Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan Were Supported by the National Park Service’S Challenge Cost Share Grant Program

Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

October 2009

Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

October 2009 Acknowledgements

Prepared by the National Park Service, Northeast Region, Rivers, Trails, & Conservation Assistance Program and Natural Lands Trust for the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership. Design and production of the Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan were supported by the National Park Service’s Challenge Cost Share Grant Program. Points of view are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the position of the Department of the Interior.

National Park Service – Hopewell Furnace County of Berks: National Historic Site Parks & Recreation Department Planning Commission / Service Center Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Townships of: Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Caernarvon Bureau of State Parks / French Creek State Park East Nantmeal Bureau of Forestry East Vincent Office of Conservation Science North Coventry Robeson Pennsylvania Game Commission: South Coventry Southeast Region Union Bureau of Automated Technical Services Warwick West Nantmeal County of Chester: West Vincent Parks & Recreation Department Boroughs of: Planning Commission Birdsboro Bureau of Land Records Elverson Health Department Department of Open Space Preservation Department of Computing & Information Services (DCIS / GIS) Audubon Pennsylvania With additional support from the following Berks County Conservancy organizations and individuals: Brandywine Conservancy Appalachian Mountain Club French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust Arcadia Land Company Friends of Hopewell Furnace Berks County Bicycle Club Green Valleys Association Berks County Hiking Club GreenSpace AllianceHay Creek Valley Historical As- Birdsboro Climbing sociation Birdsboro Municipal Authority Hay Creek Watershed Association Breakaway Sports Highlands CoalitionHorse-Shoe Trail Conservancy Defenders of Wildlife Keystone Conservation Trust Delaware Valley Orienteering Association Mrs. Eleanor Morris Delaware Valley Regional Natural Lands Trust Planning Commission Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation Elverson Walking Club Leslie Rebmann Heron Group Samuel W. Morris Trust International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Bill Sanders Esther and Calvin Kurtz Schuylkill River Greenway Association/Schuylkill River Valley National & State Heritage Area Mid_Atlantic Super Series (MASS) The Nature Conservancy Monocacy Hill Conservation Association Cathie N. Whitlock Pennsylvania Equine Council Pennsylvania Trail Hands (PaTH) Pottstown Health Foundation Ray Ott & Associates South Birdsboro Archery Rod & Gun Club Stell Environmental Enterprises Trout Unlimited – Southeast Region Chapter of Pennsylvania Warwick County Park YMCA of the Brandywine Valley

Table Of Contents

Executive Summary i I. About the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership 1 II. Hopewell Big Woods – Building the Public Vision 1 III. Vision and Goals of the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership 3 IV. Trails and Recreation in the Hopewell Big Woods Landscape – Challenges and Opportunities 4 V. Vision and Goals for the Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Network 7 VI. How Did We Get to This Point? 13 VII. The Concept – Characteristics of the Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Network 16 VIII. Benefits 53 IX. Get Involved! 54

APPENDICES A. National, State and Local Initiatives Contributing to the Concept Plan 55 B. Individual Trail and Recreation Projects 65

MAPS Map 1 – Existing Off-Road and On-Road Trail Network Map 2 – Proposed Off and On Road Trail Network Map 3 – Regional map with trail connections to Phoenixville and Valley Forge, Forge to Furnace Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

8 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

Executive Summary

In 2007 the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership engaged the National Park Service to identify recreational resources. This Concept Plan represents the first step towards developing the vision and goals for recreation and trails in the Hopewell Big Woods Region.

The Hopewell Big Wood’s 25,000+ acres includes organizations, governments, institutions, land- the 7,730-acre French Creek State Park, 1,848-acre owners, recreational groups, businesses and other Birdsboro Waters, 848-acre Hopewell Furnace Na- stakeholders interested in conservation of the unique tional Historic Site, 604-acre Crows Nest Preserve, characteristics of the Hopewell Big Woods. The and 2,909 acres of State Game Lands. The scenic area Partnership fosters community action to sustain and straddles parts of Pennsylvania’s Berks and Chester promote the Hopewell Big Woods’ natural, cultural, counties and is the largest forest tract remaining in and recreational heritage. Membership is open to all southeastern Pennsylvania. Located between the who share the Partnership’s goals, which include: Reading and Philadelphia metropolitan areas, the 1. Forests - Permanently protect at least 15,000 un- Hopewell Big Woods is one of the highest priority broken forest acres in and around French Creek conservation areas in the Pennsylvania Highlands. State Park. Additionally, it is part of the US Forest Service’s Highlands Conservation Area and is an integral piece 2. Watersheds - Conserve water quality and of the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage quantity in the watersheds of the upper reaches Area and the Pennsylvania Department of Conser- of French Creek, the entirety of Hay Creek and vation and Natural Resources’ Schuylkill Highlands in other watersheds within the Hopewell Big Conservation Landscape Initiative. Woods. Although under increasing development pres- 3. Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species - sures, the Hopewell Big Woods region makes a Conserve state and federally listed and other compelling case for revitalizing local communities rare species occurring within the Hopewell Big through recreation related businesses and heritage Woods. tourism based on environmental and cultural educa- 4. Resource Conservation - Increase outdoor rec- tion. Improved connections to the regional trail reational opportunities related to the Schuylkill system, including the Schuylkill River Trail and the River Valley’s natural and cultural heritage and Horse-Shoe Trail, will help support economic devel- strengthen its historic communities within the opment initiatives by making the region’s assets more Hopewell Big Woods region of the Schuylkill accessible to and appreciated by the public. River National and State Heritage Area. The Hopewell Big Woods 5. Sustainable Economic Development - Foster Partnership compatible economic development within the Hopewell Big Woods that is consistent with other The Partnership is an informal network of public- Partnership conservation goals. private groups representing communities, non-profit

i Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

6. Historic and Cultural Resources - Seek to pro- recreational vehicles have their own places to ride, tect historic and other cultural resources occur- where appropriate, separate from non-motorized ring within and near the Hopewell Big Woods. recreational activities. The Vision for the Hopewell Big Woods applies • Visitors and local residents move through a scenic, to nearly 73,000 acres through two Pennsylvania agricultural landscape and experience compelling, counties, ten townships, several incorporated mu- high-quality interpretation of the area’s natural nicipalities including the boroughs of Birdsboro and and industrial heritage, supported by a variety of Elverson, and more than 16 unincorporated villages. media and a consistent and well maintained sig- Existing greenways and trails, recreation and conser- nage system. As powerful visual attractions, water vation plans, and proposed projects and ideas lay the and other natural, cultural, historic and industrial foundation for the Hopewell Big Woods vision and heritage features are incorporated into trail design goals and activities of each of the Working Groups. and interpretation, and protected and enhanced through sustainable development. Concept Plan Vision • Recreational users understand rules for using the • The communities of the Hopewell Big Woods and facilities including use during hunting seasons, the larger region recognize the area as a premier respectfully share the facilities without impact- recreational destination for a diversity of activities. ing the resources, and are engaged in maintaining • Access to recreational facilities is supported by a them. trail network that provides safe, easy access from • Visitors and local residents are knowledgeable adjacent communities as well as connecting with about area trails and recreational facilities and can the larger regional trail system, including the plan a safe, enjoyable experience due to the avail- Horse-Shoe Trail and Schuylkill River Trail. ability of comprehensive, detailed information • The trails benefit the communities as a catalyst for coordinated at the federal, state, and municipal economic revitalization, improved health and well levels. being, and increased social interaction. • A regional recreation and trails commission/orga- • The trail system is largely multi-use, supports a nization supports the community’s commitment variety of users of different ages and challenge to permanently protect and manage the trails, levels, includes a diversity of non-motorized uses aided by a management, maintenance, and moni- and is primarily off road, while using local roads toring plan that addresses emergency response. as appropriate for trail connectors. Motorized

The Vision of the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership Our Big Woods is renowned for its rich natural and cultural heritage, celebrated and sustained by vibrant, welcoming communities whose practices promote and respect their history and the interdependence of natural resource conservation, economic health and human well-being. It is a unique natural home whose heart feeds the spirit and engenders good stewards.

- Pat Pingel, 2008 ii Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

Community Needs Regional Trail Planning: Formalize institutional support and sharing of resources with municipalities At workshops with the Hopewell Big Woods Partner- in order to make trail development more desirable ship, local residents, and recreational user groups, and feasible. it was clear that local communities are interested in improving existing access points to the regional Trail Design: Encourage consistent, compatible stan- trail system and adding new trail connections. dards for trail design across jurisdictions to ensure While communities within the Hopewell Big Woods a complete regional trail network and to meet user understand some of the potential economic benefits expectations. Support consistency with Hopewell Big in developing long-distance trails, a more immedi- Woods goals through trail design, development and ate priority is to enhance the quality of the residents’ management that enhances watershed conservation, environment and their health, safety and well being. historic preservation and forestland protection. Communities expressed the need for a network of Trail Operations: Reduce potential for conflicts on safe, contiguous trail connectors throughout the multi-use trails to create a positive experience and Hopewell Big Woods so that residents can walk or encourage appropriate uses. bike throughout the entire system. Trail User Experience: Address differences in mobil- Additional priority programmatic and infra- ity, ability and type of experiences desired by differ- structure needs can be divided into 1) distribution ent trail users and provide safe routes. of information about the existing trail system to the public, as well as inventory information to help plan Trail Access: Improve existing trail access points and additional trail access points and support facilities, provide additional options to safely connect to the and 2) development of trail user support infrastruc- regional trail network, including the Schuylkill River ture at existing and new access points, such as park- Water Trail. ing, trailheads and alternative transportation. Trail Protection: Work with landowners and local officials to ensure the long-term sustainability of trail rights-of-way adjacent to private property, and educate landowners regarding trail easements, benefits of Communities realize that trails, recreational use laws, and emergency contacts. healthy natural ecosystems Trail Maintenance: Ensure long-term viability and and a viable economy are capacity of the trail system to serve the users. Provide inextricably linked. consistent, standardized information on trail systems that can help prioritize trail maintenance and permit more efficient management. Stewardship: Promote conservation actions that can Objectives be taken by trail designers, builders, and interested Outreach: Implement an outreach program to pro- property owners. vide information to the public, agencies and organizations on trails and recreation in the Hopewell Big Trail Recommendations Woods to promote public awareness, appreciation TheHopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Con- and stewardship. cept Plan takes a broad view of trails, considering Inventory: Review open space, recreation, trail, and alternative forms of transportation and a variety of greenway components of regional and municipal recreational uses in the region rather than focusing planning documents for consistency and compatibil- exclusively on off road trails. ity with Hopewell Big Woods project goals, themes The proposedWestern Loop, a focus of this Con- and recommendations. cept Plan, consists of regional trails along the peripheries of Hopewell Big Woods – Schuylkill River Trail

iii Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan and Water Trail from Birdsboro east to Pottstown, Heritage Tourism and the French Creek / Sow Belly Trail from Pugh- and Recreation town to Elverson along the southern border of the ThisPlan is intended to support heritage tourism Big Woods. These three regional trail systems would that utilizes the Hopewell Big Wood’s natural assets be united by north-south connector trails, including and cultural history as a catalyst for: one from Birdsboro to New Morgan, one through French Creek State Park, and the North and South • saving historic structures; Coventry trail systems. On-road Pennsylvania Bi- • conserving the countryside; cycle Route L along PA Route 345 could be included as an additional north-south connector trail. Penn- • informing the region’s growing number of resi- sylvania Bicycle Route S along PA Route 23 forms an dents about the recreational facilities, preserves, on-road alternative to the French Creek trail corri- and historic and cultural sites; dor, paralleling the latter from west to east. • attracting tourism; and, in turn, Intersecting the western loop through the heart • stimulating and supporting local economies. of the Hopewell Big Woods is the existing Horse- Shoe Trail. This regional trail spine trends northwest TheConcept Plan looks at how Hopewell Big Woods to southeast through Berks and Chester counties, communities and historic and recreational destina- accessing French Creek State Park, a regional recre- tions could better serve recreational users, how infor- ation hub, and Hopewell Furnace National Historic mation about the region is organized and distributed Site, a premier example of an early iron plantation. or communicated, and the type of information and The proposedEastern Loop starts at the eastern services recreational users could be provided at key edge of the Hopewell Big Woods, beginning with locations. Key locations that can provide informa- North and South Coventry’s trail system. From this tion/education functions and visitor support services trail system, three regional trail spines – Schuylkill are identified as gateways, which can take many River Trail and the associated Water Trail, and forms as described in the Concept Plan. French Creek Trail – extend east along with Penn- The Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation sylvania Bicycle Route S to converge in Phoenixville. Network recognizes the need to capitalize on the From there the Schuylkill River Trail and Pennsylva- existing attractions, mainly the recreational facili- nia Bicycle Route S continue to Valley Forge, access- ties and enjoyment of the scenery. At the same time, ing the national park, before diverging to other parts a broader marketing and interpretive strategy can of southeastern Pennsylvania. be organized that interjects information on the iron The regional trail segments for the proposed industry, resource extraction and conservation, and Eastern and Western Loops represent a total of what it means to the landscape and culture today. more than 50 miles in distance, including the 5-mile Schuylkill River Trail segment from Phoenixville to Valley Forge. Although the primary focus of this Concept Plan is the western loop, it must be acknowledged that the eastern and western loops are integrally linked thematically and culturally through the Schuylkill River Valley National and State Heritage Corridor. The Hopewell Big Woods and Valley Forge NHP represent the early history of the iron industry, while Phoenixville is representative of its later 19th century history.

