Garnet Valley Greenway Feasibility Study Concord Township Delaware County, PA 2020
Garnet Valley Greenway Feasibility Study 2020
Prepared by: Prepared for: Pennoni Concord Township One South Church Street, 2nd Floor 43 Thornton Road West Chester, PA 19382 Glen Mills, PA 19342
Garnet Valley Greenway Feasibility Study
Acknowledgments Concord Township Council Garnet Valley Greenway Dominic A. Pileggi, President Steering Committee John J. Gillespie, Co-Vice President John Crossan – Concord Township Council John Crossan, Co-Vice President Michael Harding Amanda Serock – Concord Township Manager Thomas Mahoney Paul Padien – Township resident Colleen Morrone George Crossin – Fox Hill Farm Dana Rankin Bob Sanderson - Garnet Valley School District Marc Manfre – Delaware County Parks and Recreation Steve Beckley - Delaware County Planning Department Township Manager Amanda Serock
This study is financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
Octoraro Greenway Feasibility Study
Garnet Valley Greenway Feasibility Study
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Background…………………………..…… 1 Chapter 2: Existing Resources …………………..... 11 Chapter 3: Greenway Recommendations …….. 19 Chapter 4: Design Guidelines ………………….….. 37 Chapter 5: Greenway Impacts………………..…… 51 Chapter 6: Implementation………………….…...…59
Appendix A: Proposed Greenway Plans……….…….…73 Appendix B: Cost Estimate……………………...... …… 76 Appendix C: References…………………………….…. 79
Garnet Valley Greenway Feasibility Study
Background
Chapter 1 Project Background
In 2015, Concord Township prepared a township-wide Greenways and Open Space Network Plan, as a tool to organize and prioritize its effort to develop local trails. The intent of the Plan was to identify opportunities to develop public trails and greenway corridors for the benefit of residents, while also capitalizing on the potential to connect into the broader regional trail network. The underlying expectation was that an integrated system of trails and greenways will improve the overall quality of life in the community, increase property values, and enhance the attractiveness of Concord Township to new businesses and residents. A primary recommendation of the Greenways and Open Space Network Plan was to investigate the feasibility of building a pedestrian/bicycle greenway along the utility corridor occupied primarily by PECO electrical transmission lines. With this in mind, Concord Township has worked closely with Delaware County to prepare this feasibility study for what has been termed the Garnet Valley Greenway. This corridor stretches roughly north-south for a distance of almost four miles through the Township, and it is largely uninterrupted by obstructions. The potential trail route represents an outstanding opportunity to connect a variety of existing community facilities as well as several established residential neighborhoods. A recreation trail in this location would also help to expand the local and regional trail network, since it connects directly to the planned Octorara Trail, which will stretch east-west across the Township and is currently advanced into the design A primary recommendation of the Concord Township Greenways stage with the expectation of construction beginning in the near future. and Open Space Network Plan was to investigate the feasibility of a Planning for a high-quality local greenway is representative of a primary Township trail along an existing PECO utility corridor. broader effort to promote sustainable transportation infrastructure in our region and beyond. The last two decades have seen a proliferation of multi-use recreation trails in the United States. Throughout the country, trails and greenway corridors have become increasingly seen as highly valued public amenities, providing opportunities for recreation, environmental education, transportation, and physical linkages between destinations.
1 Garnet Valley Greenway Feasibility Study
Background
The Concord Township Greenways and Open Space Networks Plan (2015) identified the “PECO Trail” as a principal spine of a potential Township trail network.
Octoraro Greenway Feasibility Study 2
Background
Plan Goals and Context
The essential goal of this study is to investigate the feasibility of constructing a paved pedestrian/bicycle trail along an existing PECO electrical utility corridor through Concord Township. This trail is seen as a valuable recreational amenity for local residents, and as part of the overall implementation strategy for the expansion of the trail and greenway network in Delaware County and throughout the region. Specific objectives of the Study are as follows: 1. Identify alternative alignments for the greenway; 2. Identify property ownership along the proposed route and assess the steps necessary to establish public rights-of-way; 3. Identify technical constraints to construction; 4. Identify potential connections and adjacent resources; 5. Describe public benefits of the greenway, 6. Establish design standards for the greenway; 7. Recommend an implementation strategy; 8. Provide order-of-magnitude cost estimates for implementation.
With these goals in mind, this Study is organized in the following chapters: • Chapter 1: Executive Summary Summary of the project goals, recommendations, and expected outcomes. • Chapter 2: Project Background Overall project goals, background, and planning context. • Chapter 3: Existing Resources Description of the local community and its social and physical characteristics, as well as existing recreation and open space resources. • Chapter 4: Recommended Trail Alignment Description of the potential options for trail alignment, including property ownership, technical challenges, and potential design features. • Chapter 5: Design Guidelines Throughout the region and the country, General design standards for the trail, as well as potential benefits and recreation trails have proven to be a key concerns. ingredient of sustainable transportation infrastructure. • Chapter 6: Implementation Action plan outlining a realistic approach to implement the trail, including costs, phasing, and responsible parties.
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Background
Stakeholder Involvement Stakeholders Contacted for Input This Study was developed through extensive outreach and dialogue with a wide range of interested Type Stakeholder stakeholders, including local public officials, local institutions, adjacent property owners, and the general public. The study was conducted over a 18-month period from early 2018 through the summer of 2020. Utility PECO Community outreach took place on several levels. An ad hoc Study Committee, comprised of key Residential Sharpless Farms HOA representatives of the Township and other relevant stakeholders, was established to review and guide the Fox Hill Farm HOA progress of the study. Formal meetings of the committee took place on three occasions during the plan Concord Hunt HOA preparation period. Study Committee members are noted in the Acknowledgements section at the beginning of this document. Institutional Newlin Grist Mill Garnet Valley School District Additionally, numerous other meetings took place with individual agencies, planning officials, local institutions, and property owners who could potentially be impacted by the trail alignment, to seek input and Public Concord Township gauge response. Public meetings were held on two occasions to present the findings and solicit feedback. A Bethel Township public Open House took place in October 2020. The study was also presented at a Township Council Chadds Ford Township meeting in November 2020. Delaware County Planning Dept. PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural The reactions of stakeholders to the plans presented in this study were generally positive. Overall, there Resources (DCNR) appears to be widespread support for the Study’s underlying goals and principles, including general Delaware Valley Regional Planning agreement on the value of promoting local trails and connected open spaces. This corroborates with the Commission (DVRPC) findings of feedback solicited at other times in recent years, which confirmed that open space and recreational trails are among the greatest community needs and should be among the highest priorities. Other Pennsylvania State Police Commercial, institutional, and public-sector property owners expressed an appreciation for the goal of Brandywine Conservancy increasing connectivity to the local community and in promoting access to alternatives modes of transportation such as walking and biking. Residential stakeholders expressed a slightly different perspective. While residents are generally supportive of the ideals of trail planning, those residents most directly impacted by the potential trail expressed legitimate concerns. The two residential neighborhoods most directly impacted by the trail are Fox Hill Farm and Concord Hunt. The utility corridor is located on PECO property immediately adjacent to Fox Hill Farm. Further to the south, Concord Hunt is bisected by PECO property for the corridor. Residents of both neighborhoods expressed concerns about privacy. In Fox Hill Farms, approximately 20 homes may be in view of the trail, which would be located about 100 feet away. In Concord Hunt, the trail may be located within 200 feet of approximately 6 homes. Chapter 3 in this report describes the potential alignment of the trail with respect to these neighborhoods. Chapter 4 describes design features, including screening and visual buffers. Chapter 6 outlines steps leading toward implementation, including continued outreach to residential neighbors. The Township intends to continue a direct dialogue with both neighborhoods to better understand concerns and potential remedies. For plans for the trail to move forward, it is expected that Residents attended a public Open House in October 2020. fencing, landscaping, and other design features will be included that sufficiently address neighbor concerns.
Octoraro Greenway Feasibility Study 4
Background
Planning Context The idea for a recreational trail along the PECO power line corridor has been around for decades. As early as 1988, planning documents prepared by Concord Township, Chester Heights Borough, and Delaware County all identified the Octoraro as having high potential for trail development.
Local Township Planning
Concord Township Recreation & Open Space Plan (1995) and Plan Update (2007) http://townshipofconcord.com/open-space-and-recreation-plan-update/ As early as 1995, the Concord Township Recreation & Open Space Plan recognized trails as an important component of community recreation and natural resource conservation and identified the development of a “linear open space system,” as an important objective. The 2007 Plan Update identified the utility corridor alignment as a potential “hiking trail”, one of two opportunities so identified. The Plan featured several specific trail recommendations, including: • Develop of a walking trail along the “power line easement.” • Expand the trail system to connect neighborhoods to parks and open space areas. • Provide links to trail systems in adjoining municipalities. • Establish greenways along streams that can accommodate trail connections. • Utilize locally significant sites as destinations along the trail system.
Previous Concord Township planning identified the development of trails as an important objective. (color added for clarity)
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Background
Concord Township Comprehensive Plan (1988), Plan Update (2000) and Plan Octoraro Greenway Feasibility Study (2016) Addendum (2004) https://www.townshipofconcord.com/document_center/Residents/Trails/Octoraro- http://townshipofconcord.com/comprehensive-plan-update/ Report_FINAL_Dec2016_WEB.pdf The Concord Township Comprehensive Plan echoes the recommendations of A primary recommendation of the Greenways and Open Space Network Plan the Open Space Plan, and states as a goal that, “The Township should pursue was to investigate the feasibility of building a pedestrian/bicycle greenway along opportunities to expand its open space and trail network.” Specific objectives cited the alignment of the former Octoraro Railroad. This route represents an in the Comprehensive Plan include establishing trail linkages between open space outstanding opportunity for development of a continuous trail across the entire and recreation areas. As early as 1988, the Township Comprehensive Plan township, connecting a variety of existing recreational facilities as well as the identified the utility corridor as a potential hiking trail. promise of broader connections to neighboring municipalities such as Chadds Ford and Chester Heights. The Octoraro has for decades been considered to have Concord Township Ordinances high potential for a recreational trail. It is currently promoted by Delaware County http://townshipofconcord.com/the-code-of-the-township-of-concord-4/ as one of the highest-priority trail routes in the county and is included in the planned “Circuit” regional trail system. The Octoraro Trail would intersect with the The Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance of the Township Code proposed Garnet Valley Greenway at or near Spring Valley Road. (160-52) provides that residential subdivisions must provide land set aside for recreation purposes and that provisions be made for trails and pathways, or pay a fee-in-lieu of land dedication. Open space provisions (Article XXXII) addresses open space requirements for various residentially zoned areas of the Township.
Concord Township Greenways and Open Space Network Plan (2015) https://www.townshipofconcord.com/document_center/Residents/Trails/DRAFT2-
Concord-Township-Greenways-Plan_for-WEB_2015.12.30.pdf
This study identifies opportunities and a methodology for developing a Township-wide network of public trails and greenway corridors. The study addresses the balance between recent and future growth with the desire to maintain open space for both passive and active recreation, while planning for future greenway opportunities. The study explores the potential to connect together a wide range of meaningful attractions with a combination of on- and off-street trails, including a variety of individual trail segments and types, which link together in an integrated network. These include major trail spines, secondary trails, paved and unpaved trails, off-street and on-street trails, and primary trail head access points. The study identifies the potential for the power line right-of-way to be developed as one of the Township’s primary trail spines, connecting with existing open space and community facilities including the Township Park on Smithbridge Road, Rachel Kohl Library, Garnet Valley schools, 30 Bethel Road, and Clayton Park.
Octoraro Greenway Feasibility Study 6
Background
Regional Trail Planning
Delaware County Bicycle Plan (2009) http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/planning/pubs/bicycleplan.html The Delaware County Bicycle Plan was completed in 2009 by the Delaware County Planning Department in order to support and coordinate improvements to the safety and effectiveness of bicycle transportation in the County. While the Plan focuses heavily on on-street bike lanes, trails are recommended as potential opportunities to supplement on-road bicycle facilities. With respect to Concord Township, the plan states that: “…municipalities should examine the possibility of using utility corridors as connections between bikeable streets or short paths where their use is feasible.”
Delaware
County Concord Township
Source: Delaware County Open Space, Recreation PECO Trail and Greenway Plan (Garnet Valley Greenway)
Delaware County Open Space, Recreation, and Greenway Plan (2015) http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/planning/pubs/delco2035/openspaceandrecreati onplan.html In 2015, the Delaware County Planning Department prepared a county-wide Open Space, Recreation and Greenway Plan to address all facets of parks and recreation planning in the county including municipal, public and private land, and trails. Volume II of this plan represents the county’s first true Greenway Plan. The Plan identifies 25 Primary Trails within the county, including the “PECO Right- of-Way Trail,” extending from Concord Township through the additional The Delaware County Bicycle Plan identified utility corridors as townships of Bethel and Upper Chichester. The County plan notes that a trail an important trail opportunity. along this route could connect to numerous schools and parks as a way to link the Townships.
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Background
The Circuit (2012) http://connectthecircuit.org/ In 2012, a regional effort was formalized to coordinate trail building efforts and promote the concept of a regional trail network. A coalition was formed, which branded the Greater Philadelphia regional trails network “the Circuit.” When complete, the Circuit will be a regional network containing over 750 miles of bicycle and pedestrian trails. The Delaware County Planning Department is an agency partner of the Circuit Coalition, which also includes many non-profit and foundation partners. DVRPC’s Regional Trails Program, which was funded by the William Penn Foundation, used incorporation into and connection with the Circuit as a way to evaluate applications for trail funding in the region. Building the network and filling its gaps is the Coalition’s first priority. The utility corridor is not specifically cited, however the proposed corridor connects to the “Octoraro Rail Trail,” which is identified on the official Circuit map as a potential segment of the regional trail network.
