Program Manual
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Susquehanna Greenway River Towns Program Training Manual Prepared by: Susquehanna Greenway Partnership 201 Furnace Road Lewisburg, PA 17837 (570) 522‐7339 www.susquehannagreenway.org September 2013 Susquehanna Greenway River Towns Program Training Manual Credits and Acknowledgements Funding Partners PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources PA Department of Economic and Community Development Chesapeake Bay Commission Susquehanna Greenway Team Trish Carothers, Executive Director Alice Trowbridge, RLA, Greenway Coordinator Zachary Pyle, River Towns Program Coordinator Bridget Kane, Membership and Volunteer Coordinator Erin Pierce, Program Coordinator Barbara Bogle, Program Assistant Susquehanna Greenway Regional Contacts Dale Freudenberger Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Area David Buck Endless Mountains Heritage Region Janie French Headwaters Charitable Trust Phil Swank Endless Mountains Heritage Region River Towns Program Advisory Committee Mike Eschenmann DCNR, Conservation Landscape Initiative (CLI) Coordinator Wes Fahringer Recreation and Parks Adviser, Region 4 Julie Fitzpatrick PA Downtown Center Monica Hoffman DCNR, Recreation and Parks Adviser Terry Hough DCNR, Environmental Planner Diane Kripas DCNR, Partnerships Division Chief Mike Piaskowski DCNR, River, Heritage Areas and Partnerships Lorne Possinger DCNR, Recreation & Parks Advisor, Region 2 Phil Swank Endless Mountains Heritage Region Jerry Walls SGP Board of Directors Kim Wheeler Lycoming County Planning Office Lori Yeich DCNR, Natural Resource Program Supervisor, Region 3 Partner Organizations Pennsylvania Downtown Center Trail Town Program of the Great Allegheny Passage Susquehanna Greenway River Towns Program Training Manual Table of Contents Tab 1: Introduction…………………………………………………………………………. 3 a. River Towns Program Overview and Process i. Program Context ii. SG River Towns Concept iii. Becoming a River Town iv. Community Benefits v. Selection Criteria vi. Selection Process b. River Town Application c. Community Leader Identification Form d. Planning Documents Inventory e. River Town Assessment Tool and Questionnaire Tab 2: Getting Organized……………………………………………………………......... 18 a. Engaging Local Organizations b. Engaging Local Volunteers c. Get Your Message Out d. Build Partnerships e. Identify Funding Sources f. River Town Team Job Description Tab 3: Community Visioning……………………………………………………………… 25 a. Visioning Overview b. Example Vision Statements i. Lewisburg 2020 ii. Lock Haven c. Visioning Exercises d. Additional Visioning Resources e. Small Group Facilitator’s Guide Tab 4: Project Planning………………………………………………………………......... 38 a. Creating a Five Year Plan b. SGP Scopes of Work i. Becoming a River Town ii. Green Infrastructure Strategy iii. Public Riverfront Access c. Green Infrastructure Fact Sheet d. Jersey Shore “More Green More Vital” Green Infrastructure Booklet Tab 5: Work Plans………………………………………………………………………….. 71 a. Steps to Create a Work Plan b. Example Work Plan c. Work Plan Template Tab 6: Project Implementation………………………………………………………….. 77 a. Fundraising Overview and Funding Programs b. Project Implementation Strategy c. Guide to Proposal Planning and Grant Writing d. North Branch Canal Trail Project Profile e. Jersey Shore Public River Access Project Profile f. Jersey Shore Conceptual Renderings Tab 7: Celebrating Success…………………………………………………….………… 111 a. How to Celebrate Success Locally b. Recognizing Volunteers c. Regional Recognition Programs Tab 8: Appendix……………………………………………………………………………. 113 a. Detailed Steps to Become a Susquehanna Greenway River Town b. River Town Resolution c. Sample River Town Bylaws d. Example Information Sharing Meeting Agenda e. Green Infrastructure Meeting Agenda – Meeting 1 f. Green Infrastructure Meeting Agenda – Meeting 2 g. Green Infrastructure Meeting Agenda – Meeting 3 h. Green Infrastructure Meeting Agenda – Meeting 4 i. Green Infrastructure Meeting Agenda – Meeting 5 j. Green Infrastructure Meeting Agenda – Meeting 6 k. Green Infrastructure Open House Agenda l. Meeting Sign In Sheet m. Media Contact Form n. Peer-to-Peer Technical Assistance Manual Susquehanna Greenway Strategic Initiatives Pennsylvania’s Largest Greenway The Susquehanna Greenway is an evolving corridor of interconnected parks, trails, river access points, conserved areas and river communities, linking people to the natural and cultural treasures of the Susquehanna River and its West Branch. It is nearly 500 miles in length, making it our state’s largest greenway. Our Vision The Susquehanna Greenway is a place and a journey connecting people and communities to the Susquehanna River and its enduring story. The Greenway unveils the spirit of the river – renewing awareness of its distinctive scenery and its