Chapter 4 Greenway and Open Space Framework

Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 49 Chapter 4 Chapter Greenway and Open Space Framework Space and Open Greenway

Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 51 ------structured to obtain more specific input. more obtain to structured includ process, which The public participation public meet committee, steering ed a project a web-based and interviews, groups ings, focus crucial was interviews, and landowner survey, the specific needs of Union in understanding forests and other open spaces and the develop and other open spaces forests Residents and trails. parks of greenways, ment greenways therefore recreation; outdoor value peo for needed in order and open spaces are Overall activities. in those participate ple to ac water trails, greenways, is support for there and the pro restoration watershed cess points, open space. land as permanent of more tection for this greenway engagement citizen Therefore augment to designed and open space plan was and was been documented had already what - - - - Plan update were also reviewed and are high and are also reviewed were Plan update in Appendix A. lighted Engagement Citizen plans of the various the results looking at By peo how known generally it was and outreach, farmland, about retaining felt ple in the county zation’s (MPO) Long-Range Transportation Transportation (MPO) Long-Range zation’s Plan, West Plan, Susquehanna Greenway Plan and Stewardship Trail Water Branch of neighboring counties the plans for greenway and Northumberland. Lycoming, Centre, of the from many results Public participation Com Town River the Lewisburg and above Statewide Pennsylvania the munity initiative, Pennsyl the Plan and from Recreation Outdoor Year 12 of Transportation’s Department vania ------

ow do Union County citizens see the future see the future citizens do Union County ow and trails parks, open space, of greenways, West Branch Susquehanna River Conservation Conservation Susquehanna River Branch West Planning Organi- Metropolitan Plan, SEDA-COG Union County greenways and open space were and open space were greenways Union County Chesa and included the following: reviewed Public Access Plan, Lower Watershed Bay peake In addition, plans that were statewide or re or statewide were In addition, plans that for implications contained gion-based that woods Greenway Conceptual Plan, US Route Plan, US Route Conceptual Greenway woods Corridor Plan, and the 15 Smart Transportation Inventory. Areas Natural Union County Park, Recreation, Open Space & Greenway Plan, Open Space & Greenway Recreation, Park, Feasibility Final Section Trail Rail Valley Buffalo River Launch Report, River Lewisburg Study, communities: Bucknell River Access Report, Access Bucknell River communities: Bull Run Neigh Plan, Watershed Creek Buffalo Comprehensive Area borhood Plan, Lewisburg were reviewed along with the following plans along with the following reviewed were and its to Union County specific and reports ted and validated. and validated. ted plans and municipal comprehensive The county A contains a summary of this review which re a summary of this review A contains and policies, recommendations, goals, vealed vet had been previously that specific projects past decade to determine what had already had already what determine to decade past of public attitudes in terms been documented space. Appendix and open greenways toward ning process. The first step, however, was to was however, step, The first ning process. of prior planning the results review carefully the over conducted efforts and engagement working landscapes? That question, among among question, That landscapes? working plan as part of this answered needed others,

Introduction H Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 52 successful greenway andopenspacesystem tions intended to solicithow they envision a ipants were asked to respond to several ques and watershed associations. Interview partic community advocates, recreation enthusiasts, University, healthcare professionals, landtrusts, included natural resource managers, Bucknell held, involving more thanadozen peoplethat public forum. Atotal ofeight interviews were wise may nothave happened inatraditional effective for having opendialoguethat other ing Committee andpublicmeetings and were Interviews were usedto supplement theSteer Interviews implementation strategies. system andhadto weigh various options and portant for acounty greenway andopenspace assortment ofcontrasting ideasofwhat isim Overall, theSteering Committee balancedan tion to assisting with interpreting publicinput. provided inputby identifying key issuesinaddi throughout theproject. Thecommittee also asasoundingboardserving for ideasgenerated brought aregional andconsistent focus while role indevelopment oftheplan.Thecommittee a diverse set ofinterests, played animportant 14-member Steering Committee, representing through to thefinal recommendations, the From theearlystages oftheplanningprocess Steering Committee ties. plan’s vision,goals andimplementation priori space. Thisfeedback was usedto shapethe County residents regarding greenways andopen ------as implementation priorities.Finally, everyone tion andprojects that shouldbe considered with specificideas for openspace conserva special needsthat shouldbeaddressed, along years. They were alsoasked to identify any ervation, trails, andparks over thenext 10 be for greenways, openspace,farmland pres in thecounty andwhat theprioritiesshould Creek, connecting existing parks andopen suggested includedimproving accessto Penns and activitycenters. Otheritems repeatedly nections to itinorder to linkneighborhoods Buffalo Valley Rail Trail andbuildingnew con noted asahighpriority, aswas finishingthe enway withaccessto andalongtheriver was fers. Implementation oftheSusquehanna Gre quently alongwiththeneedfor riparianbuf forests, and critical habitat was mentioned fre common themes.Conservation of farmland, These interviews generated anumberof space related uses. stricted to conservation, greenways, andopen thetical $1millionoffundingthat was re was asked how they would allocate ahypo ------interviews itwas decidedthat large landholders as apriorityby theSteering Committee andin ridor inthecounty andrepeatedly mentioned Greenway beingthemost visiblegreenway cor concerns oflandowners. WiththeSusquehanna was important to understand theopinionsand would needto occuronprivate property, it new greenways andopenspaceconservation In addition,given that the vast majority of public green space. Elementary Schoolproperty into aparkand communities, and converting the New Berlin in Mifflinburg, greening the downtowns within wetlands andopenspacealongBuffalo Creek Shikellamy Bluffs, expanding the conserved as having ahighprioritywere protecting the Other specificprojects that were mentioned included thefollowing: cated, theanswers were fairly consistent and million ofconservation fundingshouldbeallo In response to thequestion abouthow $1 that connect resources. State Forest andestablishing ripariancorridors spaces, expanding core areas like theBaldEagle residents andwithinschools. Conservation education andmarketing for prove water quality;and Install riparianbuffers along streams to im- and important wildlife habitat; Permanently preserve farmland, forests, tem; Branch SusquehannaRiver withatrail sys- Improve accessto andalongtheWest - - Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 53

rg ices Building

rv s! 5th Street, Lewisbu

tnut Street h 1 p. Municipal Building wp. Community Center rt Tw S.R. 235 ield te ley T linburg 24 96 White Deer Avenue 55 No Allenwood Fire Hall 1 Allenwood 70 Municipal Lane Winf Union Union County Government Center 1 Hart 17 Laurelton UC Government Se 343 Ches Miff CE PLAN CE PLAN