National Trail Planning
East Coast Greenway Octoraro Trail http://www.greenway.org/ At the national level, ambitious efforts are underway to create a continuous bicycle trail along the entire east coast. The East Coast Greenway (ECG) is a planned 3,000-mile long recreational greenway linking Maine to Florida through some of the nation’s The Circuit Coalition is an most densely urban spaces. Upon completion, the greenway will umbrella organization launched not only provide additional recreational opportunities for a large in 2012 to promote development portion of the nation’s population; but will also have helped of trails in the region. revitalize old abandoned waterfronts and urban residential areas. Despite its ambitious scope, more than 20% of this 3,000 mile long route has already been constructed, with new sections completed every year. In Pennsylvania, 31% of the 67-mile permanent route is currently constructed, and another 61% is in development.
Octoraro Greenway Feasibility Study 8
Background
In Delaware County, the proposed alignment of the East Coast Greenway would roughly follow the Delaware River waterfront through Ridley Township, Eddystone Borough, Chester City, and Marcus Hook. A trail along the Octoraro alignment could connect directly to the East Coast Greenway. The Octoraro Branch rail-trail is intended to connect to the Chester Creek Trail (already under construction in Middletown Township). The Chester Creek Trail leads south toward Chester and a direct connection with the planned ECG. Overall organization of Greenway planning is done by the East Coast Greenway Alliance, a non-profit organization with a central national staff along with volunteer committees in each state that spearhead and coordinate the trail-building effort. The Alliance does not own or directly manage any portion of the trail, but works primarily to ensure continuity and a consistent quality of route.
Left: Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia is a designated segment of the East Coast Greenway.
Above: The East Coast Greenway is planned to run through Delaware County on its way from Maine to Florida.
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Background
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Octoraro Greenway Feasibility Study 10
Existing Resources
Chapter 2 Existing Resources
One important goal of this study is to develop a proposed trail design that will appeal to local residents and lead to a well-used recreational facility. The intent is for the trail to be compatible with nearby land uses and with the overall character of the landscape. Therefore it is important to understand the physical and social context of the local community.
Township Profile Philadelphia Concord Township is located in western Delaware County, which is generally suburban in character. Like much of the surrounding region, the municipality have Utility Corridor seen steady growth in recent decades, as suburbanization pushed out from Philadelphia and gradually transformed what had been a rural landscape. Baltimore Pike (Route 1) is the major transportation artery that feeds the community and spans the county east to west. Proximity to PA routes 202 and 322, Interstates 476 and 95, as well as to SEPTA regional rail service, makes commuting viable to Philadelphia and other regional employment centers.
Montgomery County
Chester County
Delaware County
Concord Township
State of An aerial photo reveals the cleared area for the PECO utility Delaware corridor, which may be utilized for the Garnet Valley Greenway
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Existing Resources
One of the fastest-growing municipalities in the five-county Greater Philadelphia region, Concord Township occupies 13.7 square miles in western Delaware County, about 20 miles west of Philadelphia. Today the township is an active and diverse community, with a bustling commercial corridor, leafy residential subdivisions, abundant parks, progressive local government, vibrant senior citizen community, and an outstanding public school district. Concord Township has seen considerable growth during the past 30 years. During this period, retail and commercial activity along Baltimore Pike has exploded, and residential subdivisions have replaced most of the original farmland. The township population of 17,639 people (2018 American Community Survey by the US Census) more than doubled during the preceding 20 years. In the most recent period, during the years 2000- 2013, Concord Township added the greatest number of new residential units of any municipality in the county, as well as the greatest amount of commercial square footage. Despite the recent surge of growth, portions of the original community fabric remain. Historic properties still feature prominently in the local landscape, and century-old development patterns are still very much in evidence. In the face of these development pressures, residents have recognized the importance of conserving open space, and the township has made strides to protect and acquire undeveloped property for future use as Maps of Concord Township from public open space and recreation land. 1870 (left) and 1934 (right). (Source: Historical Archives of Delaware County)
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Existing Resources
Project Area
The project area for this Study is the existing utility corridor that stretches from U.S. Route 202 along the western edge of the Township, to Clayton Park located along Route 322 at the southern edge of the Township. The utility route continues beyond Concord Township and into Bethel Township and beyond, however the purpose of this study is to establish the feasibility of the trail segment within Concord only. The corridor is relatively wide, ranging from 100’ to 250’ in width, and is primarily free from obstructions or encroachments. The route runs through or alongside several residential neighborhoods, and also connects several major existing public parks, including Concord Township Park on Smithbridge Road, and Clayton Park on Route 322. The northern end of the corridor connects with the proposed Octoraro Trail. The Octoraro has the potential to be a significant local trail as well as a key part of the growing regional trail network. The southern end is Clayton Park, a major County Park that offers a golf course, ballfields, picnic grounds, and its own internal trail system. The county has prepared a recent master plan for Clayton Park that promises significant improvements. The potential route for the Garnet Valley Greenway connects to the Between these two end points, the utility corridor crosses or planned Octoraro Trail (above), and runs adjacent to many community destinations and residential connects to the existing paved trail neighborhoods. Consequently, is has the potential to connect route in the Township Park (left). residents directly by an off-road pathway to places they want to go. Destinations along the corridor include public open space (Concord Township Park, Bush Hill Farm, Clayton Park); community facilities (Rachel Kohl Library, Garnet Valley Schools); historic sites (AME Church); sensitive natural areas (Shavertown Woods); and established residential neighborhoods (Sharpless Farm, Fox Hill Farm, Meadow Run, Concord Hunt). Since the corridor connects to the Octoraro Trail, it therefore has the potential to connect all these resources to the regional trail network.
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Existing Resources
Parks and Open Space Resources In Concord Township, parks and open space resources include dozens of separate properties totaling almost 2,000 acres of land. The existing parks and open space resources accommodate a broad range of activities, including a variety of sports and active recreation, playgrounds and informal recreation, and simple passive recreation such as walking and bike riding. Existing Trails The Township has made a concerted effort in recent years to expand the options for public walking trails. Currently there are a number of highly popular walking trails in different parts of the Township, as well as several new opportunities currently being developed. It is the long-term goal to connect these together into an integrated trail system. Existing trails include: • Concord Township Park (Smithbridge Road): Paved walking trail 0.6 miles long. Ample parking is available, along with restrooms and many other amenities. • Township Municipal Complex on Thornton Road: More than one (1) mile of paved and grass walking paths and hiking trails. Ample parking is available, as are restrooms located in the Municipal building. • Newlin Grist Mill: Private non-profit historic site and 160-acre facility dedicated to historical preservation and environmental conservation. Newlin Grist Mill offers a wide range of educational and environmental programs for all ages, and the park is open to the public with more than eight miles of walking trails. • Bush Hill Farm: Formerly known as 30 Bethel Road, Bush Hill Farm features a Township dog park and ample open space lawn areas. An internal system of walking trails is being currently being established, and will provide up to 1 mile of mown trails. • Collman Trail at Phipps Farm: Located on Smithbridge Road adjacent to the Township Park, this property opened to the public in 2020 with an internal system of mown walking trails. These connect to the paved trails in the Township Park with a pedestrian crossing at Bethel Road. • Currently in a design stage, the proposed Octoraro Trail is planned to run along the alignment of the former Octoraro railway. The first phase of construction is planned to originate at Route 202 just south of the Brandywine Mill shopping center, and run eastward to Newlin Grist Mill, at Concord Road. • Public walking trails are available in the vicinity of Beaver Valley Road in the southwest corner of the Township, on lands owned by the Woodlawn Trustees and connecting to trails within the First State National Historical Park. Trails at the Township Park (top) and Newlin Grist Mill • The Township has acquired multiple properties in the vicinity of Bethel Road and Featherbed Lane, with (bottom) are highly popular and well utilized. the intention of developing trails and passive open space as part of an integrated network.
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Existing Resources
Existing Parks and Open Space Concord Township Park on Smithbridge Road is a principal hub of community activity, located adjacent to the Rachel Kohl Community Library, and the Garnet Valley Elementary and Middle Schools. The park has a variety of amenities, including a multi-purpose field, sand volleyball, paved walking trail, large children’s playground, picnic pavilion, and bandstand. A dog park was recently added. The Park hosts community events, and the walking trail is routinely overflowing with users. The utility corridor cuts directly through the park. The municipal complex on Thornton Road is another hub of activity. In addition to the municipal building and associated civic functions, the property features a recreation area that includes two multi-purpose fields, two baseball/softball fields, pickleball courts, and a paved walking trail, as well as the Brandywine Youth Club (BYC) O’Donoghue Field House. In addition to these two community parks, the Township’s Bush Hill Farm property at 30 Bethel Road includes a dog park, with separate areas for small and large dogs, as well as acres of undeveloped flexible open space utilized for a variety of community programs. Horse pastures, historic barns, and other outbuildings remain which could serve future equestrian or other similar use. Thanks to recent acquisitions, the Township has several undeveloped parcels in reserve for future potential recreation and conservation purposes. Several of these are within close proximity to the utility corridor and could be developed to include connections to a future trail along this alignment. These include: • Phipps Farm: This property is adjacent to the Township Park and is seen as a valuable resource for walking trails and passive open space. • Temple Road property: This undeveloped property along Temple Road has potential to serve as a trail head for a trail along the utility corridor, as well as ecological value as protected open space. • Located directly across Featherbed Lane from Clayton Park, a newly-acquired Township open space holds great potential for walking trails, natural scenery, and may provide a key link to connect the utility corridor to Clayton Park. Newlin Grist Mill is a private non-profit historic site and 160-acre facility dedicated to historical preservation and environmental conservation. The Grist Mill offers a wide range of educational and environmental programs for all ages, and the park is open to the public with more than eight miles of walking trails. Delaware County operates Clayton Park, the largest of the County’s park and recreational facilities. The 170-acre park consists of scenic woodlands, a nine-hole golf course, four playing fields, shaded picnic groves, nature trails and ample parking.
Township Park on Smithbridge Road (top), Clayton Park (middle), and Bush Hill Farms (bottom) are open space resources that could be connected by a trail along the utility corridor.
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Existing Resources
Concord Township Open Space Map
1. Temple Road open space 2. Township Park 3. Phipps Farm 4. Rachel Kohl Library 5. Garnet Valley Schools 6. Bush Hill Farm 7. Township open space 1 8. Clayton Park Utility Corridor Octoraro Trail 5
3 2 4
5 7
7
6 8
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Existing Resources
Natural and Historic Resources The development of trails and protection of natural resources often go hand-in-hand. Natural areas offer undeveloped open space that can be an opportunity for trails. Trail development can bring public attention necessary to prompt protection conservation measures for sensitive resources. Though Concord Township is heavily developed, there is nevertheless a significant presence of natural resources, including wooded areas, wetlands, floodplain areas, and natural flora and fauna habitat. These could be a strong positive feature for trails, providing the potential for educational and interpretive engagement of the public. However, such interventions must be handled sensitively to ensure the integrity of the natural resource. Protection and conservation of these sensitive areas should remain a priority. Utility Corridor It is likely that a trail along the utility corridor could bring the public into close proximity to sensitive natural areas. The most notable of these is Shavertown Woods, a natural area that spans roughly the area surrounding the intersection of Bethel Road and Featherbed Lane. In 2011, the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program identified the Shavertown Woods as a location containing rare, threatened, and endangered species, and one of the highest quality natural areas in the county. Significantly, the utility line that cuts through the woods contributes to the ecological value of the site. While the forested areas are valuable as habitat for flora and fauna, the periodic mowing under the power line has kept the linear corridor in an early successional stage of development, which is the preferred habitat of several rare plant species located here. Further north, along Temple Road near Spring Valley Road, the Waterford property acquired by the Township has a stream, pond, wetlands, and wooded areas, and offers the potential for environmental education and fishing. A short distance away on Spring Valley Road, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church dates to the 1880’s and is a significant local historic building. In its early years the church was a focal point for the black community who worked on the area farms. The church was closed in the 1980’s, and eventually was purchased by the Township in 2014 as part of its open space program. It is currently being renovated, and may have use as a community facility providing trail head amenities.
The Shavertown Woods (top), Temple Road property (far right), and AME Church (near right) are natural and historic resources along the utility corridor.
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Existing Resources
While much of the Township has been developed, pockets of agricultural landscape remain. Among these there is an equestrian community in the Township that keep and rides horses, with an estimated total of 100 or more horses. These are generally clustered in three areas of the Township – Beaver Valley, Ivy Mills, and the area around Clayton Park – with a few others elsewhere. The historic rural character is an important part of Township identity. Currently there are no practical trail routes in the Township established that are suitable for horseback riding. The GVG may be able to provide just such an opportunity.
Concord Township Equestrian Resources
Ivy Beaver Mills Valley Many properties in the Township keep horses, particularly in the southern and western portions which retain some historic rural character. This map is courtesy of Clayton a Township resident familiar with Park the local equestrian community.
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Recommendations [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Chapter 3 Garnet Valley Greenway Recommendations
This study is focused on determining a preferred location, design characteristics, and overall project feasibility for the Garnet Valley Greenway. It is to be located along the existing electrical utility corridor that extends roughly from Spring Valley Road south into Clayton Park. This utility alignment represents a valuable opportunity to link many existing and future open space and recreation areas with popular community facilities and residential neighborhoods. This chapter outlines detailed recommendations for the entire length of the proposed Greenway. The route can be understood as five distinct segments, which could be implemented independently or in combination. These segments are: 1. Spring Valley Road to Temple Road 2. Temple Road to Smithbridge Road 3. Smithbridge Road to Greener Tract (Bethel Road) 4. Greener Tract (Bethel Road) to Featherbed Lane 5. Featherbed Lane to Garnet Mine Road (Clayton Park)
Beyond Clayton Park, there is the opportunity to further extend the trail into Bethel Township to the east, and also to make connections to the broader open space and trail network in the area.
