Rivers, , and Conservation Assistance Program Northeast Region U.S. Department of the Interior

Pennsylvania News

NPS Unit State Capital

RTCA-led paddling trips on the Monongahela River PROJECTS AND PARTNERS 2012 Recent Successes CURRENT PROJECTS Derry Station Heritage 1. Delaware River Resource Protection Strategic Plan Delaware River Partnership From 2010-2011, RTCA helped the community of Derry, Penn- 2. Logan Triangle Greening sylvania, nestled along the Chestnut Ridge in Westmoreland Logan Community Development Corporation County, to develop a vision for trail, park, and community link- 3. North Country National Scenic Trail ages. Working with the newly-formed Derry Area Revitaliza- Association tion Corporation (DARCee), a trail committee was formed and various routes were explored with initial hand-drawn maps. In 4. River Trail Trail Council 2010, with the help of Environmental Council and an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus grant, a 5. Schuylkill Highlands Big Woods Trail community charrette was held and a very colorful and graphic Natural Lands Trust Idea Book was produced. Since then, the community has been 6. Water Trail invited to participate in the Laurel Highlands Conservation Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area Landscape Initiative, as one of the first communities in the 7. September 11th National Memorial Trail Chestnut Ridge region. In addition, the community has started September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance working on a Safe Routes To School Initiative. 8. Upper Mon River Towns - PA http://www.facebook.com/DerryPA Pennsylvania Environmental Council Ohio River Trail Find out more about each project starting on page 2. The Ohio River Trail Council has developed a broad-reaching vision for land and water trails along forty-one miles of the ABOUT US The Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program Ohio River and its tributaries, from Coraopolis to the Point of is the community assistance arm of the National Park Service. Beginning at the Ohio, Pennsylvania, and border. RTCA staff provides technical assistance to community groups With the assistance of RTCA staff in three states, the Council and local, state, and federal government agencies working to protect natural areas and water resources and enhance close-to- is accomplishing its goal to close trail gaps in the tri-state area home outdoor recreation opportunities. We help communities through feasibility studies and the revitalization of the Tri-State plan, organize partnerships, and achieve on-the-ground success Trail Initiative. In March 2011, RTCA coordinated a regional on projects they initiate. continued on page 3 Current Projects 1. Delaware River Resource 3. North Country National RTCA Role Protection Strategic Plan Scenic Trail Assist with identification and Project Partner: Delaware River Project Partner: North Country Trail completion of a short, on-the- Greenway Partnership Association ground section of trail based on prior RTCA Contact: Sherry Peck RTCA Contact: Peggy Pings feasibility studies; organizational Location: Delaware River watershed Location: Eight counties in northwest development of a tri-state trail (Delaware Water Gap to upper Pennsylvania umbrella organization. Delaware Estuary) in New Jersey and Congressional Districts: PA-3, 4, 5 Pennsylvania Project Goal Congressional Districts: PA-8, 11, 15; 5. Schuylkill Highlands Big NJ-4, 7, 12 A permanently protected corridor Woods Trail for the 274-mile North Country NST Project Goal Project Partner: Natural Lands Trust in PA; capacity to protect land in RTCA Contact: Kathy Schlegel A 5-year strategic plan for the northwestern PA through strong Location: Berks and Chester Counties in Delaware River Greenway Partnership, working partnerships. Pennsylvania focused on its role in protection and Congressional District: PA-6 stewardship of the natural, cultural, RTCA Role Project Goal and recreational resources of the Facilitate discussions between land Delaware River region in New Jersey protection partners along the NCNST in A new 6-mile multi-use trail within the and Pennsylvania. PA to develop a partnership structure Hopewell Big Woods connecting the for land protection along the trail; to the Boars Back RTCA Role assist with stakeholder identification Trail through , Facilitate a strategic planning process and recruitment. Hopewell Furnace NHS, and Schuylkill and assist with producing an action River National Heritage Area, as well plan; assist with capacity-building of as existing trail networks in North and long-time NPS partner organization. 4. Ohio River Trail South Coventry townships. Project Partner: Ohio River Trail Council RTCA Contact: Peggy Pings RTCA Role 2. Logan Triangle Greening Location: Ohio River in Pennsylvania Work with partners to develop concept Project Partner: Logan Community Congressional Districts: PA-4, 14, 18 for connector trail. Development Corporation Project Goal RTCA Contact: Sherry Peck Location: Philadelphia, PA 41 miles of parallel bike trail and water 6. Schuylkill River Water Congressional District: PA-1 trail from Coraopolis PA to ‘Point of Trail Beginning’ (PA-OH-WV line), and a Project Goal Project Partner: Schuylkill River vision for an interconnected system of National and State Heritage Area Enhancement of sections of site with over 100 miles of land and water trails NPS Contact: Sherry Peck landscaping, a walking trail, possible in PA-OH-WV. Location: Schuylkill River between farm or community garden, and other Pottsville and Philadelphia green uses to convert urban blight into Congressional Districts: PA-1, 2, 6, 7, 13, an attractive neighborhood amenity. 15, 16, 17

