Registration is open for a two-day summit focusing on planning, building, marketing, and sustaining local and regional trails, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, DeSales University, Center Valley.

The 2014 summit will feature keynote talks from Jeff Olson, author, "The Third Mode: Towards a Green Society," and Budd Coates, Director of Fitness, Rodale; panels with state officials from PennDOT, DCNR, and DCED; 15 breakout sessions on a variety of trail topics from construction methods to the economic impact of trails; and three field trips to the Route 202 Parkway, Cherry Valley "Bike to Nature" Route, and key sites within the Lehigh Valley Trail Network.

The summit includes a social event Sept. 30. Participants will ride from DeSales to Hellertown on the Saucon Rail Trail and enjoy a reception at Saucon Valley Bikes, one of the region's many businesses that has seen increased business because of its proximity to a popular trail.

"This summit is an opportunity for the region's trails community to come together, share best practices, and learn from one another," said Silas Chamberlin, chair of the summit's planning committee and an adviser with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.

"Eastern Pennsylvania has hundreds of miles of trails that contribute millions of dollars to the local economy and provide safe, close-to-home places to recreate. This is an opportunity to celebrate our trail network and think about ways to make it better," he said.

The registration fee includes two days of activities, four meals, an evening social event, and participation in a mobile workshop.

Registration information: tiny.cc/TrailSummit, 610-377-4063