Garnet Valley Greenway – Key Map
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Recommendations
Garnet Valley Greenway – Proposed Alignment
Garnet Valley Greenway Feasibility Study 20
Recommendations [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Segment 1: Spring Valley Road to Temple Road The northern end of the proposed Garnet Valley Greenway route is expected to the connection the proposed Octoraro Trail. This trail is planned to be constructed roughly along the route of the former Octoraro Railway, which runs east-west through Concord Township. The Octoraro is expected to be a key spine of the growing regional trail system, with the potential to connect into Chadds Ford to the west, Chester Heights to the east, and beyond. Just over the Concord Township boundary into Chadds Ford, a trail head for the Octoraro is envisioned near the intersection of Route 202 and Applied Card Way, opposite the entrance to the Brandywine Mills Shopping Center. The former rail line runs parallel to existing utility lines for electrical, water, and other utility services. This shared utility corridor represents an ideal opportunity for trail development, which was documented in the Octoraro Greenway Feasibility Study prepared in 2016. Just east of Route 202, the PECO electrical service splits into two distinct corridors: one line runs east and roughly parallels the Octoraro rail alignment; the other runs in a southeast direction, and forms the basis for the proposed Garnet Valley Greenway. There are two options for connecting the Garnet Valley Greenway to the The Octoraro Trail is planned to begin at Route 202 near Applied Card Way. Octoraro. The first is to connect where the power lines diverge, with the Octoraro to follow one leg, and the GVG the other. However, this scheme would require a separate crossing of Spring Valley Road for each trail, only a short distance apart. A more practical solution would be to locate the connection between the two trails after the Octoraro has crossed Spring Valley Road. This would necessitate only a single road crossing. There appears to be ample opportunity to make a suitable connection. South of Spring Valley Road, the Octoraro alignment crosses through a small woodland on property that is part of the PECO holdings, and a short distance later runs through undeveloped open space parcel owned by Concord Township. Either location, or better yet both, can serve as connection points. On Spring Valley Road, a potential trail head could be established at the historic AME Church. This structure is closely adjacent to the Greenway route and is currently being renovated for community use. Trail head parking and amenities such as restrooms could be incorporated into the renovation.
The trail will roughly follow the alignment of the former Octoraro Railway and adjacent utility rights-of-way.
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Recommendations
Segment 1: Spring Valley Road to Temple Road
Garnet Valley Greenway Feasibility Study 22
Recommendations [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] From here, the Garnet Valley Greenway would follow the southern leg of the power line corridor for approximately a half mile, where it encounters a former farm pond and small stream behind the recent Waterford at Garnet Valley development. These features are located within the Township open space and represent a valuable opportunity to incorporate activities such as environmental education and fishing into the trail design. The area surrounding the pond and stream appears to have been unmanaged for decades and is considerably overgrown with vegetation including invasive species. A vegetation management plan should be developed, to emphasize conservation of natural Sharpless Farm open Space specie, habitat, and environmental sustainability. Even in its current state, it is easy to envision a trail skirting the pond, with a dock or boardwalk up to the water allowing the public to encounter it up close.
Fox Hill Farm
Top: The Greenway follows the utility corridor and encounters a pond on undeveloped Township open space.
Above and right: The pond and nearby stream provide an opportunity for environmental education.
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Recommendations
Passing the pond, the utility corridor rises up a small hill and immediately runs alongside the Fox Hill Farm neighborhood. The PECO property that contains the power lines is 100 feet wide through this section. This is generally ample space to provide screening between the trail and residences, which would likely take the form of fencing and landscaping. The trail itself can be oriented to minimize impact on homes, while still providing a means of access. Design guidelines for residential areas are discussed in more depth in Chapter 4. South of Fox Hill Farm the utility corridor encounters another road crossing, this time at Temple Road. The location where the power lines cross the roadway is in a low point between two small hills. A pedestrian crossing at his location would have poor sight lines for oncoming traffic. For safety reasons, it is recommended the trail continue alongside Temple Road, on public open space owned by the Township, and cross at the crest of the hill where traffic can be seen from a longer distance (see Segment 2 map). A road crossing at this location has recently been established, to enable pedestrian connection between the Township Park and the neighboring Phipps Farm property. Walking trails at Phipps Farm have recently been opened to the public. The Garnet Valley Greenway can connect to this open space and utilize the same road crossing.
Within the wide PECO property behind Fox Hill Farms, the trail can be mostly screened from view of neighboring residences.
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Recommendations [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Segment 2: Temple Road to Smithbridge Road The Township Park functions as the de facto heart of the Concord Township community. It offers a wide range of public recreation amenities, including a paved walking trail that occupies a portion of the utility corridor to be used for the Garnet Valley Greenway. This trail is tremendously popular, and the GVG connection will represent an extension of the existing trail in both directions, allowing park users to connect to a broad spectrum of the local open space network via this off- road trail. The park will also serve as a primary trail head access point to the Greenway. Parking is available, as well as restrooms and other amenities. The park is adjacent to the Rachel Kohl Public Library, and Garnet Valley Middle and Elementary Schools, and thus facilitates an important connection between neighborhoods and community facilities. Limited new paving and/or replacement of existing paving is suggested for the park, to provide a continuous paved connection for the Greenway. As part of a pending multi-modal improvement project for Smithbridge Road, an enhanced pedestrian crossing will be established at the intersection of Allen Drive and the driveway entrance to the Rachel Kohl Library. This intersection will receive upgrades to include sidewalks, pavement markings, and signage. A trail crossing at this location will benefit from these enhanced traffic controls. In the future, a crossing may also be considered at the driveway entrance to the park, which is a more direct connection for the Greenway. Smithbridge Road is a Pennsylvania state route (S.R. 3046), therefore work within the street right-of-way must be permitted by PennDOT. Based on current traffic volumes, a crossing at this location may not meet PennDOT criteria. Further study will be needed.
Top: The Garnet Valley Greenway will serve as a significant extension of the existing walking trail in the Township Park.
Bottom: The trail will cross Smithbridge Road at the intersection of Allen Drive and the Library driveway entrance.
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Segment 2: Temple Road to Smithbridge Road
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Recommendations [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Segment 3: Smithbridge Road to Greener Tract/Bethel Road Moving south from Smithbridge Road, the utility corridor grows to its widest extent, a 250 ft right-of-way that bisects the Concord Hunt neighborhood. This generous width will allow the trail to wind in a naturalistic manner through the gently rolling topography. There is space for a generous landscape buffer between the trail and the adjacent neighborhood, and few houses are expected to be visible from the trail. There is a slight pinch point as the corridor reaches Hunt Meet Lane, where a drainage basin occupies space alongside the street. Minor adjustments to the edge of the basin may be necessary to accommodate the trail here. Otherwise the trail may need to share space within the low-volume street for a short distance. In either case, a crossing will be needed at Hunt Meet Lane. Beyond the limits of the Concord Hunt neighborhood, the Greenway will be able to continue within the PECO corridor south toward Clayton Park. Just past Concord Hunt, it will be possible to create a trail spur branching off to the east, to connect the Greener Tract, a Township open space parcel acquired in 2020. This wooded parcel offers the potential for an intermediate trail head access to the Greenway, as well as environmental conservation and scenic value. This trail spur can enable a paved trail connection from the primary Greenway to Valley Point Church and Garnet Valley High School. A road crossing at Bethel Road will be needed to affect these connections, as well as close coordination with Valley Point Church and the school district.
Top: The utility corridor through Concord Hunt is a generous 250 feet wide.
Bottom: The Greener Tract is a wooded property purchased by the Township in 2020, which allow for additional trail connections as well as offering scenic and environmental value.
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Segments 3 and 4: Smithbridge Road to Greener Tract to Featherbed Lane
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Recommendations [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Segment 4: Greener Tract to Featherbed Lane South of the Concord Hunt neighborhood and the Greener Tract the Greenway alignment follows the PECO corridor for a half mile until it reaches the intersection of Featherbed Lane and Bethel Road. Along this distance, the corridor occupies what is known as Shavertown Woods. In 2011, the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program identified the Shavertown Woods as a location containing rare, threatened, and endangered species, and one of the highest quality natural areas in the county. Significantly, the utility line that cuts through the woods contributes to the ecological value of the site. While the forested areas are valuable as habitat for flora and fauna, the periodic mowing under the power line has kept the linear corridor in an early successional stage of development, which is the preferred habitat of several rare plant species located here. Management of the landscape through this sensitive area must be carefully performed to accommodate public access while conserving environmental value.
Above: Approaching Featherbed Lane, the utility corridor passes through Shavertown Woods, a significant local environmental resource.
Left: The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program identifies the Shavertown Woods as containing rare and endangered species, and one of the highest quality natural areas in the county.
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This segment of the Greenway terminates at the intersection of Featherbed Lane and Bethel Road, with Delaware County’s Clayton Park immediately opposite. This awkward intersection poses one of the most significant challenges to building the Greenway. One consideration is the angled approach of Bethel Road to Featherbed Lane, which creates poor sightlines for vehicles. Another factor is that the roadway sits abreast stream crossings on three sides of the intersections. Compounding this, this low-lying location is subject to flooding during extreme rain events. To reach Clayton Park, safe pedestrian crossings must be established across two legs of the intersection. The roadway shoulders are insufficiently wide for pedestrian movement, and the streams make it difficult to widen them. Township open space at the northeast corner of the intersection provides an opportunity for a respite between the two crossings, as well as added trail connections (see next page). In the long term, a complete redesign of the intersection is recommended, to improve the overall geometry, and widen the road beds to accommodate pedestrian activity. In the short term, boardwalk structures may be needed to span the streams in key locations, along with clear signage and pavement markings.
Clayton Park Township Open Space Top: The trail must cross both Bethel Bethel Road Road and Featherbed Lane to reach Clayton Park.
Right: The Township open space at the Featherbed Lane intersection provides an opportunity for a trail head and additional trails.
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Recommendations [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Segment 5: Featherbed Lane to Garnet Mine Road At Featherbed Lane, the Greenway has the potential to connect to one of the region’s open space anchor facilities. Clayton Park, the largest of the county's park and recreational facilities, sits on 170 acres of scenic woodlands, and spans Concord and Bethel Townships. The park offers a wide range of active and passive open space resources, including a nine- hole golf course, four ballfields, shaded picnic groves, nature trails, playground, comfort station and ample parking. A recent Master Plan prepared by the County calls for a range of improvements, including improved and expanded walking trails through the wooded areas. The connection between Clayton Park and the Garnet Valley Greenway will create a clear synergy that improves the value and utility of both resources. The park can serve as an attractive destination for trail users who embark on their trip from Concord Township Park or the Octoraro Trail. And it will serve as an ideal trail head access point to the trail for those wishing to start their journey from the Park. The increased accessibility to the Park offered by the Greenway will raise the profile of the park and provide justification for future improvements and conservation measures. In addition to the resources of a major county recreation facility, Clayton Park has the potential to serve as a hub for the local trail and open space network. In recent years, Concord Clayton Park can function as a Township has acquired several adjacent open space parcels, greenway hub connecting to Bush Hill with plans to develop trails and other amenities. Bush Hill Farm Farm (left) and other Township open is a Township property located directly across Bethel Road from space to the north. Clayton Park. This site offers a Township dog park, walking trails, and flexible open space for Township programs. Directly across from Clayton Park on Featherbed Lane, an additional open space property was acquired by the Township in 2019 for a similar purpose. The intention is to develop walking trails here, and to facilitate connections to residential neighborhoods in this part of the Township.
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Segment 5: Featherbed Lane to Garnet Mine Road (Clayton Park)
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Recommendations [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Trail Heads and Road Crossings
There appear to be adequate opportunities for trail head access and parking The potential technical challenges along the trail road appear along the proposed route, with existing or potential trail heads located manageable. There are five locations where the trail route crosses active approximately every ½ to ¾ miles. Working north to south, trail heads with roadways, at which pedestrian accommodations will be needed. These are: parking may be possible at the following locations: • Spring Valley Road (crossing to be constructed as part of Octoraro • Octoraro Trail Head at Brandywine Mills (planned) Greenway). • Octoraro Trail Head on Spring Valley Road at AME Church (planned) • Temple Road (existing crossing to be enhanced) • Temple Road Trail Head at Township open space (planned) • Smithbridge Road (to be constructed as part of separate roadway project) • Township Park trail head on Smithbridge Road (existing) • Hunt Meet Lane in the Concord Hunt neighborhood • Greener Tract and/or Valley Point Church on Bethel Road • Bethel Road connecting to Valley Point Church • Featherbed Trail Head at Township open space (existing with potential for • Featherbed Lane/Bethel Road at Clayton Park upgrade) • Clayton Park trail head (existing)
Of these potential trail heads, enhanced amenities such as restrooms already exist or are planned at the AME Church, Township Park, and Clayton Park.
Suitable locations for trail head access are available. Existing public parks with parking and restrooms will make ideal trail head access include Township Park (left) and Clayton Park (right). The Township open space on Temple Road (middle) can be developed as an access point.