RTCA Role Project Goal Develop draft vision and background Improved river safety, riparian information, identify potential funding stewardship, public awareness and sources, engage appropriate partners, local economies; connections from and assist with community charrette river to land trails and into river and implementation of greening plan. communities; a manual for water trail partners to evaluate and plan landing locations, facilities, and signs.

RTCA Role Facilitate public participation; provide The Ohio River Trail Council’s Community Day at the Lock 57 Community Park. guidance on landing/launch facilities; assist in developing strategic plan. page 2 Recent Successes cont. We’re Here For You. workshop that included eighty greenway representatives from eighteen counties and Could your project benefit three states. Also, in October 2011, RTCA served on the planning team for the Power from RTCA Staff Assistance? of 32 Regional Trails Summit, led by the Trail Town Program of The Progress Fund. Contact us to find out. These conferences have supported the completion of the trail network. Sherry Peck http://www.ohiorivertrail.org [email protected] 215.597.6478

Peggy Pings 304.293.7528 [email protected]

Kathy Schlegel 215.597.6486 [email protected]

The Ohio River Trail Council’s Community Day at the Lock 57 Community 2011 Nationwide Park on the Beaver River near Glasgow, PA. Partnership Success Current Projects cont. 1,991 Miles of Trail Developed 7. September 11th National 8. Upper Mon River Towns 1,925 Miles of River Conserved Memorial Trail Project Partner: Pennsylvania 33,230 Acres of Open Space and Project Partner: September 11th Environmental Council Parkland Protected National Memorial Trail Alliance RTCA Contact: Peggy Pings RTCA Contact: Peggy Pings Location: Five towns of California, Percentage of Community 94% Location: Seven state triangle including Fredericktown-Millsboro, Rices Partners Satisfied Shanksville, PA (Flight 93 crash site), Landing, Greensboro, and Point New York City (World Trade Center), Marion in Washington, Greene, and Washington DC (Pentagon). Fayette counties in Pennsylvania Congressional Districts: PA-1, 2, 6, 8, 9, Congressional District: PA-12 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19 Project Goal Project Goal River Towns is a pilot program A 1,100-mile hiking, biking and driving to create sustainable economic trail physically connecting the three development and a conservation ethic national memorials commemorating in communities located along the Find more information online the tragic events that occurred in 2001. Upper Mon River, helping communities at to position themselves to attract www.nps.gov/rtca RTCA Role outdoor recreational visitors to the Facilitate determination of trail route region. through Pennsylvania and assist in the development of an interim Strategic RTCA Role Plan to improve organizational Assist “Community Action Teams” capacity and ensure quality trail with project promotion & awareness, management. finding implementation resources, and EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™ creating paddling events to engage the community. page 3