COMMUNITY WORKPLAN

Kane Heritage Communities Program

2012

Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance KANE HERITAGE COMMUNITY WORKPLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER/Subsection Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii

COMMUNITY WORKPLAN SUMMARY 1

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT 3 Heritage Communities Program 3

COMMUNITY INVENTORIES 4 Community and Area Overview 4 Location Map 5 Demographics 6 Economics 8 Historical and Architecturally Significant Buildings, Sites and Themes 16 Historical Markers 19 Cultural History 20 Explorers/Pioneers 26 Museums 30 Community Events and Activities 32 Regional Attractions and Resources 34 Local Recreation Related Resources 44 Inventory and Survey of Businesses 48 Business Survey 49 Physical and Non-Physical Conditions 60 Transportation System 62 Community Visual Conditions and Design Analysis 70

SYNTHESIS OF INFORMATION 78 Public Input First Workshop – The Wish List 78 Second Workshop – Planning Charrette 81 Third Workshop – Draft Presentation and Comments 89 Issues and Opportunities Statement Overview 90

IMPLEMENTATION 92 Heritage Route 6 Economic Impacts 92 Tourism and Economics 93 Implementation Matrix 97 Summary of Recommendations 107 Interpretive Planning Statement 113 Marketing and Hospitality Planning Statement 115 Wayfinding Planning Statement 117 Heritage Resource Development/Physical Enhancement Planning Statement 120

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This planning effort represents a relatively new approach to heritage planning being implemented by the Route 6 Alliance. The concept was locally developed during early Route 6 heritage planning and refined with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) who insisted that the Heritage Communities Program be premised on the engagement of the community . In short, DCNR wanted this to be “grass roots” and not “top down” planning requiring the establishment of the Heritage Community Stakeholders Groups in each Heritage Community. This was envisioned to be a group of area residents who met throughout this process and even spearheaded several early action implementation actions. Members of the Kane Stakeholders Group represented a cross-section of the community and met on numerous occasions between October 2010 and April 2012, and also helped during this period in conducting Community Workshops and a Planning Charrette. In addition, many other residents participated in various public forums such as during the focus group meetings during the Planning Charrette and at the various Community Workshops. The coordination provided by the staff of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission throughout the process as the local liaison and later the Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance planning team was also important in the development of this WorkPlan.

Major project funding for the Heritage Communities Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation through the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, through the Heritage Areas Program under the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and a local contribution from communities involved.

Last but not least, a special thanks to the residents, business community and especially the members of the Stakeholders Group who not only embraced this program and participated, but more importantly showed a genuine appreciation of the many resources and assets of Kane and the larger region.

ii KANE HERITAGE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Corridor COMMUNITY WORKPLAN

Background

A Community WorkPlan is a requirement of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Communities Program. It is intended to establish an action-oriented framework for local heritage and community planning and implementation in Heritage Communities along Route 6. This is a WorkPlan for the Kane area that is focused on the Borough, Wetmore Township and the immediate surrounding region. While the document is important in itself the process gone through to prepare it is probably more important. In this regard local engagement is not only important but is required.

The process involved the engagement and discussion with a local Stakeholders Group that was involved throughout the planning period. The document attempts to aggregate and synthesize the input and recommendations of this Group, also taking into account public input received at Community Workshops and a planning charrette. The document and process also involves original and secondary research gathered by the Route 6 planning team. The WorkPlan is organized as follows:

BACKGROUND ACTIVITIES – DESCRIPTION  Kane Heritage Communities Program  Community Inventories - Themes and Sites, Heritage, Community Events, Businesses, Physical and Non-Physical Needs and Visual Conditions

SYNTHESIS OF INFORMATION  Public Input review and Issues and Opportunities Statement Overview  Issues and Opportunities Statement

IMPLEMENTATION - Planning Statements and Implementation Strategy

Overview

The Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Communities Program recognizes that the action-oriented framework requires attention to both physical and non-physical needs that address the Visitor’s Experience and the Community Context . Each has an impact on the other, and the latter frames and directly affects the former. Thus the Community WorkPlan must enhance the Kane area as a destination and a stopover, without negatively affecting the quality of life and community characteristics that make it a great place reside. In essence then, this entire process is an attempt to address tourism in a context-sensitive manner. In this regard, we recommend a number of enhancements:

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Visitor Experience Enhancement – “things to see and do”

 Embracing the “Black Cherry Capital of the World” concept and creating corresponding interactive experiences  Signage enhancements – wayfinding and welcoming  Building on and expanding arts as part of the Kane experience  Walking tours/trails and automobile tours  Physical and visual quality enhancements – gateways and redevelopment efforts  Marketing, interactivity and communication enhancements – including enhanced on-line presence and other technological approaches

The Community Context – addressing local needs

 Downtown development and redevelopment  Industrial building/site reuse and housing rehabilitation  Litter indexing and blight removal  Revisions – Land use related regulations

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BACKGROUND ACTIVITIES – DESCRIPTION

The Heritage Communities Program is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Corporation, focused on strengthening the many vibrant communities along the Route 6 Corridor in Pennsylvania. The Program was developed by local stakeholders involved in the development of the Pennsylvania Route 6: Our Heritage and a Destination for the Future – Framework for Action during 2001- 03. These stakeholders have developed the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Communities Program that requires communities – their leaders, business community and residents – to buy into the heritage tourism concept and process. The program provides assistance to Route 6 communities in first identifying and localizing heritage tourism sites, resources and themes; then developing ways to enhance and refine these resources; and finally a way to sustain local heritage tourism. This assumes a very inclusive grass-roots process involving local residents, which will have an important side-benefit of making the community a better place in which to live as well as visit.

The key to the Program is to identify and capitalize on the unique qualities of select communities on the Corridor that reflect the themes of Route 6. These themes are as follows:

 Warrior’s Road honoring the epic stories of the warriors of many races, genders and times fought or lived along the Corridor;  The many Natural Opportunities utilized and enjoyed by hunters, fishermen, oilmen, tanners and miners of the region, and the changes in the view of natural resources;  The rough terrain required Engineer’s Challenge to be met by spectacular feats of civil engineering that made Northern Pennsylvania and its resources more accessible;  The region has provided New Beginnings and Safe Havens for a diverse group including Connecticut Yankees, French Aristocrats and escaping slaves;  Visionaries, Achievers and Social Entrepreneurs of the region whose ideas and achievements inspired and transformed the region and the country; and  The region’s recognized position as an Outdoor Enthusiast’s Paradise offering active and passive recreational opportunities year-round.

The Program is premised on providing technical assistance to the communities in interpreting and localizing these themes.

Kane Heritage Communities Program

The unique qualities of the Pennsylvania US Route 6 Corridor are created and affected by the communities along its length. Descriptions of the Corridor often tout the unhurried, small-town ambiance that has not been traded for a “brand

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name drive-through identity”. The Route 6 Community identity is authentic and individual and is not contrived. Route 6 heritage planning recognizes that this “community identity” must be maintained and strengthened if heritage tourism is to prosper along the Corridor.

A request on behalf of the Borough of Kane was a successful applicant in the sixth round of the Heritage Communities Program, joining the following:  1st Round: Smethport  2nd Round: Corry/Union City  3rd Round: Potter County (Austin, Coudersport and Galeton)  4th Round: Conneaut Lake, Youngsville, Waymart and Wyalusing th  5 Round: Carbondale, Mansfield, Tunkhannock and Milford

A local visioning and participation process was carried out to establish the elements of a local heritage tourism effort meeting the orientation of the Pennsylvania Route 6 tourism effort while addressing local issues, themes and resources. This approach is identified in this planning document – referred to as a Community WorkPlan . As such, it is an action-oriented document that builds on past tourism planning, as well as regional and local efforts.

Community Inventories - Community and Area Overview

There is a very strong identity and attachment to Kane and a core of highly motivated and engaged people who want to improve it. The concept of “Kane” appears to transcend the Borough itself and includes much of the surrounding Wetmore Township as well. The relative location and approximate distance between Kane and other nearby communities is below:

Community Approximate Distance Lantz Corner (US 219) 8 miles Smethport 26 miles Warren 28 miles Youngsville 37 miles Olean, NY (I-86) 45 miles DuBois (I-80) 52 miles Coudersport 52 miles Edinboro (I-79) 85 miles Erie (I-90) 92 miles Wellsboro 97 miles Mansfield (US 15) 108 miles Conneaut Lake 108 miles Wyalusing 161 miles Towanda (US 220) 146 miles Tunkhannock 185 miles Carbondale 214 miles Honesdale 229 miles Milford 258 miles 4

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Kinter Hill Rd  Kane Borough 0 0.5 1 Miles Rt 6 Corridor HCP Demographics

The 2010 Census population for McKean County, Kane Borough, Wetmore Township and the combined area of the Borough and Township are identified on Table 1 in addition to the actual Census figures for 1990 and 2000.

 McKean County experienced a 2.5% population decrease between 1990 and 2000 and experienced a 5.4% decline between 2000 and 2010.  Kane Borough experienced a 10.1% decrease in population between 1990 and 2000 and experienced a 9.6% decrease between 2000 and 2010. Overall, Kane’s population has decreased by 18.7% between 1990 and 2010.  Wetmore Township experienced a population decrease of 1.4% between 1990 and 2000 followed by a 4.1% decrease between 2000 and 2010. Overall, Wetmore Township’s population has decreased by 5.4% between 1990 and 2010.  Taken together, the combined area had a 2000 population of 5,847 and a 2010 population of 5,380, resulting in an overall 8.0% decrease in population during that period.

TABLE 1 DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE – 1990-2010 Kane Borough Heritage Communities Program Area

% % Change Change % Change Area 1990 2000 2010 Population Population 1990-2000 Population 2000- 1990-2010 2010 McKean County 47,131 45,936 -2.5 % 43,450 -5.4 % -7.8% Kane Borough 4,590 4,126 -10.1% 3,730 -9.6% -18.7% Wetmore 1,745 1,721 -1.4% 1,650 -4.1% -5.4% Township Combined Area 6,335 5,847 -7.7 % 5,380 -8.0 % -15. 1% Source: US Census Bureau

Overall, since 1990 Kane Borough, Wetmore Township and McKean County have all lost population. The rate of population decline in Kane Borough has surpassed those experienced in Wetmore Township and in the County.

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Larger Region

McKean County along with its five adjoining counties including Forest, Warren, Elk, Cameron and Potter had a 2000 population of 153,911 and a 2010 population of 147,469 which is a decrease of 4.2%. These results are buffeted in part by the significant 56% increase experienced in Forest County which is highest percentage increase in any County in the State during that period. On a statewide level, McKean County (5.4%) had the sixth highest percentage of population loss between 2000 and 2010 with Warren County (4.7%) being ninth and Potter County (3.4%) being fourteenth. Furthermore, Cameron County (14.9%) and Elk County (9.0%) had the highest two percentages of population declines in the State during this period.

Population Projections

Projecting populations at a local level is a challenge given the many variables that affect population (i.e. migration patterns, mortality, age profile, household size/profile, market forces, etc.) and the general lack of verifiable information. Projections for places experiencing spikes in growth or decline are especially challenging. In the former case then, it is not surprising that relatively recent population projections for McKean County for 2010 were somewhat off.

 Population projections are available through 2030 on a county basis through the Pennsylvania State Data Center. The 2010 projected population for McKean County was 43,742 or approximately 0.051% higher than the actual 2010 population as per the 2010 US Census. The actual population decline in the County outpaced the PDC projections.  Population projection information presented in the 2007 McKean County Comprehensive Plan shows a projected 2010 population of 44,830 which is approximately 3.2% higher than the actual 2010 population.

The above description is not a criticism but a notation since most published projections overestimated the 2010 populations, the projections for subsequent years would likely be off as well. Instead of replicating these projections, it appears safe to say that population decreases are likely to continue for Kane Borough, Wetmore Township and the County.

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Economics

Employment and Number of Establishments

The economic base of McKean County has undergone change throughout the recent and distant history. Economists look at employment bases in several ways, including by place of residence (where employees reside) and by place of work (where people work regardless of where they live). The decennial Census is the place where information by place of residence is available on a municipal basis and it is generally marginally useful in tourism planning. Overall, place of work data has been found to be a better barometer of local economic activity in Route 6 economic analyses, especially in relation to tourism.

Before reviewing this data for McKean County descriptive background information is reviewed. Table 2 reviews and compares information from two recent County Business Patterns reports. County Business Patterns is an annual series that provides sub-national economic data by industry. The series is useful for studying the economic activity of small areas; analyzing economic changes over time; and as a benchmark for statistical series, surveys, and databases between economic censuses. Businesses use the data for analyzing market potential, measuring the effectiveness of sales and advertising programs, setting sales quotas, and developing budgets. Government agencies use the data for administration and planning.

 County Business Patterns covers most of the country's economic activity. The series excludes data on self-employed individuals, employees of private households, railroad employees, agricultural production employees, and most government employees.

 The information is establishment based. An establishment is a single physical location at which business is conducted or services or industrial operations are performed. It is not necessarily identical with a company or enterprise, which may consist of one or more establishments. When two or more activities are carried on at a single location under a single ownership, all activities generally are grouped together as a single establishment. The entire establishment is classified on the basis of its major activity and all data are included in that classification. Table 2 identifies them as firms in the respective years compared.

 Paid employment consists of full- and part-time employees, including salaried officers and executives of corporations, who are on the payroll in the pay period including March 12. Included are employees on paid sick leave, holidays, and vacations; not included are proprietors and partners of unincorporated businesses.

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TABLE 2 ECONOMIC PROFILE AND CHANGE McKean County 2000-2009

2000 2009 % 2000 2009 % Economic Sector Employees Employees Change Firms Firms Change Forestry, fishing, hunting, and agriculture support 135 91 -33% 24 21 -13% Mining 138 627 354% 23 48 109% Utilities 97 80 -18% 9 10 11% Construction 666 514 -23% 77 66 -14% Manufacturing 5,380 3,436 -36% 65 53 -18% Wholesale trade 417 361 -13% 38 34 -11% Retail trade 1,822 1,849 1% 198 166 -16% Transportation & warehousing 352 362 3% 46 46 0% Information 215 100-24 9 NA 24 18 -25% Finance & insurance 386 250-499 NA 62 54 -13% Real estate & rental & leasing 71 61 -14% 23 19 -17% Professional, scientific & technical services 269 235 -13% 64 62 -3% Management of companies & enterprises 0-19 20-99 NA 2 3 50% Admin, support, waste mgt, remediation services 475 456 -4% 28 29 4% Educational services 552 250-499 NA 9 8 -11% Health care and social assistance 2,477 2,931 18% 134 159 19% Arts, entertainment & recreation 61 66 8% 10 14 40% Accommodation & food services 1,090 897 -18% 116 110 -5% Other services (except public administration) 667 682 2% 158 156 -1% Unclassified establishments 0-19 - NA 27 NA Total 15,306 13,482 -12% 1,137 1,076 -5% Source: US Census Bureau; County Business Patterns Note: Ranges in italics are all that are available for certain sectors, precluding determination of exact percentages

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Data presented on Table 2 above suggests the following trends as reflected in employment and/or number of establishments:

 Employment in manufacturing is very important even though employee levels decreased by 36% and the number of firms decreased by 18% during the 2000- 2009 period. Another local anchor retailing saw a 1% increase in employee levels but sustained a 16% decline in the number of firms.

 On the positive side, health care and social services sustained impressive increases in employment (18%) as well as the number of establishments involved (19%). Taken together, this sector added 454 employees and 25 establishments in the period reviewed.

 The mining sector also sustained significant increases in employment (354%) and number of firms (109%) during this period.

 Two sectors classically associated with tourism (in addition to retail) are the arts/entertainment/recreation and accommodations/food services. The arts/entertainment/recreation saw an 8% increase in the number of employees and a 40% increase in the establishments while accommodations/food services experienced an 18% decline in employment and a 5% decline in the number of establishments during the 2000-2009 period.

 Overall, the number of employees declined by 12% and the number of firms declined by 5% during the 2000-2009 period.

Other relevant economic figures and trends are summarized below:

 The total civilian labor force (not seasonally adjusted) for McKean County in December 2009 was 20,500, of which 18,400 were employed and 2,200 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 10.6% percent at the time the statewide rate was 8.5%.

 The average weekly wage for McKean County in 1st Quarter 2009 was $683, 79.3% of the statewide weekly wage of $861. This would be equivalent to $17.08 per hour or $35,516 per year, assuming a 40-hour week worked the year around.

 Average weekly wages varied considerable among the County’s economic segments in 2009 (most recent annual figures available by segment) o Accommodation and Food Services - $234 o Health Care and Social Assistance - $563 o Manufacturing - $851 o Retailing - $417

10 Market Segmentation

Econometrics is a field always showing sophistication and even localization. One approach in understanding economic markets is the Nielsen Claritas PRIZM segmentation system that brings together household and geographic level data. PRIZM attempts to capture demographic and lifestyle data to help companies target their customers. It also provides those not marketing a good or service with a “snapshot” view, perhaps oversimplified, of how small areas (i.e. Zip Code level) may be profiled. The PRIZM model contains 66 segments consistent at both the household and geodemographic levels. The 66-segment model resulted from standard demographic measures – Age, Income, Presence of Children, Marital Status, Homeownership and Urban/city. The most common PRIZM segments and larger social groups identified for Kane Borough and the surrounding 16735 zip code are as follows:

 Golden Ponds (Downscale, Mature Mostly w/o Kids) - Golden Ponds is mostly a retirement lifestyle, dominated by downscale singles and couples over 65 years old. Found in small bucolic towns around the country, these high school- educated seniors live in small apartments on less than $35,000 a year; one in five resides in a nursing home. For these elderly residents, daily life is often a succession of sedentary activities such as reading, watching TV, playing bingo, and doing craft projects.  Back Country Folks (Downscale, Older Mostly w/o Kids ) - Strewn among remote farm communities across the nation, Back Country Folks are a long way away from economic paradise. The residents tend to be poor, over 55 years old, and living in older, modest-sized homes and manufactured housing. Typically, life in this segment is a throwback to an earlier era when farming dominated the American landscape.

The above two segments are within the larger Rustic Living social group. These segments represent the nation's rural towns and villages, having relatively modest incomes, low education levels, aging houses and blue-collar occupations. Many of the residents, a mix of young singles and seniors, are unmarried. Typically, these consumers spend their leisure time in such traditional small-town activities as fishing and hunting, attending social activities at the local church and veterans club, and enjoying country music and car racing.

 Heartlanders (Lower-Middle income, Older Mostly w/o Kids) - America was once a land of small middle-class towns, which can still be found today among Heartlanders. This widespread segment consists of older couples with white- collar jobs living in sturdy, unpretentious homes. In these communities of small families and empty-nesting couples, Heartlanders residents pursue a rustic lifestyle where hunting and fishing remain prime leisure activities along with cooking, sewing, camping, and boating.  Simple Pleasures (Lower-Mid income, Mature, Mostly w/o Kids) - With more than two-thirds of its residents over 65 years old, Simple Pleasures is mostly a retirement lifestyle: a neighborhood of lower-middle-class singles and couples living in modestly priced homes. Many are high school-educated seniors who

11 held blue-collar jobs before their retirement. And a disproportionate number served in the military, so many residents are members of veterans clubs  Blue Highways (Lower-Middle income, Middle Aged, Mostly w/o Kids) - On maps, blue highways are often two-lane roads that wind through remote stretches of the American landscape. Among lifestyles, Blue Highways is the standout for lower- middle-class residents who live in isolated towns and farmsteads. Here, Boomer men like to hunt and fish; the women enjoy sewing and crafts, and everyone looks forward to going out to a country music concert.

The above three segments are within the larger Middle America social group , which is categorized as including lower-middle-class homeowners living in small towns and remote exurbs. Typically found in scenic settings throughout the nation's heartland, Middle Americans tend to be white, high school educated, living as couples or larger families, and ranging in age from under 25 to over 65. Like many residents of remote communities, these conservative consumers tend to prefer traditional rural pursuits: fishing, hunting, making crafts, antique collecting, watching television, and meeting at civic and veterans clubs for recreation and companionship.

The above segments and social groups may be an oversimplification, but the demographic data taken into consideration by the Nielsen Claritas PRIZM system suggest the existence of lower income segments of the Kane Borough and surrounding community.

Tourism Spending Patterns

General spending and related economic impacts for tourism are included in a series of reports entitled The Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism in Pennsylvania (Global Insight), which tracts spending patterns at the County level. Between 2004-07 visitor spending in McKean County increased by 7.23%, from $72.66 million to $77.18 million. However the percentage share of the total county economy from visitor spending fell from 1.8% in 2004 to 1.5% in 2007. The following summarizes visitor spending by category (dollars in Millions):

Category 2004 2007 % Change

Transportation $10.88 $12.57 +16.50% Food & Beverage $23.32 $24.36 + 4.45% Lodging $12.00 $13.46 +12.11% Shopping $18.82 $16.80 - 10.68% Entertainment $ 5.23 $ 5.64 + 7.84% Other $ 2.40 $ 4.36 +81.78% TOTAL $72.66 $77.18 + 7.23%

The largest individual segments are food and beverage and shopping. During the 2004-2007 time period food and beverage experienced a 4.45% increase and shopping experienced a decrease of 10.68%. All segments with the exception of

12 retail shopping showed increases during this period. The decline in shopping spending also was seen in the other Pennsylvania Wilds region counties during this period (i.e. Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, Potter and Tioga).

Tourism Employment Impacts

The same report noted above reveals that in 2007, 1,105 people in McKean County were directly employed in tourism-based businesses, which is the same number as in 2004. When adding those persons indirectly benefiting from tourism (i.e. suppliers of tourism businesses, impacts of buying power from those directly employed in tourism, and other secondary beneficiaries), a total of 1,694 persons are affected by tourism employment, representing 9.4% of the County’s economy. Wages from those directly employed in tourism businesses amounted to $29.7 million in 2007, approximately 5.7% higher than the 2004 figure. Again, when considering those directly and indirectly benefitting from tourism, the 2007 figure is approximately $52.6 million.

Localized Information

The Pennsylvania Route 6 Tourism Infrastructure Plan (2008) helps localize the direct impacts alluded to above. In 2008 the following summarizes the tourism infrastructure in the Kane area:

 There were 21 establishments categorized as offering accommodations and food services, including family and fast food restaurants, hotels/motels/B&B’s & Inns and camping opportunities;  There were 7 arts, recreation and entertainment establishments, including amateur/college sports, museums/historical site, art gallery, fitness center and golf course; and  There were 24 tourism-oriented retail/service establishments ranging from gift/novelty/artisan venues to convenience stores to a winery.

Regional Travel Profile

Finally, the Pennsylvania Travel Profile presents an overview of overnight leisure travel for the Pennsylvania Wilds Region (2007), summarized as follows:

 Median Age: 32  Median Household Income: $49,800  Traveling Party: Family  Primary Purpose of Stay: Visiting family/friends  Average length of Stay: 4.1 days  Primary Accommodations: Private Home  Top Activities: Sightseeing, Dining, Shopping  Secondary Activities: Hunting/Fishing, Hiking/Biking, Entertainment  Average Expenditures: $33.70/person/per day  Average Expenditures: $600 per travel party/per day

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Generally the age profile of the traveler to the Region is significantly lower than that statewide (43) and the nearby PA Great Lakes Region (39), the Endless Mountains and Coal Region (48) and the Valleys of the Susquehanna (45). The median income is lower than that statewide ($71,700), the primary purpose of travel is consistent and the length of stay is slightly longer (3.39) that statewide figures. The top activities reflect a varied assortment of attractions and opportunities and together present a more varied set of tourism resources than most other regions or the state as a whole. Expenditures per person per day in the Pennsylvania Wilds Region are much lower than for the state as a whole ($90) as well as for expenditures per travel party per trip ($797).

PA Wilds Regional Branding Impacts

In 2003, then Governor Edward G. Rendell established the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative to coordinate the efforts of various state agencies as well as local jurisdictions, tourism promotion agencies, economic development leaders, and the private sector to conserve the natural resources and energize the economies of the 12 counties including McKean located in the north-central region of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Wilds region is a vast and largely rural section of the Commonwealth that is home to some of the best opportunities for outdoor recreation and wilderness adventure experiences in the eastern US. An important objective of the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative was to brand the Pennsylvania Wilds region as a distinct entity and world class destination for outdoor recreation experiences, thus attracting tourists, creating jobs, and sustaining communities.

A program evaluation report for the Pennsylvania Wilds Initiative was finalized in April 2010 for the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. One of the main purposes of the report was to assess the extent to which the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative has had an economic impact on the Pennsylvania Wilds region. As noted in this report, the Pennsylvania Wilds regional branding effort initiative has had a positive effect on the Pennsylvania Wilds Region. In general, tourism-driven economic growth in the Pennsylvania Wilds region has been a bright spot. Key economic indicators, particularly those influenced by tourism, are largely positive, contributing to some promising, albeit limited economic and fiscal successes as summarized below:

 From 2004 to 2008, while national park attendance was relatively flat and state park attendance throughout the Commonwealth declined attendance at state parks within the Pennsylvania Wilds region increased by 3.3 percent per year.  The Pennsylvania Wilds region enjoyed a sharp increase in overnight leisure travel (+5.3 percent per year, versus +1.9 percent per year for the

14 Commonwealth as a whole) and leisure overnight trip length (+4.6 percent per year, vs. +0.0 percent per year for the Commonwealth as a whole) from 2003 to 2007, while from 2002 to 2006, visitor spending within the Pennsylvania Wilds region grew by 6.3 percent per year (versus +4.9 percent per year for visitor spending within the Commonwealth as a whole).  From 2002 to 2007, tourism employment within the Pennsylvania Wilds region grew by +0.5 percent per year (versus -2.2 percent per year for tourism employment within the Commonwealth as a whole), and tourism earnings within the Pennsylvania Wilds region grew by +5.4 percent per year (versus -2.8 percent per year for tourism earnings within the Commonwealth as a whole).  From 2005 to 2008, state sales tax revenue from tourism categories within the Pennsylvania Wilds grew by 2.7 percent per year (versus +0.6 percent per year for state sales tax revenue from tourism categories within the Commonwealth as a whole), while from 2004 to 2007, hotel tax revenues within the Pennsylvania Wilds grew by 13.1 percent per year (versus +8.0 percent per year for hotel tax revenues within the Commonwealth as a whole).  From 2003 to 2008, the Pennsylvania Wilds region experienced a net change in chain hotel establishments of +12, or an almost 40 percent increase.