A da M M M M M P P P P A

e 0 0 0 0 0 g 0 0 0 0 0 : : : : : or th 0 s 8 8 8 8 y. 1 - - - - ideas - on 0 0 0 0 0 discussion 0 0 0 0 of 0 our : : : : : e enwa y 6 6 6 6 8 th ques re te

ucgre Join Ask Sha 5

and OPEN SP and OPEN no 2

e UNION COUNTY COUNTY e UNION a Y

2 1 1 4 R Th

1 5

A ke H H H H announcement on their website and Facebook and Facebook on their website announcement Watershed Creek Buffalo while the page, Society Historical Alliance and Union County and attendance encouraging emailed members participation. U PUBLIC MEETINGS PUBLIC C C C C R R R R R Ma B A A A A A OF E AY GREENW F M M M M SERIES - - - - The , ,

Standard Journal Standard Union County Times Union County , Williamsport Sun Gazette notifications to municipal governing bodies to municipal notifications and with 11x17 and planning commissions county. the around posted flyers colored committee steering and organizations Partner For the meetings. also promoted members had an the Merrill Linn Conservancy example, servation greenway (buffer) and to a and (buffer) greenway servation green a recreational extent limited fashion. in a piecemeal and trail way implementation As such, greenway place take will need to along the river the over effort a concerted through in own as changes years twenty next bear a different to bring could ership of attitudes. set Public Meetings held were public meetings Five obtain to the county throughout input on the greenway valuable and open space plan. The sessions releases/ via press announced were in the stories Daily Item and on the county posts newspapers, and project county page, Facebook emailed and mailed through website, The interview results, and no response response and no results, The interview mul after landowners other 10 the by would them, contact to attempts tiple in lack of interest overall an to point riverfront and a greenway developing among term in the short system trail there However owners. the property con for a opportunities present are ------should the government try to impose a trail or impose a trail tryto should the government property on riverfront other stipulations any owners. river and/or their property. One person inter One person their property. and/or river the toward manner in a hostile reacted viewed action legal and threatened concept greenway worries about: liability, trash, privacy, being privacy, trash, about: liability, worries and the belief with maintenance, burdened the impede their use of would a greenway that The main concerns to a greenway that provid that a greenway to The main concerns and included consistent ed public access were expressed a sincere desire for a greenway along a greenway for desire a sincere expressed the idea. to resistant were but most the river, tion easements or agricultural preservation and preservation or agricultural tion easements about knowledge had any none of the eight interviewees Two the Susquehanna Greenway. appreciative that the county was trying to un was trying county the that appreciative two Only and attitudes. their concerns derstand conserva with familiar were of the landowners er expressed a desire to preserve the buffer. the buffer. preserve to a desire er expressed at not have would said they interviewees Most were and topic on this public meeting a tended had a vegetative buffer of 30 to 150 feet be feet 150 to of 30 buffer had a vegetative own Each land fields. and farm the river tween All but one of the people interviewed owned a owned people interviewed All but one of the property and every the river to adjacent farm the Bucknell University Center for Sustainability Sustainability for Center University the Bucknell interviewed personally and the Environment of 18. out of a total willing landowners eight greenway has also been the subject of ongoing of ongoing the subject also been has greenway the Susquehanna by and outreach planning from member A faculty Partnership. Greenway in the corridor should be interviewed. This This be interviewed. should corridor in the Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 54 mendations could bewritten on awhite board. “Idea Station” where goals, ideas,and recom to rotate amongthree stations. This included an After thepresentation, participants were asked enways andopenspaceinthecounty. cerns, needs,desires and issuesconcerning gre hear from residents abouttheirthoughts, con have theirideasrecorded. Theintent was to ule, andinstructions onhow attendees could greenways andopenspace,theproject sched plan was beingdone,itspurpose,benefits of and openspaceplanthat addressed why the tured ashortpresentation aboutthegreenway of project information andhandouts fea The format ofthesesessionsincludeddisplays flinburg, Winfield, Allenwood, and Lewisburg. The meetings were heldinLaurelton, Mif ------mation that primarily centered onthe The “saved”. different priorityor to suggest themoney be box toparks) designate oruse the “Other” a water access,riparianbuffers, community project priorities(i.e.landpreservation, trails, money into boxes representing predetermined people could deposit their$100ofMonopoly drawn. Lastly was the“ written onthemaps and additional features ter accessandthelike. Comments could be be created, locations for riparianbuffers, wa should bepreserved, new bike trails should countywide maps to show where farmland space resources, could beplacedonaset of representing a variety ofgreenway andopen There was a “ Idea and Mapping Station Mapping Stations yieldedinfor Money Station ” where stickers, ” where - - beyond Mifflinburg and creating connectors considerable interest inexpanding thetrail west River inLewisburg Borough. There was also and makingaconnection to theSusquehanna Trail (BVRT) by completing theUS15crossing emphasis onfinishingtheBuffalo Valley Rail ment practices. Trails were apopular topic with education about farm andhomebest manage was frequently mentioned alongwithproviding tection where streamside vegetation isminimal to establish greenways for environmental pro The need to protect existing riparianbuffers and Berlin. Route 304corridor between Winfield andNew as farmland preservation prioritiesas wasthe 45, andFurnaceRoad corridors were identified the ColonelJohnKelly Road, Route 192,Route between Lewisburg andMifflinburg following For example large swaths ofagricultural areas land protection through themapping exercise. goals. Participants identified specific areas for implementation oflanduseand conservation revising local ordinances to provide consistent greenway andopenspaceprotection, and opment, theuseofincentives to encourage conservation efforts, limiting sprawl devel tions includedpromoting more voluntary land Land preservation was apriorityandsugges growing residential neighborhoods. as inAllenwood Village, andto provide parks in dents donothave accessto suchfeatures, such need to establish community parks where resi trails, andwater access.Ingeneral peoplefelt a preservation, riparianbuffers/stream quality, common themesofcommunity parks, land - - - - - Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 55 - - - - - more than $50 more

