Chapter 3.5 Southern Highlands Region 3.5 Southern Highlands Region

3.5 Southern Highlands Region mentioned are large resources there are also many smaller recreational opportunities scattered throughout the region. When The Southern Highlands Region is located within the southern totaled, the Southern Highlands Region as a whole has more portion of Berks County and bordered by the Metro Region to the than twice the existing recreational acreage recommended by the north and Lancaster and Chester Counties to the southwest and National Recreation & Park Association. southeast. Throughout this region is an abundance of recreational, ecological and historical resources. This region is Recreation considered to be one area of the County that is going to see a steady rise in population as more and more people move into the Recreation is mainly of the passive type in this region. There are area along the US 422 and Pennsylvania Turnpike corridors. large State and Federally-owned parks within the Southern New Morgan Borough has been the site of a number of ambitious Highlands and they provide much of the recreational development proposals that could contribute significantly to the opportunities to not only the citizens of the region but the citizens region’s population. of neighboring Counties as well as all of Berks County. School districts, municipalities and privately-owned facilities cater mainly The Southern Highlands Region has a multitude of recreational, to the local need of residents. Although there seems to be a ecological and historical resources with the majority being geared toward passive recreation. The Schuylkill River Greenway/Trail extends through this region ultimately winding its way to Philadelphia. The Horse-Shoe Trail crosses the Southern Highlands Region as it traverses into neighboring Chester County. The County has plans to create the Hay Creek Trail which would run from Elverson, through the Borough of New Morgan, onto the Schuylkill River Trail in Birdsboro. There is the Federally-owned Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site which is considered the most complete extant iron plantation, illustrating over 100 years of American iron manufacturing. Hopewell provides unparalleled opportunity to enhance public understanding of American iron-making from the American Revolution to the rise of the steel industry.

Not only does this region contain a significant national landmark, but surrounding Hopewell Furnace NHS and in the western A couple biking along the Schuylkill River Trail portion of the region are French Creek State Park and State Gamelands 52. Each of these facilities provides important surplus of recreational opportunities, when all acreages are ecological habitat as well as recreational opportunities such as combined four out of ten of the municipalities located within the hiking, biking, kayaking/canoeing, and hunting. These facilities Southern Highlands Region are deficient in providing adequate are all located in what is known as the Hopewell Big Woods, the active recreational acreage for their citizens according to the heart of the Pennsylvania Highlands. Although the previously National Recreation & Park Association. 168 3.5 Southern Highlands Region

Parks and trails, as well as other recreational amenities found Highlands Region, the trail passes through Brecknock, Robeson within the Southern Highlands Region are important assets for and Union Townships and within French Creek State Park in local, regional, and state residents. The need for these types of resources is increasing in Pennsylvania. Several significant parks Existing and Recommended Recreation Acreages and recreational trails are located within the region, and are described below. Current Acre- Projected Projected Municipality Est. Pop.- 2010 Pop.- 2020 Pop.- Parks The most significant park resource in terms of sheer size Rec. Min. Acre Rec. Min. Acre Rec. Min. Acre is French Creek State Park, at over 7,400 acres. It contains 155.56- 10225- 12197- Amity Township 10819- camping and fishing areas, trails, two lakes, and a swimming 63.91 76.23 pool. It is fully contained within the Hopewell Big Woods area. 67.62 37.48- 5848- 6666- The Horse-Shoe Trail also passes trough the park. Birdsboro Borough 5184- 36.55 41.66 32.4 The Birdsboro Municipal Authority Land, locally referred to as the 0- 5399- 6196- Brecknock Township 4738- Birdsboro Waters property, encompasses 1,800 acres in 33.74 38.72 Robeson and Union Townships. The property contains reservoirs 29.61 64.81- 2610- 2955- and wooded areas and is the source of public drinking water for Caernarvon Township 3197- 16.31 18.47 the Borough of Birdsboro. It currently has no formal public 19.98 access, but the area is used heavily for outdoor recreational 41.27- 3475- 3400- Douglass Township 3404- activities, including rock climbing, walking, hiking, mountain 21.72 21.25 biking, fishing, and bird watching. 21.28 396.2- 24456- 28098- Exeter Township 23869- 152.85 175.61 Glen Morgan Lake - Carr’s Recreation Park is a small private 149.18 lake about 150 acres in size. The lake seems to function more as 0- 470- 510- New Morgan Borough 35- a marsh than as a man-made lake. This area is a highly 0.29 0.32 productive wetland habitat. Until 1995 the area was inaccessible 0.22 18.79- 7961- 8952- as private land. It is now a recreation park with access allowable Robeson Township 7325- 49.76 55.95 by fee. Glen Morgan Lake is located within what is known as 45.78 1.62- Carr’s Recreation Park. It is a developed area offering many 2023- 2267- St. Lawrence Borough 1798- recreational opportunities including golf, mountain biking, in-line 12.64 14.17 skating, hiking and picnicking. Glen Morgan Lake is not suitable 11.24 153.68- 3816- 3979- for boating therefore ensuring the long-term stability of waterfowl Union Township 3574- 23.85 24.87 habitat. 22.34