Lumber Heritage Region Kane and all of McKean County are included in the Lumber Heritage Region, a Pennsylvania State Heritage Area embracing all or parts of fifteen (15) counties that share a timbering/wood products industrial heritage. Kane figures prominently in several itineraries outlined in the Lumber Heritage Region Interpretive Plan that provide visitor interaction with lumber heritage themes, including the following:

 Inside the Forest Industry: A 1-2 day itinerary looking at the working forests of today, with Gateways in Marienville and Bradford and local primary experience sites at Kane Hardwood and Kane Experimental Forest.  Early Days in the Lumber Industry: A 2-day tour focusing on the wood-related industry and its workers, with Gateways in Warren and S.B. Elliot State Park and local primary experience sites involving the Holgate Toy Company and the Kane Statue.

While several CCC Camp tours are included among Plan itineraries, none in the immediate Kane area are included, a gap that should be considered in future updates.

15 Historical and Architecturally Significant Buildings, Sites, and Themes

This subsection lists the heritage resources of Kane Borough and adjacent Wetmore Township in McKean County, Pennsylvania.

The National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places was established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as the standard for preservation efforts (Section 101). It is the “hall of fame” of places that are important to the American people. To be eligible for listing on the National Register, a property must pass a rigorous review at the state and federal level. It is not easy to list a property on the National Register, so the properties that are listed are truly worthy of preservation. The National Register recognizes several categories of resources including single objects, structures, or buildings and groups of resources within a site or district. Regardless of category, the resource must possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. The property must also be significant, as determined by these criteria:

a. It must be associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or b. It must be associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or c. It must embody distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or o Represent the work of a master, or o Possess high artistic values, or o Represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction, or d. It must have yielded, or be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history (abstracted from 36 CFR Part 60.4).

In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission maintains an inventory of historic properties. It includes not only those that have been listed on the National Register but also those that have been determined to be eligible for listing. It also lists resources that have been reported by professional and amateur archaeologists and historians that have not been fully evaluated regarding the National Register criteria but which appear to meet those criteria or are important to a local community.

There are five (5) resources in Kane that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, summarized in Table 3. The Thomas L. Kane Memorial Chapel is a Gothic-style stone building completed in 1878. Originally built as a Presbyterian church, it is now owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to memorialize the gravesite of Thomas L. Kane. Kane distinguished himself in the mid-19 th century as a strident abolitionist. He mediated an agreement between the Mormons and the federal government in 1858 in when they were accused of being in rebellion by President James Buchanan. At

16 the beginning of the Civil War, he traveled across northern Pennsylvania recruiting riflemen for the legendary unit that became known as the Pennsylvania Bucktails.

TABLE 3 Properties Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Description Location Address Resource Date Built Category Kane, Thomas L., Kane Borough 30 Chestnut St Building 1878 Memorial Chapel Kane Armory Kane Borough - Building 1922 New Thomson Kane Borough 2 Greeves St Building 1901 House Anoatok, Kane Kane Borough 230 Clay St Building - Manor Inn & Erie Kane Borough - District - Railroad and Wetmore Township Source: PA Historic and Museum Commission, CR GIS; accessed September 21, 2011.

The Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission (PHMC) records indicated that one resource, the proposed Kane Historic District in downtown Kane, has been determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. No resources in Wetmore Township have been determined to be eligible. The PHMC lists other properties in their database that have historical value. They were recorded but have not yet been evaluated or are ineligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. These resources are summarized in Tables 4 and 5.

17 TABLE 4 Known Historic Properties

Address Location Historic National Resource Date Name Register Category Built Status - Kane Borough Kane & Knox Undetermined District 1881 and Wetmore Railroad Township - Wetmore Tionesta Valley Undetermined District - Township Railroad (Ridgway Ranger District) 114 Fraley St Kane Borough Temple Undetermined Building 1922 Theatre, Temple Roller Rink 100 Edgar St Kane Borough James, Edgar Undetermined Building 1897 D., Residence 123 Edgar St Kane Borough Bentz, Robert Undetermined Building 1909 K., Residence SR 7402 Kane Borough Ineligible Structure 1920 steel bridge 400 W Kane Borough Kane Area Ineligible Building 1956 Hemlock Ave Middle School Source: PA Historic and Museum Commission CRGIS; accessed September 21, 2011.

TABLE 5 National Register Status Summary Kane Borough and Wetmore Township

Location Number of Category National Resources Register Status Kane Borough 4 Building Listed 1 Building Ineligible 3 Building Undetermined 1 Structure Ineligible Kane Borough and 1 District Listed Wetmore Township 1 District Undetermined Wetmore Township 1 District Undetermined TOTAL 12

18 Historical Markers

The iconic blue and yellow PHMC Historic Markers identify important historic sites, events, and resources and are readily recognizable by heritage tourists, residents and the casual traveler. Table 6 summarizes the PHMC markers found to be especially critical for the Study Area.

TABLE 6 Historical Markers Kane Vicinity, McKean County

Name Location Categories Text

Seneca Spring Brick Yard Rd Environment, This spring, 200 yards SW of here, at Westerburg Native was a stopping place on the ancient Indian trail which crossed the Big Level Way (PA 321), American, on the way south. The trail was once south of Kane Transportation the main route connecting Onondaga, the Iroquois capital, with the Ohio and the Carolinas. Thomas L. Kane 30 Chestnut St Civil War, Commander of the Civil war "Bucktail at Kane Military, Regiment" and founder of the borough of Kane. Brevetted Major General in Memorial Religion 1863. A friend of and Chapel staunch supporter of the Mormon pioneers. He died, 1883, and was buried at this chapel, built at his direction in 1876-78. Source: PHMC website (phmc.state.pa.us); accessed September 21, 2011.

19 Community Inventories - Cultural History

The area we know today as Pennsylvania has been inhabited since the end of the last “Ice Age.” As the continental ice sheets retreated across northern Pennsylvania, the ancestors of today’s American Indians soon arrived on this tundra-like landscape.

After the last Ice Age, the people of North America adapted to the changing environment. As the climate warmed, new plants and animals flourished. Mastodons, mammoths and other large animals that could not adapt to the warming environment became extinct and were replaced by the types of animals we see today.

As the types of food changed in response to the changing climate, people adjusted their diets to the new foods. This usually required some new artifacts and some new methods for acquiring and preparing food. Hunting a deer required a very different strategy than hunting an elephant-sized mammoth. The cold weather spruce forests were replaced by nut-bearing deciduous trees. Low- lying wetlands teemed with frogs, turtles, snakes, and other edible animals and plants. Rivers supported freshwater clams, mussels, and fish. Seasonal migrations of geese and ducks provided yet another reliable food source. For the next 8,000 years, nomadic hunters and gatherers successfully exploited the landscape that we know today as Pennsylvania.

One benefit of the milder climate was a more dependable food supply of wild food. With more food, people began to live together in larger camps. They knew their environment intimately, and moved throughout the seasons to take advantage of available food resources. They could move to an upland forest camp in the fall to collect acorns and hickory nuts. In the spring, they might move down along the river to take advantage of the upstream migration of shad. Summer might find them near wetlands (frogs and turtles) or berry patches. In the course of the year, they might also spend time near their favorite stone outcrop gathering chert or other rocks to be made into stone tools.

About 1800 BC, the people in eastern North America discovered that they could take certain actions to encourage the growth of their favorite plants. Competitive species (weeds) were removed to give the preferred species a selective advantage. Eventually, seeds were collected and curated from growing season to growing season. Some seed-bearing grasses, such as amaranth (chenopodium or goosefoot) were probably encouraged in this way and became important food staples. This artificial selection also led to a more stable and predictable food supply, and with more food, populations grew. They had taken the first steps toward the development of agriculture, and would soon become dependent on the food they could grow rather than the food they could find.

20 As people became more dependent on the crops they grew, they became increasingly settled. The seasonal nomadic hunting and gathering ways gave way to planting and harvesting schedules. Surplus food supplies required storage, and stored food needed to be protected from the bacteria, mold, and appetites of hungry animals and also from other groups of people. Family ties were important, but now several different family groups lived together in villages and towns. Social organization became more complex. With a plentiful and reliable food supply, it was no longer necessary for every person to engage in gathering food. With the new “free time,” specialists emerged to redistribute food and other resources within the community. Trading relationships were established with others hundreds, even thousands, of miles away.

New artifacts came into use. Finally, the atlatl was replaced by a new weapon, the bow and arrow. Arrows were tipped with small thin triangular chipped stone points. Fire-hardened clay containers become common. These pots were fragile, but they were waterproof and efficient cooking and storage vessels. They could also be decorated with motifs and themes that were not only practical but also culturally meaningful.

By the 1500s, many of the native people in Pennsylvania had been impacted by the arrival of European traders, settlers, and missionaries. In some areas, they met directly, in others, their material culture, ideas, and germs were passed along indirectly. The nearby Seneca, based along the near the present day Pennsylvania- border, were undoubtedly frequent visitors to the area. Seneca Spring, located just south of the borough, was an important landmark along a major trail.

When the town of Kane was founded by General Thomas L. Kane in the mid-19 th century, two “camping grounds” and “a few well-defined trails” were visible near the borough. Kane’s son, Dr. T. L. Kane, wrote

“Quite a large one of the camping grounds was located just east of the present extension of Clay Street and four hundred feet south of the borough line. A smaller one was located near the Big Spring, south of the American Window Glass Factory, now called the Old Home Spring. The larger of these two was known in my boyhood days as the Kittanning Camp Ground and the big spring by the smaller camp ground was known as Seneca or Council Spring. . . When I was a boy the limits of the Kittanning Camp Ground were easily traced with its scarred and shorter timber, clearly of second growth. Many arrowheads, tomahawk heads, and other Indian relics were found here. Some of the arrow heads were deeply imbedded in the trees and well overgrown. . . . To the northwestward of this trail two old cannonballs were found, probably relics of the French and Indian wars. At one time this trail had been used to haul cannons over and the scars of hubs and wheels were clearly traceable in the trunks and

21 roots of the trees.” (T. L Kane 1929 in Kane and the Upper Allegheny, page 103- 105)

An archaeological investigation at prehistoric earthworks in nearby Highland Township in 1928 yielded artifacts that were 600-800 years old and thought to have been occupied by ancestors of the Iroquois.

Located along the eastern boundary of the Allegheny National Forest, Kane is situated in the Commonwealth’s most popular forest land. The resources of this forest first attracted settlers in the mid-19 th century. The success of Colonel Drake’s oil well near Titusville created a rush into northern Pennsylvania by drilling companies. They were quickly followed by sawyers and tanners, who realized there was great wealth in those extensive forests. Railroads followed the rivers and ancient trails first walked by hundreds of generations of American Indians.

One prehistoric and two historical archaeological sites have also been recorded near Kane in Wetmore Township. These resources, summarized in Table 6, have not been evaluated for inclusion on the National Register.

TABLE 7 Archaeological Sites

Site Location Site Type Culture Period National Number Register Status 36Mc39 Wetmore Township Rockshelter/cave Pre-1500 Undetermined (North Kane Rocks) 36Mc72 Wetmore Township Historic industrial 19 th century Undetermined 36Mc73 Wetmore Township Historic domestic 19 th century Undetermined (Buckwheat Farm) Source: PA Historic and Museum Commission CRGIS; accessed September 21, 2011.

To date, 12 historic structures, buildings, and sites and three archaeological sites have been identified near Kane. Systematic surveys to locate cultural resources have been limited, so it is likely that there are more historical and archaeological resources that have not been reported.

22 Historical Events

Table 7 lists some important events in Kane history.

TABLE 8 Kane Historical Events Summary

Date Event 1784-85 Land purchases from the Iroquois and the Delaware extinguish Indian claims to much of northwestern Pennsylvania. 1804 McKean County is created from Lycoming County and named for the Pennsylvania governor at the time. 1832 Coal prospecting begins in the area known as the “Big Level,” including Kane and Wetmore Township. Several mines are opened. 1855 General Thomas L. Kane visits northern Pennsylvania and stays along the near Wilcox. Ca. 1855 Lumbering begins in the nearby hardwood forest. 1856 General Kane and his associates (his grandfather Judge John K. Kane, Thomas Struthers, Dr. Irvine) form the McKean and Elk Land and Improvement Company and Kane establishes a camp near Seneca Spring. 1861 General Kane recruits the Bucktails when President Lincoln puts out a call for troops at the start of the Civil War. 1864 The Pennsylvania Railroad completes its line, the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, through Kane, with connections westward to the Great Lakes. General Thomas L. Kane completes construction of his residence, known locally as “The Old Homestead.” 1865 The Borough of Kane is incorporated. Ca. 1865 Holgate Toy Company moves from Philadelphia, where it had been established in 1789, to Kane, to take advantage of the local hardwoods. 1867 Construction begins on a state road through Kane. 1868 A fire destroys General Kane’s sawmill, slowing construction in Kane, including the opening of the almost completed Thomson Hotel. Wetmore Township is created. 1869 Newly elected President U. S. Grant visits General Kane. 1870 The Pittsburgh and Kane Railroad, a narrow gauge, opens. It was widened to standard gauge in 1913. 1871 The big sawmill is destroyed by fire, with an estimated loss of lumber and logs valued at $75,000. 1874 Once again, Kane is visited by fire. The large sawmill of Thomas Griffith is destroyed. 1875 E. V. Chadwick opens a stage route between Kane and Smethport. 1880 A hunting party of Seneca comes to Kane for a pigeon hunt, but finds that the great flocks of pigeons that had inhabited the area are gone. 1884 The Holgate Brothers Company establishes a brush handle factory in Kane.

23

TABLE 8 Kane Historical Events Summary (continued)

Date Event 1885 Coal mining fades as deposits in northeastern and southwestern Pennsylvania, closer to the sources of late 19 th century industry, are opened. Gas drilling near Kane results in the discovery of the Kane oil field. 1887 The borough of Kane is incorporated. 1888 The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) opens a post in Kane. 1891 The B. N. McCoy Glass Company opens in Kane to make window glass; a large portion was destroyed by fire in 1895. It was sold to the American Window Glass Company in 1906. 1896 The “Old Homestead” of the Kane family is destroyed by fire. 1896-97 Dr. Elizabeth Dennistoun Wood Kane builds Anoatok (now known as Kane Manor) as a home for her and two of her three sons, Dr. Evan O’Neill Kane and Dr. Thomas L. Kane. 1897 Kane begins to gain recognition as a health resort due to its elevation and climate. 1900 Temple Theatre Company is chartered. 1907-09 A large “graded” school and a high school are constructed. 1912 Renewed interest in the Kane gas field. 1915 The upper floors of the New Thomson Hotel, opened in 1906, are damaged by fire and are quickly rebuilt. 1917 Olmsted Manor constructed. Designed by architect Albert J. Bodkin, this mansion was the home of George W. Olmsted and Iva Groves. 1919 Texas Hot Lunch opens at original location on Fraley Street. 1922 The Armory is constructed. Fire destroys the LaMont Hotel, the second largest hotel in town. 1923 The Allegheny National Forest is established; the makeup of the forest is altered from hemlock to hardwood, including black cherry. 1925 Snow drifts from 8 to 18 feet high close the Roosevelt Highway (Route 6) from January 21 through February 10. 1928 The Cohn block at the corner of Field and Fraley streets in downtown Kane is destroyed by fire. 1930s The Civilian Conservation Corps constructs recreational facilities within the Allegheny National Forest, including many African-Americans at Camp 12. 1940s After two decades working to restore the forest, the US Department of Agriculture allows timber harvesting in the Allegheny National Forest.

24 TABLE 8 Kane Historical Events Summary (continued)

Date Event 1954 Radio station WADP (AM) signs on. 1965 The completion of the nearby Kinzua Reservoir brings the extensive development of recreational facilities (campgrounds, boat launches, beaches, picnic areas, hiking trails, overlooks, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, scenic drives) not only to the shoreline but to the surrounding forest, attracting thousands of visitors to the Allegheny National Forest each year. 1969 Olmsted Manor is acquired by the Methodist Church and converted to a retreat center. 1980s The recreational use of the Allegheny National Forest expanded with not only hiking trails but trails for cross-country skiing, bicycles, horses, and motorized recreation (all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles). Campgrounds were improved with electricity and running water. 1985 A tornado kills 3 and destroys several homes and other structures in Kane and East Kane. 1992 AM radio station WKZA (formerly WADP and WQLE) goes off the air. 2003 The nearby is destroyed by wind. 2006 Radio station WUMT (FM) changes ownership and format.

Sources Consulted Bly, Richard F. 1985. National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Anoatok (Kane Manor Inn). Downloaded from the PHMC CRGIS, July 20, 2011. Henretta, J. E. 1929. Kane and the upper Allegheny. Philadelphia: J.C. Winston Co. McKnight, William James. 1905. Pioneer Outline History of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott. Ritchie, William A. 1929. An early Iroquoian hilltop fort near Kane, Pa. In Henretta 1929, pages 289-296. www.kanepa.com www.explorepahistory.com www.smethportchamber.com www.bradfordlandmark.org/

25 Community Inventories – Explorers/Pioneers

Gen Thomas Kane – The founder and namesake of Kane, Thomas Kane was an American attorney, abolitionist, and military officer who was influential in the western migration of the Latter-Day Saint movement. He served as a Union Army colonel, founder of the Bucktail regiment and general of volunteers in the American Civil War and is an immortal friend of Utah and its people. He received a brevet promotion to major general for gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg. Born into a wealthy Philadelphia family, Kane was educated in the United States and Paris. Kane's trans-Atlantic education had made him a dedicated abolitionist. When the Fugitive Slave Act was passed in 1850, he resigned his post as a U.S. commissioner. He was thrown into jail for contempt of court by his own father, who considered his son's refusal to aid in the return of escaped slaves an insult to the court. Kane the younger was freed by an order of the United States Supreme Court, whereupon he joined the Underground Railroad. Though not a Mormon himself, Kane was a friend of Brigham Young and associated himself with the Mormons during the 1850s. During the Mormon Expedition of 1858 he was instrumental in avoiding a shooting war between the Mormon settlers and the U. S. Army. Locals credit him with being an early advocate of town planning in the layout of Kane Borough, a walkable community with much public open space.

Kane Family – The Kane family also has relevance to the Kane experience and adds to the Kane connection. As an example, Gen Thomas Kane’s brother, was an arctic explorer and Thomas Kane’s wife Elizabeth Dennistoun Wood Kane, and three of his sisters were doctors. His son, Evan O’Neil Kane, is best noted for his demonstration of the effectiveness of local anesthesia whereby he operated on himself. A photograph and description of this event is located on the Kane Depot Museum.

Holgate Toys - Holgate is synonymous with making the finest wooden toys in America with toys. In 1789, the year George Washington became America's first President, Cornelius Holgate established a small woodworking shop on the outskirts of Philadelphia. Shortly after the Civil War, Holgate moved to Kane, Pennsylvania, to be near the area's abundant hardwood forests. In 1929, the company expanded its product line by making educational pre-school wooden toys. Holgate's early toy designer was Jarvis

26 Rockwell, brother of famous illustrator Norman Rockwell who visited the Holgate factory on several occasions. Jarvis Rockwell's concern for safety, durability and educational play earned him recognition as America's premier toy designer during this period. One of the more famous toys they manufactured was Mister Rogers Trolley car, seen in every single episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Holgate remained in Kane until recently when it moved its operations to nearby Bradford.

Jarvis Rockwell – As noted above, Jarvis Rockwell, Norman Rockwell's brother, was chief toy designer for Holgate and lived in Kane. Jarvis Rockwell may be best remembered for his Holgate Ducking Duck which was first produced in 1947. It was so unique that it held a US Design Patent. The toy has been reproduced in the original art work and colors from 1947. No matter which way you flip it, it lands on its wheels, the duck "bobs" back up and keeps on rolling. Jarvis’ unassuming house remains at the intersection of Greeves and Welsh Streets. According to discussion within the Stakeholders group, one of brother Norman’s original Paintings is owned by the Kane Area School District.

Dr. McCleary and the Lobo Wolves - Dr. Edward H. McCleary, a Kane physician, brought the Lobo Wolves to Kane in the early 1920s in response to an extermination effort. The Lobo Wolves were exhibited at a wolf farm on the outskirts of Kane for over 40 years. He obtained his first wolf from Wyoming in January 1921, then in May, 1921 he obtained two more pair of white wolves. Later, he obtained more wolves, bred those that he had, and eventually ended up with 40 pairs of wolves. He often took them for walks in the woods around Kane, on the end of a long chain, and for rides in his automobile. In the mid 1930s, McCleary wrote a small book entitled "The Lone Killer", which described his training techniques, feeding programs and a history of his Lobo wolf pack. He retired from active medical practice in the early 1930s and devoted the remainder of his life to the care of his wolves. His work with wolves received worldwide recognition and he likely saved the breed from extinction. But in January 1962, with his health failing, and nearly 41 years after he adopted his first wolf, McCleary sadly realized that the wolf pack would have to be sold. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lynch, formerly of Milwaukee purchased the farm from Dr McCleary.

27 Octave Chanute – In addition to other design, inventions and engineering achievements, Octave Chanute may be best known in the Kane area for his role in designing the original Kinzua Viaduct in the late-1800’s. The New York, Lake Erie, and Western Railroad and Coal Company recognized the profits to be gained by transporting coal across the Kinzua Valley instead of taking the six mile route around the Kinzua Valley to waiting markets in Buffalo. Company president General Thomas Kane and Octave Chanute together faced the challenge of the Kinzua Valley. Chanute, who lived from 1832 to 1910, was a widely accomplished engineer involved in an astonishing number of different aspects of the development of the U.S. transportation network as the nation industrialized and expanded westward in the 1800s. Among other things, Chanute was a railroad engineer, designed bridges and stockyards, developed methods for preserving wood and was a key figure in establishing professional engineering organizations. Near the end of his life, Chanute became active in aviation, and worked with many early aviation pioneers, including the Wright Brothers (Wilbur Wright contacted Chanute after reading Chanute’s book Progress in Flying Machines). Mr. Chanute was also the inventor of call ties and date nails, which had the date engraved on them and was responsible for the preservation of timber by the creosote process.

Collins Hardwood - The family-owned Collins Companies traces its roots back to 1855, when T.D. Collins began timber operations in Kane, today managing and harvesting many species of timber, including Black Cherry, for which Kane promotes itself as “The Black Cherry Capital”. The company maintains a sawmill, dry kiln, planing mill, dimension plant and other facilities, and is well-known for practicing sustainable forest management over the years. All of Collins forests, including the 126,000-acre Collins Pennsylvania Forest in northwest Pennsylvania have been independently certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) in accordance with the principles and criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Collins notes that its timberlands are biodiverse, multi-layered, canopied forests, not single-species tree farms. They are characterized as self- sustaining, containing more wood today than they did over a hundred years ago and home to bald eagles, black bears, wild turkeys, rubber boas, beavers, great blue heron rookeries and the endangered Goose Lake redband trout.

28 Chuck Daly - Daly was born in Kane and was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1994. He coached from the high school to the college levels, conducted numerous basketball clinics before coaching four franchises at the professional level, with his experience in Detroit the most notable. Daly came to the Detroit Pistons in 1983 when they were a franchise awash in a history of mediocrity, playing before thousands of empty seats and left them nine seasons later firmly established among the NBA’s most respected and successful franchises after winning NBA titles in 1989 and 1990, which opened the door for him to coach the “Dream Team” to the Gold Medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992.

Other Firsts – During Community Workshops, local residents reeled of a number of notable “firsts” and unique characteristics:  Elizabeth Kane, wife of Thomas was seen an early proponent of women’s rights, a photographer, a doctor at a time when this profession was very male-dominated and maintained a journal of her trips west;  During Stakeholder Group discussion a local resident suggested that the first CCC Camp in the Country was located in Kane. While on-line searches are vague about this claim (Camp Roosevelt in Virginia set up in 1933 is credited by several sources) at least four of the six camps in the County were established that same year • ANF-11-PA - Dunkles Corners (no firm date, 1935) • ANF-7-PA - Kane (6/20/1933) • ANF-12-Pa - Kane (7/3/1935) • S-105-PA - Port Allegheny (10/16/1933) • ANF-3-PA - Red Bridge (4/NA/1933) • ANF-5-PA - Sugar Run (no firm date, 1933);  Again, local Stakeholder discussion suggests that the first ski tow in the State was Big Gusty in 1930, also attracting ski trains from Pittsburgh;  Locals also suggest that an early railroad block system was operational near Ludlow;  Residents tout a 30-year string of “White Christmases”;  It was noted that nearby Seneca Spring encampment and trail was a Native American stopover point; and  Locals note with some pride that Kane is known as the "Ice box" with over 100 inches of snow annually reflected in local attachment to snowmobiling and other winter sports. Sources include: http://signaturebooks.com/2010/11/excerpt-elizabeth-kanes-st-george-journal/ www.bradfordlandmark.org www.bradfordlandmark.org/index.php?The%20Lobo%20Wolves www.collinsco.com/ www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/ccc/search.aspx?Topic=camp www.holgatetoy.com www.nba.com/pistons/news/daly_090509.html www.rocemabra.com/~roger/tagg/generals/general33.html www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iapottaw/Kane.htm www.smethporthistory.org/kinzuaviaduct

29 Museums

Kane Depot and Museum – The Kane Depot is a beautifully restored late 1800’s train station located in the Borough near the intersection of PA Route 6 and S. Fraley S, home to the Kane Depot Preservation Society. The Depot features local Kane, Holgate Toys and railroad memorabilia and historical documents and photos. In addition, the Art Works which features more than 20 local artists and a variety of their products is located in the Depot, which also serves as a “visitors center” with information on area resources and attractions for the traveler.