iv Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

About the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership

The Partnership is a network of public-private River watershed intersect, are forested uplands that interests representing communities, non-profitI include 139 municipalities in portions of Berks, organizations, governments, institutions, landowners, Bucks, Chester, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh and recreational groups, businesses and other Montgomery counties. The Partnership fosters stakeholders interested in preserving the unique community action to sustain and promote the characteristics of the Hopewell Big Woods in Berks Hopewell Big Woods’ natural, cultural and and Chester counties, Pennsylvania. The Partnership recreational heritage and coordinates with the supports conservation and recreation planning for Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and the Hopewell Big Woods, recognizing this landscape Natural Resources as part of the Schuylkill Highlands as a key component of the Schuylkill Highlands in Conservation Landscape Initiative. Membership in southeastern Pennsylvania. The Schuylkill Highlands, the Partnership is open to all who share the where the Pennsylvania Highlands and the Schuylkill Partnership’s goals and interests.

Hopewell Big Woods Building the Public Vision

Planning for the Future IIamong the Working Groups, advises the Partnership Planning for the Hopewell Big Woods is conducted on emerging issues of interest to the Partnership as a by Working Groups of agencies and organizations whole, and recommends potential directions for the with professional expertise drawn from the Hopewell Partnership’s consideration. Citizens, organizations, Big Woods Partnership. Six Working Groups are and county and local governments play a significant subcommittees of the Partnership, and are organized role in conservation, historic preservation, sustain- around the implementation of specific goals. An able economic development and recreation planning Advisory Council, comprised of the chairs from each within the Hopewell Big Woods through participa- Working Group, coordinates the planning efforts tion in the Working Groups and other activities.

1 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

Establishing Vibrant, • completion of the Schuylkill River / Thun Trail Sustainable Communities through Birdsboro and Chester County; within a Natural Treasure • planning and design of North Coventry’s and East The vision for the Hopewell Big Woods applies Vincent’s trail network; and to nearly 73,000 acres through two Pennsylvania • planning and design of the Hopewell Trail. counties, ten townships, several incorporated mu- In addition to the development of trail and greenway nicipalities including the boroughs of Birdsboro and networks, networks of conserved lands are expand- Elverson, and more than 16 unincorporated villages. Existing greenways and trails, recreation and conser- ing through partnerships involving non-profit recre- vation plans, and proposed projects and ideas lay the ation and conservation groups, and federal, local and foundation for the Hopewell Big Woods vision and state governments. For instance, the Federation of goals and activities of each of the Working Groups. Northern Chester County Communities is scheduled Municipalities have shown significant support for to begin work on a Regional Park, Open Space and and made contributions to the Hopewell Big Woods Recreation Plan during 2009. project through the: A grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (PA DCNR) • Strategic Plan for the Iron and Steel Heritage Region; Community Conservation Partnership Program will • Living with the River, the Schuylkill National and support these local planning efforts. The grant has State Heritage Region Management Action Plan; enabled Natural Lands Trust and partners to initiate the next phase of the project – the Middle Schuylkill • Phoenixville Regional Comprehensive Plan; Compatible Economic Development Plan. This plan • Southern Berks Regional Comprehensive Plan; is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2009 when • Northern Federation Regional Resource funding partner North Coventry Township receives a Protection Plan; grant from Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The plan’s geographic • Berks County Greenway, Park and scope expands beyond Hopewell Big Woods north- Recreation Plan; west to Reading and southeast to Valley Forge, as part • Hay Creek Watershed Greenway Plan; of the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative. The plan will document existing recreation • Sustainable Watershed Management: The Vision and heritage tourism businesses, and identify future Program for Northern Chester County; ecologically sustainable business opportunities. • Chester County’s Linking Landscapes: A Plan for the Protected Open Space Network in Chester County, Pennsylvania; • Birdsboro Waters Master Site Plan; and the The Vision of the Hopewell • Elverson Borough Revitalization Plan. Big Woods Partnership Work continues on the Strategic Plan for the Iron Our Big Woods is renowned for its rich natural and Steel Heritage Region which is predominantly and cultural heritage, celebrated and sustained in the Hopewell Big Woods. The plan defines driving by vibrant, welcoming communities whose prac- routes between iron and steel related sites for heri- tices promote and respect their history and the tage tourism. interdependence of natural resource conserva- Additional implementation activities include: tion, economic health and human well-being. It is a unique natural home whose heart feeds the • ongoing revitalization of St. Peter’s Village; spirit and engenders good stewards. • the development of the Boar’s Back/Sow Belly - Pat Pingel, 2008 Rail-Trail through Warwick Township;

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Vision and Goals of the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership

The Partnership is a response to the conservation Goal 4. Resource Conservation – The conserva- intent of the Partners and area IIIresidents. The Partners tion of the resources identified in the recognize that the Hopewell Big Woods landscape has Management Plan for the Schuylkill River state and national importance and a distinct identity National and State Heritage Area located within the larger Schuylkill Highlands. The Hopewell adjacent to the Hopewell Big Woods. (This goal Big Woods planning effort ties into the Common- was later modified to address regional recreation wealth’s initiative to develop a network of conservation and trails planning, development, and manage- landscapes throughout Pennsylvania. The conserva- ment: “Increase outdoor recreational opportuni- tion landscapes are large areas of land with ecological, ties related to the Schuylkill River Valley’s natural social and economic value whose protection and and cultural heritage and strengthen its historic recreational use are priorities for PA DCNR invest- communities within the Hopewell Big Woods ments, including assistance to local communities in region of the Schuylkill River National and State developing trails and public access to waterways. Heritage Area.”) Goals Work of the partners on the original four conservation goals identified the need for additional conser- In December 2003 the Natural Lands Trust published vation goals. As a result, two additional goals were the Hopewell Big Woods Landscape Conserva- included in the Natural Lands Trust’s Hopewell Big tion Plan. This initial plan outlined a series of four Woods Land Protection Plan (2007): conservation goals developed by the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership: Goal 5. Sustainable Economic Development – The Hopewell Big Woods Partnership seeks to Goal 1. Forests – The permanent protection of foster compatible economic development within at least 15,000 acres of unbroken forest in and the Hopewell Big Woods that is consistent with around French Creek State Park. our other conservation goals. Goal 2. Watersheds – The conservation of water Goal 6. Historic and Cultural Resources - The quality and quantity in the watersheds of the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership seeks to pro- Upper Reaches of French Creek, the entirety of tect historic and other cultural resources occur- Hay Creek and in other watersheds within the ring within and nearby the Hopewell Big Woods. Hopewell Big Woods. The primary indicator for watershed conservation is retaining impervious Each of the six goals is currently associated with cover below 6% in these watersheds. a Working Group. Each Working Group develops implementation strategies and measurable indicators Goal 3. Rare, Threatened and Endangered to determine progress towards the goals. These goals Species – The conservation of state and federally are the basis for annual operating plans that contrib- listed and other rare species occurring within the ute to the Partnership’s overall strategic plan. Hopewell Big Woods.

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Trails and Recreation in the Hopewell Big Woods Landscape Challenges and Opportunities

The Hopewell Big Woods includes some 25,000 acres Key assets of the Highlands include: of natural area straddling partsIV of Berks and Chester • French Creek State Park, 7,730 acres managed by counties and is the largest such tract of forest re- the PA DCNR Bureau of State Parks; maining in southeastern Pennsylvania. The Hopewell Big Woods is located close to the major metropolitan • Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, 848 areas of Reading and Philadelphia and is subject to acres managed by the National Park Service, in- increasing development pressure. On the other hand, cluding Baptism Creek National Recreation Trail; significant protected open space such as the 7,730- • 12,000 of 15,000 core conservation acres current- acre French Creek State Park, 1,848-acre Birdsboro ly preserved, including a variety of federal, state, Waters, 848-acre Hopewell Furnace National Histor- municipal, and non-profit ownership; ic Site, and 2,909 acres of State Game Lands provide • Crows Nest Preserve, 604 acres of private land the Hopewell Big Woods region with a strong base managed by Natural Lands Trust; for revitalizing local communities through recreation related businesses and heritage tourism. Improved • State Game Lands 43, 2,909 acres administered by connections to the regional trail system, includ- the PA Game Commission; ing the five-county Schuylkill River Trail and four- • Warwick County Park, 538 acres managed by the county Horse-Shoe Trail, can help support economic Chester County Department of Parks and Recreation; development initiatives by making the area’s unique • Birdsboro Waters, 1,848 acres managed by the assets more accessible to and appreciated by the pub- Birdsboro Municipal Authority; lic while minimizing impacts to resources. • Glen Morgan Lake, 596 acres privately managed Hopewell Big Woods and designated a Pennsylvania Important Bird Area is a Regional and • Rare, threatened and endangered species, includ- National Treasure ing the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and Hopewell Big Woods is one of the highest priority the bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii); conservation areas in the Pennsylvania Highlands, • Joanna Furnace, a privately owned historic site of and is part of the Highlands Conservation Area, a US 61.90 acres nestled within the Hay Creek watershed; Forest Service designation. The Highlands stretch from • French Creek, a Pennsylvania designated northwest Connecticut south into southeastern Penn- Exceptional Value Waterway; sylvania. Within Pennsylvania, these areas are known as the Schuylkill Highlands, a priority landscape for the • Pine Swamp, 8 RTE species and rare natural Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natu- communities as part of a large and intact ral Resources (PA DCNR). The PA DCNR’s Schuylkill freshwater marsh; Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative is • North Coventry Township’s Coventry Woods; focused on ecotourism, recreation and conservation.

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• South Coventry Township’s Woody’s Woods; and ing the past could engage visitors in the protection of • Warwick Township Park, 90 acres. its future. Communities realize that healthy natural ecosystems and a viable economy are inextricably Big Woods Resources – The linked. In conserving and interpreting the natural Potential for Promotion resources, the economic base is preserved and the next generation becomes stewards, thus ensuring the Although it is located in between two major metro- future for precious natural treasures. Communities politan areas, Hopewell Big Woods does not attract of the Hopewell Big Woods are beginning to recog- large numbers of visitors, with the exception of cer- nize that this landscape requires special recognition tain venues at French Creek State Park. Although the and management approaches where partnerships resources are unique and outstanding in conglom- between local communities and state and federal eration, recreation is focused most on the state park, government are central. due to the variety of facilities offered to the public. This is the destination for most visitors and repre- Challenges and Threats sents what they know about the area. State Game to the Region and its Lands 43 are well known by hunters. Other recre- Recreation base ational and historic resources, with the exception of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and Joanna Urbanization and development that is inappropriate Furnace, are not very well known. in scale and character threatens the distinctive look, The potential economic value of the region’s culture, and sustainable economy of Hopewell Big agricultural and industrial heritage cannot be under- Woods communities. Expanded roadways, imper- estimated, with the possibility to tap the resources vious pavement, and urban/suburban “sprawl” are of the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage altering the scenic features that residents care about. Corridor, and Valley Forge National Historical Park. Certain established leisure activities are disrupted, Several iron heritage based tours have been proposed such as when “no trespassing” signs appear on for the Chester County portion of Hopewell Big traditional hunting lands. The area is undergoing Woods. The PA DCNR Middle Schuylkill Compatible transformation from rural to suburban and a change Economic Development Study is anticipated to help in demographics from close-knit communities with identify options and opportunities to market and long-time families to more culturally diverse, urban promote the region’s scenic, recreational and cultural and mobile populations. resources in a coordinated fashion, building on these Access from metropolitan areas via I-76 and existing tours and assessing the infrastructure needed PA SR 422 and 100 virtually assure the expansion to inform and serve visitors. Making the area a com- of Reading and Philadelphia into rural areas, with pelling destination depends largely on the local com- consequent loss of open, green space. Poorly planned munities building on the existing recreational base. development and road renovations and expansions may take away opportunities for connecting commu- Natural Resources are Key nities to parks, historic sites and other assets through to Public Use, Steward- trails and from conserving and sustainably using ship and Enjoyment of the open space. French and Hay creeks, designated by Hopewell Big Woods the Commonwealth as “Exceptional Value Streams,” will be under increasing pressure from the threat of Nature based recreation can be a vital part of the pollution associated with stormwater runoff. Viable future economic base for communities within the fish and wildlife habitats are being disturbed and Hopewell Big Woods. Such a landscape has value in reduced, diminishing the area’s “people to nature” expressing the traditional uses of the land such as connection and long standing hunting, fishing and hunting and farming. Conserving the natural envi- horseback riding traditions. ronment, preserving historic landmarks, and reveal-