Horse-Shoe Trail - The Horse-Shoe Trail is a bridle and walking 869.41- 65860- 74761- TOTALS 63943- path that stretches from the Appalachian Trail north of Harrisburg 411.62 467.25 to Valley Forge Park in Montgomery County. Within the Southern 399.64

Abbreviations: Rec.= Recommended; Pop.= Population; Est.=Estimated; Min.-Minimum Sources:U.S. Census Bureau, 2004 Estimates (continued on next page) 169 3.5 Southern Highlands Region

PaDEP 2006 State Water Plan Population Projections, 2010 and 2020 Mountz Trail, and the abandoned railroad corridor. It is Population Projections National Recreation & Park Association, NRPA suggests that a park system, anticipated that, when complete, the Hay Creek Trail and the at a minimum, be composed of a core system of parklands, with a total of Horse-Shoe Trail will intersect. 6.25 to 10.5 acres of developed close-to-home space per 1,000 population. Note: Municipalities in bold have sufficient acreage. Generally, the Southern Highlands Region has many Berks County, continuing southeast into Warwick County Park in opportunities for recreation with the majority being existing and Chester County. This trail is a major pedestrian and hiking proposed trails for walking and biking. However, there is a need connector route that links key destinations within the Southern for more municipal parks within certain municipalities. Highlands Region and provides connections to areas outside the region. Ecology

The Horse-Shoe Trail runs east-west through the region. The The Southern Highlands Region contains many important Horse-Shoe Trail connects to several trails within French Creek ecological areas. The Hopewell Big Woods Hub is the most State Park, including the Six Penny, Boone and Mill Creek Trails. important. This Hub encompasses the Hopewell Furnace NHS The Horse-Shoe trail is being considered as a designated section and French Creek State Park. This area provides ample of the proposed Highlands Trail within Pennsylvania. resources and natural habitat for numerous species of plants and animals. There are also smaller hubs that provide important Schuylkill River Heritage Trail and the Thun Trail Section - The specie habitat. Some of the smaller hubs in this region are Schuylkill River Trail is part of the Schuylkill River National Allegheny Heights, Lower Allegheny, Daniel Boone Homestead, Heritage Area, which extends from Philadelphia northwest to Monocacy Hill, and Lower Ironstone. These Hubs are scattered Pottsville, along the Schuylkill River. The Berks section of this trail is called the Thun Trail and it follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad Schuylkill Branch built along the route of the historic Schuylkill Canal. Some sections are incomplete and it is very important to finish the connection to Montgomery County.

Hay Creek Trail - The Hay Creek Trail is proposed to eventually run from Elverson, through the Borough of New Morgan, onto the Schuylkill River Trail in Birdsboro. An informal trail currently runs along the closed section of Route 82 in Robeson Township. Another section of trail along Hay Creek is located within Birdsboro and is locally referred to as the Mountz Trail. Berks County is pursuing the purchase of right-of-way easements to develop a trail along the abandoned railroad line in Robeson and Union Townships, following a former rail bed operated by Hay Creek Wilmington and Northern railroad. The proposed Hay Creek Trail could make use of a combination of the Route 82 corridor, 170 3.5 Southern Highlands Region throughout the region but are connected through existing and south central Pennsylvania to northeastern Connecticut. The proposed greenways that serve as migration avenues for various largest forest type within the Hopewell Big Woods is the dry oak- species. heath forest, followed by the red oak-mixed hardwood forest on lower elevations. The two other significant forest types of the The Hay Creek Watershed is in this region. This watershed is a Hopewell Big Woods are red maple forest and tulip tree-beech- 22-square mile area that includes portions of Robeson, maple. Understory shrubs and trees include spicebush, ironwood, Brecknock, Union and Caernarvon Townships and Birdsboro and blueberry, maple leaf viburnum, sassafras, mountain laurel, and New Morgan Boroughs. The Hay Creek Watershed includes an mountain azalea. Important Bird Area at Glen Morgan Lake in New Morgan Borough. This area and the rest of the watershed provide habitat The heart of the Pennsylvania Highlands, the Hopewell Big for numerous bird species. Of particular note is the sighting of Woods, encompasses roughly 100 square miles of contiguous American Bald Eagles (a federally threatened species and forest. Assets identified in the Hopewell Big woods include the Pennsylvania Endangered species). Hay Creek and French Creek Watersheds, Glen Morgan Lake, and Birdsboro Waters – because of their pristine waters, rich The entire Hay Creek Watershed is also designated as an cultural and historical resources, and significant recreational important Mammal Area by the Important Mammal Area Project opportunities. (IMAP), as a component of the Hopewell Big Woods. IMAP is a joint partnership of the National wildlife Federation, PA Wildlife Two state-designated Exceptional Value streams, Hay Creek and Federation, PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Mammal French Creek, flow through the Hopewell Big Woods. The creeks Technical Committee/PA Biological Survey, and the Carnegie provide drinking water to the residents of Birdsboro Borough and Museum of Natural History. Land animals found in the watershed support reproducing native trout as well as a variety of wetlands, include skunks, voles, moles, mice, shrews, rabbits, chipmunks, including Pine Swamp, considered a “globally unique” broadleaf squirrels, muskrat, mink, opossum, raccoons, groundhogs, fox, acidic swamp. and white-tailed deer. The rocky terrain and unique wetlands of the Hopewell Big Other animals and insects found in the Hay Creek Watershed Woods provide crucial habitat for dozens of plants and animals, include salamanders, frogs, snakes, turtles, dragonflies, including the bog turtle, a Federal threatened species, and bog stoneflies, damsel flies and mosquitoes. Fish species include bluegrass, a Pennsylvania threatened plant species. Other Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Rosyside Dace, animals known to live in the Hopewell Big Woods include black Cutlips Minnow, Common Shiner, Swallowtail Shiner, Spotfin bear, bobcat, fox and mink. The Pennsylvania Biological Survey Shiner, Blacknose Dace, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, American has designated the Hopewell Big Woods as an Important Eel, Redbreast Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Mammal Area due to its diverse and abundant wildlife. Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Tessellated Darter, Chain Pickerel, Pike and Muskellunge. The National Audubon Society has designated the Hopewell Big Woods as an Important Bird Area (IBA), based upon The Hopewell Big Woods is the largest remaining contiguous documentation of more than 200 bird species living there. IBA’s forest in southeast Pennsylvania and is a critical treasure within are sites that provide essential habitat for one or more species of the Highlands Region, which stretches along the ridges from bird. They include sites for breeding, wintering, and/or migrating