There were two questions related related questions two were There and open greenways funding for to it that space. In one 83% agreed use of funds an appropriate was pre to governments local for pedestrian transportation”. pedestrian green equate respondents Survey with space, and trails open ways, as 98% said health and wellness for important are these resources community. such purposes in the as the most reported were Trails oppor recreation needed outdoor tunities.

areas, greenways and to establish parks, trails trails parks, establish to and greenways areas, indi takers of survey 57% buffers, and stream provide a willingness to cated such purposes while 64% supported for a year not willing Only 15% were a year. $30 or more all. at contribute to serve farmland and natural resources, provide provide resources, and natural farmland serve install and trails, greenways parks, community wa roads and lanes on bicycle riparian buffers, or not whether When asked access areas. ter contribute personally be willing to would they natural farmland, preserve annually to money ridors, wildlife habitat, and forests being noted being noted forests and habitat, wildlife ridors, to critical most are lands that types of as the When a close fourth. was Farmland protect. greenways of benefits which identify to asked participants appealing most are space open and and protected rivers, skies, clean “clear cited a “providing by followed the most wildlife” and and “bicycle recreation” outdoor place for the Go? - - - Where Where Should Money Money

Land

Preservation, 30% Preservation, Trails, 25% Trails,

Other,

Water Parks, 15% Parks,

Community Access, 10%

Riparian Buffers, 13%Buffers,

2015. A total of 150 people participated in the of 150 people participated 2015. A total of variety a and answered survey 15 question and open space. about greenways questions it felt 94% of respondents An overwhelming natu Union County’s protect to important very cor- with stream and open space resources ral Figure 1. The Money Station Exercise Station The Money 1. Figure Online Survey could that residents accommodate to In order a public meeting, or who simply not attend convenience the input from providing prefer online of their home, a brief and comforts June April through from available was survey enway and open space implementation catego space implementation and open enway as illustrated trails, and preservation ries.Land 25% of with 29% and way 1, led the in Figure prior those two to being designated all funds (15%), riparian buffers parks ities. Community The (10%) followed. access water (13%), and popular. the least “Other” (7%) was category ------showed how people would people would how showed Money Exercise Exercise Money The on gre- resources and spend limited prioritize designation of US 15, and Routes 45, 192 and Routes of US 15, and designation with PennDOT. 44 as Scenic Byways open space; adequately planning for the main planning for open space; adequately park, green community future of any tenance the and evaluating improvements, trail and way program for suburban and urban residents; us suburban and urban residents; for program areas in high profile projects ing demonstration and trails, of greenways, the benefits show to in Lewisburg Borough. Miscellaneous sugges Borough. in Lewisburg and historic cultural tions included providing mentor an outdoor creating interpretation; Other suggestions included creating a more a more included creating Other suggestions and kayaks canoes access for river formalized Creek water trail was popular along with de popular along with was trail water Creek Great the county’s access at river veloping near Allenwood. property Commons Stream Complex. the idea of a Penns access, of water In terms educating the public about proper walking walking the public about proper educating access from improving and biking rules, and Soccer the Riverwoods to Borough Lewisburg County was often cited as well. Other suggeswell. as cited often was County desig PennDOT the tions included improving V and J with wider shoulders, routes bike nated of the county that would connect Winfield to Winfield connect would that of the county Northumberland in Borough Northumberland ing a trail in Gregg Township that would con would that Township in Gregg ing a trail in Ly Borough Montgomery to nect Allenwood portion in the southern trail A County. coming BVRT. A trail and greenway system along the along the system and greenway A trail BVRT. another was River Susquehanna Branch West creat priority including mentioned frequently from neighborhoods and activity centers to the centers and activity neighborhoods from Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 56 nity, cultural, historic, andnatural resources ed withanalyzing and mappingvarious commu The greenway andopenspaceframework start context ofthistown andcountry landscape. priorities for future implementation withinthe more closelyinorder to identify more specific designed to lookat greenways andopen space as openspace.Thiscurrent planning effort was percentage ofthecounty isproposed to remain aforementioned comprehensive plan, alarge in As can beseenontheFuture LandUseMap by thisplan. fiscaland conserving resources are reinforced preserving rural resources, conserving energy, ment in anaround established communities, planning principlesoffocusing new develop naturalconserving resource areas. Thelanduse into andsecondary growth primary areas while that recommend directing future development county andmunicipalcomprehensive plans management strategy developed aspartofthe consistent withandcomplements thegrowth and agricultural resources. Thisframework is and conservation ofthe county’s rich natural ty, andpromotes thelong-term sustainability and facilities, adds to theeconomic prosperi tern that efficiently uses existing resources prepared that defines an overall spatial pat a greenway andopenspace framework was of theopportunitiespresented inChapter 3, Based onthevisionandgoals, andananalysis Framework Methodology Figure 6of Chapter 2,