5 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

Hopewell Big Woods has a Ties to local development plans and ordinances are Distinctive Look and Feel key to preserving the region’s identity and authentic- Worth Preserving ity. On the horizon are opportunities for conserving open space, restoring habitat, promoting recreation, The geology of the Chester / Berks County “iron and shaping new development to economic and envi- belt” results in a vertical topography, with relatively ronmental advantage. quick changes in elevation. This geology gave rise early in our nation’s history to a distinctive approach Early and Consistent to landscape management, all in the service of indus- Participation of Landowners trial development. Historically, iron furnace owners kept large tracts of land in “plantations” in order to in Local and Regional Plans have adequate supplies of timber for fuel used in is Key to Trail Development iron making. These once forested tracts, cut over and Local landowners are important partners in imple- regenerated many times, became the foundation for menting, managing, and using trails and recreation today’s 10,000+ acres of public parks, gamelands and facilities in the Hopewell Big Woods. The regional private preserves that help make up the Hopewell Big trail spines such as the Horse-Shoe Trail and Woods. The forest lands are located on rolling hills French Creek Trail can not be completed without within a matrix of farmlands and villages. Historic the cooperation and participation of landowners buildings show off the striking red stone pigmented throughout the planning and development process. by iron that contributes to the special sense of place. The Hopewell Big Woods Partnership includes local The area offers a diverse and memorable range of landowners and encourages local governments, rec- experiences, from world-class rock climbing, walk- reational interests, and non-profit conservation or- ing, biking and a variety of recreational activities, to ganizations to work with landowners to accomplish historical programs, and special seasonal events such the Hopewell Big Woods goals, with a sensitivity to as fall foliage tours and bicycle races. concerns about privacy, safety and liability. Education about the benefits of trails and outdoor A Call to Action for recreation, and marketing Hopewell Big Woods the Townships recreational resources, are vital program compo- Recognition of the Hopewell Big Woods as a distinct nents directed towards landowners, developers, and living landscape has united its communities and set municipal officials. Trails connecting Hopewell Big the stage for improved land use and development Woods destinations represent key community assets, policies and ordinances. These can be formulated and not just for recreation. They: to protect the region’s land and water assets and its • support recreational options for families and indi- cultural heritage, and create communities that are viduals of different ages and abilities; desirable places to live, work and recreate. Town- • help to reduce traffic congestion by providing an ships have recognized the opportunities to create a alternative to motor vehicle travel; sustainable economic base and good quality of life. Townships that are part of the Federation of North- • create options for hands-on learning about the ern Chester County Communities are starting to join environment and the area’s history; together to examine local and regional development • contribute to tourism and economic development with an eye towards preserving the region in a sys- by promoting area destinations; and tematic way. Recognition of Hopewell Big Woods in • provide opportunities for exercise, fostering men- local open space and recreation plans is increasing. tal and physical health.

6 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

Most importantly, they reflect the wishes of many will connect to existing regional trails beyond the area residents. The Hopewell Big Woods trail network boundaries of Hopewell Big Woods, exponentially will support a wide variety of options consistent with expanding options for experiencing the area’s local and regional needs and desires. The network recreational, cultural and historical resources.

Vision and Goals for the Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Network

The Hopewell Big Woods Partnership saw the value tions were suggested by the Goal 4 Working Group, in addressing recreation as part of a broaderV strategy which developed one goal with a set of six objectives, for conserving the Big Woods. In 2007, the Partner- presented below. Many area residents contributed to ship charged two Working Groups to collaborate the vision and goals, and expressed support for the with the National Park Service in developing a vision creation and promotion of a Hopewell Big Woods and goals for trails and recreation in the Hopewell Trails and Recreation Network. The Partnership an- Big Woods. The Goal 5 Working Group was initially ticipates additional public input from a broad range selected because of its potential role in promoting of interests. sustainable economic development with heritage tourism and recreation as its base. The Goal 4 Work- Vision ing Group’s mission is to “Increase outdoor recre- • The communities of the Hopewell Big Woods and ational opportunities related to the Schuylkill River the larger region recognize the area as a premier Valley’s natural and cultural heritage and strengthen recreational destination for a diversity of activities. its historic communities within the Hopewell Big Woods region of the Schuylkill River National and • Access to recreational facilities is supported by a State Heritage Area.” The major theme areas for trail network that provides safe, easy access from Goal 4 include Trails, Recreation, River Aesthet- adjacent communities as well as connecting with ics and other Quality of Life issues, and Outreach. the larger regional trail system, including the The National Park Service helped the two Working Horse-Shoe Trail and Schuylkill River Trail. Groups organize a process for public input to de- • The trails benefit the communities as a catalyst for velop a proposed vision and goals that would provide economic revitalization, improved health and well a blueprint for trail and recreation related actions in being, and increased social interaction. the Hopewell Big Woods. • The trail system is largely multi-use, supports a The draft vision and a preliminary set of goals and variety of users of different ages and challenge actions were adopted by the Hopewell Big Woods levels, includes a diversity of non-motorized uses Partnership in December of 2007. In September of and is primarily off road, while using local roads 2008, modifications to the original goals and ac- as appropriate for trail connectors. Motorized