General Thomas L. Kane Memorial Chapel – the Chapel, located along Chestnut Street in the Borough is a historic church constructed in the 1870s and was dedicated to General Kane, who had donated the land for the church. The church was situated such that the congregation would be facing in the direction of Jerusalem. The church was designed by Henry J. Taylor of Philadelphia and was the first Presbyterian church in McKean County. Kane died in 1883 and, at his request, was interred outside the church, between the two front entrances. The church was purchased by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1970, to function as a memorial to Kane, who was a supporter of the Mormons and had acted as a mediator between the Mormons and the federal government. The church also functions as a branch of the Family History Library. A replica of the statue of Kane in the Utah State Capitol was placed outside the church. The Chapel features historical artifacts of General Kane and items used by former United States Presidents and other statesmen. Genealogy records, through the , are available in the Chapel. The Chapel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 29, 1978.

Other nearby heritage resources include:  McKean County Historical Society – founded in 1902 as a non-profit educational organization, the Society is located in the Old Jail Building in Smethport and features exhibits of early life in McKean County. The museum captures “windows of time” in displays of the history of McKean County, its towns, life style, and genealogy of its people. The museum also provides a wealth of information about the famous Civil War Bucktail Regiment that was mustered in front of the 2nd McKean County Courthouse, details from the “Oil Boom Days”, records of cemeteries in the county, and microfilm copies of The McKean County Miner newspaper that was printed in Smethport. Additional old photos, artifacts, lectures, and demonstrations bring the area’s history alive.

30

 Bradford Landmark Society - The Bradford Landmark Society is a historical organization dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of the history of the Bradford and Tuna Valley areas. Located in the old Herbig French Bakery on East Corydon Street in Bradford, the Society contains an extensive collection of photographs, genealogical materials, records, books, newspapers, schools, events and historical happenings.

 The Eldred World War II Museum - The Museum opened on Memorial Day 1996 and has continued to tell the heroic stories of WWII in a way that brings honor and respect to a generation that fought for freedom. The Museum provides people of all ages the opportunity to learn about the history of WWII and by presenting unique exhibits about the WWII era.

31 Community Inventories - Inventory of Community Events/Activities

Inventories of events are available for most activities in the Kane area and the larger region on the following websites.

 www.kanepa.com - the website of the Kane Area Development Center which encompasses the resources of the Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise (KARE), Kane Chamber of Commerce and the Kane Area Industrial Development Corporation  www.visitanf.com - the website of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau  www.pawilds.com - the website of the PA Wilds Region

A review of information from the listings and input during Community Workshop #1 in November 2010 yields a varied assortment of events and activities for both the visitor and the resident. The events recognized as of tourism interest have been sorted by topic or provider and are summarized below:

Kane Borough Events  Easter Egg Hunt – April  Memorial Day Parade/ceremony – May  Reunion Weekend in Kane - June  Town Wide Yard Sale - June  Art in the Wilds – Evergreen Park - June  Sounds of Summer Concert Series - Summer  Steve Jerman Memorial 5K Run & 2-Mile Walk - October  First Baptist Annual Bazaar - October  Steve Jerman Race & Walk - October

Kane Regional Events  Rotary X-Country Ski – Westline - January  Ski for Cancer – Westline - January  Choco-Tasting at the Flickerwood - February  Kinzua Outdoor & Travel Show - February  Chainsaw Rendezvous (Ridgway) - February  Bucktail Departure Re-enactment - April  Leek Fest – Westline - April  Stinkfest Festival – Bradford - May  FlickerFest (Flickerwood Festival) - May  McKean County Fair – Smethport - August  Festa Italiana – Bradford - August  Crook Farm Fair – Bradford - August  Mt. Jewett Swedish Festival - August  Triathlon - Warren County and McKean County - August  Kinzua Bridge Fall Festival - Mount Jewett - September  Marienville Oktoberfest – September  FallFest - at the Flickerwood - September  Fall Festival at Whispering Winds Campground - Sheffield - October  Wildcat Park's Fall Festival – Ludlow - October  First Night – Bradford - December

32 Some of the above activities are functions of more local tourism interest especially for those with ties to Kane Borough. However, most are in fact the types of activities that can be destinations for travelers, regular and casual as well as those visiting the Allegheny National Forest and/or other nearby Nature Tourism areas. Not all are publicized in one place or on one website, and some do not appear at all. The number and variety of events in Kane as well as those located in areas surrounding the Borough are noteworthy. A review of the timing of the activities in the Borough reinforces an “April - October” schedule while regional events are scheduled year round. There were no events identified in the Kane between November and March suggesting where gaps exist for future programming ideas. As for regional events, there seems to be events available throughout most of the year.

33 Community Inventories – Regional Attractions and Resources

There is a considerable amount and diversity of public recreation lands in proximity to Kane including a National Forest, a State Forest, State Parks and Gamelands, Natural Areas, Scenic Byways, a National Scenic Trail, Recreation Areas, Major Water bodies, an Engineering Marvel and local recreation resources.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources - The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) - The 513,000 acre ANF (approximately 135,000 acres in McKean County) is a major multi-purpose area administered by the United States Forest Service. The ANF is located in close proximity Kane and basically surrounds it to north, south and west. The ANF has a rich variety of outdoor recreation activities including over 600 campsites, over 100 miles of shoreline along the , 6 boat launches, 6 canoe access sites, 2 nationally designated wilderness areas, swimming, hiking, fishing, motorized and non-motorized boating, wild life viewing, bird watching, hunting, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. In addition, there are over 600 miles of trails in the ANF, including more than 100 miles of ATV trails and hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails which are opened mid-December through April 1, conditions permitting. The Major recreation opportunities in the ANF are summarized below:

 Camping & Cabins : Over 600 campsites within sixteen (16) campgrounds classified as Reservoir Campgrounds which offer Boat Launch-Lake front camping, seven (7) Non Reservoir Campgrounds and four (4) Primitive Campgrounds which are accessible by boat and hiking only.  Picnic Areas: Areas in the ANF include the Beaver Meadows, Buckaloons, Heart's Content, Loleta, Twin Lakes, Tidioute Overlook picnic areas. Picnic areas near the Allegheny Reservoir include Rimrock Overlook, Willow Bay, Kinzua Beach, Kiasutha, Jake's Rocks Overlook areas.  Hiking: The North Country National Scenic Trail (NRT) has 96.3 miles of completed trail within the ANF. There are 16 additional hiking trails that provide over 201 additional miles of hiking opportunities and 10 trails that provide 18 miles of interpretive opportunities.  Biking and Motorized Trails : Motorized trails are opened from the Friday before Memorial Day to the last Sunday of September. The Winter Season is December 20 to April 1. Permits are required in the ANF for motorized riding. Motorized Trails include: • Marienville ATV Trail - 14.2 miles • Marienville Bike Trail - 23.1 miles • Rock Gap ATV/Bike Trail - 21.9 • Timberline ATV/Bike Trail - 37.8 miles • Willow Creek ATV/Bike Trail - 10 miles:

34  Water: The 12,080- acre Allegheny Reservoir provides outstanding recreational and fishing opportunities. The Kinzua Wolf Run Marina is located west of Bradford along Rt. 59 along the eastern shore of the Allegheny Reservoir. Beaches at the Allegheny Reservoir include the Kinzua Beach, accessed from Rt. 59, 12 miles west from Bradford and the Kiasutha Beach, accessed from Rt. 321, north of Kane.  Fishing: Fishing is abundant in the Allegheny Reservoir, with an incredible variety of fish, including walleye, small mouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, channel catfish, brown trout and muskellunge. A Pennsylvania license is required for fishing in the PA portion of the Allegheny Reservoir and In New York, most of the Allegheny Reservoir is under jurisdiction of the Seneca Nation, which requires its own fishing license. The ANF also abounds with over 700 miles of stream trout fishing from the large tailwater fishery at the base of the to tiny brook trout streams on the Allegheny Plateau. is a local favorite.  Boating & Swimming - The Kinzua-Wolf Run Marina and six boat launches located within the ANF provide ready access to the Allegheny Reservoir and its tributary rivers. There are also two swim beaches located around the Reservoir  Hunting : The ANF offers top notch black bear, white-tailed deer and hunting. There are also excellent opportunities to hunt ruffled grouse, squirrels, coyotes and snowshoe hares. Good waterfowl hunting can also be found on and around the Allegheny River.  Winter Activities: • Snowmobiling – snowmobiling in the ANF is allowed on designated routes only. The Allegheny Snowmobile Loop is a designated route that provides over 360 miles of groomed trails that wind through ANF. Snowmobile season is from Dec. 20 to April 1. • Cross Country Skiing – There are 8 trails within the ANF that provide 53 miles of cross country skiing opportunities.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources - Tionesta Scenic and Research Natural Areas - Located approximately 13 miles west of Kane, the Tionesta Scenic and Research Natural Areas comprise approximately 4,131 acres of "virgin" hemlock-beech forest in the Allegheny National Forest in northwestern Pennsylvania. The areas are actually two tracts: the Tionesta Scenic Area - 2,018 acres (northern portion); and the Tionesta Research Natural Area - 2,113 acres (southern portion). This area was designated in 1940 to protect and study one of the last remnant old growth forests in Pennsylvania. Trees have never been harvested here with some being over 300 years old. The purpose of research natural areas is to permanently protect and maintain areas in natural conditions for conserving biological diversity, conducting non-manipulative research and monitoring, and fostering education. There are no recreation development facilities or trails. The area is available for educational use by university and school groups, native plant societies, and other organizations interested in pursuing natural history and educational field trips.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources - Longhouse National Scenic Byway (29 miles) - The 29-mile loop Longhouse National Scenic Byway was designated in 1990 by the Chief of the Forest Service There are three main legs that form a loop around the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir. State Route 59 is the

35 northern section, State Route 321 is the eastern section and the Longhouse Scenic Drive is the western section. State Route 321 becomes part of the Scenic Byway approximately 8 miles north of Kane. The Longhouse Scenic Drive and is not maintained for public travel in the winter as it serves as a part of the Allegheny snowmobile trail in the winter. The Byway offers fantastic foliage year- round including white-blossomed Mountain Laurels in the middle of June or the contrasting colors of the green pine needles on the Red Pines with the abundance of crisp snow. During the fall, however, the vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow leaves complement the dark green needles of the pine trees to provide exquisite foliage. In addition there are several vistas of the reservoir and it provides access to campgrounds with beaches and picnic areas, boat launches, and an accessible fishing pier. Fall foliage driving tours are featured and several bicycling events are held each year.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir Area - The Allegheny Reservoir was created in 1965 after construction of Kinzua Dam by the Corps of Engineers. The Reservoir which spans the border between Pennsylvania and New York is approximately 27 miles long, covers approximately 12,080 acres of water and has 90 miles of undeveloped shoreline. The portion of the Reservoir in Pennsylvania is completely surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest and features a variety of developed and dispersed recreation opportunities including campgrounds, a full service marina, several boat launches, beaches, picnic areas, hiking trails, accessible fishing piers, and scenic overlooks along the National Longhouse Scenic Byway.

o Big Bend Overlook Visitor Center - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains a visitor center and picnic area just downstream of the Kinzua Dam. The visitor's center, which is open daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and weekends in September and October, contains exhibits, displays and brochures which illustrate the purpose of the Kinzua Dam, and highlight recreational and sightseeing opportunities in the area. Several overlooks provide great views of the Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir.

36 Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – – Located off of Route 6 near the town of Clarendon, the 805-acre Chapman State Park includes the 68-acre Chapman Lake on the West Branch of Tionesta Creek. The Chapman State Park is an oasis of recreational facilities in a vast area of wilderness. Major recreational opportunities in the Forest are summarized below:  Swimming : A sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset.  Picnicking: The main picnic area is by the beach and overlooks the lake.  Hiking and Backpacking: There are 12 miles of trails in the Park and in addition, the Park serves as the trailhead for backpacking trails on adjoining public lands.  Fishing: The 68-acre Chapman Lake has fishing for cold-water and warm-water fish, including brook and brown trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, yellow perch and sucker.  Bicycling: Although most hiking trails are not open to bicycles, all roads in the park and in the adjacent state game land and Allegheny National Forest are open to bicycles.  Boating: The 68-acre Chapman Lake is designated for electric motors only and has a boat launch and 41 seasonal mooring spaces on the western side, and mooring for registered campers on the eastern shoreline. A boat rental concession is in the beach area.  Hunting and Firearms: Over 400 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, bear and small game. Allegheny National Forest and State Game Land 29 adjacent to the park are open to hunting.  Camping: the Park has 82 campsites and three cottages many with electricity and restrooms with hot water, flush toilets and showers.  Interpretive Programs: An environmental interpreter is on staff for the summer season and offers movies, slide programs, guided walks, stream studies, children’s programs and other educational programs.  Winter Activities: • Snowmobiling: Chapman is a trailhead to over 300 miles of trails in Allegheny National Forest. • Ice Fishing: The 68-acre Chapman Lake is stocked during the winter. • Ice Skating: Many people enjoy ice-skating on Chapman Lake in the maintained area near the boat launch on the western shore. • Cross-country Skiing: At least 4.4 miles of groomed ski trails connect with numerous trails in the adjoining national forest and state game land. • Sledding and Tobogganing: A seven-acre groomed slope on the western side of the park is lighted until 10 p.m., daily.

37 Regional State Nature Tourism Resources - The North Country National Scenic Trail (NRT) - National Scenic Trails of which there are only eleven (11) in the United States are designated by an act of Congress and represent protected areas in the United States that consist of trails of particular natural beauty. The NRT stretches approximately 4,600 miles, including approximately 180 miles in Pennsylvania of which 96.3 miles are within the Allegheny National Forest. The NRT links scenic, natural, historic, and cultural areas in seven states including Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. Trailheads are located just north of Kane along Rt. 321 and just west of Kane along Route 6.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp – CCC Camps, originally enacted as the Emergency Conservation Work Act, began thirty-seven days after Franklin D. Roosevelt's inauguration in 1933. Roosevelt proposed the recruitment of unemployed young men to enroll in a peacetime army in order to combat the destruction and erosion of the nation's natural resources. During the 1920s, recreation in the ANF focused mostly on dispersed activities like hunting and fishing, but in the 1930s, the CCC changed the face of National Forests across the country by building hundreds of recreation facilities, including the Twin Lakes Recreation Area in the ANF. The CCC Camps is also credited with renewing the nation's devastated forests by planting an estimated three billion trees between 1933 and 1942. Unmarried, unemployed men age 18-25 were the first enrollees. Enrollment was for six months and could be extended to two years. The program was very successful and by the end of 1935, there were over 2,650 camps in operation. There are approximately twelve (12) CCC Camps located in the Allegheny National Forest in close proximity to Kane.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau and Visitor Centers – The Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau is the official tourist promotion agency for McKean County. The Bureau can help visitors plan their visit to the Kane area and it also provides business referrals to hospitality providers, information on travel and tourism, free maps, visitor guides, regional travel brochures, outdoor recreation, and event information. Two (2) Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau Visitors Centers are located in proximity to Kane including the Visitor Center in Lantz-Corner located on Rt. 219, 1/2 mile north of Rt. 6 and the Allegheny National Forest Ranger Station - Bradford located west of Bradford at the intersection of Rt. 321 & Rt. 59.

38 Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – Twin Lakes Recreation Area - The Twin Lakes Recreation Area is located off of PA 321 approximately eight miles southeast of Kane. Twin Lakes offers 50 family campsites each with a picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad along with two group camping areas limited to 50 people or less. The day use area includes a swimming beach, bathhouse, picnic tables, pavilions, playground, trail around lake, and fishing piers. All facilities are universally accessible.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – Kinzua Bridge Scenic Byway – This Kinzua Bridge Scenic Byway is located east of Kane between Mount Jewett and Ormsby. The Byway features the Kinzua State Park and the Kinzua Viaduct. At the time, it was the longest and tallest railroad bridge in the world at 2,053 feet long and 301 feet high. It was rebuilt of steel in 1900 and carried rail traffic until 1959. The Kinzua Viaduct was placed in the National Register of Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks in 1977.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – Kinzua Viaduct - The Kinzua Viaduct, located approximately 16 miles northeast of Kane in the Kinzua State Park, was once the tallest and largest railroad bridge in the world, until an F1 tornado ripped 11 of its 20 support towers from their bases on July 21, 2003. The New York, Lake Erie, and Western Railroad and Coal Company recognized the profits to be gained by transporting coal across the Kinzua Valley instead of taking the six mile route around the Kinzua Valley to waiting markets in Buffalo. Company president General Thomas Kane, of Civil War fame, and brilliant civil engineer Octave Chanute together faced the challenge of the Kinzua Valley. They decided that building a viaduct directly across the valley would be the best option. It was constructed in just over 100 days in the summer of 1882, and, with a maximum height of 302 feet and a total length of 2,050 feet, it was one of the highest and longest viaducts in the world and was billed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World". It was built by the Phoenix Bridge Company, who featured the bridge in their trade album of 1885. Because of increasing train loads, the entire structure was replaced by a similar but stronger steel viaduct in 1900. Before its collapse in 2003, the Kinzua Bridge was ranked as the fourth-tallest railway bridge in the United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1982.

39 Current tourism related planning for the Viaduct includes a glass-bottom observation deck built on the remains of a historic railroad bridge. Visitors are able to look out over the Kinzua Gorge at three viaduct towers still standing, or look down through a window in the deck floor from an octagonal observation deck at twisted remains of the bridge scattered up to 300 feet below. The observation deck also offers visitors a view of the environmental damage caused by the tornado that struck the park on July 21, 2003. This feature was opened to the public in September 2011.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – Kinzua State Park - The 329-acre is located approximately 16 miles northeast of Kane and is four miles north of Route 6 at Mt. Jewett. The Park features remnants of the 2,053-foot Kinzua Viaduct described above. Major recreational opportunities in the Park are summarized below:

 Scenic View : The Kinzua Viaduct overlook gives great views of the Viaduct and the Kinzua Creek Valley and provides a great advantage point for viewing fall foliage and the Kinzua Creek Valley.  Picnicking: The picnic area has shaded picnic tables, water and a modern restroom.  Hunting and Firearms: About 100 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, bear and turkey. Hunting is not permitted from the bridge. Adjacent State Game Land 62 is open to hunting and general recreation.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – Elk State Park - The 3,192-acre Elk State Park is located approximately 17 miles southeast of Kane near Wilcox in Elk County. A major feature of the Forest is the 1,160-acre East Branch Clarion Rive Lake is large enough for unlimited horsepower boating and is great for waterskiing. The lake and nearby streams are stocked with warm-water and cold-water fish. Major recreational opportunities in the Park are summarized below:

 Boating: The 1,160-acre East Branch Lake permits unlimited horsepower motors and has one boat launch on Instanter Drive. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also provides a boat launch by the dam.  Fishing: East Branch Lake is a cold-water fishery and is stocked with muskellunge, walleye, smallmouth bass, brook, rainbow, brown, and lake trout in the lake. Tributaries to the lake including Five Mile, Seven Mile, Straight, Middle Fork and Crooked creeks are also all stocked streams and many other smaller streams abound in native brook trout.

40  Hunting and Firearms: About 3,151 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are black bear, deer and turkey. Hunting is also permitted on the adjacent and State Game Land 25.  Picnicking: Picnic tables are available at the Instanter Drive Boat Launch. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers has a picnic area and playground by the dam.  Swimming: Swimming is not permitted in the lake.  Camping: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates a campground with facilities by the dam.  Hiking: The 0.5 mile Maple Trail begins at the Army Corps of Engineers parking area and travels along the southern end of East Branch Lake. Wildlife and waterfowl viewing is possible along this trail.  Winter Activities: include Ice Fishing and Iceboating.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – - The 100-acre Bendigo State Park is located just south of Elk State Park in Jones Township, Elk County. Approximately 20 acres of the park is developed, half of which is a large, shaded picnic area. The East Branch of the Clarion River flows through the park. Major recreational opportunities in the Park are summarized below:

 Swimming: The pool is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Picnicking: Over 150 picnic tables are located in several picnic areas. Within these areas are charcoal grills, drinking water, four horseshoe pits, restrooms and three picnic pavilions.  Fishing: The East Branch of the Clarion River flows through the park and is an excellent fishery. The river is stocked with trout and is home to many cold-water species. A fishing platform behind the pool allows for easy access for children and the elderly.  Canoeing/Kayaking: The East Branch of the Clarion River is scenic and appropriate for beginning boaters under normal conditions. A canoe launch is three miles upstream along Kilgus Road.  Environmental Education and Interpretation: The Park offers year-round environmental education and interpretive programs. Hands-on activities, guided walks and historical talks are offered to park visitors.  Bendigo SnowFest: Held on the first Saturday in February, visitors can participate in a variety of outdoor activities, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sled-riding and geocaching.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – Elk State Forest – adjacent to Elk State Park, the Elk State Forest is located in Elk and Cameron Counties, with portions in Clearfield, McKean, and Potter Counties, Elk State Forest is comprised of approximately 200,000 acres that are open to primitive camping, licensed hunting and fishing, and general recreational activities. The State Forest is located. Elk State Forest derives its name from the great numbers of elk that once thrived in the area. Visitors can see elk in the meadows and openings scattered throughout the state forest. The Elk State Forest features the Elk Country Visitor Center and a portion of the Elk Scenic Drive. Major recreational opportunities in the Forest are summarized below:

41  Hiking: The Elk State Forest offers 17 featured trails located in some on Pennsylvania’s most remote and scenic woodlands.  Picnicking: Wayside Memorial State Forest Picnic Area provides an opportunity for picnicking, located three miles south of Emporium along PA Route 120. Hunts Run and Whitehead Pavilions, along Ridge Road (state forest road) are also available for picnicking on a first come basis.  Camping: Motorized (including equestrian) and group camping are available at managed sites on the Elk State Forest.  Hunting: Hunting for deer, turkey, grouse, black bear and other wildlife is a popular use of the forest during designated seasons.  Fishing: is available along 120 miles of trout streams, which wind through Elk State Forest, such as Hicks Run, Hunts Run, Brooks Run, and Cowley Run.  Sightseeing: Elk State Forest offers many opportunities for sightseeing, scenic drives (featuring a large portion of the Elk Scenic Drive).  Horseback Riding: The Thunder Mountain Equestrian Trail system is approximately 30 miles in length with the majority of trail encircling the Dark Hollow and Gas Well Equestrian Camping Areas in two separate loops. The remaining trail mileage spurs off of these two loops.  Mountain Biking : Mountain bikes may be used on most roads including the gated timber sale roads on the Elk State Forest. Trails and other areas closed to mountain biking include Natural Areas, district designated hiking trails, and State Forest Hiking Trails, such as the System and the Bucktail Path.  Winter Activities : Elk State Forest offers approximately 100 miles of snowmobile trails, as well as 23 miles of cross-country ski trails. Many additional miles of roads and trails are available for cross-country skiing when snowfall is suitable.

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – East Branch Clarion Reservoir - the East Branch Clarion Reservoir is an US Army Corps of Engineers flood control facility located adjacent to the Elk State Forest and Elk State Park. In addition to flood control East Branch Clarion River Reservoir and surrounding land is a destination for both fisherman and recreational boaters. The lake is home to cold water fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, brook, lake, rainbow and brown trout. The creeks of the park are stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. There is a native brook trout population in some of the smaller streams of the park. There is no limit on the horsepower of the boats. Ice fishing and ice boating are common winter activities on East Branch Clarion River Lake. The land in the vicinity of the dam is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The remainder of the land surrounding the lake is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as Elk State Park.

42 Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – State Game Lands

The Pennsylvania State Game Lands are lands managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) for hunting, trapping and fishing. Typically these lands are either acquired by or donated to the PGC. There are six (6) identified State Game Lands in proximity to Kane encompassing a total of 55,346 acres, as summarized below:

SGL General Location Acreage 25 JOHNSONBURG 23,136 30 NORWICH 11,572 29 WARREN 9,363 61 PORT ALLEGANY 9,099 62 MT. JEWETT 1,334 301 CORYVILLE 842 Source: PGC website

Regional State Nature Tourism Resources – Black Cherry Timber Capital of the World - In recognition of its central location in the largest concentration of quality black cherry timber in the world, Kane was officially proclaimed the "Black Cherry Capital of the World" by the PA House of Representatives. Kane is surrounded on three sides—North, South and West—by the Allegheny National Forest, the only U.S. National Forest that consistently shows a profit from its timber management practices.

