One Day. Infinite Connections.
The Triangle Trails Initiative is focused on a network of greenways and trails across the 15-county Research Triangle region—and this one-day Summit is where momentum happens. You’ll connect with the people who dream, fund, design, and deliver the paths that move our region forward.
TRIANGLE TRAILS SUMMIT
April 30, 2026 • Dix Chapel
10AM - 4PM
Triangle Trails Summit
Fostering a Regional Culture of Connectivity
Join trail champions from across the Triangle region for a high-impact day focused on turning bold ideas into built greenways. The Triangle Trails Summit brings together planners, business professionals, elected leaders, and advocates to unlock funding, fast-track feasibility, and strengthen regional connectivity. Reserve your spot and help shape the next generation of trails in our region.
Connecting people and communities through strategic investments that foster active lifestyles and deep engagement with nature.
Who Should Attend
- Municipal & Regional Planners
- Elected Officials & Government Leaders
- Greenway & Trail Advocates
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Business Leaders
- Civic Partners
Featured Experts
Meet Our Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Brian Strong
Director of North Carolina State Parks
Expanding park access, protecting land, and growing funding so more North Carolinians can explore and learn from the state’s most treasured natural places.
More Presenters & Panelists
Palmer McIntyre
Great Trail State Coalition
Leading North Carolina’s “Great Trails State” movement by securing funding, planning regional trail networks, and connecting communities to nature through the Piedmont Legacy Trails and Year of the Trail.
Kaitlyn Faugerstrom, PE
Kimley-Horn
Project engineer and manager specializing in stormwater, roadway, greenway, and sidewalk design, focused on helping communities thrive and expanding the Triangle’s trail network with energy, dedication, and collaborative spirit.
Sig Hutchinson
Chair, Triangle Trails Initiative; Former Wake County Commissioner
Longtime “Mr. Greenways” champion who has led hundreds of millions in bonds for parks, greenways, transportation, and open space, helping make Wake County and the Triangle healthier, more connected, and more livable.
Andrew Meeker
East Coast Greenway Alliance
Statewide greenway leader, guiding communities as they plan, build, and maintain trail segments, leveraging GIS, mapping, and grassroots organizing experience to advance an equitable, connected corridor across North Carolina.
Colleen McGue
Triangle West TPO
Planning manager with more than a decade of experience linking land use, mobility, and Complete Streets, coordinating across agencies to fund and deliver context-sensitive transportation projects in North Carolina and Florida
Kari Grace
Town of Wake Forest
Urban planner with over a decade of local government experience, managing projects and programs, advancing city and regional planning best practices, and helping shape more livable, well-planned communities across North Carolina.
Vimal Vyas, CDME
Visit Raleigh
Destination data and technology leader advancing AI-driven innovation, digital products, and analytics to elevate Raleigh’s visitor experience and tourism economy.
Tanner Hayslette
Town of Rolesville
Driving long-range planning, greenway routing, and mobility initiatives to create a more connected, walkable Rolesville through regional collaboration, comprehensive planning, and innovative microtransit service.
Caleb Lowman
Kimley-Horn
Professional engineer with 11+ years designing greenways, rail trails, sidewalks, and streetscapes, skilled at coordinating with NCDOT to deliver context-sensitive, safe, and accessible active transportation projects for municipalities.
Hart Evans
NCDOT
Transportation planner with a strong multimodal focus, experienced in NEPA, Complete Streets, public involvement, technical writing, and ArcGIS, grounded in environmental studies, political science, and city and regional planning training at UNC.
Rashawn King
Triangle Trails Initiative
First-ever regional program manager for TTI, leading a 15-county effort to make the Triangle a national greenway leader, coordinating partners, funding, and outreach to build, promote, and connect trails across the region.
Kenneth Withrow
CAMPO
Senior transportation planner and AICP-certified leader advancing bike, pedestrian, and Safe Routes to School initiatives, shaping transformative MPO and local projects while staying deeply engaged in music, biking, and civic life.
Nathaniel Heyward
Kimley-Horn
Transportation and mobility planner focused on active transportation and multimodal networks, aligning community vision and technical analysis to deliver safe, equitable, and highly actionable plans across the Carolinas and beyond.
Special thanks to our Title Sponsor
Agenda
Morning Sessions
9:30–10:00 AM — Registration, Networking & Coffee
10:10–10:20 AM — Welcome & Introduction | Kaitlyn Faugerstrom (Kimley-Horn)
10:25–11:25 AM — Panel Discussion | Funding & ROI: Challenges and Success Stories |
Facilitator: Kaitlyn Faugerstrom (Kimley-Horn); Panelists: Colleen McGue (Triangle West),
Tanner Hayslette (Town of Rolesville), Kenneth Withrow (CAMPO), Nathaniel Heyward (Kimley-Horn)
Lunch
11:30 AM–12:00 PM — Lunch provided and Networking
12:00–12:30 PM — Keynote Address | Brian Strong (NC Director of State Parks)
Afternoon Sessions
12:35–1:20 PM — Session A | Case Study: | Speakers: Kari Grace (Town of Wake Forest); Caleb Lowman (Kimley-Horn)
1:20–1:50 PM — Session B | Statewide Connectivity | Speaker: Hart Evans (NCDOT)
2:00–2:20 PM — GIS & Digital Data | Wander Map Update | Speakers: Vimal Vyas (Visit Raleigh) & Rashawn King (TTI)
2:20–3:05 PM — Session C | Roundtable Discussion: Public Engagement Facilitator: Rashawn King (TTI)
Closing Session
3:15–3:45 PM — Updates & Initiatives | Speakers: Palmer McIntyre (Great Trail State Coalition) & Andrew Meeker (East Coast Greenway Alliance)
3:45–4:00 PM — Closing Remarks | Speakers: Rashawn King, Sig Hutchinson
TTI Summit After Party
Join us for a social gathering after the summit.
4:30-6:30PM
The Bike Library is located in Raleigh's Warehouse District near downtown.
600 W. Cabarrus St., Ste 113
Raleigh, NC 27603
Overlooking downtown Raleigh, the Greg Poole, Jr. All Faiths Dix Chapel is a wonderful community space and event venue in the heart of Dix Park.
SUMMIT Location
1030 Richardson Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603
Parking is located in front of the chapel.
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