7 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

recreational vehicles have their own places to ride, information about major trail corridors as well where appropriate, separate from non-motorized as local trail networks and ways to access the recreational activities. trails from towns. The media could include • Visitors and local residents move through a scenic, information kiosks and a master trail map that agricultural landscape and experience compelling, shows facilities, points of entry, distances, and high-quality interpretation of the area’s natural directions. and industrial heritage, supported by a variety of 2. Action: Provide a clearinghouse function for in- media and a consistent and well maintained sig- formation on trails development, management, nage system. As powerful visual attractions, water and trail related activities. and other natural, cultural, historic and industrial 3. Action: Provide guidance to landowners, heritage features are incorporated into trail design municipalities, and other stakeholders to better and interpretation, and protected and enhanced describe trail and recreation project benefits. through sustainable development. 4. Action: Reach out to businesses and devel- • Recreational users understand rules for using the opment interests to make them aware of the facilities, including use during hunting seasons, economic benefits of trails. respectfully sharing the facilities without impacting the resources, and are engaged in maintaining them. 5. Action: Educate municipalities on economic, recreational and cultural benefits offered by the • Visitors from the region and beyond and local Schuylkill River and the Hopewell Big Woods residents are knowledgeable about area trails and trails to increase visitation for economic devel- recreational facilities and can plan a safe, enjoy- opment. Clearly articulate the benefits of trail able experience due to the availability of compre- development for community support and to hensive, detailed information coordinated at the encourage recreation related businesses. federal, state and municipal levels. • A regional recreation and trails commission/orga- B. Inventory Objective: Review open space, rec- nization supports the community’s commitment reation, and trail and greenway components of to permanently protect and manage the trails, regional and municipal planning documents for aided by a maintenance and monitoring plan that consistency and compatibility with Hopewell Big addresses emergency response. Woods project goals, themes and recommendations. (Plans to be reviewed include, but are not Objectives and Actions limited to, the Iron and Steel Strategic Plan, the Southern Berks Comprehensive Plan, and many The following objectives and actions are based on Northern Federation documents, which all in- Partnership discussions as of February 2009. The ac- clude goals, objectives, and recommendations.) tions under each objective have not been prioritized by the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership, nor have 1. Action: Create overarching planning guidance the responsible parties been identified or a timeline document for Hopewell Big Woods that incor- established. porates recommendations found in existing planning documents. A. Outreach Objective: Implement an outreach a. List and codify a comprehensive review and program to provide information to the public, create a summary of methodology and rec- agencies and organizations on trails and recreation ommendations from existing plans and maps. in the Hopewell Big Woods to promote public awareness, appreciation and stewardship. b. Identify and resolve possible inconsistent recommendations among plans and between the 1. Action: Identify and publicize existing trails plans and Hopewell Big Woods project goals, so potential users are aware they exist. Include themes, and recommendations.

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c. Create document for presentation to the 5. Action: Support, promote and lead implemen- Partnership. tation of the Hopewell Big Woods Trails and 2. Action: Inventory open space / trails in township Recreation Concept Plan. comprehensive plans and policies, and identify D. Trail Design Objective: Encourage consistent, township representatives with an interest in trails. compatible standards for trail design across juris- C. Regional Trail Planning Objective: Formalize dictions to ensure a complete regional trail net- institutional support and sharing of resources with work and to meet user expectations. Support con- municipalities in order to make trail development sistency with Hopewell Big Woods goals through more desirable and feasible. trail design, development and management that enhances watershed conservation, historic preser- 1. Action: Define criteria and priorities for vation and forestland protection. trail development, along with a timeline for implementation. (Some potential priority trail 1. Action: Compile and share information with connections have been identified at previous municipalities on existing design standards for workshops: 1) Phoenixville link to Schuylkill multiple and single use trails, related to type of River Trail and French Creek Trail; 2) Woody class and use, as appropriate. Woods to Coventry Woods to Warwick County 2. Action: Define / modify standards for trail Park; 3) Warwick County Park to Kimberton- surface and width based on permitted and Warwick School.) intended recreational uses, including horseback 2. Action: Promote ordinances and municipal riding, bicycling and hiking/walking. trail plans to make trails a part of future land 3. Action: Explore and identify capacity of exist- development to ensure recreational access to ing trails and recreational facilities to determine and from communities. if they are adequate in numbers, size and types a. Identify and publicize planned trails so develop- of facilities to accommodate new recreational ers can incorporate them into subdivision design. users. b. Promote connections between downtown 4. Action: Work with the Threatened and Endan- businesses and the regional trail system to gered Species Working Group and Goal 2 (Wa- support economic revitalization. Appropriate tersheds) Working Group to designate suitable support services such as bike rentals, eateries, areas for trail development and activities. stables and outfitters may be needed to attract E. Trail Operations Objective: Reduce potential for trail users but have not been identified. conflicts on multi-use trails to create a positive c. Incorporate proposed trails in comprehensive experience and encourage appropriate uses. plans, along with a recognition of Hopewell 1. Action: Clarify permitted recreation uses on Big Woods as an important landscape. trails and share “rules of the trail” with users 3. Action: Identify and leverage funding to sup- through signage, maps and education. Examine port trail development, including PennDOT Dauphin County’s section of Horse-Shoe Trail mitigation funds, seed money and companies as a potential model for shared use. with workers, materials and equipment who 2. Action: Identify and map permitted recreational need to meet development requirements and uses on existing trails and intended recreational want to be “good neighbors.” uses on planned trails and assess potential for 4. Action: Develop political support for county user conflicts prior to trail development. Mul- bond programs and/or other financing mecha- tiple uses such as horses, bikes, and hiking may nisms through the public and private sector to not be compatible on all trails. develop trails.

