The Maryland/Northern Virginia, Pittsburgh/Ohio, and Harrisburg/South Eastern PA markets are the customer base for many existing and potential recreational amenities. These amenities are within and around a triangle, the points of which are the Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and D.C. areas. These points can be marketable gateways for an entity that will stand out in the mid-Atlantic region as a five star recreational area. This entity could greatly expand current markets.

Pittsburgh and other Southwestern PA communities became visible as key players in heavy industry because of their strategic location in a region that was rich in the resources vital to the industry. This also created a 'blue color' stigma for the region. Our communities are again in a strategic location. This time the function and signature will be different. The world market will associate the region with quality of life - and so will our own citizens, businesses and organizations.

For this to happen we must understand what we have and how it can be used. Rail Trails and Water Trails are a shining example of ingenuity in this respect. Thematic Trails that link centers of art, entertainment, history, culture and education are other examples. We're only lightly scratching the surface.

The Athenians proposed a balance of body and mind. Athletics, Arts, and Entertainment all were important to their culture. What we're moving toward might be a region-wide system of recreational options with an Athenian flavor. Visualize a system of riverfront parks, with canoe/kayak landing sites, that would run along the flat water from Johnstown or Conellsville to Pittsburgh. Behind the parks would be communities with aesthetic districts offering dining, lodging, arts and entertainment. These communities could become 'Trail Ports'. Day trips, long weekends and extended vacations would find people paddling, hiking, and biking from port to port. In port they could have lunch then move on. They could have diner, go to the theater, shop and spend the night. Many businesses, such as port to port shuttles that allowed one way excursions would evolve. Amenities in, close proximity, highlight one another.