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Trail Heads and Road Crossings
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Recommendations [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Beyond Clayton Park
In the near term, Clayton Park is envisioned as the southern terminus of the Garnet Valley Greenway. But there is strong potential to extend the trail beyond this park in the future. Route 322 represents a significant obstacle to extending the trail beyond Clayton Park. This busy restricted-access arterial carries a heavy volume of traffic. There are no signalized or stop-controlled crossings in the vicinity of the utility corridor, and there is no In order to manage a crossing of busy Route 322, a possibility of a new at-grade crossing for drainage culvert could potentially be enlarged to pedestrians. There appears to be an allow pedestrian access. opportunity to cross under Route 322, by utilizing or modifying an existing drainage culvert located in the SE corner of Clayton Park. PennDOT has plans in the near future to reconstruct Route 322 for widening from two lanes to four. PennDOT should be engaged in dialogue with the goal to include widening this culvert as part of the reconstruction project, to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Once across Route 322, the utility corridor continues for more than a half-mile before crossing into neighboring Bethel Township. Extending the Greenway this far would allow easy access to the Township trail network from the adjacent Riviera at Concord neighborhood, as well as other nearby residences. This corner of the Township is otherwise underserved with respect to recreation and open space opportunities.
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Connections East of Concord Township Beyond Concord Township, the PECO utility corridor continues into Bethel Township, Upper Chichester Township, and Trainer Borough on the Delaware River. There are certain to be obstacles and encroachments along this route, and further study would be needed to assess feasibility. However, most of the corridor appears to be free from obvious obstructions. The prospect of making an off-road trail connection all the way to the Delaware River is tantalizing, since this would allow a connection to be made to the planned East Coast Greenway. The East Coast Greenway is a planned continuous bicycle route extending from Maine to Florida, connecting hundreds of cities along the way. By completing the potential trail segments needed to make these connections, local residents can be directly connected to a truly national trail network.
Connections West of Concord Township
There is also feasible potential to make trail connections west of the Garnet Valley Greenway. The Octoraro Trail – the northern terminus of the GVG – may be extended west across Route 202 into Chadds Ford Township, and thereby to the planned Brandywine Trail. Further to the south, there is the potential to assemble an off- road route connecting from the GVG into the state of Delaware, and connect with the extensive trail network available in the First State National Historical Park, Brandywine State Park, and other adjacent public open spaces. Concord Township has received grant funding to evaluate the alternatives for these connections and expects to complete this study in 2021.
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Design Guidelines
Chapter 4 Design Guidelines
The previous chapter described an overall master plan for trail and how it may connect to community destinations and the broader local trail network. This chapter outlines the guidelines that should be followed for design the trail itself. The trail network is designed with all types of non-motorized users in mind. In general, they are intended to be universally accessible to users of all ages and fitness levels, including wheelchair and other types of disabled users. Joggers, cyclists, and walkers should all feel comfortable using the Greenway. Concord Township even has a community of horseback riders who may choose to utilize the trail corridor as a place for riding, which can lend a unique feature for all trail users. Sustainable Design To be successful in the long term, a trail network must be designed to be physically, ecologically, and economically sustainable. This implies: • Physical Sustainability – Trails should be designed with durable materials and proper form to hold up over years of use and under forces of humans and nature. Maintenance and repairs will always be necessary but should not be overwhelming. • Ecological Sustainability – Trails should be designed and located to minimizing ecological impacts and protect sensitive natural and cultural resources.
• Economic Sustainability – For trails to sustainable, the The Greenway should Township must have the financial capacity to support long- accommodate all types of users, term maintenance and operations. Developing and and a wide variety of uses. committing to a long-term maintenance strategy is a critical aspect of the trail program.
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Landscape Treatment The landscape setting for the Garnet Valley Greenway along its proposed 2.5-mile length is diverse. As a result, the ultimate trail configuration is expected to vary along the route, in response to the range of conditions that will be encountered. When designing each specific section of the trail, careful attention must be given to its “look and feel,” so that is designed appropriately to its specific setting. • In wooded areas, the natural sylvan surroundings should be preserved and enhanced, with indigenous materials used wherever possible. Trees will be retained, and invasive plant species should be removed, so that the native ecosystem can be allowed to flourish. Trails will be designed to fit in with their specific setting. • In open areas, naturalistic meadows can be employed. This low-maintenance approach can utilize native perennials and wildflowers to create a beautiful, sustainable, and environmentally friendly landscape. • Where the trail is associated with other active or passive recreation areas, the trail will have a park-like appearance, with mown grass and shade trees that are familiar staples of park and picnic sites. • Along stream banks and wetlands, the trail may narrow to disturb as little area as possible. Boardwalk sections and other devices may be employed to allow for uninterrupted flow of water. Stream bank edges will be restored, to remove invasive plants and allow proper access for the public to the water’s edge.
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Design Guidelines
Trail Surface The general design standard is for an asphalt, 10- to 12-foot wide, bi-directional shared use path. Where the trail can be accommodated outside the street right-of-way, this standard should be achievable in most places. Along most of the route, the trail will be relatively free from constraints, and can follow a gentle curving alignment to take advantage of natural topography. For the majority of the proposed greenway, where a reasonable amount of usage is expected, a paved surface is recommended. For heavily used areas, pavement markings can help manage congestion. Center striping and directional arrows help to separate users traveling in different directions, and sometimes are used to separate portions of the trail width designated for faster speeds (ie, bicycles) and slower speeds (ie, walking). In certain high-traffic zones, it may be advisable to construct an The standard unpaved “soft” shoulder on either side of the paved trail, where those greenway surface on foot can walk and not compete for space with bicycles. The will be asphalt, with shoulder can be constructed of compacted aggregate. This is typically aggregate shoulders less expensive to install than asphalt, and it provides the users with a in the areas where more forgiving tread due to its resiliency under foot. One drawback of higher traffic is an aggregate surface is that it is susceptible to erosion in heavy rains, expected. even though the particles are held together with a liquid binding agent.
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Natural Surface Trail Segments In some places along the Greenway, it may be desirable to construct supplemental sidepaths or secondary trails, to enhance the user experience and provide variety. For these smaller trail sections, an unpaved or “soft” trail surface may be appropriate. An unpaved surface can be constructed at far lower cost than a paved trail. They can be constructed more quickly, with available resources of manpower and equipment. Soft surface trails can be located along slopes, among trees, and in other places where the operation of paving machinery would be difficult. Also, since they can be difficult for bicycles and other wheeled users to manage, soft surface trails preserve a quiet experience for those on foot. The drawback of soft surface trails is that they are more susceptible to erosion that paved trails. While it is virtually impossible to completely prevent trail erosion on a natural surface trail without employing artificial materials, appropriate trail design and shaping can prevent most erosion even in extreme conditions. The simplest and most durable trail surface is mown grass. In park settings or other open areas where grass can grow, a mown trail resists erosion and is east to maintain with regular mowing. In wooded areas or on steeper slopes where grass may not be practical, both gravel and crushed stone make excellent all-weather trail tread. But as they are prone to erosion, these materials work best where water drains off the tread quickly enough that amounts don’t become erosive. In wooded areas, where trail construction exposes bare dirt, it should be covered with an organic layer such as leaves, woodchips, and even compost, to help prevent soil erosion. After the first year, fallen leaves will probably be sufficient replacement. As dirt treads compact, they will become harder, absorb less water, and won’t erode as easily, and the organic layer becomes less necessary.
Natural surface trails can be built for low cost, but must be carefully constructed to resist erosion.
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Design Guidelines
Trail Design for Equestrian Use Portions of the Garnet Valley Greenway pass through a relatively low-density part of the Township, nearby to rural farmsteads. There is an equestrian community in the Township that keep and rides horses. Currently there are no practical trail routes in the Township established that are suitable for horseback riding. The GVG may be able to provide just such an opportunity. Recreation trails deliberately designed to accommodate horseback riding are not common in our local region. Care must be taken to design the trail in a way that is safe and comfortable for all users. Every attempt should be made to minimize potential conflict between users, particularly users traveling at different speeds. Many horses are accustomed to being in close quarters with people. But the size of horses can be intimidating to those on foot. Horses may occasionally be spooked by unexpected sounds, or bicycles fast approaching from behind. Horse droppings on the trail would be an obvious nuisance. For these are other reasons, a separated parallel path for horses is recommended. For this pathway, a graded and compacted bare earth surface is recommended. Wood mulch or gravel are not recommended, since these would require continuous maintenance and have other drawbacks. Mulch is easily washed away or displaced, and may contain wood splinters that could injure a horse’s foot. Gravel that very finely graded may be an acceptable material, but larger stone sizes may have sharp edges that could cause injury, and rounded pea gravel is too unstable a surface. Hard paving such as asphalt can be slippery underfoot to a horse, especially when wet. A simple mown pathway will be easy on the hooves, and relatively easy to maintain. With enough equestrian use, mowing may be rarely necessary. The “bridle path” should be separated from the main trail by at least 5 feet. This distance may be significantly wider on the Garnet Valley Greenway, since the width of the available corridor is ample. Locations where equestrian user must cross or share space with those on foot or bicycle, such as parking areas and access It is possible for horses and points, must be carefully designed. Low fences and landscape buffers may be other users to share the same employed to segregate types of user, and clear signage and pavement marking can trail, but separate pathways are help minimize conflict. safer and are recommended.
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The width necessary for a natural-surface bridle trail is usually self-regulating. That is, the trail is worn through repeated use. For a single horse, a width of 4 to 6 feet is sufficient. For heavier use, a wider trail may result. For horses to pass each other, 8-10’ is ample. When passing through a wooded area, a horse trail should have vertical clearance of 10 feet, so riders are not in danger from low-hanging branches. Toward the southern extent of the utility corridor, leading into Clayton Park, the Township has begun to assemble a collection of open space resources consisting of undeveloped or formerly agricultural properties. These resources may provide expanded opportunities for trails and other forms of recreation, including equestrian use. One Township property is Bush Hill Farms, which contains former horse stable structures and ample riding areas, and which is adjacent to an active horse farm. There is the potential to connect from Bush Hill Farms into Clayton Park to the east, and to the garnet Valley Greenway to the north, in the event that further property or right-of-way acquisitions are made. With collaboration from Delaware County, property owners, and other stakeholders, an equestrian loop trail can be envisioned that utilizes a portion of the Garnet Valley Greenway Corridor.
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Design Guidelines
Trail Amenities The trail head access points will have the highest level of design detail and amenity. These places are the “first impression” most users will have of the trail and should have a welcoming and well- maintained appearance. Trail heads should include such amenities and features as parking, restrooms, tables and benches, trash receptacles, bike racks, lighting, welcome signage, maps and directional signs, information kiosk, drinking fountains, and vending machines. Ease of maintenance and resistance to damage should be high priorities in the design of the trail, and materials should be selected that are as durable and vandal-resistant as possible. A high-quality sign system is a valuable feature for many reasons. “Welcome” signs announce the trail and identify the location of trail head access points. Directional (“wayfinding”) signs and maps reassure users that they know where they are and know the relative locations of nearby features and connecting streets and paths. For a long linear trail that aspires to connect onward in both directions to other trailways, mile markers are a useful feature that allows users to Trail heads should be welcoming mark their progress. Interpretive signs can enhance the user and well-maintained. experience by illustrating the history, ecology, and meaning of the place. Overall, the visual character of the signs conveys the trail’s A sign system can include identity identity to the public and can be a highly distinctive feature. signs, directional signs, interpretive signs, and maps.
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Landscaping associated with the trails should be simple, for ease of maintenance. In park settings, trail edges are best kept as mown grass. In open areas, the first 6 feet of grass alongside the trail could be mowed low and kept as a verge, while the grass beyond could be mown less frequently and left to grow higher, providing a meadow effect. In naturalized areas of the trail, native vegetation should be retained and cultivated as much as possible. These areas would include existing trees, meadows, and a natural or designed riparian edge with native wetland plants. These environments would provide habitat and shelter for wildlife as well as opportunity for trail users to connect with nature. Regarding trail safety and security, proper access to the trail for police and emergency vehicles must be ensured to provide the ability for prompt response to emergencies on the trail. Specific security features such as emergency call boxes and remote cameras may also serve to a useful function while increasing the user perception of safety. A big part of user safety is teaching trail users to act responsibly and use the trail wisely. Communication of safe practices can be accomplished through signs, interpretive exhibits and hands-on user education. Most trails are not lighted, due to cost and practicality. Lighting also encourages higher levels of usage, therefore to discourage use of the trail during nighttime hours, remote trail sections should not be lit. Signs and barriers may also be used to display hours of operation and to physically limit access to the trail. These should be placed at the gateway entrances and at other possible trail entrance points. Signs can also contain specific references to geographic location, so that this information can be clearly communicated to emergency responders.
Top left: Landscaping should be kept simple for ease of maintenance, but can still be very beautiful. Top right: Trail maps can be produced in large format to post at trail heads, and in pamphlet form to hand out. Bottom Left: Signs can feature detailed location information to help in emergencies. Bottom Right: Removable or collapsible bollards can restrict vehicles while still allowing access for emergency and maintenance vehicles.
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Design Guidelines
Road Crossings and Intersections At-grade street crossings will be necessary at several locations along the Greenway route, where it will be necessary to provide a safe well-marked crossing for trail users, while restricting access by motor vehicles. At the same time, occasional access must be provided for emergency and maintenance vehicles. The way intersections between trails and roads are designed significantly impacts the users’ comfort and safety. Since conflicts may arise at these junctions, it is important to design intersections carefully, in order to maintain orderly movement of traffic. The principles that apply to general safety at crossings also apply to trail intersection design. There are a wide range of design features that improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety at intersections. • Traffic Control Features: Additional signage and pavement markings to alert drivers to the trail crossing a simple measure of traffic control on low-volume roads. On more developed roadways, traffic signals may be used to allow safe crossing similar to the familiar pedestrian “walk” signal. Such signals can be push-button activated so they are only triggered when necessary. • Intersection Treatments: The opening of a trail at a roadway should be at least the same width as the trail itself, and a curb ramp should also be the full width of the trail, to provide a smooth and accessible transition between the trail and the roadway. On unpaved trails the design of a trail-road intersection should include paved aprons that extend a minimum of 20 feet from paved road surfaces. • Chicanes: Trails sometimes employ “chicanes,” or horizontal curvatures, to reduce trail users’ approach speeds at intersections where sight distance is limited or where users should stop and yield. Sometimes these can be in the form of physical barriers that force cyclists to stop and dismount. • Restricting Motor Vehicle Traffic: The preferred method to restrict motor vehicles entry is to split the trail access into two sections, by using low landscape features. Each section should be half the nominal path width; for example, split a 10 foot path into two 5 foot sections. Emergency vehicles can still enter if necessary by straddling the landscaping. Another method is to install a physical barrier such as a gate or bollard, which can be removed as needed for access by authorized vehicles.
