Reflection and revenue: the 9/11 Trail and outdoor recreation strategy

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) - It’s been 24 years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks forever changed the face of American life. Around the country, people are planning ways to honor the memory of those who died and the heroes who responded that day.

In Pennsylvania, one of those memorials will be bringing the state and local governments together to complete a walking trail that extends from Manhattan to Somerset County to Washington D.C.

The 1,500 mile trails linking each memorial site to the next will consist of on- and off-road segments. Making up the bulk of the distance between locations, 129 municipalities across 25 counties will work with the Department of Conservation and National Resources and the Department of Transportation to mark the route.

“Pennsylvania is proud to honor the heroes who ran towards danger to keep Americans safe and remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro. “The 9/11 National Memorial Trail provides a meaningful way for communities across our Commonwealth to connect, reflect, and pay tribute.” 

The trail has largely been the product of efforts by the 9/11 Trail Alliance, which includes outdoor advocates, professionals, and survivors directly affected by the events of September 11th.

“The trail gives families like mine the opportunity to walk the path and remember our loved ones that we lost on September 11, 2001, and enjoy the beauty of Pennsylvania,” said Debby Borza, Board Member, 9/11 National Memorial Trail Alliance. My hope is that it continues to serve as a place of reflection and education.” 

The trail is part of a much larger push by Shapiro to prioritize outdoor recreation in the state’s economy. His administration boasts $19 billion in economic impact from the industry across the state, marking a two billion dollar increase under his tenure.

On Wednesday, he visited REI in Mechanicsburg to promote the state’s Outdoor Business Alliance which connects the recreation industry with opportunities like grants and partnerships. 

REI’s CEO and President Mary Beth Laughton highlighted Pennsylvania-based businesses supported by the co-op. The Mechanicsburg store was at the top of the nearly 200 REI locations across the country last year, underscoring an appetite for outdoor recreation in the commonwealth, even as public lands face new legislative threats.

“Today, our public lands and the people who steward them are under real pressure,” said Laughton. “From funding cuts to policy rollbacks to climate change and other impacts, the outdoor experience in America faces relentless challenges. And I think we all believe time outside is not a nice-to-have, right? It is essential. The outdoors gives us something truly priceless—space to breathe, to restore, and connect with one another.”

To that end, Nathan Reigner, Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation commended Shapiro and DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn for their foresight in creating an office that demonstrates the link between conservation and economics.

“We have more than 9,000 outdoor recreation businesses in Pennsylvania, from national household brands to home-grown side hustles,” said Reigner. “The Office of Outdoor Recreation is proud to have helped open the doors of opportunity for these businesses."