Press Conference Marks Completion of Empire State Trail Economic Impact Study
On June 9, 2026, LaBella Associates joined Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and project partners in Albany, New York, for a press conference marking the completion of a landmark economic impact study of the Empire State Trail.
The Empire State Trail is a 750-mile, multi-use trail system—the longest in the United States—connecting communities across New York State and generating significant economic, health, and environmental benefits.
Led by LaBella and the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE), with support from state agency partners, the comprehensive economic impact study culminated in a report that quantifies the trail’s economic impact across sectors, including tourism, recreation, transportation, and small business development. Click here to learn more about LaBella’s role in the project.
The report equips PTNY, state agencies, and local communities with clear, data-driven insights to support funding, advocacy, and future investment in the Empire State Trail.
Learn more about the findings below.
Pictured Above L-R: Paul Steely White (Parks & Trails New York), Kathy Moser (New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation), Dylan Carey (Parks & Trails New York), Marie Therese Dominguez (New York State Department of Transportation), Zakhar Berkovich (Stockade Inn), Sally Drake (New York State Natural Heritage Trust), Ross D. Levi (New York State Division of Tourism, I LOVE NY), Michael Cocquyt (LaBella Associates)
All Photo Credit: Parks & Trails New York