43 Community Inventories – Recreation Related Resources

Kane is within the Pennsylvania Wilds Region as identified by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development ( www.visitpa.com ). The Pennsylvania Wilds are characterized by outdoor thrills, incredible mountain scenery, and charming villages rich in histo ry and culture. The general area in and around Kane reflects this branding.

Local Recreation Parks

Kane is home the 18-acre Evergreen Park located next to the Central Business District and Glenwood Park located along Hacker Street. Evergreen Park is a popular place during the s pring and summer months. The Park is a place for passive and active recreation and includes two pavilions, benches, play areas, walkways, bathroom facilities, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts. The Evergreen Enchanted Pla yground is a large jungle gym structure enjoyed by children of all ages. During nice weather, family can be found picnicking, teens playing ball and children swinging, sliding and having fun. Glenwood Park includes baseball field and two soccer field s along with a skate/bike recreational site . The Kane Area High School and Middle School are home to many different Varsity and Junior Varsity Sports and maintains on -campus athletic fields. The Kane Area High School also maintains several on -campus fields for football, soccer, field hockey and softball activities.

Local Snowmobile Route

In Kane Borough, Wetmore Avenue is a designated and signed snowmobile route. The Wetmore Avenue Snowmobil e Route appears to connect with a designated Joint-Use Snowmobile Route as shown on the Allegheny National Forest Snowmobile Trails Map.

Regional Recreation Areas

In addition to the recreation areas available in Kane , regional areas are available to all area residents, as are the many public lands described in the previous section.

44  Wildcat Park – The Park is located approximately 10 minutes east of Kane near Ludlow on Route 6. This historic community park was established in 1925 and created through the generosity and efforts of G. W. Olmsted and other prominent members of the Ludlow community. The scenic, wooded setting of the park offers quiet solitude, a trout stream, hemlock groves, walking trails, large open space and a multitude of flora and fauna. Outdoor recreational facilities include a baseball diamond and 1928 stadium, playground and tennis, volleyball and horseshoe courts. The park is a popular place for family reunions and group picnics throughout the summer. Rustic picnic facilities available include three outdoor covered pavilions with running water and electric and an enclosed heated pavilion with kitchen, fireplace and modern restrooms. In addition, there are approximately 210 geo-caches hidden within a 10 mile radius of Wildcat Park.

 Olmstead Manor – located approximately 10 minutes east Kane near Ludlow on Route 6, the Olmsted Manor Retreat Center is surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest. The Olmsted Manor Retreat Center has been operating since 1969, when the family of George W. Olmsted donated their family estate to the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. The buildings that make up the retreat center include the original Olmsted estate and more recent lodging facilities including the Manor House, Groves Lodge, and the Carriage House and Hickman Hall which serves as a meeting and conference area. The grounds of the retreat center consist of 300 total acres of which only 30 acres are developed. In the spring and summer, the grounds are graced with wildflowers and greenery, while in the fall, leaves from the many trees create a colorful autumn atmosphere. In the winter, a thick blanket of snow turns Olmsted Manor into a winter wonderland. The grounds are meant to be toured, and guests are encouraged to enjoy them.

 Kane Country Club – Located just east of Kane along Route 6, the Kane Country Club was founded in 1912 and is one of the oldest golf establishments in western Pennsylvania. It features a beautiful 18-hole golf course and a fabulous club house, fully stocked pro-shop and fine banquet facility. The well-maintained greens and tight tree lined fairways offer a scenic challenge for even the most accomplished golfer. Other golf courses in McKean County include the Smethport Country Club, Pennhills Club (Bradford) and the Pine Acres Golf Course (Lafayette Township).

45 Bicycle/Hiking Trails

McKean County has been branded as Trail Central by the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau. There are all types of trails-all year round in McKean County including more than 600 miles of trails for hiking and biking, over 100 miles for ATV riding and more than 300 miles for snowmobiling. In addition, PennDOT has established a network of cross-state bicycle routes including Route Y. US Route 6 is Route Y through Kane. The North Central Greenways Plan (2010) identifies thirty (30) trail corridors in McKean County. The following graphic highlights those corridors and their designated uses.

46 Proposed Knox and Kane Trail Corridor

The 69.9 mile Knox and Kane rail line Corridor covers four counties (McKean, Elk, Clarion and Forest) and pass through 13 municipalities, including Kane, Mount Jewett, Marienville and Leeper, as it follows the abandoned Knox and Kane railroad line. It is identified as a corridor in both the Northwest Pennsylvania Region Greenways Plan and the North Central Pennsylvania Region Greenways Plan. The potential availability of this corridor presents a unique opportunity for the four counties to cooperate to develop a regional trail that connects Knox in Clarion County to the Kinzua Bridge State Park in McKean County.

A feasibility study to consider the benefits and potential negative impacts of a trail system, environmental concerns, public and private ownership of land, and will include recommendations and construction cost projections for implementation has recently been conducted. The outcome of the feasibility study will outline the corridors potential as a multi-use trail, and will determine the viability of the corridor for motorized and/or non-motorized use. It will also include a preliminary investigation or suggestion of retaining the tracks from Kane to the Kinzua Bridge State Park, identifying existing studies, and projected start up costs for short run excursion trains.

Proposed Kinzua Valley Trail

The Kinzua Valley Trail is being developed by the Kinzua Valley Trail Club, a non-profit organization formed in 1999. The Kinzua Valley Trail Club has a vision to develop an approximately 20-mile non-motorized trail from Kinzua Bridge State Park near Mt. Jewett to the Red Bridge Area of the Allegheny Reservoir. At present the trail originates at the Westline Trailhead and includes over three miles of finished trail and an additional mile plus of usable trail. The goal is to provide users with an accessible quality outdoor experience in all seasons.

47 Community Inventories - Inventory and Survey of Businesses

The Kane Borough area “business district” identified by the EADs Group actually consists of three general areas that together sustain approximately 128 businesses or storefronts. Of this number, 31 (24%) were retail establishments, 11 (9%) were eating/drinking/accommodation establishments, 15 (12%) were non-profits/semi-public, 17 (13%) were vacant storefronts and the remaining 54 (42%) were professional, business or other services. The following summarizes the types of businesses in these areas as identified in a windshield survey in July 2011:

 The “downtown” pedestrian-oriented business district includes North Fraley Street, a segment of Greeves Street and several intersecting side streets as well as Chase Street. Approximately 89 businesses or storefronts are located in this area, representing 70% of the total. This business area contains a mix of retail, service, eating/drinking/accommodation and public/semi-public establishments. Retailing choices include a few specialty retail stores of interest to tourists, convenience stores, two thrift stores and stores probably of interest to residents. All but one of the vacant storefronts is also in this area.

 There are approximately eleven (11) businesses located along Route 6 on the eastern side of Kane, including two motels, a convenience store, a new bank branch office, a beverage outlet, an auto service center and several beauty shops.“ There is a blighted industrial building and railroad structure, both vacant and both highly visible

 There are approximately thirty businesses and other non- residential structures in the western (actually northwestern) section of Kane, including two supermarkets, a drug store chain establishment, car dealers and automobile related stores, two churches, convenience stores and a number of other retail stores, a number in a small commercial strip center. This area has a definite highway-commercial feel to it.

Taken together, the Kane business areas offer some retailing opportunities essentially for local residents and casual tourists.

48 Business Survey

A survey of businesses was conducted during February and March of 2011. The questionnaire was developed in consultation with the local Stakeholders Committee. The stakeholders helped develop a listing of commercial and services businesses most closely associated with tourism and addresses and personally dropped off and picked up the questionnaires. A combination of hard copy surveys and on-line surveys were completed. The completed questionnaires were provided to the Consultant.

Overview of Responses : Kane businesses were given the option of participating in the survey on-line (link distributed by KARE Director) or in paper format (distributed by Stakeholder Group members), focusing on businesses particularly serving visitors, vacationers and the local market. A total of thirty seven (37) responses were received that was viewed as being a very good response. The detailed returns are as follows, with a good response from retailers, eating and drinking establishments, medical/dental service providers and non-profit organizations. Numbers reflect some respondents noting more than one type of business.

TYPE Kane Borough # % Lodging: Motel, hotel, B&B, etc. 2 5.1% Retailing: Gifts, convenience goods, hardware, 6 15.4% etc. Eating/Drinking Establishments: Restaurants, 4 10.3% taverns, etc. Food Products/Services: Food products, snacks, 3 7.7% groceries, etc. Recreation services: Guide, outfitter, sporting 1 2.6% equipment, etc. Attraction: Amusement, museum, entertainment 0 0.0% establishment, etc. Medical/Dental Goods/Services 5 12.8% Other Professional Services: Legal, accounting, 3 7.7% etc. Automotive Goods/Services: Fuel, service, 2 5.1% automobile parts, sales, etc. Financial Services: Banking, real estate, 0 0.0% insurance, etc. Personal/Household Services: Plumbing, 0 0.0% contracting, hairstyling, repair, etc. Rental 0 0.0% Business Services: Data processing, copying, 0 0.0% etc. Storage/Wholesaling 0 0.0% Non-profit agency/organization 6 15.4% Other 7 17.9% TOTAL RESPONSES 39 100.0% No Response 7 NA

49 Business Operations : Overall, the responses are generally from long-term (20+ years) full-time operations together employing 438 persons, with 52% being full- time employees.

a. Number of operational years for responding businesses: Long term orientation with approximately 60% in business for more than 20 years and another 11% from 11-20 years. Approximately 16% of the businesses reported being in operation for less than 5 years.

RANGE Kane Borough # % 1 year or less 3 8.1% 2-5 years 3 8.1% 6-10 years 5 13.5% 11-20 years 4 10.8% More than 20 years 22 59.5% No Response 0 0.0% TOTAL 37 100.0%

b. Full-time/part-time operation: Full-time orientation for 86.5% of the responding businesses.

TYPE Kane Borough # % Full Time 32 86.5% Part-time 5 13.5% No Response 0 0.0% TOTAL 37 100.0%

c. Number of people employed in businesses: Nearly split between full- and part- time employees with one large employer responsible for a large number of both.

TYPE Kane Borough # % Full Time employees 228 52.1% Part-time employees 210 47.9% TOTAL 438 100.0%

50  Business hours varied greatly among the respondents. The “typical business day” is difficult to generalize, due to the special needs and markets of the businesses. As an illustration, businesses generally open throughout the morning hours with opening times between 8:00 and 9:00 AM being the most common. While most businesses close between 4:00 and 5:00 PM, a number of businesses do stay open after 5:00 PM and five (5) businesses reported staying open after 8:00 PM. Although difficult to characterize, the later closings are typically at eating/drinking establishments likely serving both local residents and the visiting public. Approximately 68% of the responding businesses note Saturday hours, including one noting a Saturday opening without designating hours. Similarly, 44% note Sunday hours as well, including three noting a Sunday opening without designating hours.

Kane Business Hours Summary

Weekdays Open (34 responses) Close (33 responses) Before 7:00 AM 3 Before 2:00 PM 0 7:00 - 8:00 AM 7 2:00 - 4:00 PM 2 8:00 – 9:00 AM 12 4:00 - 5:00 PM 12 9:00 – 10:00 AM 6 5:00 - 6:00 PM 9 10:00 – 12:00 AM 3 6:00 - 8:00 PM 4 After 12:00 AM 1 After 8:00 PM 5

NOTE: For those who did respond, two (2) respondents did not provide their opening hours and (1) respondent did not provide their closing hours. Saturday Open (34 responses) Close (27 responses) Before 7:00 AM 3 Before 2:00 PM 6 7:00 - 8:00 AM 3 2:00 - 4:00 PM 4 8:00 – 9:00 AM 9 4:00 - 5:00 PM 3 9:00 – 10:00 AM 5 5:00 - 6:00 PM 4 10:00 – 12:00 AM 2 6:00 - 8:00 PM 1 After 12:00 AM 0 After 8:00 PM 4

NOTE: For those who did respond, nine (9) respondents indicated not opening on Saturday and three (3) respondents did not provide their Saturday opening hours. Four (4) respondents indicated not closing on Saturday and one (1) responder did not provide their Saturday closing hours. Sunday Open (34 responses) Close (18 responses) Before 7:00 AM 2 Before 2:00 PM 3 7:00 - 8:00 AM 2 2:00 - 4:00 PM 1 8:00 – 9:00 AM 4 4:00 - 5:00 PM 2 9:00 – 10:00 AM 1 5:00 - 6:00 PM 0 10:00 – 12:00 AM 2 6:00 - 8:00 PM 1 After 12:00 AM 1 After 8:00 PM 5

NOTE: Three (3) businesses that were surveyed skipped this question. For those who did respond, (19) respondents indicated not being opened on Sunday and three (3) respondents did not provide their Sunday opening hours and one (1) responder did not provide their Sunday closing hours.

51 Perceived Busy Days/Seasons :

a. An equal number of respondents, nine (9), noted Saturdays and no difference among days as their “busiest day”. Overall, the Friday- Saturday period is an important time for businesses in Kane.

DAY Kane Borough # % Monday 5 13.5% Tuesday 1 2.7% Wednesday 4 10.8% Thursday 1 2.7% Friday 9 24.3% Saturday 6 16.2% Sunday 1 2.7% No Difference 9 24.3% No Answer 1 2.7% TOTAL 37 100.0%

b. Summer is the busiest season for approximately 51% of businesses with Christmas (19%), Winter (11%) and no difference among seasons (14%) indicated to lesser extents. Summer is typically the “busiest” season among Route 6 communities, making Kane similar to other Route 6 communities in this characteristic. Multiple Answers were allowed per respondent explaining percentage totals exceeding 100%, with percentages reflecting percent of 37 respondents answering this item.

SEASON Kane Borough # % Summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day) 19 51.4% Autumn (September through November) 3 8.1% Christmas Season (Thanksgiving through New Year’s 7 18.9% Day) Winter (January through March) 4 10.8% Spring (April through May) 3 8.1% None; all seasons are generally the same 5 13.5% No Response 3 8.1%

52 Ownership : The business community reflects a local year round resident orientation among Kane area businesses, with 76% of owners being full-time local residents.

LOCATION Kane Borough # % A year-round resident of Kane Area 29 76.3% A part-time resident of Kane Area 0 0.0% A year-round resident of another McKean County 3 Community 7.9% A part-time resident of another McKean County Community 0 0.0% A resident of an adjacent County 2 5.3% Other 1 2.6% No Answer 2 7.9% TOTAL 37 100.0%

Route 6 Location : The relative importance of US Route 6 for business at the present time is evident as approximately 76% rate it as either very or somewhat important. Only 5% believe that a Route 6 location is not important.

IMPORTANCE Kane Borough # % Very Important 16 43.2% Somewhat Important 12 32.4% Minimally Important 3 8.1% Not Important 2 5.4% No Answer 4 10.8% Other 0 0.0% TOTAL 37 100.0%

53 Sales and Trends : There is a rather mixed set of characteristics and trends among the responding businesses.

a. The estimate of business’ annual gross sales or revenues volume suggests a moderate to strong level of business activity. Sixteen (16) of the businesses reported sales/revenues earning in excess of $100,000 of which nine (9) indicated a higher volume (+$250,000) of business. In comparison only three (3) of the businesses reported sales or revenues less than $50,000/year. Since the number of respondents choosing not to respond to this item was relatively high, the table below separates out percentages for responding businesses as well. In this perspective, 67% of the respondents to this item had revenues/sales in excess of $100,000 annually.

RANGE Kane Borough # % % of Responding Under $25,000 per year 2 5.4% 8.3% $25,000 - $50,000 per year 1 2.7% 4.2% $50,001 - $100,000 per year 5 13.5% 20.8% $100,001 - $250,000 per year 7 18.9% 29.2% Over $250,000 per year 9 24.3% 37.5% No Answer 13 35.1% NA TOTAL 37 100.0% 100.0%

b. Sales/revenue volume trend in the prior 12 months is somewhat negative, perhaps reflecting recessionary impacts in the larger economy and/or changes at the local level, with 35% experiencing decreases and 19% having stayed about the same. When considering percentages for responding businesses those percentages are even higher. (Note: survey done in early 2011)

TREND Kane Borough # % % of Responding Increased 9 24.3% 31.0% Decreased 13 35.1% 44.8% Stayed about the Same 7 18.9% 24.1% No Answer 8 21.6% NA TOTAL 37 100.0% 100.0%

Businesses in two of the other three communities in the same cycle of the Heritage Communities Program note a more positive sales/revenue trend, although both of these communities are in areas where Marcellus Shale drilling is concentrated.

54 Customer Base/Characteristics: Kane businesses tend to serve a moderate number of people, many being local residents.

a. There is a variation in the “typical” daily customer/client base, with approximately 30% having 25 or fewer, 27% having between 26 and 50 and only approximately 19% report having more than 100 customers/clients per day with only 8% reporting having over 200 customers/clients per day.

RANGE - # of customers/clients per day Kane Borough # % Under 5 0 0.0% 5-10 5 13.5% 11-25 6 16.2% 26-50 10 27.0% 51-75 5 13.5% 76-100 2 5.4% 101-200 4 10.8% Over 200 3 8.1% Clients/Customers do not come to business 0 0.0% No response 2 5.4% TOTAL 37 100.0%

b. Businesses were asked to profile their respective customer base by estimating what percentage is “locals” (i.e. people who live in and around Kane), “regular visitors” (i.e. people visiting local families, hunters/fishermen, seasonal residents, etc. who may be seen a number of times over the year) and “casual visitors” (i.e. people “passing through” who may be seen only once). Obviously this is subjective but instructive at the same time, as summarized below.

RANGE – estimated “Local” “Regular” “Casual” customer base # % # % # % 91 – 100% 6 16.7% 1 2.7% 1 2.8% 81 – 90% 7 19.4% 2 5.4% 0 0.0% 71 – 80% 3 8.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 61 – 70% 3 8.3% 2 5.4% 0 0.0% 51 – 60% 4 11.1% 1 2.7% 0 0.0% 41 – 50% 2 5.6% 2 5.4% 0 0.0% 31 – 40% 2 5.6% 2 5.4% 3 8.3% 21 – 30% 2 5.6% 3 8.1% 3 8.3% 10 - 20% 2 5.6% 8 21.6% 9 25.0% Under 10% 1 2.8% 9 24.3% 15 41.7% No Answer 5 13.9% 7 18.9% 5 13.9% TOTAL 36 100.0% 37 100.0% 36 100.0%

55  Percentage of customer/client base that is comprised of “local” residents (i.e. people who live in and around Kane Borough): A relatively high percentage (64%) indicated locals account for more than 50% of their business and 44% suggested that locals account for more than 70% of their customer base, another characteristic of Kane’s businesses that is similar to other Rt. 6 communities that are also more dependent on local customers/clients. Only approximately 14% indicated local business accounted for less than 30% of their customer base.

 Percentage of customer/client base that is comprised of “regular” visitors and tourists (i.e. visiting local families, hunters/fishermen, seasonal residents, etc. who they may be seen a number of times over the years): The “regular” visitors appear to be of lesser importance to businesses since only 8% reported these visitors account from more than 70% of their base and approximately 46% say these visitors account for less than 20% of their base.

 Percentage of customer/client base that is comprised of “casual” visitors and tourists (i.e. people “passing through” who you see only once): These visitors comprise a relatively low percentage of the customer base among the businesses, with only one (1) of those offering a response suggesting they account for more than 40% of their base. More specifically, 77% of those answering the question suggested the casual visitor accounts for under 20% of their base.

 In summary, while travelers, both regular and casual, have some importance to the local business community, the businesses in Kane tend to serve area residents.

56 Tourism and Business Planning in General:

a. Overall, 54% of the businesses have either seen an increase in tourism traffic (24%) or sustained continuity in tourism traffic (30%). Approximately 19% experienced a decrease in their business in recent years.

TYPE Kane Borough # % Tourist traffic has increased 9 24.3% Tourist traffic has decreased 7 18.9% No change in tourist traffic 11 29.7% No tourist traffic in this business 2 5.4% No Answer 8 21.6% TOTAL 37 100.0%

Factors that describe present business planning, (multiple responses with percentages reflecting percent of responding businesses). Planned expansions are moderately encouraging as approximately 30% reported they were considering expansions of goods and services and another 19% were considering hiring new employees. Across the Route 6 Corridor, the expansion in the lines of goods and services offered is more common than a physical expansion of businesses. Approximately 8% indicated they were considering closing or selling and 40.5% indicated they were not considering any changes presently.

CURRENT PLANNING Kane Borough # % Considering a physical expansion of my business’ physical plant 3 8.1% Considering expanding my offering of goods or services 11 29.7% Considering hiring new employees 7 18.9% Considering selling or closing my business 3 8.1% Not considering any changes at the present time 15 40.5% No response 4 10.8%

57 Future Enhancements : Respondents were asked to identify no more than the three (3) top improvements they think would improve the community as a business or tourism destination. Multiple responses were encouraged with percentages reflecting percent of the total respondents favoring each type of improvement.

a. Results suggest a mix of structural and non-structural improvements. The most popular improvements that are seen as enhancing the community as a business or tourist destination are:  62% of the respondents identified seeing new types of businesses among the top improvements  30% of the respondents identified the need for more events and festivals among the top improvements.  27% of the respondents identified having additional tourist designations/activities among the top improvements.  27% of the respondents identified improvements to storefronts/facades in the business district among the top improvements; and  24% of the respondents note that additional dining options among the top improvements

Kane Borough TYPE # % New types of businesses 23 62.2% More events and festivals 11 29.7% Additional tourist destinations/activities 10 27.0% Improvements to storefronts/facades in the business 10 27.0% district Additional Dining Options 9 24.3% Improved property maintenance 7 18.9% Improved street maintenance 6 16.2% Coordinated advertising/promotion 5 13.5% Continued Streetscape improvements, such as benches, 4 10.8% lighting, landscaping, etc. More sporting/outfitter types of stores 3 8.1% Better signage to businesses and destinations 2 5.4% Streamlining of ordinances and regulations 2 5.4% A wood products education center 2 5.4% More Attractions related to "Black Cherry Capital" idea 2 5.4% Other Promotion of Thomas L Kane & Bucktails 1 2.7%

Hospitality training for business employees 1 2.7% A local visitors information center 0 0.0% Information kiosks 0 0.0% Rehabilitating and maintaining the large older homes 0 0.0% No Response 1 2.7%

58 New Business Development : New business development is seen as a popular enhancement as noted above. The following types of new businesses were noted as being needed and could be sustained in the community (NOTE: multiple responses thus, percentages reflect the total responses as a percent of the 34 businesses responding to this item): There is a clear orientation towards recreation/entertainment establishments, eating and drinking establishments and small specialty retail stores, a common trait among Route 6 communities although in Kane there is also some interest in larger retail stores among the respondents.

TYPE Kane Borough # % Recreation and entertainment services 26 76.5% Eating and drinking establishments 19 55.9% Smaller specialty stores (i.e. antique, gifts, crafts, etc. 17 50.0% Larger retail stores (i.e. appliance, auto, etc) 14 41.2% Personal services 2 5.9% Other 1 2.9% Professional services 1 2.9% Convenience stores 0 0.0%

59 Community Inventories - Physical and Non-Physical Conditions

This subsection provides an overview of various physical characteristics, facilities and services available in the Kane Area, with attention emphasized on those most affecting the traveling public. The source of the information is the McKean County Comprehensive Plan (2007), PAMunicipalities.com, service provider web sites and local input.

Public Safety Services

 Police Service – Kane Borough operates its own police department which serves Borough residents. The Kane Borough Police Department is located on Bayard Street and has 3 full time and 4 part time officers. The Kane Station of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Troop C is located on Route 219 near Lantz Corners and provides primary coverage to surrounding areas including Wetmore Township.

 Fire Protection - The Kane Volunteer Fire Department Station 5, founded in 1886, is located in the Borough on Poplar Street and provides fire protection and rescue services in the Borough and surrounding areas.

 Ambulance Service - The Kane Ambulance Service provides basic and advanced life support to the residents of Kane and surrounding areas.

 Kane Community Hospital (KCH) – located in the Borough along Rt. 6, KCH is a 31-bed acute care rural hospital licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. KCH is a community-based primary care provider with a network that includes community clinics in Johnsonburg, Kane, Mt. Jewett, Ridgway and Sheffield.

Educational/Cultural

 Kane Area School District – The 245.5 Square Mile District serves Kane and Mt. Jewett Boroughs and Hamilton, Wetmore and Highland (Elk County) Townships along with a small part of Jones Township (Elk County). It is worth noting that Mt. Jewett is surrounded by the Smethport Area School District and is not contiguous to the rest of the Kane Area School District. Overall the District operates three schools including the Kane Area High School located just outside of the Borough along Route 321 and the Kane Area Middle School and Kane Area Elementary School which are located together in the Borough at 400 West Hemlock Avenue. The District enrolled approximately 1,184 students during the 2010-2011 school year with enrollment at the High School being 357, at the Middle School being 292 and at the Elementary School enrollment was 535. The Pennsylvania Department of Education projects the District enrollment to decrease over the next ten years with enrollments projected to be 1,140 by 2014- 15 and down to 991 by 2019-20. Because the Department of Education does not account for immigration in its projections, these numbers may be low.

60  University of Pittsburgh, Bradford Campus – The Bradford Campus is located off of Rt. 219 approximately 30 miles north of Kane. Being relatively close to Kane, area residents are able to access the types of resources and opportunities provided by a major Institute of Higher Education.

