Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy

The Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy promotes its signature project, the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage, and coordinates, strengthens, and supports the efforts of allied partners to ensure a high-quality experience for all those who enjoy the GAP. In addition to its work coordinating the completion of the Great Allegheny Passage, the GAP Conservancy developed Trail Towns: Capturing Trail-Based Tourism, a 51-page illustrated guide for town leaders to assess and improve the way that their municipal and business assets attract bicycle tourism. In partnership with The Progress Fund, it established and installed GAP-branded wayfinding, trail access, and interpretive signs, all with a clean, consistent design that orient visitors to the GAP and its towns. Today, the GAP Conservancy leads national marketing and promotional efforts in conjunction with local and regional destination marketing organizations, curates the GAP’s official trail map, produces TrailGuide: The Official Guide to Traveling the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage, and maintains www.gaptrail.org. It coordinates trail count days and analyzes annual trail use patterns, works with municipalities to update wayfinding signage, engages trail town business owners on best practices, and oversees research that documents the impact of GAP travel on the regional economy. It also raises money for trail maintenance and makes emergency and enhancement grants along the GAP corridor. The GAP Conservancy is a nonprofit organization and holds 501(c)3 status with the Internal Revenue Service. It is governed by a 21-member board of directors, and receives an annual independent financial audit.