9 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

a. Identify permitted recreational uses at the work with PennDOT and municipalities to junctions of two or more trails through sig- implement improvements, including possibly nage and/or other information. bicycle lanes and/or separate sidepaths. Focus b. Identify and create, if necessary, appropriate initially on Route 23/Pughtown Road and Route alternative sites and trails for ATV users. 345/4082 since they are designated PA Bike Routes. 3. Action: Identify locations for design features such as bollards that can limit inappropriate 5. Action: Identify locations in developed areas access to trails. that are suitable for trail user amenities such as benches, picnic tables, and refreshments. 4. Action: Identify differences in operation of It is desirable to concentrate recreational user trails, their users and needs, and existing and support services in villages and existing urban potential access points into the community. areas to encourage economic revitalization and a. Identify differences in design standards and minimize impacts to natural and recreational management needs that may be required resources. between trails. (e.g., Horse-Shoe Trail permits 6. Action: Link trail development to enhance- bike use with consent of landowner.) ment of the preferred visitor experience and 5. Action: Develop a set of graphics standards increased visitation at significant recreation and for interpretive and directional signs, based on cultural sites such as Hopewell Furnace NHS Schuylkill River National and State Heritage and French Creek State Park. The function and standards, to be used throughout the Hopewell potential locations of gateways, including infor- Big Woods area. mation needs, should be identified to support recreation and heritage tourism. F. Trail User Experience Objective: Address differences in mobility, ability and type of experiences a. Identify gateways, clarify their functions and desired by different trail users and provide safe work with partners to develop facilities to routes. serve visitors and interpret the area’s heritage. 1. Action: Provide comprehensive information on b. Develop a demo project using the Boar’s Back existing trail routes to the community that in- Trail that would draw significant interest from cludes trail etiquette, location, trail lengths, trail Chester County and townships, because it surface and required ability and/or expected would extend beyond one municipality. challenge level. c. Develop trail connection from St. Peters 2. Action: Implement stacked loop trail system Village to Crow’s Nest Preserve and Green for Hopewell Furnace NHS and French Creek Lane entrance into Hopewell Furnace NHS State Park (per IMBA trails assessment) to allow to support the park’s vision for the visitor bicyclists different challenge levels and take experience. pressure off resources. The stacked loop system d. Develop St. Peters Village railroad station as a will include a series of three trail loops of differ- “green” building shared by NPS and Warwick ing distances and difficulty levels for beginner, County rangers and an interpretive hub for intermediate and advanced bicyclists. the iron and granite mining stories. 3. Action: Contact ATV users to identify their e. Develop walking trail to connect Hopewell preferred routes, desired experience, and sup- Furnace NHS, Joanna Furnace and Warwick port needs. Furnace in order to interpret the iron industry. 4. Action: Identify specific safety concerns (e.g., f. Interpret the Horse-Shoe Trail as the original poor lines of sight around curves, lack of link among iron furnaces in the 18th century. shoulders) related to on road bicycle use and

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7. Action: Provide promotional materials and/or 4. Action: Identify encroachments into trail activities for health and wellness related to trail use. rights-of-way, including the conversion of lands to other uses, and locations where recreational G. Trail Access Objective: Improve existing trail users are prevented from using the trail, and access points and provide additional options to work to resolve access issues. (Horse-Shoe Trail safely connect to the regional trail network, in- is a good example of changes in land ownership cluding the Schuylkill River Water Trail. and agreement that affect trail use and access.) 1. Action: Identify, enhance and increase, if neces- 5. Action: Identify and partner with public agen- sary, the number of permitted and safe parking cies to promote and provide safe and envi- areas adjacent to trailheads. ronmentally friendly waterway access. (Issue: a. Identify and GPS the number and types of Private access groups have liability concerns, parking spaces that currently exist near trail leaving the bulk of river/stream access to the access points, and include this information on public sector. a map that is provided to trail users. a. Determine the recreational capacity of the b. Determine adequacy of existing locations and Schuylkill River and Hopewell Big Woods number of spaces of parking areas within the streams for sustainable waterway health. Hopewell Big Woods trail system as a whole, b. Inventory recreation opportunities on waterways. considering that trail users often park along c. Assist riparian communities to obtain grants the road shoulders rather than in the limited to improve and make more visible exist- spaces available at trailheads. ing river access, including trail access and c. Identify and compile information on stan- parking, and develop new access points and dards for numbers and types of parking facilities where appropriate. (Issue: Access to spaces – e.g., size lots to allow for horse trail- the Schuylkill River water trail is blocked due ers, and vans with bike carriers – that consid- to physical impediments and lack of adequate ers numbers per miles of trail, and plan for signage.) new parking spaces accordingly. H. Trail Protection Objective: Work with landown- 2. Action: Develop alternative transportation ers and local officials to ensure the long-term sus- access – e.g., shuttle loop system – to connect tainability of trail rights-of-way adjacent to private villages to the trail system. property, and educate landowners regarding trail 3. Action: Encourage community activities that easements, benefits of trails, recreational use laws, support use of the larger regional trail network and emergency contacts. from local community access points. 1. Action: Place signage along trail corridors that a. Create additional access points into the re- indicate the name of the trail and the managing gional trail system from smaller community- entity so that adjacent landowners are aware of based trails and pathways, including urban the trail’s existence and emergency responders sidewalks. can locate callers. b. Improve access from the Schuylkill River 2. Action: Include state and local law enforcement Trail to local and regional trail networks by in trail planning and policing. identifying and developing potential north- 3. Action: Work with municipalities and trail south connections from Schuylkill River Trail managing organizations to ensure formal legal through French Creek State Park to Hopewell protection for Horse-Shoe Trail, and model Furnace, and by securing funding for land ordinances and easements for trail development acquisition and trail development to complete and protection. connections to the Schuylkill River Trail.