 Libraries - Residents of Kane have access to the resources of the Friends Memorial Library located in the Borough at 230 Chase Street. The library offers a newly remodeled children's area with new shelving, wonderful books, a children's play area with puzzles, toys, manipulative toys, puppets and a parenting section along with a wealth of reference materials. The library is opened on Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Fridays from 10:00am to 12:00pm and on Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The Library is closed on Sundays and Tuesdays. Other public Libraries located in McKean County include: • Bradford Area Public Library • Mount Jewett Memorial Library • Samuel W Smith Memorial Public Library (Port Allegany) • Hamlin Memorial Library (Smethport)

Water Systems

 The PA American Water Company Kane System provides water service to Kane Borough and to portions of Wetmore Township. The Kane System obtains its source water from 8 Springs and 7 Wells.  Surrounding areas not served by the Kane System receive water from private wells.

Sewer Services

 The Kane Borough Sewer Authority provides sewage collection and treatment for approximately 2,200 sewer customers in Kane Borough and sections of Wetmore Township surrounding the Borough.  Information provided in the McKean County Comprehensive Plan (2007) indicated there were no plans for improvements or extensions to the sewer system.

61 Transportation System

Area highways carry a significant amount of traffic and provide key north/south and east/west connections. The major roads in and around Kane Borough are narratively described and all are described on Table 9 in terms of traffic volumes by segment.

Pennsylvania U.S. Route 6 Route 6 is a major east/west arterial highway in the County and region and carries a high volume of traffic through Kane as noted on Table 6. It is an important transportation corridor for Pennsylvania as it is for McKean County. Economic development, tourism, connectivity, and local and regional heritage are all impacted by Route 6. From the east, Route 6 enters the county at Mile Marker 114 between Sheffield (Warren County) and Ludlow and continues through Kane, Mount Jewett and Smethport before it exits the County at Mile Marker 164, a distance of approximately 50 miles. Approximately 20 miles of Route 6 in McKean County is located in or forms the boundary of the Allegheny National Forest. The route is hardly “straight” taking more of a “V” shape alignment through the County.

Traffic volumes in Kane Borough are approximately 6,103 vehicles a day (6% truck) on N. Fraley St and are approximately 5,218 (13% truck) along N Edgar St. and Biddle St to Hacker St (PA 321). To the west of Kane, volumes are approximately 2,340 vehicles (7% truck) each day and increase to approximately 7,591 vehicles a day near Warren. To the east of Kane, volumes are approximately 4,652 (11% truck) while the decrease to approximately 3,693 vehicles a day through Mount Jewett and to approximately 2,224 vehicles a day near Smethport. Bicycle Route Y, one of six long-distance bicycle touring routes in the state, follows Route 6 through Kane Borough.

US Route 219 This major north/south highway intersects with Route 6 approximately eight (8) miles east of Kane near Lantz Corners and connects the Kane area with Bradford and I-86 in New York State to the north and I-80 to the South. Just to the north of Route 6 volumes on US Rt. 219 are approximately 5,435 vehicles a day (23% truck) and increase to over 7,000 vehicles a day closer to Bradford. To the south between Rt. 6 and PA 32 volumes range between approximately 2,693 and 2,862 vehicles day (24% truck) and then increase to over 5,500 vehicles a day closer to Johnsonburg in Elk County.

62

PA 321 This north/south highway connects Kane with US Rt. 219 near Wilcox to the south and to the Allegheny Reservoir and PA Rt. 59 to the north. Volumes to the south between Kane and US Rt. 219 are approximately 2,059 vehicles a day (14% truck). However, volumes to the north between Kane and PA Rt. 59 are significantly lower at only approximately 387 vehicles a day with 5% of that being trucks. PA Rt. 321is a relatively traverses a relatively scenic area and was at one time US Route 219.

PA 59 This east/west highway is located to the north of Kane and provides an alternate route to Rt. 6 between Warren and Smethport. PA Rt. 59 connects with PA 321, PA 646 and US Rt. 219 along the way. Between Route 6 near Warren and PA 321 volumes are approximately 2,039 vehicles a day (15% truck) and between PA 321 and US Rt. 219 volumes range between 1,516 and 2,237 vehicles a day (14-20% truck). Between US Rt 219 and Smethport volumes range between 723 closer to US Rt. 219 and 3,040 vehicles a day (7-15% truck) closer to Smethport.

63 PA 948 This north/south highway is located south of Kane and provides an alternate route to Rt 6 for those traveling between the Sheffield in Warren County and US Route 219 in Elk County. PA 838 intersects with PA 66 south of Kane. Between Volumes on this highway range from approximately 1,743 vehicles a day south of Sheffield to approximately 5,688 vehicles a day near Ridgeway in Elk County.

PA 66 This north/south highway extends from PA 948 and intersects with Route 6 in Kane. Volumes on PA 66 range from approximately 2,015 vehicles a day (18% truck) near Kane to approximately 1,676 vehicles a day (24% truck) closer to PA 948.

SR 3001 – Settlement Road SR 3001, known locally as Settlement Road, is located east of Kane and connects Route 6 with PA 321. While it carries only 214 vehicles a day (10% truck) it does provide a way to access PA 321 without entering into Kane Borough.

SR 3004 – Hemlock Ave SR 3004, known locally as Hemlock Avenue, is located in Kane and carries approximately 1,996 vehicles a day (10% truck) between PA 66 and PA 321.

64 TABLE 9 Major Highway Profile/Traffic Volumes Kane Heritage Communities Program

Route Location Segment AADT Truck Volume US Rt 6 Warren & McKean Between Kane and Warren 2,340 - 7,591 7%-9% West Counties US Rt 6 N Fraley St to Taylor Rd 6,103 6% Kane Borough Central N Edgar and Biddle St 5,218 13% US Rt 6 Between Kane and McKean County 2,224 - 4,652 9%-15% East Smethport US Rt 219 McKean County Between Rt 6 and PA 59 5,435 23% North US Rt 219 McKean & Elk Between Rt 6 and PA 321 2,693 - 2,862 24% South Counties PA 321 McKean County Between Kane and PA 59 387 5% North PA 321 McKean and Elk Between Kane and US Rt 2,059 14% South Counties 219 PA 59 Warren and McKean Between Rt 6 near Warren 2,039 15% West Counties and PA 321 PA 59 Between PA 321 and US McKean County 1,516 - 2,237 14-20% Central Route 219 PA 59 Between US Rt 219 and McKean County 723 - 3,040 7-15% East Smethport PA 948 Warren, Forest and Between Rt 6 and PA 66 2,806 - 1,284 23-27% West Elk Counties PA 948 Between PA 66 and Elk County 1,132 - 5,655 6-19% East Ridgway McKean and Elk PA 66 Between Kane and PA 948 1,676 - 2,015 18%-24% Counties SR 3001 Wetmore Township Settlement Road 214 10% Kane Borough & SR 3004 Hemlock Ave 1,996 10% Wetmore Township Source: PennDOT, (counts from 2007-11) NOTE: AADT= Annual Average Daily Traffic

65 Kinzua Heights LEWIS RUN 301 GLADE TWP CORYDON TWP

X mp095 59 X XWARRENX ALLEGHENY X RESERVOIR Simpson X X mp099 321 McKean KEATING TWP mp100 59 X mp152 mp150 X LAFAYETTE TWP X X mp101X 59 MEAD TWP SMETHPORTmp149X PLEASANT TWP mp102 mp148 X mp147 X X CLARENDONmp103 062 X HAMILTON TWP 219 mp146X 062 mp145 Xmp104 X

CHAPMAN STATE PARK mp144 Xmp105 KINZUA BRIDGE STATE PARK X 062 mp114 mp143 Xmp106 X X mp115 mp113 X mp142 mp107 X mp116 mp136 X X mp134 mp135 X 029 X X X mp137 mp112 X mp117 MOUNT JEWETT mp141 mp108 X X X X X mp133 mp138 mp111 mp118 Lantz Corner X mp109 mp110 X6 X mp140 X X mp119 mp132 mp139 X6 Sheffield X X X mp131 HAMLIN TWP 146 X mp120 mp121 ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST X X mp130 mp122 NORWICH TWP CHERRY GROVE TWP SHEFFIELD TWP X X WETMORE TWP mp123 mp129 X KANE Xmp127 X X SERGEANT TWP X X mp128 X mp126 948 SR 3001

TIONESTA SCENIC & RESEARCH NATURAL AREA SR 3024 321 Warren County ELK STATE FOREST McKean County 66 030 Forest County 666 Elk County

321 McKean County 219 ELK STATE PARK Average Daily Volume Elk County over 9,000 ELK STATE FOREST HOWE TWP EAST BRANCH JONES TWPCLARION RESERVOIR HIGHLAND TWP 6.000- 8,999 SHIPPEN TWP 66 3,000 - 5,999 948 1,000 - 2,999 025 BENDIGO STATE PARK JENKS TWP Less than 1,000 RIDGWAY TWP ST MARYS 02.5 5 Kane Borough Regional Traffic Volumes Miles  Rt 6 Corridor HCP Air

Kane area residents rely on the Bradford Regional Airport, located approximately 20 miles north of Kane, for general, commercial and chartered air service. The Airport provides daily flights through Continental Airlines to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Other commercial airports within approximately 100-miles of Kane include the Dubois Regional Airport with connections to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Venango Regional Airport with connections to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the University Park Airport with connections to Detroit, Philadelphia and Washington/Dulles) and the Erie International Airport - Tom Ridge Field with connections to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia).

Public Transportation

The Area Transit Authority of North Central PA (ATA) provides service to the counties of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter. Locally, ATA only provides demand responsive shared-ride CAB BUS service Monday- Friday in Kane Borough and surrounding areas in Wetmore Township. ATA also operates a Medical Assistance Transportation Program in Cameron, Elk and McKean counties. ATA’s Rural Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Program provides transportation at discounted fare rate to persons with disabilities who are between the ages of 18 and 64 in all six counties served by ATA. In addition to the services provided by ATA, the Fullington Trailways Bus Company maintains a road stop at the Quick Stop Market on Biddle Street and provides daily connections to regional locations including Bradford, St. Mary’s, Du Bois, Clearfield, Buffalo NY and Olean, NY.

Rail

Freight transportation is available into Kane by the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, Inc. The Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad is a 368-mile regional freight railroad that interchanges with the Allegheny Valley Railroad, Canadian Pacific Railway, Canadian National, CSX Transportation, Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad, Norfolk Southern, Rochester & Southern Railroad, and Western New York & Pennsylvania Railway.

There is no Intercity Amtrak Passenger Rail service to Kane. Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian line does travel daily between and Pittsburgh. The closest station to Kane would be in Tyrone, PA which is approximately 2 hrs south. Amtrak’s Empire Service provides daily service between New York City and Niagara Falls. The closest stations for this route are the Exchange Street and Depew Station in Buffalo both are approximately two hours and ten minutes north of Kane. Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited serves the Boston-New York- Chicago route. The closest stations for this route would be in Erie, PA which is just under 2 hrs west from Kane.

67 Transportation Issues

The McKean County Comprehensive Plan (2007) identified four (4) Transportation goals including:  Prioritize transportation investment on system maintenance to help sustain existing community and economic centers.  Expand the transportation system and transportation services, particularly within planned growth areas.  Minimize future travel demand in rural areas through land use planning.  Manage scenic view-sheds through land use planning.

A Visioning process completed for the County Comprehensive Plan identified one primary transportation concern:  Inconvenient and inefficient transportation access has made it difficult for businesses to import supplies and export products.

A prioritization of Transportation projects and activities provided in the County Comprehensive Plan includes:

Near-term actions:  Action 1: Support continued investment in major improvements to the US 219 corridor.  Action 2: Inventory and program needed improvements to the County's backlog of structurally deficient bridges.  Action 3: Identify and program improvements to highways and over/underpasses.  Action 4: Complete and implement the corridor management plan for the Kinzua Bridge Byway.  Action 5: Participate in the development of a regional greenways plan, including recreational trail corridors and conservation greenways, with NCPRPDC.  Action 6: Evaluate public transit routes and stops within core downtown areas; revise routes and stop locations to serve community and economic hubs.  Action 7: Assess downtown circulation for vehicles and pedestrians, including turning radii, parking, and streetscapes, and design and construct improvements where needed.  Action 8: Inventory local rail facilities.

Medium- and long-term projects:  Support development of a Visitor Discovery Welcome Center along US 219 between the New York border and US Route 6.  Develop and implement a region-wide tourism and recreation signing and way- finding initiative.  Nominate Longhouse Scenic Byway as a PA Byway and develop a corridor management plan for its continued scenic conservation. The PA Byway program promotes byways through statewide tourism promotion. Successful promotion brings increased use and impacts to the corridor; therefore the PA byways program requires a corridor management plan to outline protection, enhancement, and local promotion priorities. Additional information on the program is available through North Central or PennDOT’s Pennsylvania Byways Program, http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/CPDM.nsf.

68  Develop a local bridge prioritization process; consider including available local matching funds as a prioritization criterion.  Increase participation in PennDOT’s Agility program. The Agility Program provides a method for state and local governments to work together through Agility Agreements where services are exchanged for services. Eligible participants include: o Local governments such as cities, townships, and boroughs. o Other locally funded organizations such as water, sewer, and transportation authorities; fire; emergency medical services; and school districts. o State governments including the Department of Corrections, Public Welfare, and other agencies. o Federal government, both environmental and transportation agencies. o Educational partners including Slippery Rock University and other state institutions. o Labor participants such as the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).  Such exchanges can include the sharing of human resources, equipment, and/or knowledge. These working relationships lead to cost effective maintenance and improvement solutions. Additional information on the program is available through North Central or PennDOT’s Agility Center website, http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/pdAgility.nsf.  Identify local roadway connectors that would improve daily, peak, and emergency circulation within planned growth areas; utilize comprehensive plans and official maps as methods to illustrate and develop these connections.  Implement the North Central regional greenways plan, including but not limited to trail extensions and review of design and construction standards for transportation corridors crossing conservation greenways.  Develop a region-wide land bank program for retaining rail rights-of-way for priority and feasible future transportation uses, including rail freight, passenger rail, or rail-trail.  Rebuild the Kinzua Bridge and reactivate the tourist train.  Encourage municipalities to participate in Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) activities, which provide technical information and proven technologies dealing with roadway maintenance and safety methods to municipal governments.

69 Community Inventories - Community Visual Conditions and Design Analysis

During the preparation of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Tourism Infrastructure Plan (PA Rt. 6 Heritage Corporation; 2008), nineteen (19) Route 6 communities underwent a visitor readiness study that was carried out by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) staff, rating and ranking each community in terms of 28 facilities or characteristics especially important to likely tourists, embracing appearance, wayfinding, public space, safety and parking. Kane was one of the communities visited by PDC and was found to have 20 of the 28 characteristics or features inventoried, lacking only restrooms, public phones, pedestrian signals, metered parking, parking garages and bicycle racks. In fact, Kane was among the communities having the most features or characteristics associated with visitor readiness. Specifically, PDC found:

Appearance:  Sidewalks appear mostly clean and safe  Visible welcome sign  Wayfinding signage inside and outside of town, and to tourist destinations

Public Space:  Visible public spaces/grassy patches near Train Depot  Visible benches  No visible public restrooms  No visible public phones  Visible public areas to have a picnic near Train Depot  Visible public areas to walk a dog near Train Depot  Well-maintained and wide sidewalks; planters throughout the business district  Crosswalks marked; no pedestrian signals  Reasonable posted speed limit, but heavy traffic  Well-marked bicycle routes, questionably wide shoulders for a bicycle  No visible bicycle racks  Visible street signs  Additional street lighting, but empty banner posts  Easy to find parking: free parking, some parking lots behind businesses; easily accessible  No visible parking for tour buses or RV’s; parking may be available on side streets

Visitor Impression: When visitors enter Kane from the east on Route 6, they are welcomed by a railroad yard and the former Holgate Toys. Visitors entering Kane from the west on Route 6 have just driven through the Allegheny National Forrest and enter directly into the business district. Traffic is heavy but manageable due to the reasonable speed limit and marked crosswalks. There is easily accessible free parking on either side of the street, in front of all of the businesses.

70 Overview

Visual quality and general streetscape conditions vary greatly in Kane as Route 6 winds its way through the business district, traversing several 90- degree turns, which influence “traffic calming”. US Route 6 may be an east/west highway but its route through Kane is hardly that symmetrical. Eastbound traffic enters and westbound traffic exits the northwestern corner of Kane, where the well-landscaped grounds and physical plant of Kane Community Hospital are visible. Route 6, locally named North Fraley Street then follows a general north/south route through the business district to Greeves Street, one of the three 90- degree turns. Route 6 follows a general east/west routing through two additional 90- degree turns first through a residential area then mixed commercial/residential area past some abandoned an unsightly industrial buildings on Biddle Street. The eastern gateway is otherwise fairly generic.

Within the business district, North Fraley Street has a definite pedestrian-orientation, with relatively wide sidewalks, several crosswalks and recently installed streetscape treatment including attractive period street light standards. There are relatively few benches or waste cans, and there are no trees along North Fraley. On-street parking spaces are lined and unmetered. There are a number of intact Mesker Buildings within the business district and a definite sense of an “urban wall” of facades in varying conditions. Some of the poor façade conditions are more heavy maintenance issues although there are instances of some structural deterioration and numerous vacant storefronts as well.

71 There are several notable community resources within the business district along or near Route 6 including the Depot Museum, the Kane Community Center, Friends Library and Evergreen Park. Wetmore Avenue parallels the north/south segment of Route 6 and traverses a large area of vacant land that once sustained railroad related businesses and facilities.

There are residential sections of the Borough on side streets that follow a grid pattern to the east and west of Route 6. There are many nice housing units but also a number of dilapidated and blighted units as well along these side streets. In essence, through much of Kane, Route 6 traverses commercial, offices and light industrial areas.

Gateways

Kane was in a transition of improved gateway signage during the field work and related planning stages associated with the Heritage Communities Program. The existing signage was being augmented with signage of a more colorful variety that showcases the downtown business district as well as the date Kane was established. Beyond signage, the attractiveness of the western (northwestern) gateway is a counterpoint to the rather generic and in some cases blighted eastern gateway area, the latter especially near the busy intersection of US Route 6 and PA Route 321.

72 Signage

There are examples of good, acceptable and inappropriate signage among businesses in Kane. While signage is an intensely personal matter to most businesses they have a role in the overall visual attractiveness of the business district and the general shopping experience, factors which should temper the “individual” concept. Several key factors should be kept in mind when discussing signage.

 Past studies and theory has shown that on-site signage is the most cost-effective means of advertising, costing as low as $0.06 per thousand readers (and potential customers), when compared to other media;

 Perpendicular signage (i.e. projecting signs over a sidewalk) attract both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, while in a pedestrian scale business district front wall signage is more difficult to see by both;

 Signage should promote the product or experience offered rather than just the name of the establishment or organization for maximum curb appeal. In other words, signage should answer the question “why stop” and must do it in approximately four seconds to attract motorists. Obviously, pedestrians have a longer time to study signage; and

 Attractive, informative and professionally done signage says something about a business, as does hand written, uninformative, temporary and/or unattractive signage.

Some communities have separate signage regulations apart from zoning, while others address them in zoning. There are arguments on both sides, but many communities like the enforcement flexibility offered by a freestanding ordinance, while others like the coordination afforded via addressing signage in zoning. Kane Borough presently has no signage regulations, according to Borough Officials. For future reference, sign regulations, whether in a zoning or other ordinance, generally addresses the following:

 Type of signage permitted: wall, perpendicular, free standing, awning, window, etc.;  Number of signs permitted and/or maximum square footage of signs, with the latter sometimes indexed to lineal frontage;  Location of signs – on buildings, setbacks, etc.; and  Special requirements – flashing, neon, sandwich boards, etc.

The lack of regulations suggests that the Borough does not directly deal with “attraction signs”. Attraction signage is critical especially in areas with numerous

73 tourism and attractions such as in most Pennsylvania Wilds communities. Attraction signage is critical especially in areas with numerous tourism and attractions such as Kane and other communities in and around ANF and the Kinzua area. A number of these attractions are already signed. For other ones, present tourism signage regulations are found in PennDOT Traffic Engineering Manual (Pub. 46; November 2011), Chapter 2 Tourist Oriented Directional Sign (TODS) Policy . Attractions that qualify for TODS that meet other PennDOT operational, distance (5 miles), access, parking and other general requirements include:

 Airport  Amusement park  Arena (with a seating capacity of at least 5,000)  Bed and Breakfast (10 or fewer rooms) and Country (25 or fewer rooms) Inns  Boat Launch  Brewery  Business district (area within a city/borough officially designated as a business district by local officials)  Campground (area reserved for at least 20 overnight sites)  Canoeing and Rafting.  Caverns/Other Unique Natural Areas  College or university  Commerce Park (at least 25 acres and recognized/signed as a commerce park by local authorities)  Courthouse/Government Buildings  Drive-In Theater  Facility, tour location (plant, factory or institution conducting daily or weekly public tours on a regularly scheduled basis year-round)  Fairground  Golf course  Heritage Roads, Historic Routes, Byways or Trails  Hiking and Biking Trails/Routes  Historical site  Historic District  Historic Hotel  Horseback Riding Areas  Hospital  Hunting and Fishing Areas (designated and under jurisdiction of PGC or PF&BC)  Library  Military base  Museum  Observatory  Off-track betting facility (as authorized by Act 1988-127)  Race Tracks/Speedways  Railroad/Bus Stations (passenger)  Railroad Trips (scenic/historic)  Regional Restaurant (rural eating/drinking establishment with 80-seat min.)  Religious site (i.e. shrine, grotto, or similar type facility)  Resort (minimum of 75 rooms and recreational/vacation amenities

74  Shopping Districts – Antique/Craft/Flea Market (1-5 stores; 2,400 sf min.); Shopping Center (30+ stores); Specialty Shops (5+ serving tourists or architectural style of interest to tourists) and Town Shopping Areas (5+ retail shops and public facilities)  Scenic Overlook  Ski area  Snowmobile Trails and Winter Sports Areas  Sports Facilities  State and National park, recreation area, forest or cemetery  Theatre and Performing Arts Centers (minimum occupancy of 150)  Visitor information (i.e. approved PADCED)  Water Skiing  Water Tours  Waterfronts  Winery (licensed site which produces a maximum of 200,000 gallons of wine per year; maintain a minimum of 3,000 vines or 5 acres of vineyard in Commonwealth; be open for public for tours, tasting and sales a minimum of 1,500 hours per year and provide an educational format for informing visitors)  Zoos, Zoological Gardens and Animal Parks

PennDOT regulations limit TODS to roads having an average daily volume of at least 2,000 vehicles, a maximum of five (5) miles from attraction and note that TODS shall not be installed when prohibited by local ordinance.

Zoning

Kane Borough consists of five (5) zoning districts (see map on following page), of which sections of four (4) abut some part of the winding Route 6 corridor. The largest stretches include frontage within the C-R (Commercial Residential) and C-B (Central Business) districts, with some shorter stretches in the R-2 (Residential) and I-1 (Industrial) districts. This review is confined to these four; of which each generally allows a mix of uses.

1. R-2 Residential District:  Overall, the C-R District conforms to the concept of a mixed use district allowing low/moderate density residential (Permitted Uses) and neighborhood commercial (Special Exception required) uses.  Dimensional requirements are appropriate for this type of district with front setbacks that can be indexed to existing uses. 2. C-R Commercial Residential District:  This is truly a mixed use district in every sense of the word. All Permitted and Special Exception uses of the R-2 District are permitted uses, as are most “highway-oriented” commercial uses as well as retail and wholesale sales in general. Industrial uses and bars/taverns are allowed as Special Exceptions.  Dimensional requirements are appropriate with front setbacks that can be indexed to existing setbacks in the block, and wide enough to meet access/egress requirements.

75

76 3. C-B Central Business District  This is a downtown/pedestrian-oriented district with a general statement permitted retail and wholesale sales, as well as banking, offices and commercial services as permitted uses. Motels are also permitted and equated with “hotels”, even though motels are more commonly associated with direct vehicular access and highway-commercial areas, and auto sales and repair establishments are also Permitted Uses.  Overall, dimensional requirements reflect those of a pedestrian oriented business district allowing indexing to other structures on the block. However, there are no maximum setbacks (would preserve historic façade frontage) and no prohibition of drive-through facilities. Given the supply of on-street parking spaces, businesses do not have to provide for off-street parking in this District, another feature in common with pedestrian commercial requirements in other communities. 4. I-1 Industrial District  Allows various manufacturing, processing, fabrication, assembly and other industrial uses, as well as wholesaling and offices as permitted uses. Junkyards and Permitted/Special Exception Uses of the C-R and C-B Districts are Special Exception Uses.  Dimensional requirements allow indexing and are similar to those in the C-R District. 5. Other – Article IX describes an Industrial-Commercial (I-C) District that is similar to the I-1 with the prohibition of residential uses but smaller dimensional requirements. The map made available to the planning team did not show this District.

77 SYNTHESIS OF INFORMATION

Information from various sources was gathered and reviewed, summaries of which appear in the inventories. The interpretation, application and use of this information is critical in this localized heritage tourism planning effort. This phase starts with a review at public comments at various Community Workshops and a planning charrette, then proceeds to the determination of issues and opportunities.

First Workshop – The “Wish List”

Representatives from the community actively participated in a Workshop designed to solicit ideas on how to improve the community as tourist destination. The Workshop was held on November 22, 2010 and focused on both activities and resources available for residents and visitors presently and the types of attractions, improvements and events that would enhance the area as a tourist destination. The existing attractions and things valued about the Study Area were reviewed earlier in this report while the following represents a summary of popular destination needs that represent actual votes by attendees that address the question “What is needed to make Kane a more attractive destination?”