• Crossing Islands: For wide streets, raised medians provide a “refuge” for Road crossings must be carefully designed to alert both pedestrians and bicycles that may find it difficult to cross the entire width of the trail users and motorists. Signs, pavement markings, street at once. Crossing islands particularly benefit trail-roadway intersections push button signals, and other features may be utilized. with high speeds, multiple lanes, or excessive roadway width.
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Buffers and Screening Where trails are to be located adjacent to residential properties, concerns about privacy can be addressed through strategic screening. This can be done with a combination of solid or transparent fencing and landscaping, to block views and maintain an attractive environment for trail users. When introducing new trails in residential settings, concerns about security and privacy are common. However, the experience of trails projects is overwhelmingly that proximity to the trail proves to be a valued asset. At local trails such as the Radnor Trail and Cynwyd Trail, it can be seen that adjacent residents often install gates to allow direct access to the trail from their properties.
Barrier-Free Accessibility In general, trails should be designed to comply with current standards for universal accessibility. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. It requires, among other things, that newly constructed and altered “places of public accommodation” be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. However, most accessibility design standards are not readily applicable to the natural environment. The United States Forest Service (USFS) has developed Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines (FSTG) based on the guidelines on outdoor developed areas, which are helpful because they “provide guidance for maximizing accessibility of trails... while recognizing and protecting the unique characteristics of their natural setting.” These guidelines encourage design for increased accessibility but recognize that accessibility isn’t possible everywhere because of the limitations imposed by natural terrain, existing vegetation, or other constraints. Where terrain allows accessible slopes, a range of surfacing choices create levels of accessibility that respond to the character and desired use of the trail. While full accessibility may not always be achievable, design should always provide access to the greatest extent possible. Departures from specific accessibility guidelines are allowed where compliance would: 1. Cause substantial harm to cultural, historic, religious, or significant natural features or characteristics; 2. Substantially alter the nature of the setting or the purpose;
3. Require construction methods or materials that are prohibited by Buffers along adjacent properties can be effectively designed in Federal, State, or local regulations or statutes; a variety of ways, depending on circumstances. Neighboring 4. Not be feasible due to terrain or the prevailing construction practices. residents almost always view the trail as a benefit.
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Design Guidelines
On-Street Trail Segments The majority of the proposed trail route occurs off-road. However, it may be necessary for some short trail segments to be located within the right-of-way of the street, such as where approaching street crossings. Depending on the available width and general traffic volume and use of the roadway, provisions for bicycles and pedestrians can take several forms. Within the street right-of-way, trail and pathway design must be in accordance with standards developed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). These standards define required lane widths, striping and lane marking dimensions, sign and signalization recommendations, and other features. Shared Use Paths Shared-use paths (also sometimes called “side paths”) are widened sidewalks that are intended for use by bicycles as well as pedestrians. Since they accommodate users moving at different speeds, these pathways should be 10-12 feet wide under most conditions, with a minimum two-foot wide shoulder on both sides. Depending on the Shared Use Path (“sidepath”) general speed and volume of adjacent vehicular traffic, and the closeness of the side path to the road, a buffer between the street and pathway may be advisable. Sometimes this buffer takes the form of a solid guard rail or fence, but often it is simply a landscaped buffer. Striped Bicycle Lanes A bicycle lane is a pavement marking that designates a portion of a roadway for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles. Bike lanes should be a minimum of 4’ wide, Striped with 5’ width preferred. Bicycle lanes are usually located directly adjacent to vehicular Bicycle travel lanes, so may not be ideal for children or novice bike riders. Where that type of Lane user is expected, a separated facility such as a side path is desirable. Shared Lanes Shared lane markings, or “sharrows” are road markings used to indicate a shared lane environment for bicycles and automobiles. Sharrows are suitable on low-volume, low-speed residential streets, where there may not be available width for dedicated bike lanes parking. While bicycles are always permitted to share vehicular roadways, sharrow markings reinforce that bicyclists are legitimate road users, and when used in combination with appropriate signage will alert drivers to the potential presence of bicycles. Shared Lane Markings Shared Use Path (“sidepath”)
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Local Examples There are numerous local trails that serve as good examples of what can be done in Concord Township.
Cynwyd Heritage Trail The Cynwyd Heritage Trail is a 2-mile urban linear park that begins at the Cynwyd SEPTA Rail Station and winds through residential areas, between two large cemeteries, along the Schuylkill River, and eventually crossing over into the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. The trail has both a paved pathway and a separate pathway with softer, compacted aggregate surface. The two pathways run together for part of the route, and along other parts the aggregate pathway branches off and meanders along creeks, through grassy meadow areas and behind man- made landscape features. The Cynwyd Heritage Trail is part of a Township goal to expand and connect open space, as well as to connect communities to one another and to their industrial and cultural heritage. The development of the trail itself bolsters civic participation and community-building, and serves as a wise investment for the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the area for generations to come.
Radnor Trail This trail was constructed in 2005 on the former right-of-way of the Philadelphia & Western Railroad. The electrified rail line was abandoned in the mid-1950’s and the right-of-way was acquired by PennDOT for future highway development. Some of the line became part of I-476, but the rest remained dormant for many years. Efforts to build a trail extended over several decades of intense controversy, with key support from the Friends of the Radnor Trail. PennDOT finally built the Trail in 2005 in cooperation with Radnor Township. This 2.4-mile paved trail provides a quiet, scenic escape, from Encke Park at Radnor-Chester Road to the shopping center at Sugartown Road and Route 30. The trail travels mostly through residential areas, and provides a popular off-road route to retail centers and schools. It was named Best Running/Walking Spot: Upper Main Line, 2014 by Philadelphia Magazine.
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Design Guidelines
Plans to expand the trail are currently being developed. The Radnor Trail is planned to be part of the Forge to Refuge Trail, linking many trails in The Circuit, Philadelphia’s regional trail network, including the Schuylkill River Trail and the Chester Valley Trail.
Chester Valley Trail The Chester Valley Rail Trail is a 13-mile trail through Chester and Montgomery Counties, roughly paralleling Route 202 between King Prussia and Exton. When it is completed the Chester Valley Trail will be the "backbone" through some of Chester County's busiest communities. Phase I of the CVT was completed in 2010 and Phase II was officially opened in May 2014. The Phase I portion from Exton Park east to Route 29 is approximately 4.0 miles and the Phase II segment from Route 29 east to Warner Road in King of Prussia is 7.6 miles. An additional mile is open in Exton, but is disconnected from the rest of the trail. This short section, on the trail’s western end, runs between Iron Lake Drive and a point behind commercial properties on Commerce Drive. It will be connected to the main stretch of trail at N. Ship Road during Phase III of the trail’s development. When fully complete, the trail will continue farther east and west from Norristown to Downingtown— connecting to a number of other regional trails in both cities—via a former railroad corridor. Open space plans in Downingtown Borough, Tredyffrin, East and West Whiteland and Upper Merion Townships have suggested creating links to the Chester Valley Trail. Presently, there are nine municipal parks adjacent to the proposed trail right-of-way. The County has estimated that more than 350,000 people use the trail every year, either as a way to commute by bicycle to work along the various corporate campuses in the Great Valley area, or — in the case of local residents — an easy recreational opportunity. Several housing developments have already established connections to the trail, which make it easy for homeowners to walk out their front door and onto the paved 10-mile long trail.
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Greenway Impacts [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Chapter 5 Greenway Impacts
Trails and greenways are known to have a positive impact on communities, by providing not only recreational and transportation opportunities, but also by influencing economic and community development. While the prospect of something new sometimes raises understandable concerns, trails provide a wide range of community benefits, sometimes in ways beyond what first meets the eye. It is no wonder the construction of trails has become a high-priority activity in communities across the country. The positive impact of trails and greenways is nearly always boost to a community’s economic, environmental, and social health.
Expected Benefits of the Garnet Valley Greenway The expected benefits of the Garnet Valley Greenway are similar to those found for trails in general locally and across the country. • Recreation Benefit: The Greenway will create a new recreational opportunity for local residents and visitors, by providing a means for a longer-distance journey than is currently available. The route of the proposed Greenway is approximately 2.5 miles long from Spring Valley Road through Clayton Park. Additional recreation options will be enhanced by providing off-road linkages between other trails, parks and other public destinations. • Health Benefits: The expanded availability of new recreational activities associated with the Greenway will result in a direct public health benefit to the community by providing safe, attractive and convenient opportunities to integrate exercise into one’s lifestyle. Several residential neighborhoods are directly adjacent to the trail route and stand to benefit greatly from easy access to the trail. • Transportation Benefits: In addition to providing a safe place for people to enjoy recreational activities, the Greenway can function as a viable transportation corridor. This trail will connect to the Octoraro Trail, which is intended to connect to the growing regional trail network. It also connects residential neighborhoods to many parks, natural areas, and community facilities.
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• Environmental Benefits: Linear in nature, trails and greenways have conservation benefits of preserving green space. As tools for ecology and conservation, greenways and trails help preserve important natural landscapes, and provide needed links between fragmented animal and plant habitats. In addition, they can allow humans to experience nature with minimal environmental impact. The Garnet Valley Greenway will connect numerous areas of natural environment that are currently protected from development. • Economic Benefits: The economic effects of trails and greenways are proven to raise property values and increase the attractiveness of a community to new residents and businesses. Locally as across America, countless communities have experienced an economic benefit due in part to trails and greenways. The numerous residential neighborhoods and commercial properties that abut the trail stand to benefit from this trend. • Social Benefits: It is very common for trails to become sources of community identity and pride. These effects are magnified when communities use trails and greenways to highlight and provide access to historic and cultural resources. As it travels through many areas of local historic and cultural significance, the trail will increase public awareness of our local heritage. Trails function as important public spaces that allow communities to connect, gather and strengthen bonds.
The Greenway is expected to provide many benefits, such as recreation, transportation, and environmental.
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Greenway Impacts [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Adjacent Land Uses and Potential Connections
As an important connector trail within the potential local and regional trail network, the Greenway alignment is valuable not only as a recreation resource, but also for its potential to connect a variety of destinations with an off-road pedestrian/bicycle route. Thus it has the potential to function as a transportation resource as well as a recreation resource. Local places that can be connected to the Garnet Valley Greenway include a wide range of destinations: • Parks, Recreation, and Existing Trails: The Greenway route connects directly to several existing and potential public parks and open spaces and knits together a host of separate local trails into an integrated trail network. The Township Park on Smithbridge Road and its highly popular paved walking trail are a central hub of community activity. The Phipps Farm Trail immediately opposite across Temple Road. Clayton Park is a major open space anchor at the southern end of the Greenway and can be the hub of a local trail network that includes Bush Hill Farm and other nearby open space. • Residential Neighborhoods: The Greenway connects directly to several residential neighborhoods, including Sharpless Farm, Fox Hill Farm, Waterford at Garnet Valley, and Concord Hunt. Other neighborhoods can be connected to the network with secondary trails. All these residents could have easy access to the entire interconnected network of Some of the many off-road trails. community destinations • Retail: The Greenway will connect to the Octoraro Trail, which leads directly to the that will be connected Brandywine Mills shopping center on Route 202. Thus a large number of residents along by the proposed Gsrnet the GVG can be connect to retail by an off-road pedestrian/bicycle route. Valley Greenway.
• Community Facilities: In addition to the parks mentioned above, the Greenway Route From top: connects a variety of important community facilities, including the Rachel Kohl public library, and Garnet Valley High School, Middle School, and Elementary School. The • Rachel Kohl Library potential for school children to bike safely to school is a strong benefit of the Greenway. • Garnet Valley Schools • Natural Resources: The Greenway route travels through natural settings that in many cases are otherwise inaccessible. These include the recently-acquired Township open space at • Brandywine Mills Waterford on Temple Road, the Shavertown Woods area near Bethel Road, and Shopping Center naturalized areas in Clayton Park. Exposure of the public to these places will increase awareness and support for environmental conservation. • Regional Trail Network: By connecting to the Octoraro Trail and other existing and planned local trails, the Greenway enables the creation of a true integrated local trail network, as well as potential to connect to the broader regional trail network.
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Greenway Impacts [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Potential Concerns Whenever new trails are proposed, homeowners in any location often express similar concerns and fears ? Will my property values go down? about proposed recreation facilities in their neighborhoods. But studies from all parts of the United States show that concerns about negative impacts of trails are unfounded. In fact, trails have consistently been shown to Numerous studies have shown that property increase or have no effect on property values, to have no measurable effect on public safety, and to have an values go up with proximity to recreation overwhelming positive influence on the quality of life for trail neighbors as well as the larger community. If issues resources such as trails. of potential concern are addressed directly, public support for the Greenway is likely to build.