excerpted from the - - - - - of thegreenway andopenspacesystem. goals were integrated to shapethestructure public participation results,thevision,and values to features present ontheland.Then identified through GISmodelingthat assigned Systems (GIS).Conservation priorities were information usingGeographic Information within thecounty by overlapping layers of al, andalternative transportation objectives. functions includingenvironmental, recreation other handare intended to serve multiple trails. Multi-use corridors/greenways onthe habitat anddonotincludeamenitiessuchas ality for improved water qualityandwildlife greenways are to promote ecological function corridors inthisplan.Conservation corridors/ fied into conservation corridors ormulti-use more greenways (spokes) have beenclassi centers where peoplelive andwork. Further neighborhoods, schools,andemployment and recreational andcultural destinations with between thehubs that connect natural areas the spokes are greenways andopenspaces forests andotherimportant destinations and Pennsylvania Greenway Plan.Hubs are state is consistent withthemethodology ofthe hubs andspokes that generally follows and The framework establishes anetwork of - - - - alternative. jected. Therefore itwas ruledoutasapreferred appear to beviableandwould most likely bere Steering Committee, thisalternative doesnot public input,trends, andguidancefrom the would befairly marginal aswell. Basedonthe the opportunitycosts ofinaction.Thebenefits to bethemost costly over thelong-term dueto economical intheshort-term butcould prove the surface thisalternative would bethemost the actionsnecessary for implementation. On would bepursued, whichwould certainly limit a specificplan to follow andnonew initiatives rently. Meaningthere essentially would notbe 10 to 20years thanwhat isbeingdonecur would notdoanything different over thenext trusts, businesses,landowners, andresidents this approach thecounty, municipalities, land servation andgreenway development. Under tain thestatus quointerms ofopenspacecon One alternative for thefuture is to simplymain concept. a preferred greenway andopenspacenetwork goals. Thisinformation was thenused to finalize as consistency withthestated planvisionand hood ofsuccess,andotherrelevant factors such ment it, relative costs, expected benefits, likeli and private actions would be required to imple were evaluated generally to assesswhat public ning effort. Each ofthe concepts presented concepts were considered aspartofthisplan Several alternative greenway andopenspace Alternative Concepts Greenway andOpenSpace ------Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 57 ------he proposed Union County Greenway system system Greenway Union County he proposed intersection of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail and Trail Rail Valley of the Buffalo intersection Susquehanna Greenway the major statewide Trail. Water Branch the West including corridor, State Eagle is the Bald The other hub identified pro block that which is a major habitat Forest, land conservation, forest vides extensive T that (corridors) and spokes is built upon hubs com a link between establish designed to are and open work and people live munities where provide and other activity centers; space areas offer of interest; points between connections trans opportunities and recreation increased for open space choices; and preserve portation func ecological and important habitat wildlife tions. of a high degree feature that areas are Hubs signif activity and are wildlife human and/or greenway the within points destination icant been have hubs Two and open space system. is the first The county. within the identified based which is designated area Lewisburg including available are on the amenities that fuel, enter downtown, a core lodging, food, and historical cultural recreation, tainment, and other services.at the Additionally it is sites, Therefore this is the preferred alternative that that alternative preferred this is the Therefore in the be addressed and will is recommended 4 in Figure The map of this chapter. remainder of the preferred layout the conceptual shows the across and open space network greenway county. Towns and Trail Hubs Greenway

- resources, greenways, greenways, resources, with the vision and achieve Be consistent access to water water access to owners with the overall community; the overall with owners and rate; of in terms reasonable be more Would impacts. fiscal long-term the conservation goals outlined by the goals outlined the conservation committee; public and the steering opportunities new provide Strategically and im- public access, recreation, for health; proved Balance the interests of private land land of private Balance the interests success implementation a higher Have not be consistent with the vision and goals, it with the vision and goals, not be consistent not recommended. was be consis appear to would that An approach is the goals and with the vision statement tent of elements which blends alternative fourth described alternatives and third the second of greenways is a network Envisioned above. both feature would and open space that areas. only conservation multi-purpose and of be a combination would Within this system riparian blocks, habitat spokes, hubs, greenway and priority parks, trails, towns, trail buffers, this alternative It is believed areas. agricultural would: alternative two above. While this might be this might While above. two alternative the achieve not it would some, by supported citizen based on developed goals vision and and goals The vision statement engagement. opportunities providing reference specifically health and recreation community improved for through this would Since and trails. open space, parks ------This approach would theoretically have a high have theoretically would This approach costs and the of implementation er probability than for manageable be much more would access to support recreational opportunities support recreational access to transpor alternative and other functions like interpretation. and historic cultural and tation servation greenways (i.e. riparian buffers) and (i.e. riparian buffers) greenways servation no public provide open space that protected further consideration. con all to have would be alternative A third a result, an expansive multi-purpose greenway greenway multi-purpose an expansive a result, access is public where and open space network not given was extent the fullest to maximized ation standpoint, and it would set an ambitious would set and it standpoint, ation success implementation low the future, for goal plan. As the of life the during expected be could county and municipalities to pursue. While the While to pursue. municipalities and county recre a high from extremely would be benefits species being protected. Furthermore the cost the cost Furthermore species being protected. such an exten and maintaining of developing for the be prohibitive would system trail sive spread support. Also there are critical habitats habitats critical are support. Also there spread use are public access and recreational where the to impacts detrimental due to not desired of property owners when the Buffalo Valley Valley when the Buffalo owners of property not an this is likely developed, was Rail Trail of wide deal a great will have that alternative landownership, concerns noted in the river noted concerns landownership, and the sentiments survey, landowner front include conservation buffers along waterways waterways along buffers include conservation and recreation for access and trails with public of private the amount Given transportation. tegrated multi-purpose greenway and open and open greenway multi-purpose tegrated line major ridge every following space network would which county within the and waterway A second alternative would be to have an in have to be would alternative A second Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 58 than hubs. er inscale andhave fewer amenities available visit. However trail towns generally are small is afriendlyplacethat encourages trail users to becomes anintegral partofthecommunity and enjoy otherassets. Intrail towns thetrail often an conveniently venture offthebeaten path to able andby providing alocation where people ers by having avail neededgoods andservices trail, orhikingtrail. Trail towns supporttrail us trail-based tourism, whether arail trail, water destinations along major trails that capture Trail Towns, like hubs, are activitycenters or tiple partners. currently beingexplored withinthishubby mul are proposed greenway related improvements work andaSusquehannaRiver Sportspark north andwest branches. Aregional trail net at theconfluence oftheSusquehannaRiver’s Monroe Township, andShikellamy State Park City ofSunbury, NorthumberlandBorough, is theLake Augusta area that isformed by the Snyder Counties, but connects to UnionCounty A hubthat isprimarilyinNorthumberlandand Inventory. species identified inthe county Natural Area includes anumberofsensitive plant andanimal is alsoanimportant bird andmammalarea and and numerous othernature-based activities.It hunting, naturefishing, study, snowmobiling, center for horseback hiking, camping, riding, developed amenities,butisasignificant activity This isanatural resource-based hubthat lacks watershed protection, andoutdoor recreation. - - - - - an interest inmoving thisideaforward. phy issuitable andlandowners have expressed limited to certain sectionswhere the topogra tially theaccessandtrail component would be incorporate publicaccessandatrail system. Ini is proposed asamulti-use corridor that would Conservancy. Here theSusquehanna Greenway developed by theNorthcentral Pennsylvania the Lower West Branch River Conservation Plan regional prioritythat was originallyidentified in Susquehanna Greenway Partnership andisa wide greenway that hasbeenplannedby the a highprofile greenway. Thisisamajor state north to theSnyder County lineinthesouthis extends from theLycoming County lineinthe West Branch oftheSusquehannaRiver that County theSusquehannaGreenway alongthe towns, habitats, anddestinations. InUnion green infrastructure that connect hubs, trail Greenway corridors are thelinearsegments of Greenway Corridors Overview hubs andtrail towns are identified onFigure 2. new trails androutes are established. Greenway tional trail towns could emerge inthefuture if based destinations and points of interest. Addi to othercultural, historic, ornatural resource to have available food, fuel andlinks lodging, future trail andcurrently have orare expected of theirlocal economy around anexisting or town. Theseare areas that can build asegment town andAllenwood isdepicted asafuture trail Mifflinburg isdesignated asan existing trail - - - - Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 59 , n s e s, tio t t r , n s o ) u e rce p y o ty ta u s a n o n rtm Mile ial R l u t D s