Attendees: A total of fifteen (15) persons signed attendance sheets. By combining the “wish lists” of two groups (see page 80 for details), the following are the most popular enhancements:

 21% of all votes cast dealt with the wood products/Black Cherry theme, including a wood products educational center, sawmill tours and a lumberjack competition  Approximately 9% of the votes cast favored a wind energy experimental center (even though wind energy is not prevalent in the area now – we may want to explore/analyze this a little further)  An appreciable number (7%) see the need for an “old fashioned” diner, taken to be the streamline/aluminum style (one respondent discussed the one at the side of the road in Corry), although an identical 7% also want a “national chain” such as a McDonalds or Tim Horton’s  Very little in the way of “specialty retail” tailored towards the traveling public was mentioned other than a few votes for a “mercantile store” and one selling hand tools (likely of little interest to tourists)  Relatively few identify new activities that would be attractive to tourists, such as walking tours (3), ice skating (1), ski trails (1), CCC Camp Tours (1), Bus Tours (1) and Bike rental (0)

78 General items discussed not totally related to a “wish list” are as follows:

 Trail development and use – winter and summer  Capitalize on Outdoors and on the Black Cherry Capital themes (both within the Rt. 6 themes)  Travelers require greater acceptance of credit cards, especially in food and accommodations  Geo-Woodstock international geo-caching in 2011 (Warren – changing venues)  Involve US Forest Service to a greater degree– Twin Lakes is within ANF but locally run  Chestnut St School – potential location for one of the “centers” mentioned or for residential  Post-Workshop discussion – a collection of “Mesker” storefronts exist in Kane’s fairly intact urban scale business district

79 BREAK-OUT GROUP “WISH LIST” ITEMS AND VOTES RECEIVED

GROUP 1 GROUP 2 Resources Calendar Proposed Improvement Votes Proposed Improvement Votes Old Fashioned Diner 6 Wood Products Educational 7 Center Visitor’s Center 6 Wind Energy Experimental & 7 Educational Center Sporting Goods & related store 5 Capitalize on Black Cherry 6 Capital Theme National Restaurant Chain 4 Historic Building Tours 2 Mercantile Shop 4 Leaf/Foliage Festival 2 Sawmill Tour/Black Cherry 3 Lumberjack Competition 2 Tim Horton’s/Coffee Shop 2 Stargazing Event 2 Ice Skating 2 50’s Day – roller skating, dance, 2 cruise, drive-in Arboretum 2 Ice Skating 1 Hand Tool Store 2 Develop ski trails 1 Vegetarian/Organic Restaurant 1 Leek Festival activities 1 Sporting Outfitter 1 CCC Camp Loop Tours 1 Ski Snowboard Rental 1 Develop/Market Bus Tours 1 Permanent Farmers Market / 1 Sawmill Tours 1 Market House Walking Tour 1 Car meets 1 Youth Sports (teaching) 1 5K Run 1 Indian Restaurant 0 Motorcycle Club event 1 Tastee Freeze 0 Light Rail excursion (Kinzua) 1 Seasonal Game Restaurant 0 Sleigh Rides 0 Starbucks 0 Ice Fishing 0 Olive Garden 0 Snowmobiling events 0 Restaurant that take Credit 0 Easter Parade 0 Cards Bike Rental 0 Twin Lakes events 0 Souvenir 0 President’s Day events 0 Army/Navy Store 0 Rhododendron Festival 0 General Store 0 RV Parking Area 0 Boat Shop 0 Stained Glass/Church Tours 0 Movie Theater 0 Forestry School (University 0 extension) Nature/Education Center 0

NOTE: Items listed with “0” signify ideas mentioned that garnered no votes.

80 Second Workshop and Planning Charrette

A second set of Community Workshops was held in conjunction with a two-day planning charrette during March 28th – 29 th 2011 for the purpose of reviewing the planning process and findings to date, interactive field work, key person/focus group meetings and receive local input on preliminary recommendations. A total of 40 people participated in the Charrette. The following summarizes each of these sessions.

Government/Economic Development Session 3/28/11 Attendees: 4 Presentation: Overview of mapping, localized themes and concepts

Public Input: • Reviewed lack of trees on Farley St – determined other greening options may be more appropriate as there is a history of business opposition • Marcellus Shale – may create opportunities and may create challenges o Compressed Natural Gas stations along Rt 6 Corridor. • Brownfield Planning and Reuse Program – identified as an opportunity to address vacant Industrial sites o Former Bus Station o Kane Handle o Anderson storefronts on Farley St o Former K of C • Arts in the Wild o Major festival scheduled during Alumni Weekend o Opportunities to expand additional Arts related festivals such as the Black Cherry Festival (5 year Gap) o Concerns over who would be available to plan/coordinate additional events • Art in Kane o Existing - 1st Fridays at the Depot o Opportunity to expand and create an Art Crawl event o Art Incubator opportunity - for New Artist Showcase, Retail space, Art Education and Industry Instruction • Alumni Weekend – major influx of former Kane residents o Various activities planned including Car and Motorcycle shows o “What else do we have during the rest of the Summer” • Black Cherry Lumber events o Chair building contest o Lumber Jack competition o Schedule events to supplement not compete with other regional events • Parking on Farley St complicated by employees parking on Farley St. • Curb Appeal Issues on Farley St o Anderson Property – 3 vacant storefronts in a row

81 • Options for blighted properties o Need to identify options o Code enforcement and/or Peer pressure approach o Strong personal property beliefs – Peer pressure not likely to be effective • Knox-Kane Trail o Total length will be mixed use o Portion through Kane will be non-motorized o Trail section in Kane will not be part of initial development – will require successes elsewhere before Kane land owners will embrace trail o One entity will oversee entire trail with local trail clubs managing smaller sections • Kane as a Trail Town concept embraced by active trail users but not by other Kane residents

Historic/Heritage Session 3/28/11 Attendees: 5 Presentation: Key Concepts noted earlier and input

Public Input: • Additional Local Resources/Opportunities o Public library and Kane Community Center o Church stained glass window tours o Dog Mushing Races - formerly held in Westline o Former Hotel now Condos – 1st structure seen entering town o (814) 837- phone number associated with lumbering industry • Public Restrooms o 1 available in Kane Area Development Corporation offices during the week o 1 available in Depot on weekends • Resource/Opportunity Gaps o Short term visitor lodging options o New lodging options o Coffee Shops o RV facilities o Place to buy fishing license o Places that accept credit cards o Attracting for motor coach tour stops • Marcellus Shale o Natural Gas Heritage is centered on older gas wells o Only 24 Marcellus wells in County o Concerns of potential Marcellus impacts to regional environmental resources • Business Development Partnership Opportunities

82 o Univ. of Pittsburgh – Bradford offering classes in Kane for business plan writing o Explore opportunities to work with Clarion Univ. o Kane Chamber has good relationships with surrounding Chambers • Tours o Walking Tour - WalkWorks program to be started in Spring 2011 o Potential for automated travel logs/audio tours/smart phones o Loop tour with Rt 321 • Chestnut Street School – reported reuse likely to be a pre-school • Holgate Toy Company o Recently moved to Bradford, PA o Smoke stack remains and is intact o Sensitive topic among locals

Public Session #1 3/28/11 Attendees: 8 Presentation: Key Concepts noted earlier and input from earlier session

Public Input: • Identified the Wolf Farm – Lobo Wolves – as a key heritage resource • Project Funding o Do not assume State Funding will be available o Identify local funding sources and local foundations including Kane Hardwoods, Hale & Davis Foundation, Seneca Foundation • Identified that Business Recruitment is limited due to lower traffic counts o Potential approach is to attract visitors from regional resources to Kane. o ½ way between Niagara Falls and Washington D.C. (x of 219 & 6) • KARE for Kane project opportunities – 5/6/11 – Initiative developed by the Kane Area Development Center and KARE - The day is dedicated to bringing individuals and groups in the Kane area together to work on beautification, restoration and other projects as needed by area non-profit organizations and churches. • New entry ways signs will be installed by May 2011. • Comments and Discussion of top features of Kane o Depot Museum/Art in the Wild o Connection with Kinzua Viaduct o Surrounded by ANF o Kane Family, Holgate, and Rockwell Heritage • Kane’s WalkWorks Program to be implemented in Spring 2011 – opportunity to expand Kane Walking Tours • Targeted Audiences – Travelers > Overnight Guests with goal to capture travelers to regional attractions to Kane, Potential Residents > Telecommuters (telecommuter incubator) • Discussion of the Wind Energy story centered on Octave Chanute (designed original Kinzua Bridge and aviation pioneer) and the Kinzua Valley – “The Inspiration of Flight” story – add to heritage resources

83 • Potential to attract the Eco-Green Traveler to the Clean air of Kane and other attractions like the Farmers Market and Natural Food Store

Stakeholders Group Review 3/28/11 Attendees: 7 Presentation: Review past input/findings and Issues & Opportunities

Comments • Beyond User Friendly (B.U.F) o Considerable discussion on the role or lack thereof the ANF has on attracting and supporting active Snowmobiles/ATV users o ANF enforcement is known to be strict and rigid - “Come on Vacation and Leave on Probation” bumper sticker making the rounds o Perception is the snowmobiles are not welcomed in Kane o No regional connections between Kane and the ANF for snowmobiles AND ATV’s – requires loading and unloading of equipment o Need to identify ways the ANF can be connected to Kane o Opportunity for Kane to open its doors to those hassled in the ANF o Opportunity for Kane to start dialogue with ANF – example is the Clarion River Corridor • Equestrian Destination o Lack of sites for horse trailers to park and rest horses overnight near Kane • Capitalize on Seasonal Travelers o Summer – ATV’s and Equestrian – limited by lack of trail access and accommodations o Winter – Snowmobiles – limited by lack of trail access and accommodations o Fall – Fall foliage travelers • Accommodations o Number of rooms for lodging is limited in Kane o What comes first more accommodations or more festivals/events • Civilian Conservation Corps Camps – add to heritage resources o Connection with Kane - 16 camps located in ANF o Book being written to tell that story – to be published soon o Potential for loop tour of sites within ANF • Kane Hospital – Doctor Recruitment issues o Lack of finer dining and accommodations making it difficult to recruit doctors • Kane Country Club is an underutilized asset o Potential for upscale residential development adjacent to the Country Club • Day Trip Destination o Kinzua Viaduct was the leading regional draw and is attempting to be again with the Sky Walk (summer 2011) • RV Destination

84 o Opportunity to capture RV travelers o Currently no established RV sites with water and electric hook ups o Potential for this type of facility on the Lorenzo Property • SPRE Express Concept o Secure, Paved, Rail, Energy Express way o New concept for the expansion of 219 • Quality of roads leading to Kane is an issue • Depot/KARE facilities seen as the natural visitor’s/welcome centers

Business Session 3/29/11 Attendees: 7 Presentation: Key Concepts noted earlier and major recommendations

Public Input: • Opportunities o Kane is the Southern Gateway to the Longhouse Scenic Byway o Rt 321-59 Loop Tour • Regional Signage o example given was no signs for Kane along Rt 219 south from Bradford • The Explorer and Last Frontier Theme was accepted by those in attendance • Retail Needs o Need for coffee shops and card shops o Need for more outfitter/equipment retail opportunity to support Kane’s connection to the surrounding ANF and state lands o Outfitting/Equipment Sales o Peterson’s Store will be selling fishing licenses soon o Not all vacant stores may be vacant – perception of being vacant to be addressed • Year round recreation venue/athletic training center suggested o Explore working with Pitt-Bradford to prepare feasibility study • Promotion of existing Retail/Food mix to Travelers and Locals – o Travelers are attracted to the types of local authentic retail and places to eat – opportunity for Kane to promote these existing assets o Many stores offer multiple lines of good to fill perceived gaps o Locals not aware of what all is available & from where o Explore directory Kiosk or related o Requires clean facades and acceptance of credit cards o Local knowledge and Hospitality Training also components to capture travelers o Explore providing Hospitality training in the High School o On-line training, create informational DVD, job shadowing • Snowmobiles - Seen as a key asset to capitalize on o Existing Snowmobile Route (Wetmore Rd. – Borough designated route) connecting to ANF trails

85 o Kane to be proactive in working with ANF and requesting ANF to promote this connection o No designated snowmobile parking areas at end of trail in Kane o Educate landowners on how to acquire snowmobile ROW • Kane Manor o Existing 18 miles of cross-country skiing/biking trails potential for connection to the Westline Trail o Down-hill from Kane to Westline - Potential to develop shuttle service

Student/Youth Focus Group Session 3/29/11 Attendees: 0

Public Session #2 3/29/11

Attendees: 9 Brief recap of charrette process and its role was carried out. Discussion then focused on recommendations noted above, especially as they may have changed or become refocused during the charrette.

Themes • Reinforcing Kane’s Connections o Kane’s Connections to the Natural Environment (Allegheny National Forest, State Lands, Black Cherry Timber Capital of the World) o Kane’s Connections to Explorers/Pioneers (Gen. Kane/Family, Holgate, Rockwell, Native Americans, Dr. McCleary, Octave Chanute) o Kane’s Connections to Regional Tourism Draws (Kinzua Viaduct and Park, ANF)

Concepts • Connections - Consortium o Allegheny National Forest (ANF) o PA DCNR o Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau • Connections - Tours o Longhouse Scenic Byway (Rts. 321/59) o Kane Walking Tour o Knox & Kane Trail • Physical Enhancements o Façade & Recruitment o Gateway Enhancements o Downtown Open Space o Brownfield-Reuse Incentive o Trees/Landscape o Directory Signage o Local Historic Markers

86 o Housing Rehab • Pioneers & Explorers o Kane Family o Holgate Wood Toy Company o Jarvis Rockwell/Rockwell Family o Dr. McCleary o Octave Chanute - Aerospace Industry • Arts o Art Crawl o Emerging Artists o Black Cherry Festival (Amateur Lumber Jack Competition/Furniture Carving o Artist Incubator • Visitors Center – Already Here o Kane Area Development Center o Depot & Museum • Historic District  Under Review

Comments

• Promote connection with Gen. Kane and Civil War to take advantage of upcoming Kane Anniversary and Civil War 150-yr Anniversary • Need to incorporate other Kane Connections o Chuck Daly - NBA Coach o Amy Rudolph – US Olympian in Track & Field o Native American – Seneca Tribe • Better connection with Black Cherry Timber Capital of the World Designation: In recognition of its central location in the largest concentration of quality black cherry timber in the world, Kane was officially proclaimed, by resolution, the "Black Cherry Capital of the World” by the House of Representatives in 1997.

o Bring back the Black-Cherry Festival but highlight Black Cherry Timber to avoid previous public confusion. o Identify and mark Black Cherry trees in parks/open space in Kane o Plant Black-Cherry in new green space on Farley St. o Develop an Explorative/Education Center - Suggested areas included at the intact saw mill or on land owned by Kane Hardwoods near Crystal Springs o Touring Saw Mill (located 2-miles past Kane Hospital) - would include Eco-Cabins, Back-Cherry trees and vintage lumbering videos o One item made of Black Cherry in every store • Explore connection with Native American o Seneca Tribe o Native American Pow-Wow modeled after event in Ludlow

87 o Harvest Festival focusing on the 3 sisters – Corn, Beans 7 Squash • Cemetery Tours and Geocaching o Kane Family Graves located behind Kane Manor o Seneca Springs – better signage needed for cemetery off of Rt 321 o Other locally known, but currently hidden, cemeteries • Install signage for Public Restroom at Depot and Kane Area Development Center

A total of 40 people participated in the Charrette

88 Third Workshop – Context, Recommendations and Feedback A total of 12 attendees actively participated in a final workshop designed to provide a background and context for the planning efforts and to present a recommendations overview. The Workshop was held in the Kane Community Center on April 2, 2012.

A summary/recap PowerPoint Presentation provided the following information:  Heritage Communities Background  Tourism – Factoids & Overview  Theme Overview  Business Survey Overview  Recommendations  Comments/Input  Future Steps

A summary of public comments is as follows:  Community has to overcome the negativity in attitudes  Black Cherry goods are sold at Kane Handle o Combine arts incubator/woodworking education area o Woodworkers sell products elsewhere; need a local venue o Combined efforts toward encouraging woodworking arts  Numerous events - events calendar update is fairly complete  Web Cam and electronic billboard is seen as alternate ways to get the word out  Retired people can be assets o They can make things and take on tasks o Take better advantage of them/experiences  Perception on excessive government regulations that hamper reuse and redevelopment o K of C Building demolition seen as hampered by regulations o Government regulations are seen as affecting most reuse potentials of many vacant buildings/storefronts o CDBG issues noted – Davis-Bacon o Reuse of Archers - Business Plan ready-to-go but no funding  Façade program available but affected by match and absentee owners  Selective building reuse with open space  Perceptions on the location and condition of Borough Building  Lack of limited access highway hurts development – Continental 1 (US Rt. 219 alternative) is a key Project  A Countywide Foundation would assist in implementation  Outreach to local arts community is needed – more art classes  Community Garden on presently vacant undevelopable land  Implementation - Leader is needed – “Champion” o KARE and Chamber are keys to implementation o Preservation Society doing GPS of resources

89 Issues and Opportunities Statement Overview

The matrix below summarizes discussion items encountered during the Heritage Communities planning process. Based on the inventories, the review of input, the discussions involving the Stakeholders, a succinct statement of issues (i.e. challenges) and opportunities (i.e. strengths to build on) is difficult to do and subject to being general. Nonetheless, the following summarizes these: Issues Opportunities

Somewhat isolated from major population Strategic transportation location in relation centers; some disconnect among to major federal/state recreational communities and state/federal agencies resources – ANF, Kinzua Region, State and resources Parks, etc. Relatively moderate traffic volumes on Rt. Route 6 routing through town achieves 6 “traffic calming” due to successive 90- degree turns Minimal interactive interpretive Unique heritage – lumber/wood opportunities; some components of local products, arts, rail, visionary founder, heritage are no longer present (e.g. interesting stories Holgate, rail, Lobo wolves, etc. Challenges in getting the word out Numerous tourism & recreational especially in terms of connecting events destinations and signature local events and local resources showcasing local community spirit Numerous vacant storefronts, property Kane has a defined and historic maintenance & façade conditions, limited pedestrian-oriented commercial district dining & specialty retail choice and with much of the urban fabric intact commercial development in peripheral areas (i.e. especially Rt. 6 west) No real central focal point for the arts or Wide recognition and appreciation of arts central marketing of the artists and within the community artisans Examples and pockets of residential & Long heritage as a planned & walkable neighborhood blight community with a small-town quality of life Limited financial & institutional capacity to Vacant and potentially marketable effectively trigger reuse of sites brownfield industrial sites & buildings Post -5:00 PM activities/opportunities for Long heritage in outdoor & nature tourism travelers are rather limited Limited use of the Black Cherry or wood Official designation as the Black Cherry products as part of interactive tourism Capital of the World

90 Synthesis

The elements of a local heritage effort are premised on an approach that provides understandable and interesting linkages with the community’s rich social, cultural and economic past and the present, embracing such disparate elements as a wood products center, the birthplace and/or working place of creative community leaders and a service center for a recognized recreational destination. This requires:

 Physical and visual quality enhancements in recognition of some existing challenges and the impacts on tourism and community life in general, including façade improvements, housing rehabilitation and redevelopment and reuse of former industrial sites/buildings;

 Augmenting past streetscape enhancements to include trees, benches, landscaping and lighting of significant buildings in the business district;

 Connectivity among existing State, Federal, local and private environmental/outdoors resources including improved linkages with the varied outdoor resources including ANF, State Parks, Kinzua area resources, private recreational resources;

 Embracing the “Black Cherry Capital” concept via Black Cherry signature event, a wood products education/contact center and wooden arts/crafts;

 Building on the existing arts foundation, adding art walk, Native American and emerging artists events/venues as well as an art incubator;

 Completion of planned hiking and biking trails and auto tours, augmenting existing snowmobile trails/routes and walking tour;

 Continuation and expansion of hours at the depot Museum, as a de facto local visitors center, augmenting existing interpretive resources with a “smart kiosk” that injects immediacy and interaction into interpretation; and

 Addressing recruitment filling commercial and industrial vacancies and gaps.

91 IMPLEMENTATION

The planning process has identified a number of localized implementation measures aimed to enhancing the Kane area as a better tourism destination and as a community. It is often easy to overlook the latter, but one major goal of heritagetourism is to stabilize and enhance the community’s economy.

Heritage Route 6 Economic Impacts

Heritage PA sponsored a study of the economic impact of State Heritage Areas (SHA) in Pennsylvania. The study analyzed the economic impact of heritage areas and in Pennsylvania six SHA’s including PA Route 6 participated. Surveys were conducted at several sites in August through October 2008. Survey data was paired with visitation statistics for specific sites within each heritage area and fed into an economic impact model developed by the National Park Service called Money Generation Model (MGM2). The results released in 2010 revealed that visitors to participating SHA’s in Pennsylvania spent a total of $300.9 million in 2008, generating an estimated $255.8 million in direct sales, which supported over $95 million in salary and wages for Pennsylvania residents. Approximately 56% of the spending ($168 million) was generated by overnight visitors staying in hotels, motels, B&B’s, inns and other lodging, 29% ($88 million) by those either staying with friends/family or in campgrounds and 15% ($45 million) by outof town day visitors.

According to the Route 6 SHA portion, released by the PA Route 6 Alliance, Route 6 attracts 3.5 million travelers a year, who spend approximately $91.1 million dollars, supporting over 2,000 jobs. The study also revealed the following:  55% of the visitors to Route 6 were firsttime visitors to the SHA;  Over 67% of the 407 respondents, or 274 persons, were staying overnight with the following major characteristics: o 118 (43.1%) in hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts or inns o 95 (34.7%) in campgrounds o 40 (14.6%) with family/friends in area o 21 (7.7%) staying overnight outside the area.  The average stay along Route 6 was 2.9 nights.  The typical Route 6 travel party is one to four adults traveling without children, in fact 84% of the travel parties are without children under 18 years of age.  Approximately 32% of the visitors reside in a different state, 17% reside in a county within the Route 6 SHA and 51% in a county outside of the SHA.  The average number of facilities or attractions visited along Route 6 is 2.8.

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Tourism and Economics

A recognized source for economic/tourism thought and strategies is The 25 Immutable Rules of Successful Tourism (Roger A. Brooks and Maury Forman; Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., 2003), which coincides very well with the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Communities Program. This referenced work begins with a simple statement that earning money in a given town and spending it elsewhere is “leakage”. Tourism as a part of an economic development strategy that seeks to avoid leakage, since it should accomplish the following:

 Diversifies local economy helping avoid over dependence on a few businesses;  Creates multipliers on all local businesses;  Brings in “new money” to the community;  Helps tax base that in turn pays for community services and facilities;  Creates jobs and opportunities at the entry level;  Promotes business development especially when a visitor becomes an investor or future business person; and  Enhances community aesthetics.

Successful tourism is premised on getting visitors to stop and keep them in town longer, especially overnight. “Visitors” may include tourist and business travelers. A few “rules of thumb” help understand the touristvisitor a little better:

 State estimates suggest that 44% of all visitors stay with relatives, thus a large part of tourism occurs literally at the “kitchen table” (earlier Rt. 6 SHA data suggest this percentage is much lower within the SHA);

 The visitor experience is shaped by destinations or “lures” that in turn create a potential visitor market for attractions or “diversions” (i.e. those amenities that may depend on the lure);

 There are a number of shifts occurring in the tourism industry due in large part to the maturization of the “baby boomer” generation: o the prime season is expanding from the JuneAugust period to a longer April – October period (something pointed out for Kane); o “boomers” generally do not prefer motor coach/packaged tours but prefer to be in greater control; and o High gasoline prices notwithstanding, the RV industry appears to be healthy (RV’s are premised on “control” not necessarily costs)

 Visitors spend only a portion of their time at “typical” tourist lures: o nationally, people spend 2040 minutes in a museum o the typical lure captures people for no more than 46 hours per day, leaving 810 hours for other attractions and diversions, and 80% of tourist spending occurs at these attractions and diversions o the “scenic vista” experience usually lasts no more than 15 minutes

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Brooks and Forman often cite the “4Times Rule” in their discussion on tourism, in that travelers subconsciously must be kept busy at a destination for a period 4 times the travel time to get there. Simply stated, one would probably not travel to Europe or Hawaii for a weekend stay, due to the travel time involved. To localize this to Kane, driving time suggests that a visitor from either Erie or State College could justify a trip to Kane with just over 8 hours of activities; while the visitor from the Buffalo would require just over 9 hours of activities, while a visitor from Pittsburgh would require just over 11 hours of activities as well as overnight accommodations. Simply stated, the oftnoted desire to attract visitors from these larger metro areas requires activities to justify the trip. Kane’s relative isolation from major metropolitan areas may be offset by its proximity to the many resources and attractions of the ANF, Kinzua, PA Wilds, etc., as long as Kane can attract diversionary travel.

Obviously, experiences from an area larger than the Kane (i.e., ANF, Kinzua, etc.) can be “bundled” into the visitor experiences. Finally, this latter bundling issue is reflected in the fact that people generally travel for experiences and not geography. An edited summary of their following 25 rules help assure success and are critical in the Route 6 tourism effort (with local relevant notations in parenthesis): o A good plan that takes into account local resources and likely visitors who may be attracted by various features, such as natural resources [i.e. forests, recreation, etc.], cultural resources [i.e. history, ethnic heritage, etc.], human resources [i.e. performing arts, crafts, etc.] and capital resources [transportation, hotels, etc.]. (These are the foundation of this Heritage Community Planning effort.)