Property Rights ? I bet there will be lots of trash. As noted, the majority of the length of the proposed route for the Garnet Valley Greenway is over property owned by PECO Energy Company. It will be necessary to secure easements from PECO that allow construction Trash accumulates in neglected areas. The and operation of a public trail over their property. Additionally, portions of the route travel nearby to established Greenway will be clean and safe, maintained to residential homes. It will be important to address the concerns of neighboring property owners. Planning for the the same high standard as any other local park. Greenway is only likely to move forward if it has the support of the public and is seen as a positive resource for local residents. ? People will be able to look in my windows. Liability For the Greenway to be implemented, easements must be negotiated with PECO to allow public access for Trails will be located as far away from residences recreational use. Land owners are often concerned about legal liability, and whether they as the underlying as possible. Wherever a trail is located in view of owner can be held liable for accidents or injuries suffered by the public. Fortunately, current laws shield property residences, ample screening will be provided to owners from just such scenarios. protect privacy. The Pennsylvania Recreational Use of Land and Water Act (RULWA), 68 P.S. §§ 477-1 to 477-8 (2003), limits the legal liability that landowners owe to entrants upon their land, when it is made available to the public ? Will the trail be a haven for crime? for recreation free of charge. So long as no user fee is charged, the Act provides that landowners “owe no duty of care to keep the premises safe for entry or use by others for recreational purposes, or give any warning of a Those who use trails are your friends and dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity on such premises to persons entering for such purposes.” neighbors, who are out walking the dog, pushing Pennsylvania’s Rails-to-Trails Act, 32 P.S. § 5611 et seq.(1991), also set similar specific limitations on landowner the baby stroller, and going for a bike ride. They liability, for the owner or lessee who permits trail use by the public. are among the safest and most wholesome places you could find. Instead, liability is vested with the operational entity for the trail, which in this case is expected to be the local municipalities. In terms of liability, the Garnet Valley Greenway would be seen in the same light as other local public resources such as parks and ballfields. The Greenway should therefore be subject to the same risk Will be cutting through my yard and management strategies that are adhered to for other sites. These include: designing the trail for safety, warning ? signage and posting of regulations and emergency contact information, developing medical emergency parking in front of my house? procedures, and covering the trail under the overall municipal insurance policy. The Greenway will be designed with ample public access points and associated parking and amenities.
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Safety and Security People who are unfamiliar with trails sometimes fear they will attract crime and lower adjacent property values. Numerous studies have shown the opposite. In fact, trails are generally safer than the communities surrounding them. Existing trails have shown that the more popular a trail becomes, the higher volume of user traffic it will see, making criminal activity and security much less of an issue. With the prevalence of cell phones, help can be reached relatively quickly in an emergency. Developing a formal trail will in some ways increase safety by providing easy access for emergency vehicles to otherwise difficult to reach places. There are many efforts communities can undertake to ensure greenways are safe. Careful attention to the site planning and design of particular areas such as parking lots, trailheads, and restrooms are critical in reducing safety concerns. There is a balance between retaining or creating a natural setting that is safe while also preserving the naturalness of an area. Design strategies include allowing clear visual access, having appropriate lighting in key areas, providing multiple access and egress points, and organizing activities to increase the number of users and “eyes on the path”. Many trails are highly popular with surrounding residents, which may lead to an effective neighborhood watch program to monitor the greenway. Safety can be promoted by programming activities for users of all ages and interests. This encourages legitimate uses and is especially effective when planned for time periods of lower usage. The more people there are on a trail, the safer it will be due to natural surveillance. The greenway should be designed to facilitate natural surveillance. This involves such strategies as locating parking lots and trail heads near streets and other activity centers so they are easily observable. In addition, emergency telephone systems can be provided at trail heads and at intervals along the trail. People feel safer when they know where they are and what is nearby. Clear directional and informational signage should be provided to orient users to the greenway layout. Signs should clearly identify trail names, especially at intersections, as well as trail length and distances to facilities, location of emergency phones, and the characteristics of trails, such as wide paved trails or smaller isolated walking trails. Mile markers should be installed, as well as indications of the trails intended use. In addition, consistent maintenance, just like with any park setting, will help keep the greenway safer. Good maintenance of the trails and facilities A variety of active and passive measures can be used demonstrates that the community cares about the space and will not easily to promote safety along the Greenway. tolerate criminal behavior.
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Greenway Impacts [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Property Values Trails are associated with higher property values, especially when a trail is designed to provide neighborhood access and maintain residents’ privacy. Trails, like good schools or low crime, create an amenity that commands a higher price for nearby homes. Trails are valued by those who live nearby as places to recreate, convenient opportunities for physical activity and improving health, and safe corridors for walking or cycling to work or school. Dozens of studies have been done across the country to corroborate this. According to the National Association of Realtors, trails have also been found to increase property value with recent home buyers ranking proximity to a trail second in importance out of 18 possible neighborhood amenities when shopping for a new home. In fact, nationally real estate associations often get involved to help promote trails projects, as the type of amenity that is good for business. A study done in 2011 by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission determined that locally, profound economic benefit was found near trails. The study found: • Calculations based on home sales within Radnor show that homes within a quarter- mile of the Radnor Trail can attribute an estimated $69,139 dollars of additional value to this proximity. Studies done on the impact of the nearby Radnor • Calculations based on home sales near the Perkiomen Trail show that homes within a Trail (Wayne, PA) show that property values near quarter-mile of the Trail can attribute an estimated $4,766 dollars of additional value the trail increased dramatically. to this proximity.
• In Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties, homes immediately adjacent to protected open space can claim an average of $10,000 in additional value over comparable homes farther than one mile from open space, and homes a half‐mile from open space enjoy an average increase of $5,000. In New Castle County, Delaware, a 2006 study found that homes within 50 yards of bike paths in sold on average for 4 percent more than similar homes without bike paths. These results are consistent with other studies that have demonstrated a higher value for homes adjacent to trails. These are just a small sampling of examples of the positive impact of trails on property values. The list of sources is practically inexhaustible. However, numerous studies and articles are cited in Appendix B. Countless studies have demonstrated the positive impact that trails have on
property values.
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Implementation [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Chapter 6 Implementation
The previous chapters outline the What? - a broad range of recommendations for individual trail segments and types, which link together to collectively form an integrated trail network within the Township and beyond. This chapter concerns the How? - the steps necessary to implement the trail network and bring these ideas to reality. Implementation will be described in terms of the probable costs, challenges, sources of funding, and optimal sequence of construction. It also outlines specific actions that are necessary, how they may best occur, and how different entities can collaborate to achieve the most effective results. Simply put, there is no standard “blueprint” for how to create a trail system. But there are themes common to almost all trail networks. Most arise out of local grass roots efforts, starting small and evolving slowly. “Slowly” is maybe the most universal common denominator. Requiring some form of property acquisition or easements for right-of-way, as well as significant capital investment for construction, the process of building trails almost always takes a blessed convergence of political, legal, and economic resources that rarely falls into place overnight. In general, the basic steps necessary to implement the recommendations include: 1. Acquisition: It will be necessary to acquire easements or other rights to allow access across a significant number of individual properties. 2. Fund Raising: Total cost for constructing the trail will be several million dollars. The majority of these funds are expected to be raised from grants and other private sources, which must be The Chester Creek Trail in nearby competitively pursued. Middletown, Pa, was successfully 3. Design and Construction: The design presented in this Plan is completed in 2017. Construction (left), conceptual. Further planning as well as final design and ribbon cutting (above), and finished engineering will be necessary to prepare complete design trail (top). documents suitable for construction. 4. Maintenance and Operation: Once the trail is constructed, ongoing responsibilities will include maintenance, repairs, cleaning, security, and programming.
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Project Stewardship Responsible Parties Implementation of the Greenway will depend on the continued effective Within the municipal administrative structure, roles and responsibilities collaboration of Concord Township, Delaware County, and other public and should be clearly defined and assigned so that specific actions can be carried private partners. To date, the governing bodies and private-sector stakeholders out effectively. It is expected that the municipal personnel and appropriate have developed a productive working relationship that has laid the groundwork for boards and committees will all have roles in advancing the objectives of the further progress. Plan. Concord Township is expected to be the lead entity responsible for design and Given the breadth of the recommendations and focused attention that will construction. While the Greenway has the potential to connect to be required to implement the major trail sections, it may be advantageous to neighboring municipalities and the broader region, within Concord establish a Greenway Committee comprised of municipal officials and key Township it will function as a local recreational resource, and an stakeholders, to be the lead point of contact for related matters. amenity for township residents and visitors. The township has the In addition, the municipalities will need to the support of professional institutional capacity to and expertise to build capital improvements. consultants and community partners to assist in carrying out the For these reasons, the township should expect to take ownership of those trail and recommendations of the Plan. accept the consequential liability and maintenance responsibility. • Township Council: Set policy, approve expenditures, and endorse Delaware County: With its 2015 Open Space, Recreation, and Greenways Plan, recommendations of the Open Space Committee Delaware County has taken a strong role in advocating for the • expansion of the county-wide trail network. Through its Planning Greenway Committee: Spearhead community outreach, and make Department, the County can play an important role in coordinating recommendations to the Council for budgetary expenditures. the many independent planning initiatives that may be in play at a • Township Manager: Oversee the hiring of professional consultants, given time and identifying opportunities for synergy. Furthermore, oversee public works department in managing construction projects, the County plays an important role in determining funding allocations for regional oversee preparation of grant applications and other fundraising efforts. trails programs. • Open Space Committee: Advise the Board to ensure that Plan initiatives are consistent with the overall goals for open space conservation in the The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission: DVRPC is the regional Township. planning organization for the nine-county area surrounding Philadelphia in • Planning Commission: Advise the Board to ensure that Greenways Plan Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The agency plays a leading initiatives are consistent with overall land use objectives of the role in shaping planning policy for the region, with a key Township. focus on promoting smart transportation. It administers a • Professional Consultants: Prepare feasibility studies, design trail number of grant programs to fund planning and design for improvements, oversee construction permitting required by regulatory transportation and community development projects, as well and plays a strong role agencies, prepare construction documents. in directing federal transportation funds to worthy trail and greenway projects. • Community Partners: Provide rights-of-way, raise funds, assist with maintenance.
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Implementation [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] ROW Acquisition and Stakeholder Outreach should be engaged in dialogue with the goal to include widening this culvert as part of the reconstruction project, to accommodate pedestrian The proposed trail alignment crosses many different individual properties. and bicycle traffic. While some of these segments will be on public land in existing open spaces, many others cross quasi-public, or private properties that are not within Township control. • HOA properties: While no portion of the trail is proposed to be located on The build these trail segments, it will be necessary to acquire rights-of-way (most HOA property, several residential neighborhoods are adjacent to the trail likely in the form of easements) to allow access across individual properties. These route, particularly Fox Valley Farm and Concord Hunt. Residential property owners will be significant stakeholders in the trail Plan. Key property neighbors will have understandable concerns about privacy and security, owners include the following: and these concerns will need to be addressed in design and planning to build support needed. • PECO Energy (Exelon): As noted earlier, the majority of the length of the proposed route for the Garnet Valley Greenway is over property owned by • Individual Homeowners: No proposed trail is intended to occupy any PECO Energy Company. It will be necessary to secure easements from portion of property belonging to individual homeowners. However, in PECO that allow construction and operation of a public trail over their certain areas potential trail alignments may be adjacent to individual property. Throughout our region, PECO has been cooperative in executing properties. Every effort will be made to satisfy the concern of residents and such agreements, and there are many trails that take advantage of PECO respect privacy, and the expectation is that ultimately the trails will be seen power line corridors for recreation trails. as an asset and amenity. • Delaware County (Clayton Park): Since the trail travels through Clayton Park and will connect into the park trail system and parking lot, the assistance and cooperation of Delaware County will be needed. The Greenway plan is consistent with the Clayton Park Master plan, and the County has been an enthusiastic partner in the Greenway plan. • Chadds Ford Township: The connection between the proposed Garnet Valley Greenway and Octoraro Trail is vitally important, since it ties the Greenway into a longer planned trail system. Traveling west through Concord Township, the Octoraro is planned to cross into Chadds Ford, with a potential trail head off Route 2020 near the Brandywine Mills shopping center in Chadds Ford. Close coordination between the two townships will facilitate implementation and fund raising, to the benefit of both communities. • PennDOT: Two proposed trail segments are intended to cross PennDOT roadways. An at-grade crossing is intended for Smithbridge Road, at an existing vehicular intersection. Discussions with PennDOT for this crossing are already underway. At Clayton Park, a crossing of Route 322 will be needed to extend the trail eastward into Bethel Township and beyond. This is a significant design challenge and expense, given the heavy volume of vehicular traffic on the roadway. PennDOT has plans in the near future to reconstruct Route 322 for widening from two lanes to four. PennDOT
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Methods of Right-of-Way Acquisition A joint-use easement allows multiple uses under one easement. Electric transmission lines, sanitary sewer lines, and petroleum or gas pipelines have utility There are several common mechanisms for the acquisition of open space land easements for their uses. There are opportunities to use these corridors for trail and right-of-way for trails, such as fee simple purchase, easements, and donations. connection, as they contain a cleared pathway. A joint-use easement allows They can be used separately or in combination with other techniques listed below to multiple uses under one easement. facilitate acquisition. Fee Simple Acquisition Easements/Deed Restrictions The most effective means of preserving land is through fee simple purchase. An easement is a mechanism by which a municipality or conservation Fee simple ownership gives the owner complete control of the land, including all organization can obtain a legal interest in private land for public use or public access and conservation practice decisions. However, fee simple acquisition, conservation purposes. particularly purchases at market value, can also be the most expensive. Therefore, Conservation easements place restrictions or an outright prohibition on many entities interested in land preservation, particularly public agencies or land development at a lower cost than fee simple acquisition. Under a conservation conservancies with limited budgets, will usually explore more creative options to easement, land remains in current ownership, but the property owner voluntarily acquire open space. agrees to donate or sell one or more rights attached to the land. In the case of a conservation or access easement, it would be the right to develop the land. Purchase and Leaseback or Resale Furthermore, a conservation easement may also provide the property owner with An entity interested in preservation, such as a local government or a federal income tax and estate tax benefits. Conservation easements are frequently conservancy, can purchase land in fee simple, place restrictions on the deed used for environmental preservation without providing for public use of the land. prohibiting certain uses (e.g., residential development), and resell or lease the land The easement can be held by a municipality, to an interested party. The original buyer gains the potential for future use at the county, or a private conservancy, such as current price and may recover some or all, of the purchase price through leasing. Natural Lands Trust or Brandywine The land is maintained in open space and may be developed as a park if and when Conservancy, both of which are future demand warrants. Resale of some or all of the land with deed restrictions headquartered in Delaware County. may maintain open space levels, relieve the municipality of maintenance A conservation easement can also be obligations, and return the land to the tax rolls. combined with a pedestrian easement or right of public access easement to allow Donation public access for walking, hiking, bicycling, Land or an easement on the land is frequently donated by a private owner, and other activities. The easement language organization, or corporation. Local governments should encourage the donation of typically establishes rules and restrictions, land or easements by pointing out benefits of such actions, including possible such as limiting when, where, and how the federal income and estate tax benefits and public relations value. In addition to easement may be utilized. PA Act 68, land, corporations and other private parties also frequently provide cash donations Recreational Use of Land and Water Act for worthy causes, including land preservation. (RULWA), assures that the landowner is not held liable for any injuries, crimes, or death associated with public use of the land.