a 5 w e o a a ry e I Da p t e h p N t p a a C t W f Tra g t l R rail a i n d T ci A De t a o st iaS Y i

t r T n io r H p L n ia

St P n n

n s (N u

e tu a n e Y r e y t S E e A D ON , U A a n ion y lva il Bo Mu P U I Na rtm sylv C IS S s RI ine d a a w n sy p W p n g p e ra n n n N n w SE n a o G T N e c En e , ES e n t n O O De y Pe C il E f x a e c tio ia o , P C n a RP m, a n d

E a E on e V t e

re Gre e rp ra

r rv n R a

ni E R PU b g lva

e Sp u e G a a .5 c

t u t Ag

C G Co sy 2 G : U n rail L n n Pro n u n IS D

n H

t ley NI T Sp µ n A s

n l by my o il e

s e G me io e D ion c g y f Co c a a P n t t e d e d Ar R AN ty

lk ra m r a p E g

rk , P h V a re a n t o e w S rail re rita

a a n LEGEND T u

u e n v e PL o s w s R n o T o o O e US r rv lt pa r

a tio l 5 u He n o Pa Ga F N ik T

y R rw m c e R e C u r e a q .2 e A), p n t rtm n B il f E s d e te s e e e a 1 Pre ral y M

E FO y a n t t t ing a io v n ms a t d c n n ric p e P tu i SD A r n r F a rea a a n a n Pla e n a Pro ik o o A Pro W s P Buf Sus T R l Gre u O u E D N re ve H St St C St St Ag C ive rge i o ta (P s: U a o s i ia R n R St Bo C n a n ss e me p rce n e P o n o u 0 h o l E o e cce lva ylva iro !¡ &M r _ ^ ¡© A y s v ra p

S n n n e a a Pr m t t d f E Co Fe Da Pen Pen o Da C C

1 D 1 J K - e N - e !¡ A M M D D L U U c N c N R H H A A E T T L L a a R B R R R O E M O E B N N B U p p 5 1 H J K 5 !¡ T 1 J K R S S O

N _ ^ &M n ! u ¡ n n R r

o e d n i n r o i r t a s o t e e C n e r

u m o r r i o d L o e i d r e M i r

r D o

n r i e C o

t i C k o e p r p l h e r

o o m e o o W r d a l H i d

C i h r r r r S ffa e r o e u o C

B C D

k k e e R e l t e t i e t e O r h i O r C L E C W D

n r u o Y R

d i e r c r N u o r C d p d S S 0 8 !"# n n a ¡© a R R

E E G G 2 &M 9 D D N N 1 ?@ I I Y n Y r r u o o y R y M d

M d N i N i

r d r i r r h p o O S c o O S a C n C

R 5 a k r k 4 C C ?@ e a e B a r

e e r o h r Y t Y C d C

i r

r s o o L r l L n N o fa n C f e u P B w w G k

r !¡ e N T r o C I d

i n

r o n l r S o fa M f C

u E B O

e e

ek R re C

ing Fish C Y O

e L e F

E r r

T S G G

_ ^ E

u o L R d

y r r G n

t C A S

D e N e L

O A B r T r N I r r L N N C O O e E e T T R N N f f T I I L E L E N C R C R e E e T T C N N r r E E C C P P Figure 2. Preferred Greenway and Open Space Concept Space and Open Greenway 2. Preferred Figure Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 60 buffers witha35-foot minimum side cropland andpastureland through 2019 to increase stream has set agoal for years 2016 District inits2025Strategic Plan The UnionCounty Conservation to accommodate them. the property owners were willing trails inallthesecorridors even if cal level to develop andmaintain capacity doesnotexist at thelo Also aspreviously noted thefiscal if publicaccesswas notincluded. lenges, would bemore acceptable still posingimplementation chal conservation greenways, while feedback itwould appearthat farmed andbasedonlandowner much oftheseareas are actively activities. The reason forthisapproach isthat wished to allow publicaccessfor recreational each property owner asto whether ornotthey aged orformalized. Itwould bethedecisionof access for themost partwould notbeencour varying by stream. Inthesecorridors public county streams withthewidthofbuffer purposes are recommended alongallother ed ornot.Greenway corridors for conservation poses regardless ofwhether atrail isconstruct established alongtheriver for ecological pur that aminimumof100-foot forested buffer be In terms ofconservation, itis recommended nect communities upanddowntheriver valley. implement thetrail component that could con private ownership, itmay take decades to fully Given that themajorityofcorridor isin ------widths. Theconsensus isthat riparianbuffers evaluate theeffectiveness of variousbuffer on research studies they have conducted to Center suggests a100-foot minimumbased imum buffer whiletheStroud Water Research tal Protection recommends 50 feet asthemin the Pennsylvania Department ofEnvironmen of permanent vegetation. Ontheotherhand, minimums for stream corridors inthecounty, we have attempted to suggest recommended organizations, andlandowners. Inthisplan, regulatory agencies, scholars, conservation composition is still apoint ofdebate among side habitat. However theprecise widthand charge, andfor providing shadeandstream storing floodwaters, aidinggroundwater re are extremely beneficial for treating runoff, - - - - conservation greenways shouldbeestablished ment corridors. Alongothercounty streams tion, and to provide habitat andwildlife move for water qualityimprovements, bankstabiliza should have aminimumof50feet established and areas where buffers are presently lacking ing forested riparianbuffers shouldbe retained Creek, SpruceRun,RapidLaurel Run)exist jor tributaries (i.e.SpringCreek, LittleBuffalo Creek. Ontheselarger streams andtheirma White DeerCreek, Buffalo Creek, and Penns west orientation, are White DeerHoleCreek, which are shown onFigure 2andruninaneast- The majorconservation greenways proposed, buffer at all. but recognize that somebuffer isbetter thanno important ecological functions. communities and for maintaining source areas iscritical to healthy conservation of thesenatural re sults are shown inFigure 3.The tivity were identified. These re in terms ofenvironmental sensi gy themost critical openspaces corporated ascoring methodolo tion. UsingGISanalysis that in identified forfuture conserva farmland, were evaluated and ity openspaceareas, including In addition to greenways, prior Priority OpenSpace ed buffer. with a35-foot minimumvegetat ------Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 61 n, s rtio e nt es, t y a), u s l me spo urc y o a unt Dat art R l Mile