natural and cultural heritage. It is a destination shaped by diverse people and the pursuit of their dreams. The Susquehanna Greenway balances the needs of generations today and tomorrow; conserves the environment for all living things; and creates healthy and successful communities, wide- ranging recreation, and economic prosperity. The Greenway celebrates the Susquehanna River as a place of timeless value, shared memories and experiences – a place to use and enjoy and to treasure always. Our Mission The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is a leading champion for the Susquehanna River Watershed, Pennsylvania’s most important natural asset and the largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. We advance public and private efforts to connect people with our natural and cultural resources, and promote a sustainable and healthy environment. The Susquehanna Greenway SGP is focused on five strategic program initiatives to attain these benefits and make our vision Partnership (SGP), is a 501 (c)(3) a reality: Conserving and Enhancing Natural Resources; Improving Connectivity; Improving River nonprofit organization dedicated Access; Revitalizing River Towns; Signage, Branding and Promotion. to developing and sustaining the Susquehanna Greenway. 1. Conserving and Enhancing Natural Resources: The Susquehanna River is Pennsylvania’s longest river. It is a major resource for our region, providing drinking water for six million people and nearly half of the fresh water entering the Chesapeake Bay. Conserving critical wetlands, forestlands, farmlands and riparian areas along the river will enhance our water resources and the quality of life for all living things. SGP provides technical assistance while working collaboratively with conservation organizations, state and federal agencies, municipalities and local partners to: y Increase awareness of conservation and water quality issues y Preserve and enhance riparian corridors along the river and its tributaries y Advocate for priority conservation projects including the conservation of wetlands, forestlands, and farmlands 2. Revitalizing River Towns: Many of our river towns were built during the industrial era, but are now suffering from the loss of industry and 1 jobs, urban abandonment, suburban sprawl and shrinking tax bases. By investing in river town parks, trails and greening our downtowns, we create more desirable communities and get more feet back on the streets. These healthier, greener communities attract business investment, encourage urban living, and improve the economic potential of tourism. SGP provides technical assistance while working collaboratively with downtown revitalization programs, tourism agencies, municipalities, state and federal agencies and local partners to: y Create trails and walkways from downtowns to the river y Provide opportunities for safe walking and biking that foster healthy activities for people of all generations y Create and enhance riverfront parks, trails and access points y Promote River Towns as part of the Susquehanna Greenway y Reclaim and find new uses for abandoned buildings and brownfields 3. Improving Connectivity: By connecting communities and linking residents and visitors to the resources of the Susquehanna River with trails and greenways, we create a positive association with the river. This helps to build a greater sense of community and foster environmental stewardship. The Susquehanna Greenway SGP ‘s goal is to create over 500 miles of interconnected trails and greenways that: Partnership is a leading champion y Link riverfront parks to downtown businesses and residential areas, with trail systems, which for the Susquehanna River also provide opportunities for alternative transportation Watershed. We advocate for y Link to other regional trail systems public and private efforts to connect people with our natural y Link wildlife habitat corridors along the river and its tributaries. and cultural resources, and 4. Improving River Access: River access sites are the transition points to and from land- and water- promote a sustainable and healthy based assets and are the key to unlocking the Greenway’s potential. SGP provides technical assistance environment. while working collaboratively with municipalities, state and federal agencies and local partners to: y Add and improve river access to enhance user enjoyment and increase recreation opportunities including fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking y Provide public access to the river from river towns 5. Signage, Branding and Promotion: The Susquehanna Greenway is in fact a greenway composed of many smaller greenways, parks, trails and conservation areas that are both existing and planned. When these existing greenway elements are connected and expanded with new greenway elements, and promoted