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Implementation [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE]
Sources of Funding Potential opportunities for capital funding to construct the Greenways Network PennDOT - Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) include federal, state, and local grants. Each has specific requirements, and is Independent of the DCED program noted above, PennDOT administers an subject to certain limitations. These grant programs are almost universally independent funding allocation of the Multimodal Transportation Fund. The competitive, and are awarded based on the merits of individual proposed projects program purpose and intent are the same: to encourage economic development and on the quality of grant application submissions. and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available. Funds may DCNR - PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources be used for a pedestrian and bicycle improvements. DCNR administers the federally-funded Recreation Trail Program and the state- PennDOT - Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funded Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2). The Recreation The TAP program utilizes federal funds. Funding is awarded by PennDOT as the Trails Program is designed to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail authorized state agency, with program administration at the local region provided related facilities for trail users. Project examples include development and by DVRPC. Each local County recommends to DVRPC its top priority projects rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages and acquisition of requesting funding. TAP grants are intended for pedestrian and bicycle facilities, easements or property for recreation trails. The Community Conservation improved access to public transportation, safe routes to school, and trails projects Partnership Program is designed to provide grants for comprehensive recreation that serve a transportation purpose, while promoting safety and mobility. and park planning and greenway planning. Potential projects include development PennDOT – Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) of public park and trail recreation facilities, acquiring land for park and The “TIP” is the 12-year budget and forecast for the full range of transportation conservation purposes, site development planning, and feasibility studies. projects planned by PennDOT and funded through federal transportation money. It DVRPC - Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission addresses all transportation modes, including bicycle and pedestrian facilities. DVRPC administers a range of funding programs to facilitate planning and design Projects become funded through the TIP by recommendation of the local county of trails and greenways. These programs evolve annually. In recent years, programs and DVRPC, and are evaluated in light of competing project needs across the state. oriented toward multi-modal transportation have included the Transportation and Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Community Development Initiative (TCDI) and Regional Trails Programs (RTP). It is RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget expected that programs of a similar nature will be offered in future years. for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, and DCED - Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP) historical improvement projects. The grant requires a 50% match, and eligible The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) administers projects must have a total cost of at least $1,000,000. this program, which allocates funds to the Commonwealth Financing Authority PECO – Green Region Open Space Grant Program (CFA) for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of Green Region grants are available to municipalities to cover a wide variety of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects. planning and expenses associated with developing and implementing open space DCED - Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) programs and capital improvements for passive recreation such as trails. The The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) administers program is administered in partnership with the Natural Lands Trust. this program, which provides grants to encourage economic development and Delaware County ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents In 2018, Delaware County offered funding to municipalities for trail development of the commonwealth. Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and and associated activities through the County’s Green Ways program. Future rounds enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, including lighting, of this program have not been announced. However, the County remains an sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, bicycle circulation, connectivity of important partner and potential source of technical and planning support in transportation assets and transit-oriented development. addition to potential future funding resources.
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Trails and Greenways Grant Funding Summary
DCNR - PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources PennDOT – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2) Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Recreation Trails Program (RTP) • Timing: annual - July 31 deadline • Timing: annual, April 15 • Amount: up to $3,000,000 • Amount: up to $250,000 • Match: 30% local • Match: 50% local • Activities: Design (10% max.), construction • Activities: Planning, design, construction • https://www.penndot.gov/ProjectAndPrograms/ • http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/index.aspx MultimodalProgram/Pages/default.aspx
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) DVRPC - Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission • Timing: annual – April Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI) • Amount: up to $1,000,000 • Timing: bi-annual, January 2021 anticipated • Match: 20% local • Amount: up to $100,000 • Activities: Construction only • Match: 20% local • http://www.dvrpc.org/tap/PA.htm • Activities: Planning only • http://www.dvrpc.org/TCDI/ Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) • Timing: rolling Regional Trails Program (RTP) • • Timing: bi-annual, fall 2020 anticipated Amount: unlimited • Amount: up to $200,000 • Match: 20% local • Match: varies • Activities: Construction only • Activities: Design and engineering • https://www.dvrpc.org/TIP/ • http://www.dvrpc.org/RegionalTrailsProgram/ PECO /Natural Lands Trust DCED – Department of Community and Economic Development Green Region Open Space Grant Program Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP) • Timing: annual – typically March 15 • Timing: annual, spring • Funding Amount: up to $10,000 • Amount: up to $250,000 • Match: 50% local • Match: 15% local • Activities: Planning, design, construction • Activities: Planning, design, construction • https://natlands.org/what-we-do/growing-greener-communities/peco- • http://community.newpa.com/programs/greenways-trails-and- green-region/ recreation-program-gtrp/ Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Governor’s Budget Office • Timing: annual, July 31 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) • Amount: up to $3,000,000 • Timing: rolling • Match: 30% local • Amount: unlimited • Activities: Design (10% max.), construction • Match: 50% local • Info: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/multimodal-transportation-fund/ • Activities: Construction only
• https://www.budget.pa.gov/Programs/RACP/Pages/Main%20Page.aspx
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Implementation [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Other Sources of Funding the part of local governments to ask for private sector financial support. This has led While grant funding is one primary source of funds for trails in our region, there to a wide array of sponsored programs, including events such as fitness runs and are other financing tools available to local municipalities. The most successful concerts, advertising promotions that use park facilities as a backdrop, and strategies will involve pursuing multiple sources in combination. In this way, locally- widespread presence of corporate logos and brand names in public venues. generated funds can be used to “match” funds (ie, grants) from outside agencies. User Fees: It has become commonplace for maintenance and operational costs Local Taxes: The most direct way to generate funds is through local taxation, for recreation facilities to be subsidized with user fees. In many places these fees through means such as property taxes, earned income taxes, and real estate have become an essential source of revenue. These fees can be captured in a transfer taxes. Tax allocations for recreation and open space must compete with the variety of ways, often through paid participation in recreation programs. full range of other municipal needs, and new taxes are subject to political and voter consent. In some localities, a portion of an increase in the sales tax will be set aside Donations: Not to be discounted is the potential for “voluntary fees.” for recreational trail or other conservation funding. Rarely, new taxes will be levied Voluntary donations from users are a big part of the revenue budget for many to exclusively support active transportation projects. familiar cultural institutions. The same philosophy can be applied to recreational amenities. Many individuals are happy to make contributions to park agencies and Municipal Bonds: Significant expenditures such as the construction of recreation programs solely to improve the community in which they live. facilities of purchase of land often cannot be funded out of general municipal operating revenue. For this reason, municipalities sometimes issue long-term debt Land Development Fees and Mandatory Dedication: In Marple Township, the to finance major capital projects. Bonds have been used to great effect in Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance requires that developers dedicate a Pennsylvania, and are a proven and effective way to finance open space and portion of their property for recreation purposes, or pay a fee-in-lieu of that greenways projects. A variety of different types of bond options are available to dedication of land. This ordinance requirement has resulted in the various protected municipalities. Most commonly, local governments issue General Obligation Bonds. open space areas associated with residential subdivisions. While the open space These are bonds that are secured by the full trust and credit of the municipality, and land is protected from future development, in most cases it remains owned by the backed by the taxable value of its property. In this case, the local government respective Homeowners Association (HOA). The current ordinance requires that pledges the use of any sources of its revenue (like raising taxes, for instance) to residential developments set aside 1,600 square feet of land for each dwelling unit. generate sufficient revenues to make the debt service payments. Revenue Bonds are Non-residential developments are required to set aside 5% of the total land area. a type of bond that can be used to fund projects that requires a large up-front cost, Fees-in-lieu requirements are updated but can be paid for over time with municipal revenue generated in subsequent periodically by the Board of Commissioners, years. The issuing government entity pledges to generate sufficient revenue annually and vary by building type. In future years, these to cover the new project’s operating costs, plus meet the annual debt service recreation fees may be allocated toward design requirements. and construction for trail and greenway projects. Nationally, The Trust for Public Land maintains LandVote, a database of local The Board of Commissioners should carefully bond referenda and special tax increases dedicated to public open space, including review future projects to determine if Township trail and greenway development. According to this database, since 1995 ownership of dedicated open space would be Pennsylvania voters have approved more than $1.2 billion in local bonds and taxes more beneficial to the public than a fee or for open space protection, acquisition, and development. HOA-controlled open space. Corporate Sponsorship: There is a growing recognition by corporations and other in the private sector that there is a positive value in being associated with parks and recreation initiatives. Additionally, there has been a growing boldness on
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Anticipated Construction Cost To implement all the recommendations in this Plan, the estimated cost for planning, design and construction is in excess of $5 million. This is an order-of-magnitude estimate. These estimates are preliminary and are based on only a general understanding of specific site constraints and design features that will ultimately be necessary to fully realize the trail potential. See Appendix for detailed cost estimate breakdown.
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Implementation [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Project Phasing The proposed Garnet Valley Greenway includes several individual trails and trail Phases could be implemented in a variety of different sequences. The Township segments. It is not expected that that the entire network be constructed should remain alert to opportunities and favorable circumstances to advance any simultaneously as a single project. For practical purposes, it will be necessary to portion of the overall plan. At this time, the connection between the Garnet Valley build the trail one segment at a time, as funds and opportunity become available. Greenway and the planned Octoraro Trail is seen as a primary benefit to Township Some segments can be implemented quickly, taking advantage of other ongoing users, affording the opportunity to expand the regional trail network and make a projects and initiatives. Other segments will require more complicated engineering wide range of off-street connections. Accordingly, recommended project phasing is and permitting, and costly construction. It is prudent to define and prioritize as follows: individual segments of the trail, and to establish a logical sequence of implementation, so that resources can be allocated accordingly.
Greenway Phasing Plan
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Phase 1: Temple Road to Smithbridge Road Phase 3: Smithbridge Road to Greener Tract/Bethel Road This section involves improvements within the vicinity of the Township Park, and This section follows the utility corridor continuously for 0.4 miles through the takes advantage of other current ongoing projects. It strengthens to trail Concord Hunt neighborhood, connecting to a recently-acquired Township known infrastructure within the park along with connections across both adjacent streets. as the Greener Tract. then through the Shavertown Woods area. Project Project components may include: components should include: • Upgrade the road crossing at Temple Road recently installed to improve • Paved main trail within the utility corridor. access to the Phipps Farm trail to accommodate increased usage • Road crossing at Hunt Meet Lane. associated with the GVG. • Trail spur connecting through Greener Tract to Bethel Road. • The road crossing at Smithbridge Road is planned as part of a separate • Road Crossing at Bethel Road, to allow connection to Valley Point Church roadway improvement project. Coordination should take place to ensure and Garnet Valley High School. that appropriate accommodations are made for Greenway users. Phase 4: Greener Tract/Bethel Road to Featherbed Road • Within the Township Park, evaluate internal connections and make improvements where needed to provide a continuous route for greenway This section continues along the utility corridor for another 0.4 miles, through the users. Trail head improvements including signage and user amenities. Shavertown Woods area. Project components should include: Phase 2: Spring Valley Road to Temple Road • Paved main trail within the utility corridor. • Equestrian side path, extents to be determined. This section is about 1 mile long and runs north from the Township Park to the • Vegetation management program for the utility corridor where it transects connection point with the planned Octoraro Trail near Spring Valley Road. Project the sensitive environmental area of the woods. components may include: • Road crossing of Bethel Road to connect to Township open space that can • Short (+/- 500 ft.) trail connection alongside Temple Road, connecting accommodate trail head access and parking, along with additional trails. from the Phipps Farm open Space to the PECO corridor. Phase 5: Featherbed Lane to Garnet Mine Road • Paved main trail within the utility corridor, connecting to the Octoraro. • Trail accommodations and associated improvements at the stream and This section runs primarily through Clayton Park, terminating at the parking lot on pond on Township property behind Waterford. These may include Garnet Mine Road. Project components should include: boardwalk side path, pond rehabilitation, vegetation management, • Road crossing of Featherbed Lane. interpretive signage and programs, dock structure, and pedestrian bridge • Bridge or boardwalk structure to span stream. over stream. • Paved main trail within the utility corridor in Clayton Park. • Trail connection, signage, and trail head parking at Temple Road. • Trail extensions to make connections within the park to the parking lot.