171 3.5 Southern Highlands Region birds. IBA’s may be a few acres or thousands of acres, but Highest: High: usually they are discrete sites that stand out from the surrounding ID – Hopewell Big Woods ID – Brecknock Heights landscape. They may include public or private lands, or both, ID – Allegheny Heights ID – Neversink and they may be protected or unprotected. Some species of note ID – Lower Allegheny ID – Guldin Schwartzwold in the Big Woods include the cerulean warbler and scarlet ID – Daniel Boone ID – Lower Ironstone tanager. The Glen Morgan Lake IBA, also within the Hopewell ID – Monocacy Hill Big Woods, supports an impressive diversity of birdlife, including Within the Southern Highlands Region are the following Ecologic the bald eagle and pied-billed grebe. Corridors of significance (see map):

Highest: Coventry Forge, the birthplace of the American colonial iron ID – Horse-Shoe Highlands Greenway (including the six penny connection) industry, and numerous iron furnaces, forges and mills are ID – Mohnton to Horse-Shoe Crossings located in the Hopewell Big Woods. Among these are Joanna ID – Nolde to Horse-Shoe Highlands Furnace and Hopewell Furnace National historic Site, which ID – Allegheny West Greenways interpret the iron-making industry. Hopewell Furnace is ID – North Exeter Greenway (connects to Antietam and Neversink) surrounded by French Creek State Park, which provides outdoor ID – Trout Run Highlands Greenway (west and east sections) recreation and tourism. The Thun Trail, Horse-Shoe Trail, State Gamelands No. 43, and Warwick County Park offer recreation High: opportunities such as fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and canoeing. ID – Nolde to Adahi Greenway ID – Horse-Shoe to Adahi Greenway While 14,800 acres of the Hopewell Big Woods are currently ID – Allegheny East Greenway protected in State Parks, State Gamelands, Hopewell Furnace ID – Lower Ironstone to Unami Hills National Historic Site, and conservation easements, an ID – Lower Ironstone to Pottstown astounding 58,000 acres of the Hopewell Big woods are ID – Bryn Eyre to Horse-Shoe unprotected. Development pressures in this part of Pennsylvania are intense. Heritage

Because of developmental pressures on the region as a whole The Southern Highlands Region has a rich and diverse heritage more needs to be done to protect these vital areas. Municipalities that is reflected in the historic and cultural resources that are need to step up conservation initiatives and update their integrated within the existing land use patterns. The preservation ordinances so that specific areas with historical, recreational and of these historic and cultural resources is essential to establish a ecological significance are protected. These areas provide community bond from past generations to future generations. valuable assets to the migration of different species of birds, Since these resources are not renewable, it is essential to mammals and reptile. And the trail systems are important for recognize their value and promote a future land use plan that is leisure time activities and the fitness of the residents. based upon fundamental principals in an effort to preserve, protect, and enhance their presence within the region. Within the Southern Highlands Region are the following Ecologic Hubs of significance (see map) The Southern Highlands Region contains numerous buildings and sites that have historical and cultural significance. The Berks

