensuring equitable access through universal design features like easy-dock kayak launches and improved wayfinding.
Our guests stress that implementation requires local engagement. Municipal and county funding, plus donations, not state resources, maintain most trails. The vision frames outdoor spaces as "shared spaces" where communities can become "native to somewhere" rather than disconnected from place.
Key Topics:
- SCORP and Trail Plan Overview (1:10)
- Mental Health as Primary Recreation Driver (07:23)
- Equitable Access Initiatives (21:59)
- Climate Resilience and Storm Impacts (29:19)
- Local Engagement and Funding (35:22)
Resources:
- Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
- Pennsylvania Trail Network Strategic Plan
- Bureau of Recreation and Conservation
- Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
- Climate Action Plans, Department of Environmental Protection
- Volunteerism and Opportunities
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🎶 Podcast music provided by Evan Mongeau
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