 Partnerships among visitor, development, business and other organizations, representing the private and public sectors, much like the Kane Stakeholders Group (existing partnership in Kane Area Development Center);

 Billboards and signage that “tease” and tempt or give a reason for visitors to stop, avoiding overused words and phrases [i.e. gateway, something for everyone, etc.]. Signage should use the right words, be brief, have a simple design and be maintained. (Kane is addressing this)

 Adequate, clean and conveniently located comfort facilities that may include a visitor information kiosk. On the commercial side, national chains have found that restrooms actually attract customers, with approximately onehalf of those purchasing something there doing it out of convenience and the other half out of guilt. In short, since everybody “has to go” why not take advantage of it as business decision?

 Take community design into account especially at entranceways focused on places that will make the best first impressions, keeping signage uncluttered and professionally done. (Again, Kane’s gateways are in need of attention).

 As a corollary, communities need adequate and userfriendly wayfinding signage. (e.g. examples in Kane are for the ANF resources and other major attractions.) 94

 Consider perpendicular signage with appropriate sized letter fonts for ease of reading by drivers and pedestrians, advertising the type of store not just the name that may be unfamiliar and meaningless for visitors. (Signage not presently addressed in Kane)

 Address parking issues with special “forgiveness” for parkers/shoppers, providing facilities with signage for RV parking and other local incentives. By the way, studies show that most visitors need up to 4 hours of parking at a given location.

 Make the “frontline” employees such as retail clerks, waiters/waitresses, etc. part of the sales and attraction effort. This requires hospitality training, “adoption” of resources [“while you’re in town you need to see .], crosspromotions or other local efforts.

 Visitor information availability 24hours a day, 7 days a week, with informational kiosks augmenting staffed visitor centers, all of which should be conveniently located and well maintained. (Presently available in Kane during daytime hours for most of the week but in two different locations – Community Center and Depot Museum).

 Create a conveniently located cluster of visitor oriented retail shopping opportunities that in turn attract a critical mass of shoppers that benefit the clustered businesses. (Limited connectivity between western and downtown shopping areas in Kane).

 Creatively convert any negative characteristics into positives, [i.e. pointing out parking and walking to avoid periodic congestion].

 Develop a unique idea or concept that sets the community apart and becomes intrinsic in its theme (This is a basic component of the Heritage Communities Program). This may be one of the most critical and difficult elements, since many communities can claim to be a friendly small town that are close to outdoor recreation.

 Gather thirdparty endorsements that reinforce the local pitch to visitors. This can be as simple as welcoming comments at visitor’s register at a Visitor’s Center.

 Pursue business attraction and retention that complements the local tourism resources and helps attract visitors and keep them longer. Simply stated, focus on businesses that fit in with community image, goals and context and avoid those that may disrupt the setting or context.

 The most successful museums and the ones most remembered tell stories and give a context and do not merely show artifacts (Depot Museum compares favorably among comparable Heritage Communities).

 Keep people interested and occupied so that they are busy four times longer than it took them to get there as noted earlier, so that they can say that “ it was worth the drive”. This requires an understanding of the potential visitor market, the concept of bundling and the relationship between accommodations and other hospitality resources. (Kane is relatively isolated but close to other tourism resources).

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 Understand the importance of “product development” not just marketing in terms of the local economic impacts of tourism. This may require a community to address certain issues such as attractions, business development, visual quality and the development of other diversions. Visitors need “something to do”, especially after 5:00.

 Promote activities not just the place, perhaps in an “activities guide” where the experience is addressed. This can be on the State tourism website, local websites, kiosks, etc. (www.kanepa.com website presents elements of a local approach that lists members by category, geolocates resources and lists events).

 Promote the community in terms of what is that sets it apart or is unique. Again, the uniqueness sells the community. When one hears of Salem, MA or Williamsburg, VA one has an image. While these communities may be the extreme, they do illustrate the need to have a recognizable theme or perception.

 Photographs should show the activities not just the resources or attractions. Again, sell the experience and not the location. (Some of this on www.kanepa.com website).

 Promotional items should create a positive image and provide a simple way to respond or call for more information.

 Carry out a public relations effort in various types of media, since it is usually more effective than advertising alone.

 Use the Internet to attract visitors with a quality and userfriendly website [i.e. coordinated and recognizes the value of search engine optimization]; and

 Advertising should be frequent and consistent. (Part of recommendations)

Taken together the above reinforce two critical components of any local heritage community effort, simply stated what is unique about the Kane and how does the community setting (i.e. visual quality, retailing, attractions, diversions, etc.) interface with the area as a destination.

Tourism Factoids

The following factors have been identified by Destination Development International and premise this Heritage Community planning effort:  #1 tourism activity worldwide – shopping, dining and entertainment in pedestrian friendly setting having a critical mass of food, specialty retail and stores open after 6:00 (when 70% of spending occurs)  Tourists are active 14 hrs/day – 6 hours in the primary activity that brought them to a place and 8 hours in secondary/diversionary activities  Secondary or diversionary activities account for 80% of visitor spending  Curb appeal accounts for 70% of most recreation and accommodations and food services sales  Overnight visitors spend three times more per day than daytrippers

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Building on the above the keys for success include getting visitors and passersby to stop and create and maintain ways to keep them here longer. In other words, the community needs to enhance its role as an overnight destination. Thus, the WorkPlan should:  Develop, revitalize and maintain – things to do and keeping people busy, especially in the evening  Inform and direct – personal contact not just signs, websites and brochures  Become a destination Sell the experience not just the place – answer the question “why come?”  A good first impression – aesthetics and community design – from gateway signage to attractive storefronts and lake views

Implementation Matrix

The various recommendations are interrelated and all oriented towards addressing and reinforcing those two critical elements underlying this planning effort, namely focusing on unique qualities and enhancing the community setting. The matrix on pages 101106 describes and relates the recommendations, and places them into a suggested implementation timeframe.

Central to the implementation is a local responsible and coordinating party assuming the role initiated by the Kane Stakeholders Group that spearheaded the process. Pragmatics should rule here, in that as is the case with smaller communities, there are only so many people to go around. At the same time there are several interrelated organizations in Kane that play critical civic roles and carry out important betterment projects. A local decision, and a critical one at that, is if this role is to be by a separate individual body or a part of another.

The implementation process is complex and interrelated, and depends on applying for and receiving a certain amount of public and private funding. The final plan will be placed before a State Oversight Committee in an effort to see that this occurs. Central themes are carried forward as an attempt to reinforce Kane in relation to Route 6 and other regional themes.

Administrative Framework/Institutional Issues

A central recommendation critical for followup and implementation of the Heritage Communities Program concept is the institutionalization of a steering committee or task force that will be the central focal point for localized tourism activities recommended in this Plan. This group can bring together various elements of a small but diverse community, and in bringing together a potential funding mechanism. The steering committee or task force is recommended to meet the following:  It should be representative and focused, embracing the community, area tourism resources and focused on furthering the recommendations of this Plan;  It may include various existing groups and committees, especially the groups represented in the Kane Area Development Center;

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 It may also include County and regional planning and development agencies; and  It should be officially sanctioned by municipal governing body as in charge of Plan implementation.

The steering committee or task force is seen as a facilitator and coordinator focused on the implementation of WorkPlan recommendations. The steering committee or task force essentially “keeps things moving”, carries out activities and monitors the community agenda and encourages actions. In either case, the steering committee or task force also has annual reporting responsibilities to the Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance, so that the Alliance is kept abreast of progress towards carrying out the WorkPlan.

Administrative – Regulatory Issues

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) is the framework for local level land use and land development plans and ordinances within the Commonwealth, and clearly recognizes municipal governments as the land use/land development regulator. Simply stated, MPC allows communities to exert as much or as little of a regulatory framework, within some rather general guidelines. Kane enacted and enforces a land use ordinance. Pages 7577 of this WorkPlan review present zoning and land use regulations, as well as comments on these regulations especially as they relate to recognized and localized Route 6 heritage resources in relation to Route 6 themes. The steering committee/task force or other variation of a Heritage Community Program implementation vehicle, while having no formal role in such regulations, may serve as a point of coordination and advocacy with Kane to revisit and revise land use, land development and signage regulations in the interest of tourism considerations. There are a number of specific recommendations in relation to the local zoning regulatory framework:

 Revisions to the Central Business (C-B) District: While many elements of the CB requirements are appropriate for a pedestrianoriented business district, several suggestions are made for consideration: o Consider removing automobile sales and repair as a permitted use and continue to allow it in the CommercialResidential (CR) District where it is more appropriate and less intrusive to the pedestrian orientation. o Consider differentiating between a “hotel” and “motel” as many communities do (motels typically are driveup), with the former permitted in the CB and the latter in the CR. o Consider the enactment of at least minimal design standards for infill (replacing buildings torn down, damaged, etc.) to keep the “façade wall” in effect, which can be as simple as a maximum front setback or requiring the average setbacks for buildings in the block (i.e. now there is an option of 30 feet from center line or average setback of buildings in block) or multilayered using the Pennsylvania Wilds Design Guide that deals with surface materials, signage, commercial centers and more . There are other forms of design standards that may be incorporated into a 98

local zoning ordinance. For example, new development on vacant land or infill development in a Borough between developed parcels may be guided by architectural design standard illustrations, as conceptually depicted below, in an attempt encourage buildings to relate in scale and design features to other surrounding buildings, showing respect for local context.

o Consider some retail/commercial uses as exclusive to the CB District. Presently one can do many of the same types of business in the CB and CR Districts. A careful review of permitted uses that would be limited to and reinforcement for a pedestrian scale business district is suggested. Likewise, those uses that are more appropriate in terms of highway access (i.e. drivethrough facilities) may be more appropriate for the CR District.

 Other Land Use Regulatory Considerations: A review of the existing regulatory framework as it affects the tourism orientation of this WorkPlan is as follows: o Signage: Consider the enactment of sign regulations as part of Supplementary Regulations within the ordinance, related to maximum square footage, maximum number, illumination, height, etc. Such regulations should be contextsensitive for each district, given the fact that signs appropriate for a highway commercial district or an industrial district may not be for a pedestrianscale commercial area. In addition, provisions for attraction signage (see pages 7475), or at least reference to appropriate PennDOT requirements, may be described in the ordinance. o Adult Entertainment: The ordinance is silent on these types of businesses, thus, potentially allowing them wherever commercial/retail

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uses are permitted. Some communities like to have control over where these enterprises can occur by limiting them to a given district or require a special exception. Of course, these businesses need to be defined and may be subject to spacing requirements from potentially sensitive or conflicting uses (e.g. homes, schools, playgrounds, churches, etc.). o Screening Specifications: Consider the inclusion of specific special requirements, such as specifying the instances and composition of screening requirements between potentially conflicting uses, always an issue in a compact and densely settled borough. o Industrial-Commercial (I-C) District: While the ordinance spells out requirements for this district that was added in 1987, the map given to the planning team by the Borough did not show this district. Obviously, this district needs to be included in the zoning map.

In summary, a review and revision of the municipal regulatory framework is suggested, in the interest of maintaining the special qualities of the Kane. Obviously, the perspective of the WorkPlan coincides with a tourism orientation and does not attempt to inject other conditions or community needs that may also be served by revisions to the ordinance. The Commonwealth recently unveiled the Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) in 2012, which replaced the former Land Use Planning and Technical Assistance Program (LUPTAP), providing 50/50 funding for resultsoriented planning. MAP may then be a source for assistance in ordinance revisions.

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Short-term (first 12 months after adoption)

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category Determination of proper implementation vehicle and Building on the Stakeholders Group membership, the framework expanded group needs to decide the form and format of the Continuation/Transformation Administrative  Creation of new steering committee or task force implementation vehicle. The possibility of forming a new of Kane Heritage Community  Expansion of role of existing steering committee or task steering committee/task force or adapting an existing Program (HCP) Stakeholders force committee or agency for a new purpose must be determined. The chosen vehicle reviews the and other Early-Action  Other new agency/committee recommendations, suggested priorities and involved Activities  Expansion of role of existing agency agencies, organizations and individuals and makes An expanded formal group building on the activities of necessary revisions and refinements. Suggested invited the Stakeholders Group charged with the review, agencies may include (subject to local decision):  Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise (KARE) revisions and refinement of recommendations  Kane Chamber of Commerce  Will also convene and coordinate various agencies  Kane Area Industrial Development Corporation  Maintain a Facebook/Pinterest presence focusing on  Kane Borough Council local HCP activities  Kane Depot Preservation Society  Institutionalize connections among area resources,  McKean County Commissioners attractions  McKean County Housing and Redevelopment Authority  Encourage business owners in Kane to adopt and  Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau maintain consistent operational hours and at least one  US Forest Service/Allegheny National Forest common day for lateopenings  PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources  North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and  Confirm/refine priorities among projects suggested in Development Commission th WorkPlan  Kane 150 Committee  Identify possible future events, festivals and shows of  Residents atlarge with an interest in heritage and tourism interest to members, including one focused on the Black Cherry/wood products concept Will improve coordination among local groups/committees  Focus all local area tourism info in a tab on the and formulate a direction www.kanepa.com website Stakeholders develop and maintain or participate on an existing Facebook page on Kane focusing on local resources, feedback and a call for volunteers

Determine need and interest in a nonprofit town/university community/economic development organization – either expansion of existing or development of a new organization

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Short-term (first 12 months after adoption) - continued

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category Physical Early action enhancements focused on (1) interim America in Bloom provides a framework for continuous Short-term Visual Quality Enhancements visual quality enhancements at gateways and (2) improvements in communities via a municipal and volunteer Enhancements Marketing implementation of Litter Indexing self improvement program that brings the community together. Litter Indexing is a nocost communitydirected initiative that identifies, monitors and fosters visual and litter improvements. Installation of new welcoming signage on US Route 6 Augment existing Route 6 gateway signage. Gateway and Wayfinding Physical gateways  Develop the concept of welcoming signage that gives a sense Signage Enhancements Enhancements of “arrival” in a special place that showcases downtown  Identify local tourism resources not presently featured for Heritage Resource Initiation of Wayfinding Signage planning future signage Development  Plan and prepare for welcoming/directional signage at Lantz Corner Steering Committee/Task Force dealing with Focus local tourism efforts on a tourism tab on the administrative and marketing components central to www.kanepa.com website the WorkPlan keyed to building on central concepts:  Begin planning for a tourism tab that augments existing Coordination, Identity and Marketing  Strategic location in relation to nature tourism information addressing tourism resources, itineraries and Clear Message Administrative resources things to do  Consider links with regional tourism websites – ANF, Interpretive  The wood products heritage and connection Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, local tourism  A unique community with a diverse array of stories attractions’ websites, etc. and personalities  Regional resources map to facilitate the connection of  A renewed connection with the arts resources in a relatively large area (using regional resources Map in this WorkPlan as starting point) Kane’s identity must get out online in a more forceful  Initiate an effort that welcomes and incorporate user and coordinated manner, along with the status and submitted photos, reviews, stories, etc. progress of improvements suggested in this Planning for periodic “Art Crawls” using Depot, Community WorkPlan. Center, and even vacant storefronts Heritage Resource Identify and sign Black Cherry trees with geolocation Locals are proud of the “Black Cherry Capital” idea but there Reemphasis on “Black Development on marketing materials is little offered to visitors to experience it Cherry” Theme Marketing  Reconsider the Black Cherry Timber Festival  The Black Cherry Capital must be celebrated beyond a concept line on a sign  Identify sites for future Black Cherry interpretive panels  Determine interest/location options for Wood Products Education Center

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Mid-term (1-5 years)

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category

Installation of local historical signs and interpretive Followup to signage planning in Shortterm period above as Wayfinding Signage Marketing panels highlighted on later in this WorkPlan

Enhancements Heritage Resource  Mesker Bldgs., Lobo Wolves, Railroad shop area,  Interpretive summaries from existing information and Development Kane, Holgate and other locally significant Kane Depot Preservation Society; construction costs likely in the range of $200 $300 per site  Welcoming signage at Rts. 6/219 intersection in  Welcoming signage/landscaping in the range of $1,500 Lantz Corner $2,000 and will likely require acquisition/sharing of an easement outside of the highway rightofway Initiate of planning and early action related to multi A complex and expensive task suited for phased Physical pronged effort towards downtown enhancements and implementation via groups embodied in the Kane Area Business District and Enhancements revitalization in Kane, emphasizing a comprehensive Development Center (KADC) over a multiyear period Related Developmental Heritage Resource and coordinated approach suggesting:  Infill development of vacant storefronts in a complementary Enhancements Development  Storefront/facade – 20 +/ sites – upper & lower manner Marketing  Recruitment efforts of specialty retail, recreation  Strengthening the focus as a pedestrianoriented business service/outfitters, wood products and dining with area special emphasis on existing 17 +/ vacant  Continued and expanded marketing of underutilized façade storefronts rehabilitation funds, exploring options such as improved financing, façade competition, etc.  Physical enhancements and central Greenspace  Housing rehabilitation via conventional programs  Landscaping and strategic tree planting  Industrial Site Reuse Strategy  Select and strategic demolition  Lighting of select/strategic buildings of special Physical enhancements fundable via the Keystone architectural/historic significance Communities Program, upcoming Transportation  Ascertain need for residential rehabilitation Enhancement Programs, foundations, HOME/CDBG and  Brownfield Assessments of vacant industrial sites local funding ; involves locals and the County Blight Task Force & County Housing and Redevelopment Authority

Brownfield Assessment Grant Program (USEPA) & Brownfields Redevelopment/Economic Development funding (PADEP) for industrial sites

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Mid-term (1-5 years)

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category

Encourage Borough to update and refine local zoning WorkPlan suggests certain changes into future ordinance. regulations to reflect suggested changes on pages 98 Design standards may be based on Pennsylvania Wilds Administrative 100 in the WorkPlan, which: Design Guide , which reinforces Kane’s connection with the Regulatory Revisions Heritage Resource  Focuses on suggested changes to uses, incorporation wood/timber concept Development of some form of design standards and related  Address signage, adult entertainment, screening State funding (50%) via MAP is noted. Cost for revisions are requirements and an unmapped district difficult to estimate depending on the scope of changes, but likely to average $3,500$5,000. Directional and interpretive signage and website Theory behind loop trails is twofold – slow people Physical posting for the Kane Scenic Byway and Local Loop down making them “overnighters” rather than “day Trail, Tours and Related Enhancements Tours trippers” and education Interpretation Heritage Resource  Kane Scenic Byway – Rts. 6/321/59 Enhancements Development  Local Loop – Rts. 321/Gibbs Hill Rd/Rt. 6 “Trail Town” Initiatives Interpretive  Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau reported Continued implementation of KnoxKane Rail Trail as taking lead role in the multicounty area for KnoxKane Rail Trail Planning for the Kinzua Valley Trail linkage with  Kane was considering a feasibility study for Kinzua Westline Trail Valley Trail in 2012  Snowmobile linkage – builds on existing signed Consider improved snowmobile linkage from Wetmore snowmobile route and “ice box” concept Road west along Rt. 6 Greater linkage with area arts and artists KADC noted that plans exist for an arts incubator and Arts, Wood and Culture Heritage Resource  Implementing “Art Crawls” in participating that the ArtWorks at the Depot serves in some capacity Interconnection Development businesses, venues & vacant storefronts as one – determine local consensus on the best venue Marketing  Planning/continued implementation for arts for an incubator incubator  Potential tenant for a vacant building  Focus on local artists, local art subjects, wood  “Grows” local arts community related, Native American, etc.  May require expansion of hours at the Depot  Explore “smart kiosk” concept and a “Kane App” Museum  Planning for Wood Products Education center Bridging arts, culture and industrial heritage

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Long-Term (6-10 years)

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category

Completion of multipronged effort towards downtown A complex and expensive task suited for phased Business District and Physical enhancements and revitalization in Kane implementation via groups embodied in the Kane Area Related Developmental Enhancements implementing the following: Development Center (KADC) over a multiyear period suggesting: Enhancements Heritage Resource  Complete storefront/facade enhancements  Infill development of vacant storefronts in a complementary Development  Maintain recruitment efforts of specialty retail, manner Marketing recreation service/outfitters, wood products and  Strengthening the focus as a pedestrianoriented business dining with special emphasis on filling vacant area storefronts  Continued and expanded marketing of underutilized façade rehabilitation funds, exploring options such as improved  Completion of a central Greenspace on N. Fraley Street incorporating open space & Black Cherry financing, façade competition, etc.  Housing rehabilitation via conventional programs interpretation  Industrial Sites Reuse implementation  Complete landscaping, placement of benches and strategic tree planting Physical enhancements fundable via the Keystone  Complete strategic demolition & encourage code Communities Program, upcoming Transportation enforcement Enhancement Programs, foundations, HOME/CDBG,  Lighting of select/strategic buildings of special USEPA/PADEP and local funding ; involves locals and the architectural/historic significance County Blight Task Force & County Housing and Redevelopment Authority  Implementation of assisted residential rehabilitation activities  Focus on reuse of remediated Brownfield sites

Completion of KnoxKane Rail Trail and Kinzua Valley Incorporating descriptions and mapping on tourism tab on Physical Trail linkage. the www.kanepa.com website, under a heading that projects Trail and Related Enhancements  Signage and web presence identifying them and image of Kane as a “Trail Town”

Interpretation Heritage Resource relating them back to Kane Enhancements Development

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Long- term (6-10 years)

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category Greater linkage with area arts and artists Bridging arts, culture and industrial heritage requires a Arts, Wood and Culture Heritage Resource  Maintaining “Art Crawls” in participating constant effort among various local groups and Interconnection Development businesses, venues & vacant storefronts interests Marketing  Implementation and maintenance of an arts  “Brings to life” the many unique qualities embodied incubator in Kane  Implement a “smart kiosk” concept that informs  Interaction by visitors encourages the “experience” and educates  Develop and maintain a Kane app for smart phone users  Completion of a Wood Products Education center

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Summary of Recommendations

The graphics in this subsection help depict the existing resources and recommendations that are appropriately graphically illustrated, cutting across the categories included in the Implementation Matrix on the previous pages.

Regional Resources Map

The graphic on the following page summarizes existing tourism resources as well as suggested resources. As is seen, there is a wealth of existing resources in the Kane area , including the following:

 The numerous and well known regional attractions and resources associated with the Allegheny National Forest, including trails, boating/canoeing, other recreation and reflects the forestry management heritage of the area;

 Numerous State Parks, a State Forest, State Gamelands, existing and proposed trails/”Trail Central”, and the PA Wilds resources;

 Regional tourism resources in the nearby Bradford, Warren and southern New York State areas;

 The Kinzua Sky Walk, the Longhouse and Kinzua Scenic Byways and several and proposed tours; and

 Many existing resources in and around the immediate Kane area, including its rich heritage associated with wood products, the Kane Family and recognition as the “Ice Box”, as the “Last Frontier” and as a “Trail Town”.

The types of visitors the planning process feels that may be attracted cuts across numerous interest and age groups, embracing travellers with interest in active and passive recreational amenities, arts enthusiasts, persons interested in timber/wood products and rail industrial heritage, Civil War enthusiasts and current seasonal residents and regular viiisitors to ANF/Kinzua resources, This is a large and diverse mix of people with varying interests.

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LEWIS RUN b

9 1 1 301 0 2 1 0 S Bradford Area Resources R Warren - Future1 Rt 6 Heritage Community 1 002 R New York State Eldred S R Kinzua Heights CONEWANGO TWP S GLADE TWP CORYDON TWP - Zippo/Case Museum WARREN Resources & Attractions WWII mp096 59 - Penn-Brad Oil Museum X 13 S 0 Longhouse ANF bmp095 R 1 Museum X 0 R X X 2 S ALLEGHENY - University of Pgh - Bradford 54 6 0 Scenic 0 Ranger X SR 1 RESERVOIR Simpson mp094 - Arts, Cultural & Shopping 3 Youngsville0 X 0 Warren Area Resources Byway Station Cyclone R 2 S S R 2 Resources X 010 Rt 6 Heritage mp099 3 - Shopping, Arts & Cultural 00 4 McKean KEATING TWP 08 mp100 - Crook Farm National HeritageLAFAYETTE TWP R SR 20 S Community X - Kinzua Area Recreational mp152 mp150 mp151 X Site & Other sites/districts 1 X 0 X mp101 - Oil Heritage 0 4 X SMETHPORTmp149 MEAD TWP R - Future Rt 6 Heritage S 59 X PLEASANT TWP mp102 mp148 mp147 X X Community 321 219 062 Smethport S X CLARENDON gh Kane Area Resources R

mp103 3 - National Wild & Scenic ghHAMILTON TWP 0 mp146 X 0 Rt 6 Heritage North 9 X 6 6 R 200 - Kane Manor and S Proposed 062 River & Other Water SR mp145 mp104 Country 3 Community Kane Family Heritage 0 0 X X Resources Trail 6 Kinzua Valley Trail CHAPMAN STATE PARK - Arts Heritage mp144 Xmp105 KINZUA BRIDGE STATE PARK PAX Rt 6 ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST - Railroad Heritage 1 0 1 062 R 3 mp114 S mp143 PAX Rtmp106 6 X - Black Cherry Capital, Nebo Chapel X mp115 mp113 & Cemetery X Wood Products Kinzua Viaduct, mp142 mp107 X mp116 mp136 X X mp134 mp135 X 029 and Sustainable Forestry Lantz Corner X X X mp137 mp112 XState Park & mp117 mp133 mp141 mp108 X X X X X - Outdoor Recreation Scenicmp138 Byway mp111 mp118 X mp110 6 MOUNT JEWETT mp140 mp109 4 X X 0 5 0 SR mp132 mp139 X X 2 X mp119 - "Ice Box" Heritage 0 Wildcat Park3 & 0 SR 0 X 3 X 0 X 2 mp131 HAMLIN TWP Sheffield R 146 - "Last Frontier" X S Olmsted Manor mp120 mp121 Allegheny National Forest X -X "Trailgh Town" SHEFFIELD TWP WETMORE TWP Vacation Bureau NORWICH TWP SR 2002 CHERRY GROVE TWP X 7 X 0 mp122 0 mp130 3

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Tourism resources and concepts on the following page are premised on enhancing the local resources of Kane, a small town atmosphere yet a diversity of retail, cultural, arts and recrecreational offerings. Key among them are the following:

 A key of the community is the preservation and enhancement of the pedestrian scale downtown. The circuitous alignment of Route 6 already “calms” traffic. The key is to get the traffic to stop.