172 3.5 Southern Highlands Region

County Conservancy had previously completed municipal - Mill Tract Farm - Old Swedes House surveys to document the location, historical significance, and - Snyder Mill - St. Michaels architectural features of each site. However, these surveys must - Thompson Mill - Weidner Mill be comprehensively updated to account for recent changes in the - White Horse Tavern municipal landscape. This future planning effort should be considered a high priority since an effective historical and cultural Identified National Historic Register districts include: resource plan will promote community pride, economic vitality, - Daniel Boone Homestead - French Creek Six Penny and tourism. - Hopewell Furnace NHS - Joanna Furnace Complex - Morgantown Historic District - French Creek Organized Group Camp

While there are many sites either listed on or identified as being potentially listed on the National Historic Register, it is important that remaining resource clusters be identified and preserved as this will help the eligibility of those sites in the future. We have identified the following themes for the Southern Highlands Region. These themes should be considered when conducting historic resource surveys or assembling a historic preservation plan. Gristmills – early examples of buildings used to process grain into flour Furnaces – early examples of “iron plantations” and American industrialization

Hopewell Furnace Greenway Section

The Southern Highlands Region contains both proposed and The National Register of Historic Places is a comprehensive existing greenway corridors. The greenway designations are listing of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects of based primarily on ecologic and historical resource findings as historical and cultural significance to the locality, state or nation. well as recreation. According to this plan the major greenways of Within the Southern Highlands Region, there are 29 sites that are the area follow existing corridors that are used by migrating either listed on the National Historic Register or are considered animals and people for recreational purposes. The Schuylkill eligible for the National Historic Registry (NHR). The following River Greenway, which encompasses the Thun Trail and the table provides a brief description of these national historical sites. Schuylkill River Trail is the most important greenway for this National Historic Register sites include: region. Various other greenways traverse the region and all are - Allegheny Aqueduct - Bitler Farm connected to the Hopewell Big Woods Area. As stated before - Boonecroft - Geiger Mill Hopewell Big Woods is identified as an important ecological and - Griesemer Mill Complex - Ironstone Bridge recreational area for the region. - John Bishoop House - Levan Farm 173 3.5 Southern Highlands Region

Southern Highlands Region Matrix Anticipated Revenue Feature Opportunity Priority Status-Next Steps Partners Source

Ecological - Continue to conserve, The Big Woods - Largest Host Municipalities, protect and enhance this area as a Mid-term - Marketing and advertisement to increase continuous woodland area County of Berks, Chester State, Federal, County important habitat area for various awareness of this important area. in southeastern PA County species of animals.

Host Municipalities, Ecological - Continue to conserve, Mid-term - Marketing and advertisement to increase French Creek State Park - State, Berks Visitors State, Federal protect and enhance this area. awareness of this important ecological resource. over 7,000 acre state park Bureau with 2 lakes, extensive woodlands, camping, Recreational - Promote as most Host Municipalities, boating, pool, tot lot, trails Mid-term - Marketing and advertisement to increase significant park resource in the State, Berks Visitors State, Federal and disc golf course awareness of this important recreational resource. region. Bureau

Short term - Create master site plan. Right of way

acquisition, planning, design and construction.

Recreation - Make use of a Use/establish standard signage developed by SRGA to

combination of the Route 82 sign trails that have a connection to the SRT. Rehab County of Berks,

corridor, Mountz Trail, and the existing bridges and construct two more. Provide PennDOT, Hay Creek County, Municipal,

abandoned railroad corridor. Connect trailheads and signage. Replace entrance sign with a Watershed Assoc., Host PennDOT, DCNR

to the Horse-Shoe Trail. Acquire standard sign using uniform design, color and Municipalities Hay Creek Trail - trail from railroad ROW. lettering. Use/establish standard signage developed Elverson through New by SRGA to sign trails that have a connection to the Morgan eventually SRT. connecting to the SRT

174 3.5 Southern Highlands Region

Feature Opportunity Priority Status – Next Steps Partners Anticipated Revenue Source

Schuylkill River Trail/Thun Trail - regional trail along Recreation - Complete connections County of Berks, SRGA, the Schuylkill River, to make a continuous off-road trail Short term - Complete segment through Birdsboro RDC, BCC, Host County, State, SRGA, DCNR eventual continuous trail along the Schuylkill River corridor. Municipalities link from Reading to Philadelphia. Horse-Shoe Trail - bridle Recreation - A regional trail and walking trail that extending across the region Horse-Shoe Trail Club, stretches from the connecting to various destinations. Mid-term - Secure permanent protection of the trail Host Municipalities, Appalachian Trail north of County line of credit Designate as a section of the right-of-way off-road. DCNR, County of Berks, Harrisburg to Valley Forge proposed Highlands Trail within PA. Lancaster County Park in Montgomery Adopt an MLPP. County.