atia y w eso I e a r 5 t e h Co t p a Sp a l R i g Dep of Tran t Y a i ) d t c ion s i (NW ia n nia T r t H nt ura ) Y S I -6

u e L 2 u t ers Un ep S o A - N (5 van ylva Nat tme e n

M P U I 1 B ) D RI, in OR y ( ar syl ns 4 t

I nd IS S O - y ng ri ) ES en E t R 3 G , o enn Dep n a ( i ri

(0 ) P f E D OS o

ia tio y , P ncy y Co m, P t E Pr ri i t

p o N r RP ra rva ge ri ata P on h lvan o

A ON o E g i ni Cor I PU t i ri OR rog sy m nce S D y n T P H G u G 2.5 Pr : U

e P A GI en men Co y h NI d µ f E by r w Arm (SC g V

ge i , P e nty itag o d t o L AN R V H Me L er na US re ou en y tion a E PL r ), s pa 5 a S R n M n C al H rtm y tec m t d DA a r ro 1.2 a n Pre tur n FO nio Pla ncy e ep e u u AS g ON g v r i o t o : U D Na (P ive rge tal P C R C S B ns aia nia ss ces en me l E our ehe cce iron ylva lvan 0 A pr nv ns ny era a S a n n Dat Com of E Pen Dat Pen Fed i i k k - - M M D D U U N N n n H H A A T T L L R R R R a O a E O E B N N B R R

y y t t i i r r o o i i r r P P R R E E G

D D N N I I Y Y M M N N n n O S O S C C Y Y o L o L i i t t a a v v r r e e s s n n o o N N C C O O T T N N I I L E L E C R C R T T N N E E C C Figure 3. Conservation Priority Ranking 3. Conservation Figure Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 62 304 inLimestone andUnionTownships. There Route 45and192corridors, andalongRoute lo, Buffalo and West Buffalo Townships inthe along ColonelJohnKelly Road, inEast Buffa corridor inGregg Township, inKelly Township al conservation areas located inthe Route 44 The maponFigure 5shows priorityagricultur base ofhighqualitysoilsto supportproduction. it willbedependent onhaving asufficient land If agriculture isto remain viableinto thefuture for farmers andagricultural-related businesses. tion, theseactivities provide valuable income families. Whether afull-timeorpart-time voca by county residents andisaway oflife for farm Farmland isvalued economically andculturally biodiversity. iency ofprotected areas andto haltthelossof region for thepurposesofenhancingresil new landandecological connections withinthe Landscapes initiative whichseeks to establish and are insync withtheConservancy’s Linking These landsare shown onthemapinFigure 4 priority interms ofopenspacelandprotection. vided alist ofproperties that it feels are ahigh Linn LandandWaterways Conservancy pro within thestate forest. InadditiontheMerrill follow stream corridors orare already protected the proposed greenway alignments sincethey the priorityareas have beenincorporated into leys. For themost partasignificant numberof scape by providing abackdrop for thefarm val wildlife, andaddsto theaesthetics oftheland contributes to cleanair, provides habitat for groundwater supplies.Native vegetation also es provide for recharge ofbothsurface and Forested watersheds andotheropenspac ------for future development, orsimilarfactors. imminent development pressure, are planned either dueto having lessersoilquality, lackof but were notincludedinthepriorityareas cultural landsinthecounty are alsoimportant from Mifflinburg toHartleton. Theotheragri is alsoanarea alongRoute 45that extends physical features (i.e.trees, turf, streams). ment aheadofscheduleandnegatively impact park goers, wear outparkfacilities andequip detract from therecreational experience for result inoveruse ofexisting parks, which can are notplannedanddeveloped, itwilllikely niently accessibleto residents. Ifnew parks more community parklandthat isconve East Buffalo Township for example, to provide ities, like municipal growing for certain important theless be it willnone public but ity by the high prior creation ofnew parks was notidentified asa the net deficit in community parkland.the As population continues to grow, so, too, will for community parks basedonpopulation. County doesnotmeet theminimumacreage time withfriendsand family. Currently Union where residents can relax, play, andspend open spacesandrecreational activitycenters Community parks alsoserve asimportant - - - therapy insomany definitions oflife.” as Ibiked. Life wassogood.Andsince then, itcontinues to be “full” withallthatwasaroundme.AndIbeganto humabit hear thebirdssinging.Icould feel thechillinair. Ifelt so ings whennootherhumanwasonthetrailbutme.Icould overwhelming feeling ofpeace. Itwasoneofthoseearlymorn Songwriter/Musician first very time IhittheBuffalo“The Valley Rail Trail,Ihadan