 There are several signature events that attract throngs of visitors;

 The community has two ad hoc “visitors centers” that augment the operational hours of each – the Community Center (weekdays) and the Depot Museum (weekends);

 Kane is and always has been a very walkable community – by design and settlement pattern – with residential areas buffered from US Route 6; and

 Kane retains a vestige of its hardwood/wood products heritage in the Collins Company/Kane Hardwoods yet is a the forefront of change in the multi pronged approach to community and economic development rep[resented within the Kane Area Development Center.

Gaps identified during the planning process include, physical quality enhancements, additional retailing and dining choices, more consistent store hours, more choice in accommodations and better communication and coordination among kay area tourism stakeholders.

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00.25 0.5 Kane Borough Local Resources  Miles Rt 6 Corridor HCP Litter Indexing

As part of the effort to enhance Kane’s appearance as a Route 6 Heritage Community, it and other Heritage Communities have incorporated Litter Indexing as a part of the implementation effort. The Litter Index is a measurement tool researched and designed by Keep America Beautiful that measures the amount of visible litter in a community. Litter indexing is an earlyaction, inexpensive but effective way of maintaining attractive gateways and other critical areas in Heritage Communities. Clean and attractive neighborhoods are safer, healthier and more vibrant neighborhoods. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and many neighborhoods, organizations and governments use the results to guide litter prevention, education and cleanup efforts. The Litter Index is a great activity for families, small groups, individuals, and students. Groups may volunteer as a team building exercise or service activity, and students may receive service hours.

The concept was reviewed with the Kane Stakeholders Group at which time the program was explained and nine (9) areas were chosen to be monitored by the Stakeholders. The areas area identified on the map on the following page and summarized below, 1 Rt. 6 & Rt. 321 South 2 Rt. 6 at Railroad Trestle 3 Rt. 6 between Zook Motors and Hospital 4 Depot Museum Area 5 Center of Commercial District 6 Area between Janeway and Holman Streets 7 Evergreen Park 8 Rt. 6/North Edgar Street 9 Rt. 66/Glendale Park Southern Gateway

The areas are to be regularly surveyed by designated teams, and observations of litter recorded, using a scale of 14 1 clean area 2 requires one or two people to pick up trash 3 requires an organized effort to pick up trash and beautify 4 areas of blight requiring organized efforts and/or funding to beautify

Followup may be in the form of reporting back to steering committee or task force, apprising code enforcement officials and/or periodic volunteer pickup. This can be family and organized group events (i.e. civic, church, school, etc.).

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Kinter Hill Rd Kane Borough 00.25 0.5 Litter Indexing Areas Miles  Rt 6 Corridor HCP Interpretive Planning Statement – What Makes the Area Unique?

The final step of the Heritage Communities Planning effort is the development of Planning Statements that (1) embody the local heritage tourism effort and (2) relate this heritage to any of the identified six themes of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Corridor, which include The Warrior’s Road, Natural Opportunities, The Engineer’s Challenge, New Beginnings and Safe Havens, Visionaries, Achievers and Social Entrepreneurs and Outdoor Enthusiast’s Paradise. Popular engagement and discussions during the planning process included many of the Route 6 themes, some summarized below

 Warriors Road: General Thomas Kane personifies this theme, and while his exploits with the famous Bucktails is important, especially as we observe the 150 th anniversary of the Civil War, he demonstrates that many military heroes have more to offer, as he showed us in social tolerance, business and community life.

 Natural Opportunities: Kane has a long and continuing relationship with timbering and wood products in general, ranging for the harvesting and processing of logs to the creation of wooden toys.

 The Engineers Challenge: The nearby Kinzua Viaduct was an engineering marvel that was recognized as such worldwide, bringing together the best engineering minds of the time and contributing to the economic role of the region during the last part of the 19 th Century through the mid20 th Century. It then transported tourists until the Viaduct’s unfortunate demise in 2003.

 New Beginnings and Safe Havens: The region hosted people seeking the “last frontier” in Pennsylvania, creative minds, artists seeking refuge from the city, outdoorsmen seeking their type of solace and refuge and Dr. McCleary and the Lobo Wolves he spared from extinction.

 Visionaries, Achievers and Social Entrepreneurs: General Kane would also fit into this category due to his community and social involvements, early economic and transportation development and vision for a “green walkable community” a century and a half before the advent of this concept now in vogue. Of course other Kane family members would fit as well such as Elizabeth Kane who many characterize as an early feminist, Elisha an arctic explorer and Evan who pioneered local anesthesia.

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 Outdoor Enthusiasts Paradise: This is probably the most visible presentday Route 6 theme as reflected in the ANF, nearby Sate Parks, State Gamelands and trails, but is rooted in history too with the long association with outdoors in general embracing early outdoor winter sports, hunting and fishing, hunting camps and auto tours.

In relating the Study Area to these Route 6 themes and/or in general promotions as a whole, Destination Development International, Inc. has developed a listing of “phrases to avoid”, and includes such words as “explore”, “discover”, “unlike anywhere else”, “so much to see and do”, “best kept secret”, “gateway” (to somewhere), “close to everywhere/everything”, “purely natural” (or other play on the word natural), “fun for the whole family”, “retire here”, and the apparent grand-daddy of them all “a great place to live, work and play” (reportedly used by 3,500 +/ communities). The message here is simple, stay away from the generic and focus on what makes Study Area special and answer the question “ what can I get in the Kane area that I can’t get somewhere else?”

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Marketing and Hospitality Planning Statement

The Kane Area should focus its respective uniqueness to attract the traveling public and strengthen itself as a destination . While the location among various natural and environmental features, the cultural heritage and the small town quaintness are all realities, the question still begs, “What can a traveler get in the Kane Area that they cannot find in their own backyard?” This WorkPlan identifies these unique qualities and Study Area’s attractions and resources should be on the tips of every townsperson’s tongue. Identified early on in the planning process was the need to provide information on local and regional attractions in a consistent location. Information should be easily available on how to get to a given attraction or activity, the best way to experience it, and the history or story related to the attraction.

 Wayfinding signage should be incorporated into the plan and be part of the informational system; it should be easy to read and congruent throughout community.  The theme and its coordinated message should be center to a localized marketing and promotion effort that is at the same time coordinated with other regional efforts. In this case, it includes the www.visitanf.com as well as the PA Route 6 Alliance. Cross promotion of events and attractions should be both communitywide and regionally based.

Recognizing the relationship between Study Area and the larger region is important in marketing. The Kane Area is a part of a region rich in outdoor opportunities and a literal outdoor heritage area in and of itself, where people can shop, dine and relax. The matrix includes a number of recommendations on getting these messages out. Identified in the planning project was the need to provide information on local and regional attractions in consistent and convenient locations. Throughout the implementation period, the WorkPlan identifies the need for participate in local and regional marketing and promotional efforts.

Regional and Local Promotions

The WorkPlan suggests a combined effort that both ties in with those of the suggested tourism promotion partners and further develops local promotional efforts. Websites continue to grow in importance in tourism promotions, and the recommendations in the Implementation Matrix reflect this.

 A quick Google search for “Kane” finds the www.kanepa.com third (behind two hits for a “professional wrestler” using the name) but first when searching “Kane, PA”. Thus, unlike a few Rt. 6 Heritage Communities with a common name (e.g. Mansfield), this community is relatively easily found. Discussion during the planning process noted that the Kane and Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau websites 115

were mutually linked, which we found to be true in general. Searching the visitanf.com site under the “Members” and “Local Resources” tabs yield ed an immediate link with www.kanepa.com . However, searching the local website was a little circuitous with the ANF Visitors Bureau link found twice under the “Our Members” tab . One link worked (the one with an “http” p refix) and one did not (without the prefix) . The link on the local www.kanepa.com should be more direct and visible given the importance of the Visitors Bureau site and, obviously the duplicate nonworking listing should be removed to avoid c onfusion.  The local website allows user searches for certain categories of businesses (e.g. “Manors and Inns”, “Tourism”, “Restaurants”, etc.).  Local events, attractions and other tourism res ources appear on at least three (3) area websites, al though several events and sponsoring organizations have individual websites as well. Closer c onsistency, crosspromotion and coordination in identifying events among these websites are suggested, and/or www.kanepa.com would be the local coordination point.  Local tourism efforts should be active in the efforts of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau , affording the community the opportunity to participate in other state, regional and local efforts and yield the benefits of cross promotion.  Create a multiday itinerary option interweaving visits among the three communities as one unifying force for activities and visits to the area .  In all cases, the experie nce not necessarily the locations/towns should be emphasized. The itinerary options can be posted on the local website, in QR Codes and as apps, and provided to all local and regional marketing affiliates. The www.kanepa.com website has a tab for events but no tab for itineraries, leaving those arrangements up to each individual.  Incorporate National Tourism Week (1st full week of May) into the school curriculum by inviting business owners, Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau , representatives of the Chambers and other local tourism official s to speak about the importance of tourism to high school students.  Maintain curriculum for a local history course with the Kane Area School District.  Highlight successful bus inesses through an awards and recognition program.  Consider participation in the Lit ter Index in the Keep America Beautiful Program.

Cross Promotions

Businesses should be encouraged to cross promote their products, services and offerings.  Local accommodation s and attractions are recommended to agree on joint packaging, even cooperatively advertising their product. Attractions should not be limited to physical places. For example, g uide services, artisans and other specialists can offer their services or l earning experiences to lodging guests.  Promotions are recommended to reflect the themes noted in the Implementation Matrix.  Certain signature events and attractions (i.e. Art in the Wilds, Reunion Weekend, etc.) draw sizable crowds, giving the opportunity to connect to those events and attractions and offer something downtown to attract the visitor. Special sales and activities coinciding with these signature events already exist and are recommended to continue. Remember, the shopping experience and the si gnature events help define Study Area’s uniqueness .

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Web Presence

Study Area businesses and attractions appear to have a varied web presence range, with some having exceptionally well planned and userfriendly sites but some having no presence at all. A number of local businesses and organizations are linked via the local www.kanepa.com website via an inventory of businesses for navigation by the user. The websites of some businesses are given as links once the user navigates to the “Our Members” tab. This search can be a bit tedious for the user. The 2008 PA Route 6 Tourism Infrastructure Plan identified the following within McKean County, with most in each category in the Bradford area (Kane Area in parenthesis)  136 accommodations/food services (21 – including 5 campgrounds & 7 restaurants)  70 arts, entertainment and recreation providers (7 – including a golf course & a museum)  123 tourismoriented retail establishments (24 – including 4 gift/novelty & 4 artisans)

Wayfinding Planning Statement

Planning by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office’s notes the importance of installing touristfriendly signage as part of a tourism development and promotion effort. A relatively new approach has been developed that replaces the TourismOriented Directional Signage on State highways. The State signage can let people know where they are (i.e. identify regions, local communities and attractions). Wayfinding signing at a local level is a way to provide a systematic network of directional signs to guide the traveling public from major highway gateways to key civic, cultural, regional and commercial destinations using the minimum number of signs. It is designed to coincide with regional tourism marketing. A common approach to signage regulation for the Kane Area is suggested in this WorkPlan. A few guiding principles for wayfinding are summarized below:  Wayfinding needs are best resolved during initial planning stages through a collaborative effort by all design professionals, architects, designers and sign makers, to address a project's total environmental communication.  Graphics, such as signs, colorcoding, maps, banners, brochures and Websites, provide orientation, direction, identification and regulatory information.  Provide standardized "you are here" maps of the project that include an overall map of the complex and more detailed maps of specific areas.  Local tourism resources should be designated by directional signage that includes a common logo, directional arrow and distance.

The challenges to current resource signing in general include lack of uniformity, message overload, sign redundancy, poor image for tourists, lack of effectiveness/prioritization, lack of background context and lack of maintenance. As noted elsewhere in this WorkPlan, the Borough presently has no signage regulations in effect, perhaps compounding the signage issues. Signage System

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Color/symbol coded resource signage is suggested for resources, keyed to the following groups:  Natural/Environmental resources– public and private sites, etc.  Sporting resources – fishing, cycling, ATV, hiking, swimming, boating, etc.  Community Life resources – churches, library, etc.  Industrial/Commercial resources – past/present businesses and sites  Historic Sites – museums, architecturally significant buildings, etc.  Tourism Services resources – visitors centers, accommodations and food services, tourismoriented retail/services, etc.

Locally eligible attractions typically included in wayfinding efforts are summarized as follows and depicted on the map on page 108, some of which are already signed locally  commercial attractions such as local signature downtown businesses, eating/drinking establishments, the highway commercial area and other signature/specialty shopping;  cultural/historical attractions such as the Depot Museum, the Community Center, etc.;  historical/architectural resources such as the various associated with Kane (e.g. chapel, statue, manor, etc.), wooden railroad trestle, Rockwell house, CCC sites, Mesker facades, Armory, etc.; and  recreational/open space attractions such as Evergreen Park, Lobo Wolves site, Wildcat Park, trails, etc.

Typically, signed attractions shall be open to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, age or handicap; be clean and pleasing in appearance, maintained in good repair; and comply with all applicable code regulations and statutes for public accommodations; be open to the general public a minimum of 30 days per calendar year; and provide sufficient parking and an onpremise sign readily visible from the highway. Signage efforts should consider a signage partnership with attractions benefiting to meet installation, design and maintenance costs. The types of attractions eligible for signing under PennDOT regulations are identified on pages 7475 of this WorkPlan. An adjunct to wayfinding signage that several of Route 6 Heritage Communities are exploring is the “smart kiosk” that not only dispenses information 24/7 on attractions, shopping and accommodations choices, sites of interest, etc., but provides cultural/heritage information on local stories in an interactive format. This approach has upfront hardware and software costs that can vary, but can provide information literally around the clock, at strategic locations (e.g. Depot Museum, proposed Downtown Greenspace).

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Welcoming Signage

Welcoming signage was being updated at the time of this planning effort and appears to be attractive and exhibits a sense of “arrival”. Locals pointed out the need to have some kind of wayfinding/directional signage for Kane at the intersection of US Routes 6 and 219 in Lantz Corner. The larger issue appears to be other conditions seen by the visitor along the portion of Route 6 over the Biddle Street segment (e.g. Kane Handle and relocated railroad station).

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Heritage Resource Development/Physical Enhancement Planning Statement

Physical and nonphysical improvements are necessary for the Kane Area to develop its role as either a primary or secondary destination, as a town surrounded by a forest. Input gained from community workshops, the charrette, the Business Survey and the Stakeholder Group meetings all suggested that that Kane’s visual quality and impression requires some work, ranging from improved property maintenance to redevelopment and reclaiming former industrial sites. Building on strengths and resolving weaknesses underlie the enhancements noted in this WorkPlan, which proposes a number of downtown, community and developmental initiatives that not only reinforce Kane as a place to visit but a place in which to live. These strategic enhancements attempt to improve the visual quality and “lure concept” by concentrating activities that reinforce the unique qualities of the community while addressing visual quality challenges. Based on the review of input, discussion and field conditions, the development and community recommendations focus on the following:

Downtown Enhancements

The central business district provides a mixed appearance, with the positive results of recent streetscape enhancements offset by the condition of ground and/or upper facades, compounded of course by numerous vacancies. This area requires focused and concerted effort.

Facades

A number of the facades are referred to by locals as “Mesker Buildings”, referring to buildings attributed to the Mesker Brothers Iron Company, who reportedly sold 5,000 facades starting in the 1880’s. Several of these and other buildings have been maintained or restored in a manner of architectural integrity, but there are some exceptions. Planning staff was advised that façade enhancement assistance has been available to local businesses through Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise (KARE) and while there has been some success, the fund has been somewhat underutilized. Reasons given include inability to raise the required local share and the prevalence of absentee landlords. Reduced local

120 share commitments and/or a façade restoration “competition” were discussed as possible approaches to greater interest and utilization. Planning staff counted no more than 20 locations where façade treatment may be required, on ground and/or upper floors, as summarized on the map on the following page. Typically these enhancements focus on restoring or featuring the architectural style of the building and should not strive to have every storefront look alike. Every building is unique and façade enhancements should reflect the architectural and historic context of that building. In some cases, enhancements are no more heavy maintenance items, while in other cases they may include removing past “improvements” that attempted to “modernize” the façade. Typically these enhancements range in cost from a few thousand to $10,000 or more, obviously reflecting the needs and scope of each storefront. There are a number of facades in Kane, especially upper level, that appear to have serious structural defects requiring more than just aesthetic attention.

Recruitment

Façade restoration goes handinhand with continued recruitment efforts, which planning staff was assured has been focused and continuing. Inclusion of this suggestion should not be viewed as a criticism or a shortcoming, but merely a reinforcement of the need to continue recruitment efforts by the Kane Area Industrial Development Corporation (KAIDC), KARE and others in the area.

Landscaping and Greenspace

The first time visitor along Rt. 6 may be struck by the fact that the community that proudly bills itself as “The Black Cherry Capital” has a central business district largely devoid of any trees or landscaping, except for some untrimmed growth in a vacant lot along North Fraley Street, the location identified during our workshops as a potential site for some downtown Greenspace. This effort would require acquisition, demolition of a wall, access to/from street level and site development, but would afford some green area in the business district, a potential performance venue and interpretive panel/smart kiosk opportunities. Other plantings along North Fraley Street are recommended to add warmth to the business district, and reflect one of Kane’s unique heritage characteristics.

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Local residents are proud of many of the buildings in the business district and suggested an effort to highlight some of the architectural detail on a number of buildings that have been maintained and preserved. This was seen a striking way to showcase the downtown, the same downtown

stylized on the new welcoming signage.

Residential Rehabilitation

While not really a part of the “downtown”, planning staff fieldwork suggested the need for a targeted approach in addressing housing conditions within Kane. While not a “tourism issue” per se, locals agreed on the need to address housing and exterior property conditions, through a twopronged effort involving targeted assisted housing rehabilitation assistance for low/moderate income homeowners and enhanced property maintenance code enforcement especially in relation to some perceived rental unit conditions. It is not recommended that the Borough necessarily embark on an assisted rehabilitation program individually but through an existing agency or group. County agencies have dealt with assisted housing rehabilitation efforts in the past via HOME and related state and federal assistance. While again not being “tourism activities” they do speak to the concept that a good place to visit should also be a good place to live (and vice versa).

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Brownfields Assessments and Reuse

Brownfields are abandoned or underutilized properties where redevelopment or reuse is complicated by concerns about actual or potential environmental contamination . In essence, Brownfields are previously developed properties that have not been reused due to real or perceived environmental issues. Brownfields offer a unique opportunity for redevelopment. Reuse projects for Brownfields include parks, green space, and mixeduse developments such as housing, office space, retail, industrial or other commercial uses. By reclaiming these abandoned properties, blight is removed, the environment is improved, the local tax base may be enhanced and the community image is improved. A number of communities have taken advantage of assistance via the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfield Assessment Grant Program and PA Department of Environmental Protection’s redevelopment and economic development programs. There was favorable discussion during the charrette in Kane especially in relation to former industrial properties along Biddle Street (former Kane Handle and the relocated and vacant rail depot), Elk Avenue, Wetmore Avenue and a few other locations were mentioned as well. The Biddle Street properties are especially critical given their location along a major gateway near the intersection of Route 6 and PA Rt. 321 and the fact that a large vacant parcel is located across the street, suggesting this as an area with a developmental opportunity. In early 2012, the planning team was advised that the owner of the former Kane Handle building may want to do a partial demolition of the collapsed section but was not planning to sell it, while there was interest in use of the former depot as a visitors center.

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Arts, Wood and Culture Interconnection

Residents are as proud of the wood products past as they are about the arts present. A number of artists are involved in the Artworks at the Depot and others involved in the planning process suggest that many wood craftspeople and artisans reside in and around Kane. At the same time, while the community is touted as The Black Cherry Capital, there is little that the visitor can experience to interact with this concept. This is multidimensional, embracing the forest, timbering and processing wood, and “growing” and supporting the eclectic artists who now call Kane home. Simply stated, “Black Cherry” seems to be a slogan or perhaps a logo of sorts. For it to be a “brand” it has to conjure up a specific perception that is built on a product or set of products. It has to be experienced. Somehow, the “natural opportunities” (remember that Route 6 theme) surrounding the hardwoods industry and its interconnection with the community of Kane yesterday, today and tomorrow – affects it, shapes it and even reinvents it. This interconnection can be difficult to realize but can be reflected in a number of “products”:

 Reconsideration of a Black Cherry Timber Festival that celebrates this tree and all hardwoods in some fashion, in art, in song, in food (of course) and in products. KARE, Artworks and the Kane 150 th Committee come to mind as prospective groups to be involved.

 Unlike a few Route 6 communities that no longer have the signature business that spurred its development, Kane still has a wood products industry. Kane Hardwoods/The Collins Company and the ANF may be local resources among others to engage in the determination of whether a Wood Products Education Center is feasible, bringing together an educational experience, a tourism resource and a retailing opportunity. This partnership may also address the development and sponsorship of regular sustainable forestry conferences and workshops. Both part and parcel of “living” the Black Cherry Capital theme.

 Locals involved in the planning process could not point to a Black Cherry tree in the community and we were informed that it was not possible to plant and grow any in the proposed Greenspace. Key interpretive sites and locations of accessible stands of this variety would help breathe life into the Black Cherry slogan (followed by geolocations on the www.kanepa.com website, smart kiosk posting, Apps, etc.)

 Art Crawls are popular among many communities, including other Route 6 communities (e.g. Carbondale hosts 2 per year), with art displayed at various locations requiring people (here comes the “crawl part”) to venture around and experience (and hopefully buy) art works. Communities vary in venues

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used, with one community using locally historic buildings while another essentially showcases presently vacant (and available for rent) space. The key is to get people engaged in the “crawl” circulating through town and maybe some will dine, buy other products and just make an evening of it.

 A number of communities are interested in encouraging local art and local artists through an art incubator. Artworks at the Depot essentially performs this function but space requirements may one day require finding another venue instead or in addition to the Depot. Vacant industrial buildings (that may have gone through the Brownfields process noted earlier) and vacant commercial storefronts provide potential locations.

 Locals see a need to get information out on events, places to visit, places to dine and shop, for visitors who may be experiencing one of the many arts and forest resources in the area. The future is moving from the printed information and maps to web based and/or interactive modes, some people refer to as “smart kiosks”, as discussed earlier. Given its role as an embodiment of heritage, arts and the wood products past, the Depot Museum would appear to be an appropriate location for a “smart kiosk”.

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Trail and Tour Development and Interpretation

Two trail projects were in the planning and discussion stage during the fieldwork associated with the WorkPlan. Both would reinforce Kane as a “Trail Town”, serving the shopping, relaxation, accommodations and diversionary needs of trail users. These include the KnoxKane Rail Trail and the Kinzua Valley Trail.

 The feasibility study for the proposed 70mile, multicounty KnoxKane Trail was completed during this time along the former Knox and Kane Railroad line. This would extend from Clarion County to the nearby Kinzua Bridge State park through Kane and several other communities. Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau reported as taking lead role in the multicounty area for KnoxKane Rail Trail  Kane was considering a feasibility study for Kinzua Valley Trail in 2012, an initiative of a Trail Club with the same name to connect Kinzua Bridge State Park with the Red Bridge in the Kinzua Reservoir area.

Both projects would create additional tourism resources, while making existing resources and businesses in the Kane area more accessible to a growing nature tourism audience. A better snowmobile route linkage between Wetmore Road westward along Route 6 builds on existing signed snowmobile route, connects it with the ANF snowmobile trail system and reinforces the “ice box” concept.

Vehicle loop tours are suggested with Kane as the beginning/ending point not only featuring Route 6, but other wellknown and even not so wellknown resources in the area. This WorkPlan suggests directional and interpretive signage and website posting for the Kane Scenic Byway and Local Loop Tours:

 Kane Scenic Byway – Routes 6/321/59: A scenic drive connecting Kane and numerous ANF resources, including the Longhouse National Scenic Byway. Other resources accessed include an historic powerhouse, Dunkle Corner and other boat launches, North Country Scenic Trail, Red Bridge Campground, fishing areas and more.

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 Local Loop – Routes 321/Gibbs Hill Rd/Rt. 6: A loop tour via winding rural roads splitting off of a scenic section of Rt. 321 to Ludlow, traversing farmland, a cemetery and other rural landscapes and connecting with Rt. 6 near Milemarker 116 just west of Wildcat Park.

These are not only outdoor recreation resource enhancement efforts, but an interpretive opportunity especially when accompanied by the appropriate interpretive panels, geolocation on the local website tab and inclusion on the “smart kiosk” system.

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Community WorkPlan Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance 2012