Short term and Ongoing – Work with the Appalachian Municipalities, Appalachian To establish the Berks portion of the Mountain Club and local trail organizations to utilize Mountain Club, Trail Pennsylvania Highlands - Pennsylvania Highlands Trail existing and proposed trail alignments as well as Organizations, DCNR, Trail Network Network. creating new connections to establish a Berks County County of Berks, land portion of the Pennsylvania Highlands Trail Network trusts

Joanna Furnace - a Ecological - Continue to conserve, historically and culturally Mid-term - Stream bank restoration projects. BCC, SRGA Federal, State, DCNR significant iron production protect and enhance this area. facility dating back to Berks Visitors Bureau, 1971. Listed on the Mid-term - Marketing and advertisement to increase Destination - Important historical Berks Chamber of National Register of awareness and visitation to this significant historic Federal, State representation of early settlement Commerce, Historical Historic Places. Restored site. charcoal iron furnace. Society of Berks County

175 3.5 Southern Highlands Region

Feature Opportunity Priority Status – Next Steps Partners Anticipated Revenue Source Recreation - Trail connection from Horse-Shoe Trail Club, Federal, State, County, this area to adjacent or nearby Ongoing - Create trail access to the Horse-Shoe Trail. County of Berks, Municipal existing trail systems Lancaster County

SRGA, County of Berks, Destination - Potential tourist Mid-Term - Historic area needs to be inventoried and Municipality, Berks Municpal, SRGA, DCNR destination. mapped. Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce

Birdsboro Hub - Historic resource destination. Mid-Term - Establish a trail connection for the

continued off-road route of the SRT. Use/establish SRGA, County of Berks, Recreation - Schuylkill River Municpal, SRGA, DCNR standard signage developed by SRGA to sign trails Municipality Greenway connector that have a connection to the SRT.

Douglassville Node - Mid-Term - Establish a trail connection and area for Destination - Schuylkill River Trail historic village and trail access. Use/establish standard signage connection area. Trailhead for Municipality, SRGA Municipal, DCNR resources of Old Morlatton developed by SRGA to sign trails that have a picking up the SRT. Village connection to the SRT.

Destination - Trail head area for the Mid-term - Establish a trail system eventually Exeter Trails eventually connecting connecting to the SRT. Use/establish standard signage Municipality, SRGA Municipal, DCNR St. Lawrence Hub - to the Schuylkill River Trail/Thun developed by SRGA to sign trails that have a important destination and Trail. connection to the SRT. ecological hub for various greenway access and ecological preservation and migration. Mid-term - Establish access to adjacent greenways and Ecological - Preserve and protect institute protective measures into ordinances for Municipality Municipal, DCNR lands in this area for specie habitat. preservation of area.

176 3.5 Southern Highlands Region

Feature Opportunity Priority Status – Next Steps Partners Anticipated Revenue Source Daniel Boone Hub - Ecological - Continued preservation important destination, Mid-term - Protect and expand the natural and historic State, Federal, Municipal, of this area for it's ecological Host Municipalities historic and ecological resources and DCNR area. Nationally… importance and wildfire habitat. registered historic site and district are within this area. Destination - Important historical Mid-term - Advertise as a destination point for tourism area and opportunity for tourism State, Federal, Municipal, and recreational opportunity through connection to Host Municipalities revenue to be brought into the DCNR existing trail networks. surrounding municipalities.

Recreation - Possible trail Long-term - provide recreational trail connections to connection area for access onto State, Federal, Municipal, the St. Lawrence, Monocacy Hill and Birdsboro hubs. Host Municipalities adjacent trail systems. Possible DCNR Pursue signage for driving tourism/scenic byway. driving tour through this area.

Lower Ironstone Hub - important ecological area Ecological - Continue preservation of Long-term - Preservation as a natural area with Host Municipalities DCNR, Municipal for the migration of wildlife this important ecological area. connections to Stone Hill and Pottstown. throughout the region.

Mid-term - Preservation of this area with potential Lower Allegheny Hub - connects to the SRT and Big Woods. Examine the important ecological area Ecological - Continue preservation of potential for various trail connections to other Host Municipalities Municipal, DCNR and possible trail head this important ecological area. recreation areas throughout the region. Use/establish area for the SRT. standard signage developed by SRGA to sign trails that have a connection to the SRT.

177 3.5 Southern Highlands Region

Feature Opportunity Priority Status – Next Steps Partners Anticipated Revenue Source

Monocacy Hill Hub - 420 acre forest located within Amity Township. Features Mid-term - Marketing and advertisement to increase Monocacy Hill Ecological - Continue to preserve awareness of this important area and to limit Conservation Assn., PA over 5 miles of woodland Municipal, DCNR trails and is open year and protect this natural area. developmental pressures. Protect and expand the Game Commission, Host round for a variety of natural and recreational resources. Municipalities activities.

Recreation - Possible trail Long-term - Trail connections should be sought from connections can be made to existing the Monocacy Recreation area to the Daniel Boone and Host Municipalities Municipal, DCNR adjacent recreation areas. Birdsboro hubs.

Brecknock Heights Hub - important ecological area Mid-term - Examine the potential for the creation of Ecological - Continue to preserve Host Municipalities, with diverse natural connectors to the Horse-Shoe/Highlands Greenway Municipal, DCNR and protect this natural area. Lancaster County attributes. Encompasses and the Big Woods. State Game Lands #52.