- - - - Kj Reimensnyder-Wagner, ority. has identified closingthis trail gapasahighpri into historic downtown Lewisburg. Thepublic the crossing ofUSRoute 15to complete alink The BVRT sitswithinastrip oflandthat averag also beenrecently builtinLewisburg Borough. 5 Buffalo Township. Asection from 8 10 which hasresulted ina continuous trail from Valley RailTrail (BVRT) have beenconstructed in thecounty. Several phases oftheBuffalo is to complete andmaintain theexisting trails framework asappropriate. Thehighest priority incorporated into thegreenway andopenspace clude atrail component, sotrails have been significant publicinput.Greenways often in common topic ofdiscussionandthefocus of Although thisisnotatrail plan,trails were a Trails th th Street withaconnector to Market Street has Street inMifflinburg to10 th - Street inEast that exists is The majorgap lation centers. largest popu county’s two necting the corridor con a greenway width andis es 60feet in th Street to - - - - - Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 63

s on, e t nt es, orti u s a), y Y s ty o l sp urc t tme a R n C l un Dat

Mile ar y w s e atia l e a r eso 5 t e h N t p a e a Co i WI g m Sp t l R a i Dep d A c of Tran t c s r e i n r ion H (N t V ia S nia s Y

n a nt ura

u e L u t a R S P o ep A ers Un N

n E ylva Nat lvan M P U I tme B e E D y t s in RI, i n t sy ns S IS S O nd r par n n o n ng E i o ES N G i t e en , De n a Pe r a D OS O f E m P v ia tio Co , P

ncy m, r e C N RP y p o

e s ra on s rva ge ata c s lvan s a E s d D A ni PU n Cor e rog n E sy nce r S D a nt

N G y G 2.5 : U a v l y P t r e P A

NI GI enn µ c Co me e l E l

by s l e Arm n a

k e d E L s ge m , P r nty itag AN r r t of a n a u re a v o er C US t y ou en o r PL l tion r ana G P F s ), pa A

e 5 u a C R y

M n n C al H rtm s e c e e m t d tec P i e t t t r DA e n a n 1.2 n r n Pre FO ro tur S a a a e nio Pla n e u o u ncy t g t t

epa i v r AS i o t o S L A C S S : U D N Na (P rge ive R C S B tal P E aia ns nia ss ces en me c P c l E our 0 cce ehe iron ylva lvan O A pr nv ns ny era a S a t t m r Da of E Pen Da Pen Fed Co r a a - - M M D D U U P N P N H H A A

T L L R R R R O E O E B N N B y y t t i i r r o o i i r r P P

y y c c R R E E G G D D N N n n I I Y Y M M N N O S O S a a C C Y Y L L v v r r e e s s n n o o C C

n n n N n N O O i i T T N N I I L E L E C R C R L L T T N N E E C C Figure 4. Linn Conservancy Priority Parcels Priority Conservancy 4. Linn Figure Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 64 Figure 5.PriorityAgricultural Conservation Areas Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 65 -

! - -

y l

S ! A

t n

h o J y r r

i a S !

! St St St

e h C th th th t

N 5 ! N 6 S 7

S s

! l i u

! A

o L

n Aly n

! P

i a S t

i Haw

h ! W

! St

ly th A t

n S 8

! Lin

t e k

! M

y R l

D !

L A

E y L

I e Aly

E r

I l A

Dal

N ! n e

e h

A y C D

e r

G th Al St ! th Smi N 7 ly

A !

rr e © eb ¨ ! St Blu th N 8 y

! ?þ nt Al ra Cur

S Derr Dr

D N r r e D

r P :

A t s t S

I¢

l A

T t i G

e Or in Plan. Greenway Northumberland County canal the river to connect it could lieu of that Borough Watsontown to Dewart from trail the Warrior by proposed previously was that In all likelihood Run Community Corporation. the riv have sense to the most make it would on the Northumberland County erwalk/trail The river frontage south of Allenwood down Allenwood south of frontage The river has severe Deer Hole Creek of White stream railroad and an active challenges topographic in design solutions that result line which would it is Therefore feasible. not economically are a Susquehan Allenwood at that recommended the State across be routed would na riverwalk 405 Route the State tie into to 44 Bridge Route in the proposed was that corridor greenway

R k d r

e y R

f f u B

o l I a

V A y l e M

B A r

u B

f f o l a

A R y l - C T

l -

y l

A A

s a

t a O

a 1 N h t 0 S

t W

t S

L l

y r a

e v A l a

e T

a M

a r u R

y t n

n R

i a S

E y h

r t e

S l

n S

S l

A e

U a N

U N

t V

O N

i S 1 1

h t O o t O S a l

a M f

M u

M 1 1 N N

t S h t B O N O N

C E ! C E P

y l

A !

¨ n

o s k a O

A y l

l i W

D d

! t

o 2th S µ

o N 1

! a H

Aly a S i t n

a L r w n e ar c e t

S ! Ced

I t O

T h S L

A N 13t

R !

extending from Rochester, NY on the shores of of NY on the shores Rochester, from extending in Mary Bay the Chesapeake to Ontario Lake Union County for land. The opportunity exists gre 400-mile mega be part of this interstate to 7. as seen in Figure enway plans in the future to bring a trail system from from system bring a trail to plans in the future and Montgomery to the Williamsport area on a travel be able to one would eventually Borough Shore Jersey to Allenwood from trail which Rail Trail and then access the Pine Creek County. in Tioga Wellsboro 60 miles to goes to the Gen is planned a connection there From which would York in New Greenway Valley esee Genesee-Susquehanna Greenway, the form Figure 6. The BVRT Gap and Unfinished Section and Unfinished Gap BVRT 6. The Figure

! ! - -

- -

! !

Street to the Susquehanna River along St. along River the Susquehanna to Street ! th

miles in length from the village of Allenwood to to of Allenwood the village from miles in length has County Lycoming Borough. Montgomery Great Stream Commons that joins land owned joins land owned Commons that Stream Great is the the north. There to County Lycoming by four of approximately a trail to have potential stration project for early implementation. In for early implementation. project stration miles 1.5 owns County Union Township, Gregg at corridor old rail and/or property of riverfront tee as a long-term priority within the greenway. the greenway. priority within as a long-term tee willing to are that landowners several are There serve as a demon partner on this which could the West Branch Susquehanna was frequently frequently was Susquehanna Branch the West commit steering by the public and mentioned effort materialize. effort along a riverwalk trails of major new In terms day have a route that ties into the Cherry Run ties into that a route have day is that Rail Trail Valley and the Penns Rail Trail should that County Centre in eastern proposed ity of short-term implementation success than implementation ity of short-term va was that corridor railroad using the former to one goal is in the 1970s. The ultimate cated determine the most desirable route but it is route desirable the most determine roads such low-volume using existing that likely a higher probabil have would Road as Swengel a tie-in to the western part of the county. This county. the part of western to the a tie-in closely to more be evaluated to need would There is also interest in extending the BVRT the BVRT in extending is also interest There provide to order in Mifflinburg from westward Buffalo Valley Recreation Authority. Refer to Refer Authority. Recreation Valley Buffalo gap trail BVRT of the the location 6 for Figure Lewisburg. section in and unfinished 5 the which was bridge the river and John Street the by completed study a feasibility subject of The other unfinished piece of the BVRT is from is from BVRT of the piece unfinished The other

! ! Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 66 Figure 7.TheGenesee-SusquehannaGreenway not beimpossibleto fitatrail inthisalignment, way, anactive rail line,and US Route 15.Itmay the physical constraints imposedby theflood difficulty for establishing a trail increases due to bright Care toward West Milton, the degree of on theirmileofriver frontage. NorthoftheAl to work withthecommunity to establish atrail Albright Care hasshown awillingness Services side Itshouldbenoted that inKelly Township, - - be railbanked andconverted to atrail. An railroad isnoteconomically viable,itshould Buffalo Creek railroad. If, inthefuture, the active freight line owned by theLewisburg and Winfield that intersects withthe BVRT isan Presently therailroad from West Milton to Place northto thevillage ofWest Milton. but itwould bechallengingoncebeyond Delta - on low-volume rural roads. For example, the bicycling opportunitiesthroughout the county potential trails noted here, there are on-road ough to the Dale’s Ridge Trail. Inaddition to the trail alongBuffalo Creek from Lewisburg Bor BVRT to theKoons Trail anda inMifflinburg, flinburg along8 Creek inNew Berlin,atrail or bike laneinMiff- exploring. Theseincludeatrail alongPenns ways were alsoconsidered andare worthy of Several othercommunity basedtrails orpath est onthepartofoneormore landowners. of thisplan,itwas learnedthere might beinter tact andprivately held.Duringthedevelopment vacated decades ago andfor themost partisin partners. Inthisstretch, therailroad bedwas are opento theconcept andwould bewilling field to Northumberland,iftheproperty owners There isthepotential to have atrail from Win standards. involved to construct thetrail to therequired rail owner andoperator ordueto thecosts be feasible dueto liabilityconcerns ofthe with trail groups inrecent years. Thismay not Railroad hasbeenexpanding itscollaboration while theWestern New York andPennsylvania example, hasdonethisonavery limited basis exist. TheSEDA-COG Joint RailAuthority, for es where otherachievable alternatives donot have started usingthispractice incircumstanc Winfield sinceanumberofshortline railroads possibility ofarail withtrail from Lewisburg to and inoperation, would be to explore the other option, shouldthe rail remain profitable th Street, aconnector from the ------Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 67 - - Commons north of Allenwood in Gregg in Gregg Commons north of Allenwood and could be at St. George Street or at a num or at Street St. George be at and could Buffalo including where ber of other locations time, the present At the river. enters Creek Com and Boat Fish no Pennsylvania are there but FBC) launches in the county, mission (PA Milton West at the nearby facilities are there accesses. It and Chilisquaque Creek Park State Township was suggested. On the river another On the river suggested. was Township Borough needed in Lewisburg is accesspoint over the past ten years, river access at Great Great access at river years, ten the past over Stream - - Below Weikert there are limited places where places where limited are there Weikert Below out canoes put in and take legally people can trails, water to Related without trespassing. and kayak canoe mainly for access points water as a need identified were launching and fishing con Once again, during the planning process. in other plans with recommendations sistent to improve access to Penns Creek for canoeing canoeing for Creek Penns access to improve to of build goal with the long-term and kayaking once the status trail water official ing up to is in place. necessary support infrastructure - - - . reach a point where volumes of water trail trail of water volumes where a point reach accommodated. be effectively can paddlers should be the goal in the short-term, Therefore users in terms of available goods, services, goods, and of available in terms users As such, there route. other amenities along the needed to investment be considerable can should be noted that an official water trail des water an official that should be noted to expectations certain communicates ignation by the Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance. The Watershed Creek the Buffalo by in this plan recommended trail water only new It downstream. Weikert from Creek is on Penns Captain John Smith network in the Chesapeake in the Chesapeake network John Smith Captain on trail is also a water There watershed. Bay locally been established has that Creek Buffalo to the traditional land based trails. The West West The land based trails. the traditional to and trail is a water River Susquehanna Branch is part of the Trail that Recreation a National Water trails were also reviewed in addition also reviewed were trails Water several routes of interest on its website at at on its website of interest routes several http://www.visitcentralpa.org/things-to-do/ outdoor-recreation/bicycling around the county offer some roads less trav roads some offer the county around The Susquehanna enthusiasts. cycling eled for has also mapped Bureau Visitors Valley River Routes “Spring Garden Ride”, Wildwood Drive Drive Wildwood Ride”, “Spring Garden Routes and Weikert Creek Township, in Limestone others and many Township, in Hartley Roads es like South Creek Road in Gregg Township, Township, in Gregg Road Creek South es like Touring Bike Run Pathways part of the Warrior which connects to the Sugar Valley Scenic Bike Scenic Bike Valley the Sugar to which connects County in the Clinton loop identified Route plac Space Plan. Similarly and Open Greenway as the White Deer Pike, provides a continuous continuous a provides Pike, Deer White as the the through Deer of White village the ride from forest State and Bald Eagle Deer Valley White Sugar Valley Narrows Road, also known locally locally also known Road, Narrows Valley Sugar Chapter 4 - Greenway and Open Space Framework 68 sources. entities, estimated costs, and potential funding This includespriorities,potential partners, lead ter might beachieved over thelife oftheplan. and recommendations presented inthischap preferred greenway andopenspaceframework tion strategies are provided to outlinehow the last ten years. InChapter 5specificimplementa orities noted inotherplans completed over the is consistent withandseeks to achieve thepri input received duringthisplanningprocess and and transportation. Itis responsive to public jectives related to conservation, publichealth, alternative accomplishes multiple goalsandob space, andtrails asproposed by thepreferred A coordinated network ofgreenways, open Summary shadows ofthenew river bridge. Township slightly upstream ofandwithinthe calls for installing aPA FBCboat ramp inUnion the mitigation plan for developing thehighway ley Transportation (CSVT) project sincepartof construction oftheCentral Susquehanna Val should benoted that thiswillchange withthe - - - - -