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Implementation [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] Five Year Action Plan Near-term actions should focus on tasks and projects that can achieve results quickly and effectively. Tangible results – such as actual new trail segments that the Years 2-3 public can see and touch – will build momentum and public support, and demonstrate credibility with stakeholders and potential funding partners. For these • Construct Section 2 of the Greenway. reasons, it is recommended that the first phase of construction be Section 2 of the • Prepare preliminary/final design Section 1 of the Greenway. Greenway, involving improvements to and around the Township Park between • Acquire rights-of-way over PECO properties for phases 3 and 4. Temple Road and Smithbridge Road. This is the smallest and least costly section to build and will establish linkages to further sections to be constructed in both • Secure funding to prepare base topographic survey and preliminary design directions. With an aggressive approach, it is conceivable that a significant portion for Section 1 of the Greenway. of the recommended network can be built or underway within the next five years. • Coordinate with PennDOT for upgrades to the intersection of Featherbed Major tasks and milestones are summarized below. Lane and Bethel Road. Year 1-2 • Identify funding to support the effort necessary to pursue right-of-way Years 4-5 acquisition. • Secure funding to prepare base topographic survey and preliminary design • Acquire rights-of-way over PECO properties for sections 1 and 2. for Sections 3 and 4 of the Greenway. • Coordinate with public agencies and utility providers within the greenway • Construct Section 3 of the Greenway. corridor to clarify design and access issues. • Coordinate with Delaware County for section 4of the Greenway within • Engage in dialogue with neighboring residences and HOAs to clarify issues Clayton Park. of concern and build support, particularly Fox Hill Farm and Sharpless Farm. • Construct Section 4 of the Greenway. • Coordinate with Smithbridge Road circulation project for design scope and details.
• Secure funding to prepare base topographic survey and design for Sections 1 and 2 of the Greenway. • Engage in dialogue with stakeholders and neighbors related to section 3, including Concord Hunt, Valley Point Church, and Garnet Valley Schools.
• Prepare final design for Section 2 of the Greenway.
• Coordinate with PennDOT for pedestrian accommodations to cross Route 322 as part of current ongoing PennDOT roadway reconstruction project.
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Maintenance and Operations A common characteristic of greenways everywhere (and public spaces in general), is that maintenance and operations is almost always a struggle. While the investment of time and money required to build a greenway is often huge, the task of finding resources to maintain and operate a trail is sometimes equally daunting. Locally and nationally, one common model is for actual ownership of trails and greenways to be in public hands, usually a county or municipality. Maintenance, however, is often performed by, or in cooperation with, local non-profit organizations and community volunteers. This is a win-win relationship. Most non-profit groups wish to avoid owning property due to liability concerns. Local governments, having the capacity to own property and accept the attendant legal issues, benefit from reduced maintenance costs and responsibilities. In Marple, it is likely that specific responsibility for maintenance and operations of greenways may involve multiple private and public entities, and it is reasonable to expect that many stakeholders will contribute in some meaningful way to the effort necessary to carryout trail operations. One scenario for trail operations is for the Township to take responsibility for aspects of the trail related to public safety, for reason of liability. These elements would include maintenance of the pavement surface, pavement markings, drainage facilities, curbs and other physical buffers, traffic regulatory signs, and operations of traffic signal equipment. These items fall generally within typical municipal maintenance regimens, and should be within the Township’s capacity to carry out. Private partners may be sought to assist the Township with the provision and maintenance of “supplemental” greenway elements, which might include: • Cleaning and trash removal • Identity and wayfinding signage and maps • Landscape maintenance • Public communications and safety Landscape maintenance, security, and • Marketing and promotional events promotions are some of the operational There is ample precedent in the region for public-private partnership for tasks that are necessary to assure long- operations and maintenance of public open space. In many cases, basic services are term success of the trail. provided by the municipality and supplemental services are provided by partners. These additional services can include volunteer labor, modest financial contributions, technical expertise, or other in-kind services. Just a few local examples are:
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Implementation [TYPE THE DOCUMENT TITLE] • In Lower Merion Township, the Friends of the Cynwyd Trail have provided a substantial amount of volunteer labor to beautify and maintain the Cynwyd Trail. Construction of the trail itself was by the municipality, while associated landscape maintenance and improvements has been by the Friends groups. • The nearby Chester Creek Trail is supported by The Friends of the Chester Creek Branch non-profit organization (http://www.chestercreektrail.org/). This Friends group was heavily involved in conceiving the project and advocating for the trail in its early stages. Since the proposed trail alignment spans multiple municipalities, it was especially advantageous to have an organization distinct from the individual local governments. The Friends group secured the rights to the rail line and commissioned the early feasibility study. The group remains in a lead role now that the trail is under construction, and is expected to partner with local governments for maintenance and operations.
• The Chester Valley Trail, which roughly parallels route 202 between Exton In Lower Merion, the Friends of the and King of Prussia, is supported by the Friends of the Chester Valley Trail Cynwyd Trail programs events (http://chestervalleytrail.org/). The group provides financial support for (above) to raise money to support maintenance through membership donations, and serves as a hub for trail maintenance, and provides volunteer information. They provide news, events, volunteer support and advocacy for labor to defray costs (left). trail growth.
• Friends of Radnor Trails (FORT) The Chester Creek Trail is supported (https://www.facebook.com/pages/ by a non-profit group that takes an active role in trail planning and Friends-of-Radnor-Trails/ construction (below). 160505950669234), was founded to advocate for the conversion of a former rail line into the Radnor Trail. The organization continues to advocate for trail expansion, and
organizers volunteers for maintenance and upkeep.
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Appendices
Appendices
Appendix A: Proposed Trail Plans Appendix B: Cost Estimate Appendix C: References
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Appendix A: Proposed Trail Plans
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Appendix B: Cost Estimate
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Appendix D: References
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Local and Regional Trail Planning
Concord Township Recreation & Open Space Plan (1995) Concord Township Ordinances and Plan Update (2007) http://townshipofconcord.com/the-code-of-the-township-of-concord-4/ http://townshipofconcord.com/open-space-and-recreation-plan-update/ Delaware County Bicycle Plan (2009) Concord Township Comprehensive Plan (1988), Plan Update (2000) and Plan http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/planning/pubs/bicycleplan.html Addendum (2004) http://townshipofconcord.com/comprehensive-plan-update/ Delaware County Open Space, Recreation, and Greenway Plan http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/planning/pubs/delco2035/OpenSpaceandRe Concord Township Greenways and Open Space Network Plan (2015) creationPlan.html https://www.townshipofconcord.com/document_center/Residents/Trails/DRAFT2- Concord-Township-Greenways-Plan_for-WEB_2015.12.30.pdf The Circuit (2012) http://connectthecircuit.org/ Octoraro Greenway Feasibility Study (2016) https://www.townshipofconcord.com/document_center/Residents/Trails/Octoraro- East Coast Greenway Report_FINAL_Dec2016_WEB.pdf http://www.greenway.org/
Economic Impact of Trails and Greenways, Including Impact on Property Values
The Economic Value of Protected Open Space in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Pinellas Trail Community Impact Study, (Greenspace Alliance and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, 2011) (Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization, 2001) http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_008790. http://www.brucefreemanrailtrail.org/pdf/Pinellas_exec.pdf pdf Alternative Transportation Spurs Development, Understanding the economic benefits of trails on residential property values in the (National Association of REALTORS®, June 10, 2015). Presence of Spatial Dependence, http://www.realtor.org/articles/alternative-transportation-spurs-development (Rainer vom Hofe and Olivier Parent, University of Cincinnati, 2011) http://library.michigantrails.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/Residential.pdf Transform an Unused Railroad Corridor into a Lively Trail, (Spaces to Places Blog, National Association of REALTORS®, Apr. 8, 2015). The Value of Trail Access on Home Purchases, http://spacestoplaces.blogs.realtor.org/2015/04/08/transform-an-unused- (Mogush, Paul, Kevin J. Krizek, David M. Levinson, 2005) railroad-corridor-into-a-lively-trail/ http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.145.2520&rep=rep1& type=pdf Complete Streets for All Travelers, (National Association of REALTORS®, June 13, 2014). http://www.realtor.org/articles/complete-streets-for-all-travelers
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Working on the Rail-Trail, (REALTOR® Magazine, Apr. 2014). Urban bike trails in cities like Indianapolis, Dallas and Atlanta are proving to have http://realtormag.realtor.org/first-person/street-cred/article/2014/04/working-rail- rich economic benefits to city neighborhoods, trail (Transportation for America, Aug. 31, 2015). http://t4america.org/2015/08/31/urban-bike-trails-in-cities-like-indianapolis- A New Generation of Bikeways, dallas-and-atlanta-are-proving-to-have-rich-economic-benefits-to-city- (National Association of REALTORS®, Feb 8, 2013). neighborhoods/ http://www.realtor.org/articles/a-new-generation-of-bikeways Norristown 'greenway' study focuses on improving Stony Creek, Saw Mill Run, Trail-Oriented Development: The Next Frontier in People-Friendly Design, (Montgomery Media, July 23, 2015). (Urban Land, Apr. 25, 2016). http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2015/07/23/colonial_news/news/doc5 http://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/Active-Transportation-and-Real- 5affa40005a0078160407.txt Estate-The-Next-Frontier.pdf Bike Lanes & Property Values: Is There A Correlation?, Measuring Trails Benefits: Property Value, (Curbed Atlanta, August 8, 2013) (Headwaters Economics, Apr. 27, 2016). http://atlanta.curbed.com/2013/8/8/10210634/bike-lanes-property-values-is- http://headwaterseconomics.org/wphw/wp-content/uploads/trails-library-property- there-a-correlation value-overview.pdf Benefits Justify Spending on Hiking and Biking Trails, Property Value/Desirability Effects of Bike Paths Adjacent to Residential Areas, (Columbus Biz Insider, July 22, 2015). (Delaware Center for Transportation and the State of Delaware Department of )http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2015/07/benefits-justify-spending-on- Transportation, Nov 2006) hiking-and-biking.html http://headwaterseconomics.org/wphw/wp-content/uploads/Trail_Study_51- property-value-bike-paths-residential-areas.pdf Charlotte Trail About Recreation And Economic Development , (WFAR, Charlotte’s NPR News SourceCross, July 21, 2015). Wheel Estate: Bike Paths Lift Home Values, http://wfae.org/post/cross-charlotte-trail-about-recreation-and-economic- (RIS Media, Apr. 13, 2016). development http://blog.rismedia.com/2016/wheel-estate-bike-paths-lift-home-values/ Do Bike Lanes Impact Housing Values?, Parks-trails may Increase Property Value , (Streets MN, June 10, 2013). (Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jan. 3, 2016). http://streets.mn/2013/06/10/do-bike-lanes-impact-housing-values/ http://homes.reviewjournal.com/news/new-homes/parks-trails-may-increase- property-value Realtors Using Pedal Power To Sell Homes , (Forbes, May 24, 2013). http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcellefischler/2013/05/24/realtors-use-pedal- The Economic Impact of Greenways and Multi-Use Trails, power-to-sell-homes/#219a7a0114a3 (Headwaters Economics, Aug. 2015). http://nvcogct.org/sites/default/files/NRGLiteratureReviewFinal%2010-8-15.pdf Rock Island Trail: What is the value of rail trails to trail neighbors and communities?, (Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation, Feb. 19, 2015). http://mobikefed.org/2015/02/rock-island-trail-what-value-rail-trails-trail- neighbors-and-communities
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The Relative Impacts of Trails and Greenbelts on Home Price, How Much is a Bike Trail Worth? (The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics. May 2009) (Atlantic Citylab, Oct. 28, 2011). http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11146-007-9089-8 http://www.citylab.com/commute/2011/10/how-much-bike-trail-worth/382/
Property values, recreation values, and urban greenways. New Research Finds that Homeowners and City Planners Should 'Hit the Trail' When (Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 2004) Considering Property Values, http://js.sagamorepub.com/jpra/article/view/1404 (University of Cincinnati, 2011) http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=14300 Evaluation of the Burke-Gilman Trails’s Effect on Property Values and Crime, (Seattle Engineering Department Office of Planning, 1987) Bike Trail Impacts Property Values, http://headwaterseconomics.org/wphw/wp-content/uploads/Trail_Study_82-burke- (WCPO Cincinnati, Oct. 14, 2011). gilman-trail-property-values.pdf http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/bike-trail-impacts-property-values
The Bloomingdale Trail Is Already Affecting Local Real Estate , The Impact of Greenways on Property Values: Evidence from Austin, Texas, (Chicago Magazine, Apr. 24, 2015). (Journal of Leisure Research, 2005) http://www.chicagomag.com/real-estate/April-2015/Get-Ready-For-Price- http://agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/cromptonrpts/files/2011/06/4_2_7.pdf Increases/ Bicycle Paths: Safety Concerns and Property Values, (Los Angeles County, Metropolitan Transport Authority, August 20, 2007) What Economic Impact Do Trails Have In Our Communities?, http://www.brucefreemanrailtrail.org/pdf/LA-Metro-Bike-paths-safety-property- (Carolina Thread Trail, July 2, 2012). values.pdf http://www.carolinathreadtrail.org/what-eonomic-impact-do-trails-have-in-our- communities/ Home Sales near Two Massachusetts Rail Trails, (Craig Della Penna, The Murphys Realtors, Inc., January 2006). Bicycling Means Business: The Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructure, http://brucefreemanrailtrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/1-25-2006-Report- (League of American Bicyclists, July 2012). to-MLSPIN-house-sales-near-to-rail-trails.pdf http://www.advocacyadvance.org/site_images/content/Final_Econ_Update(small).p df Michael Swan: Building connected communities one foot at a time, (The Joplin Globe, July 19, 2015). Bikes, Bike Paths, and Home Values, http://www.joplinglobe.com/opinion/columns/michael-swan-building-connected- (Boston Magazine, Dec. 1, 2011). communities-one-foot-at-a-time/article_a1600fd4-1af5-56a7-8f23- http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2011/12/01/huwbay-bikes-bike- 5ca2fc4c0875.html paths-home-values/
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