178 3.5 Southern Highlands Region

Feature Opportunity Priority Status – Next Steps Partners Anticipated Revenue Source

Morgantown Node - Destination node with historic resources. Named after Colonel Morgan from the revolutionary war. Short term - An inventory must be conducted of Crossroads of the historic resources within the village as a precursor to Nanticoke and Allegheny their preservation. Based on survey finding, a historic Native American Indian Destination - Potential for regional Municipality, Berks district designation should be considered. Additional paths. historic destination and tourism. Visitors Bureau, Berks development should match the character and feel of Stop along the BicyclePA Route S Chamber of Commerce, Municipal, DCNR the village. Examine the potential for a regional corridor crossing the southern County of Berks, historic destination. Promote as an area with various portion of Pennsylvania. BycyclePA historic amenities. Regional access to the Turnpike and Route 176. Promote as a s top on the BikePA Route S corridor.

Leaf Creek Greenway - Priority 3 greenway Recreation - Preservation of this area Long-term - Examine the potential trail passage Host Municipalities, connecting the Trout for future connections to regional Municipal, County, DCNR through this corridor. SRGA, BCC Run/Highlands Greenway trails. to the SRT.

Allegheny Greenways - a Recreation - Explore the opportunity Host Municipalities, former Native American for creating a trail network based on Mid-term - Mapping of the trail with potential access to SRGA, BCC, County of Municipal, County, DCNR Indian path. Historic the path of the Native American Trail. local recreational opportunities. Berks corridor. Possible connections to local parks.

179 3.5 Southern Highlands Region

Feature Opportunity Priority Status – Next Steps Partners Anticipated Revenue Source

Allegheny Aqueduct Historic Park/Beidler Historic - create and/or expand the Short term - Create master plan for the site. House - A 112-foot long living history program. Preserve Rehabilitate the Beidler House for use as interpretive County of Berks, SRGA, County, State, Municipal, restored historic aqueduct historic structures for interpretive center. Provide educational exhibits and displays. Berks Historical Society DCNR built in 1824 by the tourism. Utilize artifacts for education. Schuylkill Navigation Company Canal System to carry the water of the canal and canal boats over the Allegheny Creek. The House dates to 1783 and was built for the operator of a nearby grist mill. Short term - Create master plan for the site. Replace entrance sign with standard sign using uniform design, color and lettering. Complete boundary Recreation - Trails in the vicinity survey. Construct a connecting trail system to include County of Berks, SRGA, should connect to this area. Boat Beidler House, Aqueduct, Schuylkill River, Exeter County, State, Municipal, Berks Historical Society, launch area for connection to the Township, and Thun Trail. Construct parking areas. DCNR, SRGA Exeter Township Schuylkill water trail. Provides signage, lighting and landscaping. Construct boat launching facility on the Schuylkill River to become part of SRGA's water trail. Construct picnic pavilion.

Union Township Recreation Recreation - create a communtiy Short term - using the master plan already prepared Area - 30 acre partially park and expand in the future. Trails the Township should incorporate a more diverse set of Union Township, SRGA, Municipal, State, County developed community in the vacinity should connect to this facilities so that varying age and activity preferences DCNR, County of Berks park. recreational area. can be served by this area.

180 GAMELANDS 280 BERN POOL AIRPORT DESILTING BASIN HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL CHURCH POOLE SANCTUARY BERKS CO YOUTH RECREATION FACILITY LAUREL RUN LINEAR PARK BERNHART'S DAM PARK PIKEWASHINGTON Berks County Greenway, Park and Recreation Plan, 2007 HYDE PARK PLAYGROUND SPRING VALLEY CHURCH OF GOD READING FAIRGROUNDS RIVERSIDE BASIN PARK FANTASY ROLLER RINK OLEY VALLEY FISH AND GAME NORTHMONT PLAYGROUND BERN EARL TRUST MT PENN Recreation Resources: ANTIETAM LAKE MUHLENBERG FIRST ENERGY STADIUM ALSACE LOWER HEIDELBERG Southern Highlands LOWER ALSACE OLEY DANIEL BOONE Region ROD/GUN Oley Hills Region COLEBROOKDALE STONEY CREEK EARL ATHLETIC ASSOC

