The Latest News from PA Chapter of APA…
Driving Pennsylvania Transportation Forward: Insights from the State Transportation Advisory Committee
August 6 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
The State Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) has been providing independent guidance to the State Transportation Commission (STC) and the Secretary of Transportation since its creation by Act 120 of 1970. In recent years, the TAC has been addressing many topics that are of interest to transportation planners and PennDOT that are important to improve our understanding of how best to plan for the future of transportation (read more).
Deadline to register is August 5.
APA PA Annual Conference
Save the Date for the APA PA Chapter Annual Conference: Planning the Keystone: Shaping a Resilient Future, which will take place from October 12 -14, 2025 at the Hilton Harrisburg. Reservations can be made for your stay at the Hilton Harrisburg! The easiest way to make a reservation is online. The room rate is good until September 21, but don’t wait to make your reservation. The chapter only has a certain number of rooms in our block and once it’s full, it’s FULL.
Please consider becoming a sponsor, exhibitor or advertiser. More information is available online. The APA PA Annual Conference provides a unique and effective opportunity to showcase your work and capabilities to planning professionals and policy makers from across the Commonwealth. It’s also one of the ways to support planning in Pennsylvania by providing valuable networking, education, and development for planners.
Planning Webcast Series
Earn over 50 AICP CM credits each year online—at no cost to members of participating organizations that support the Planning Webcast Series. Webcasts take place live on Fridays from 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET and are worth 1.5 CM credits (for live viewing only) unless otherwise noted. More information is available online.
Opportunities for Giving
Each year the Chapter offers a scholarship to support individuals seeking funds for academic degree programs, internships, and professional development activities. If anyone would like to contribute to the Chapters Scholarship fund donations can be made online. We accept all major credit cards, and you can also send a check. Please make your check payable to “PA Chapter of APA Scholarship Fund” and mail it to P.O. Box 4680, Harrisburg, PA 17111.
Communication and Membership Committee
We are looking for volunteers to contribute articles for our monthly E-News. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact us.
Build Together, Play Together: Celebrating 40 Years of Park and Recreation Month!
By Betsy Logan
July is Park and Recreation Month, and this year’s theme, “Build Together, Play Together,” is the perfect reminder that every great place to play starts with a plan. From the longest trail systems to the smallest pocket parks, planners work to design sustainable and accessible recreation opportunities that bring a wide range of benefits to communities.
Parks, trails, and green spaces do more than provide places for recreation. They create jobs, manage stormwater, offer socially inclusive gathering spaces, protect cultural heritage, mitigate climate change, enhance property values, attract new businesses, promote health and fitness, and stabilize neighborhoods.
According to the Outdoor Places, Shared Spaces Pennsylvania’s 2025-2029 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (draft), Pennsylvanians enjoy access to:
- 6,429 local parks totaling 203,000 acres,
- 124 State Parks totaling more than 300,000 acres (3 new since 2020),
- 5 million acres of state land open for public recreation, and
- 14,113+ miles of trails on public and private lands
Additionally, 65% of Pennsylvania’s live within a 10-minute walk to outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania, a number the state and municipalities are working hard to increase.
Comprehensive plans, official maps, and land use ordinances help ensure that parkland is protected and developed where it’s needed most. In particular, thoughtful planning plays a vital role in expanding access in underserved neighborhoods.
The draft state plan identifies five priority areas, one of which focuses specifically on improving equity in access. Through targeted funding for rehabilitation, development, and property acquisition, Pennsylvania is investing in inclusive outdoor spaces for all.
With the right tools and support from state programs, we can build together—so everyone can play together.
Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary
By Thiago Almeida
July 26, 2025 is the day that marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA, signed into law in 1990, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. It was a transformative civil rights law that reshaped how the nation builds, governs, and designs the spaces we all share. It serves as a legal mandate and guiding framework for creating more inclusive, accessible, and equitable communities.
For the planning practice, it was a turning point. It brought national attention to the importance of accessibility in transportation, housing, public engagement, community planning, design, and more. The ADA compelled planners to think more intentionally about strategies to create spaces that work for everyone, across all ages, abilities, and life stages. As we commemorate ADA’s 35th anniversary, we celebrate the progress made and recommit to the work ahead.
To find more information about the Americans with Disabilities Act visit their website. To know more about the ADA 35th anniversary go to their website.
Job Postings
There are numerous job opportunities available on the PA Chapter website, check them out. Here are some recent postings:
- Peters Township seeking an Assistance Planning Director
- City of Pittsburgh seeking a Senior Planner