WEST READING READING MOUNTAIN PARK BOYERTOWN MT PENN ST LAWRENCE WATERSHED FARMING WYOMISSING RIDGE PARK ST LAWRENCE ST. LAWRENCE PLAYGROUND NEVERSINK MOUNTAIN RESERVE BERKS NEVERSINK EXETER COMMUNITY PARK SINKING SPRING NEVERSINK MTN. TRAIL STONERSVILLE LOCUST GROVE O/S NEVERSINK MT RESERVE FIRE CO HUNTERS RUN UNIVERSITY WOODS EDGE O/S SOUTH HEIDELBERG RIFLE CLUB ARROWHEAD G/C EXETER CATACOMBS CUMRU LITTLE LEAGUE EXETER AMITY COMMUNITY CHURCH READING KRAMER'S GOLF ACADEMY PARK DOUGLASS TWP SPRING KENHORST DUNN C/C-G/C MUNI PARK EXETER COMM CTR EXETER O/S MYRON S. WHEELER DESILTING RECREATION AREA OLD DUTCHMAN SHILLINGTON BASIN ANTIETAM SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAIL GLENDALE TRAIL NEVERSINK TRAIL SWIMMING POOL IRONSTONE LORANE AMITY OLD AIRPORT TO: READING/POTTSVILLE DANIEL BOONE PARK ROD/GUN HOLLOW PINELAND ROAD O/S PARK HOMESTEAD EXETER TRAIL AMITY PINE FORGE Metro Region SOUTH END ATHLETIC AMITY PARK CIDER MILL O/S SPORTSMAN'S CLUB DOUGLASS ALLEGHENY AQUEDUCT GUN CLUB CLUB ROAD REC AREA MOHNTON HISTORICAL PARK GOOSE RUN GIBRALTER GREENBRIAR O/S LEAF CREEK PLAYGROUND OLD FARM PARK PAGODA MONOCACY HILL CUMRU MOTORCYCLE REC AREA TRAIL CACOOSING CLUB WEST · GUN CLUB RIDGE O/S SCHUYLKILL RIVER WATER TRAIL LAKE DR MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAIL HILL ROAD PARK UNION TWP RECREATION AMITY AQUABILITIES REC AREA GARDENS Miles POOL 0 1.25 2.5 5 GREENHILLS LAKE BIRDSBORO OLD MORLATTON VILLAGE RUSTIC PICNIC AREA SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAIL Trail Network TO: PHILADELPHIA Recreation Facilities GANSHAHAWNY HAY CREEK TRAIL BLACKWOOD G/C Hierarchy KULPTOWN PARK Ownership Categories FIRE CO Interstate Federal GREEN HILLS G/C Intercounty BIRDSBORO State WATERSHED Regional ROBESON County CAMP GREEN HILLS BRECKNOCK SLEEPY HOLLOW Local ADAHI SPORTS CAMP UNION FRENCH CREEK STATE PARK ATHLETIC CLUB Municipal HORSE-SHOE TRAIL Proposed Intercounty PLOWVILLE LUTHERAN Non-Profit BALLFIELD Proposed Regional Private PENN SYLVAN Proposed Local HEALTH CAMP HORSE-SHOE TRAIL HOPEWELL MAPLE GROVE ST. BENEDICT FURNACE Water Trail RACEWAY PICNIC GROVE HIGH POINT CHAP. FRIENDSHIP CHURCH CAMP FIRE CO Potential Regional Connection FRENCH CREEK STATE PARK Potential Local Connection GAMELANDS 52 Regions Limited Access Highway Municipal Bounds NEW MORGAN LANCASTER COUNTY Railroad Streams HAY CREEK TRAIL GAMELANDS 43 GAMELANDS 52

TWIN VALLEY FOOTBALL INC

TWIN VALLEY SWIM CLUB CHESTER COUNTY CAERNARVON COMMUNITY PARK TWIN VALLEY YMCA CAERNARVON Prepared by the Berks County Planning Commission with The Berks County Parks Department PENNWOOD O/S The Berks County Conservancy PA DCNR Steering Committees and Numerous Stakeholders

Thanks to All WASHINGTON LAURELDALELAURELDALE PIKE Berks County Greenway, Park and Recreation Plan, 2007 BERN MUHLENBERG ALSACE BECHTELSVILLE Ecologic Resources: Southern Highlands OLEY

LOWER HEIDELBERG LOWER ALSACE Region EARL COLEBROOKDALE

BOYERTOWN READING

WYOMISSING WEST READING CUMRU MT PENN ST LAWRENCE LOWER ALSACE SINKING SPRING

CUMRU EXETER SOUTH HEIDELBERG

SPRING

KENHORST SHILLINGTON

AMITY DOUGLASS

MOHNTON CUMRU ·

BIRDSBORO Miles 0 1.25 2.5 5

ROBESON

UNION

BRECKNOCK

Legend

1 - High Value 2 Major Interchange 3 !( 4 Limited Access Highway 5 Municipal Boundaries 6 Major Highways 7 Railroad 8 Streams 9 NEW MORGAN Regions 10 - Highest Value

CAERNARVON Prepared by the Berks County Planning Commission with The Berks County Parks Department The Natural Lands Trust The Berks County Conservancy PA DCNR Steering Committees and Numerous Stakeholders

Thanks to All

!( 2 22 PIKE Berks County Greenway, Park and Recreation Plan, 2007 BERN 10 !( WASHINGTON MUHLENBERGef12 ALSACE ef73 !(!( !( Historic Resources: !( LOWER HEIDELBERG !( 1ef83 Southern Highlands !( OLEY 6ef62 !( LOWER ALSACE Region !( EARL COLEBROOKDALE 21 222 422 !( 23 1010!( READING 5 !( 10422 WES!(T READING BOYERTOWN WYOMISSING MT PENN 17 CUMRU 25 13 422 !( ST LAWRENCE 10 !( 422 5 62 562 222 4 22 10 16 ef ef SINKING SPRING 10 0 9 1LOWER ALSACE EXETER 27 7ef24 !( 10222 KENHORST 12 SPRING 10 !( !( !( SHILLINGTON ef 3 !( 14 Beidler House Daniel Boone !( 7 24 ef & Mill Site Homestead DOUGLASS !( 6 62 22 MOHNTON 1 18 AMITY ef CUMRU Pine Forge District 222 4 22 · 10 26 10 !( 2 !( 7 24 24 568 ef 19 ef Miles 6 25 BIRDSBORO ef 20 11 0 1.25 2.5 5 8 !( 7ef24 29 !( !( 4 2ef72 Fitterling Simmerman Farm Farm ROBESON 568 French Creek ef 8 2 ef Six Penny Legend 28 UNION Historic Sites BRECKNOCK !( Major Interchange National Register Listed 1 76 3 45 Limited Access Highway ef National Register Eligible ¨¦§ Major Highways Other Sites* Hopewell Municipal Bounds Furnace Historic Districts 1 0 10 Streams ef French Creek NHS National Register Listed Railroad Camp National Register Eligible Joanna Regions Furnace * includes sites identified within surveys conducted by one or Complex more of the following groups: Pennsylvania Museum and NEW MORGAN Historic Council, Berks County Conservancy, George Meiser and local historical societies. Kurtz-Beiler Map ID Historic Feature Map ID Historic Feature Farmstead 1 Allegheny Aqueduct 16 Levan Farm 76 2 Benjamin Franklin Inn 17 Mill Tract Farm § !( Zager, Donald 3 Bishop-Tyson House 18 Mordacai Lincoln House ¨¦ 6 !( Farm 4 Bitler Farm 19 Moyer's School !( 5 Boonecroft 20 Old Swedes House 7 Elverson 6 Col Jacob Morgan Homestead 21 Oley Line Hotel Morgantown 401 7 Colonel Jonathan Jones Hmstd 22 Pine Forge ef District Prepared by the Berks County Planning Commission District 8 Edward Brooke II Mansion 23 Snyder mill with The Berks County Parks Department CAERNARVON 9 Exeter Friend's Meeting House 24 St Michaels Protestant Church The Berks County Conservancy 10 Geiger Mill 25 T.B. Charles Property PA DCNR 11 George Douglass House 26 Thompson Mill Steering Committees and Numerous Stakeholders 12 Griesemer Mill Complex 27 Weidner Mill 13 Ironstone Bridge 28 White Bear Tavern Thanks to All 14 John Bishop House 29 White Horse Tavern 15 John F. Lutz Furniture Co. & Fu WASHINGTON LAURELDALELAURELDALE PIKE Bechtlesville Berks County Greenway, Park and Recreation Plan, 2007 BERN MUHLENBERG Youth Recreation Center AntietAaLmSAC/ E Blue Marsh Highlands Greenway BECHTELSVILLE Greenway Network: Tulpehocken Creek Valley Park Oley Valley Trout Run Greenways Southern Highlands OLEY Greater Reading Highlands Greenway LOWER HEIDELBERG LOWER ALSACE Region EARL COLEBROOKDALE Cacoosing Mt. Penn/ BOYERTOWN Valley Antietam/ Trout Run WyomissinRgEADING Neversink

WYOMISSING WEST READING CUMRU MT PENN ST LAWSREtN. CLEawrence Boyertown Sinking Spring RiverPlace LOWER ALSACE SINKING SPRING

CUMRU EXETER SOUTH HEIDELBERG SPRING Shillington Exeter Trails KENHORST SHILLINGTON Kenhorst AMITY DOUGLASS To Lower Allegheny Daniel Boone Lower Ironstone Stone Hill MOHNTON Monocacy Hill Leaf Creek Mohnton CUMRU Nolde ·

Spring Hills Schuylkill River Greenway Allegheny BIRDSBBORirOdsboro Miles 0 1.25 2.5 5 Greenways To Pottstown Adamstown Legend Greenway Priority Corridor !( Major Interchange Douglassville 1 Limited Access Highway 2 ROBESON Major Highways 3 Railroad to To Greenway Hubs UNION Streams Appalachian Trail via Philadelphia via the Ecological BRECKNOCK Regions Horse-Shoe Trail Schuylkill River Trail Destination/ Ecological Horseshoe/ Highlands Destination Greenway Greenway Nodes

Ecological Horseshoe Joanna Furnace Greenway Destination/ Ecological The Big Woods

Destination

Municipal Boundaries Brecknock Heights NEW MORGAN To Hay Creek Valley Forge via Morgantown Horse-Shoe Trail

CAERNARVON Prepared by the Berks County Planning Commission To with The Berks County Parks Department The Natural Lands Trust Strubble Lake The Berks County Conservancy PA DCNR Steering Committees and Numerous Stakeholders

Thanks to All