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4. Action: Clearly delineate trail corridor bound- 2. Action: Establish criteria to assess whether or aries for adjacent landowners through appropri- not the existing trail system has adequate capac- ate landscaping and addition of physical mark- ity to serve existing and future users without ers such as fencing, while avoiding a “stockade” compromising natural and historic resources. effect for trail users. 3. Action: Reach agreement with townships to 5. Action: Create endowment funds for landowner maintain trail design standards and conditions stewardship and easement enforcement. suitable for intended uses. 6. Action: Provide information about the overall 4. Action: Promote a Friends group and develop Hopewell Big Woods project and cooperate sponsorships to pay for trail sustainability. with municipalities to serve as a forum and 5. Action: Promote partnerships with special in- resource for local landowners seeking to protect terest groups (examples are equestrian or hiking trail corridors. Provide landowners with an groups) that can provide funds and/or technical information package, including: assistance and labor for planning, acquisition, a. Information on recreational use of private and maintenance. property under the 1960 PA Recreation Act, as amended. J. Stewardship Objective: Promote conservation actions that can be taken by trail designers, builders, b. Trail related emergency contact information. and interested property owners. c. Provide landowners with positive examples of trail 1. Action: Encourage backyard conservation efforts use by multiple types of users from other locales. through enhancing educational opportunities. 7. Action: Coordinate with cell service providers 2. Action: Promote native plantings for terrain to determine existing level of cell phone service restoration. on trails and communicate this to trail users and landowners. 3. Action: Promote land stewardship by providing environmental education of trail users to 8. Action: Recommend to trail managers to estab- protect the natural resources, including ways to lish a consistent, regular and reliable system of minimize the spread of invasive species. ranger patrols for the trails (with a minimum 2-3 weeks at one time). 4. Action: Develop trail buffer guidelines for trail designers, builders, and interested property I. Trail Maintenance Objective: Ensure long-term vi- owners to help preserve ambiance and usability ability and capacity of the trail system to serve the of access routes. users. Provide consistent, standardized information The Goal 4 Working Group would be the logical on trail systems that can help prioritize trail main- group within the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership to tenance and permit more efficient management. shepherd the implementation of many of these objec- 1. Action: Develop a comprehensive trails assess- tives. The Goal 4 mission is to: ment report that identifies trail segments and “Enhance recreational and educational experi- their condition, replacement value, deferred ences related to natural and cultural heritage, and maintenance needs, capital improvements, and to strengthen historic communities within the relative priority for maintenance and improve- Hopewell/Big Woods region of the Schuylkill River ments. The NPS Comprehensive Asset Priority National and State Heritage Area”. Index provides a model for systematically pri- The major areas of focus for this group are: Trails, oritizing trails and other park assets for repairs, Recreation, River Aesthetics, Quality of Life issues, rehabilitation and maintenance. The Index in and Outreach. Excel format could be simplified for use by trail managing entities.

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How Did We Get to This Point?

In 2007, Natural Lands Trust engaged staff of the works in progress that will continue to be refined as National Park Service’s Rivers, VITrails & Conserva- individual trail projects get under way. Completion tion Assistance Program (NPS RTCA) to aid the of the regional trail system through the Hopewell Big Hopewell Big Woods Partnership in identifying the Woods is anticipated within five to ten years, al- existing recreational resources. This effort repre- though refinements to trail alignments crossing pri- sented a first step in developing the vision and goals vate property may continue beyond that timeframe. for recreation and trails in the Hopewell Big Woods. NPS RTCA facilitated a series of four regional NPS RTCA worked with county and local govern- trail planning workshops in 2007 at French Creek ment and conservation organizations to locate State Park, two with the Hopewell Big Woods sources for GIS-based and hard copy map data on Partnership and two specific to recreation interests. trails within the Hopewell Big Woods. NPS RTCA The first workshop with the Partnership focused on interviewed resource managers entrusted with the making corrections to the existing base map of trails care of recreational facilities and trails, and local gov- and recreation facilities throughout the Hopewell Big ernment representatives, conservation organizations Woods, and adding new information on proposed and recreational interests. NPS RTCA also reviewed trails, key destinations and trailheads. The mapping regional and local open space and recreation plans. exercise was followed by a discussion on top priority A preliminary list of issues and opportunities issues, opportunities and challenges related to trail in trail development, and contacts for recreational development and management. Site-specific issues groups, were identified. Natural Lands Trust began and opportunities were also identified. developing a GIS-based trails database. The database The second and third recreation and trails plan- distinguished trails in four categories: ning workshops focused specifically on trails within • Proposed only in concept French Creek State Park and Hopewell Furnace NHS and existing and potential trail connections between • Formally recognized in regional or local plans for the two parks. Together these two parks form the future development core of the Hopewell Big Woods recreational and • Under design or construction historical experience. The workshops included state park staff, staff of Hopewell Furnace National His- • Complete, on the ground and open to the public toric Site, National Park Service staff of the Northeast Natural Lands Trust created a base map to include Region, Chester County Planning Commission rep- the trails information. A preliminary matrix was resentatives, health interests (Chester County Health developed to supplement the map data with informa- Department, Brandywine Valley YMCA), Schuylkill tion on trail segment length, start and end points, River Greenway Association staff, township represen- physical condition, status of development, key tatives, and several conservation and recreation orga- destinations and trailheads, and types of recreational nizations (Natural Lands Trust, French and Pickering use permitted or envisioned. The map and matrix are Creeks Conservation Trust, International Mountain

13 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

Bicycling Association (IMBA), Pennsylvania Trail use of local roads as part of the regional trail system. Hands (PaTH), Mid-Atlantic Super Series (MASS), The surveys also established the level of awareness of Horse-Shoe Trail Conservancy, and Elverson Walk- area trails and asked questions specific to Hopewell ing Club). Several of these groups help maintain the Furnace NHS and the proposed Hay Creek Trail. trails at French Creek State Park. Additional questions varied between the two The intent of this coordination was to establish surveys. The survey distributed at the recreation and a positive dialogue between resource managers and trail planning workshop distinguished how current recreation interests. Each group shared its perspec- recreational users are using the trails and roads in tive on resource management policies affecting French Creek State Park and Hopewell Furnace NHS. trail development and use, and each gained a bet- It also identified which trails they are using and the ter understanding of issues and opportunities from frequency of use, how they access the trails, and the other’s perspective. The workshop participants their trail related needs and concerns. The survey mapped their favorite trails and destinations within distributed to Iron Tour participants focused on the the two parks and areas where they felt there is room frequency and type of recreational use of local roads, for improvement. The information helped the park perceived road conditions for bicycling and other managers better understand how people use the recreational use, length of trips and number and type parks. It also identified the potential for use conflicts of travel companions, start and end points for the and opportunities for how different user groups can trips, and stops, activities and destinations preferred. work together on areas of common concern. The fourth workshop in 2007 with the Hopewell The information was also used to help plan an Big Woods Partnership shared the results of recre- event with the International Mountain Biking As- ation roundtables for land managers and recreation sociation’s (IMBA) Trail Care Crew in June of 2007. groups. The workshop also: The intent was for IMBA to evaluate some of the “hot • provided a synopsis of the trails assessments, as spots” within Hopewell Furnace NHS and French part of the International Mountain Biking As- Creek State Park identified through the mapping sociation’s Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visit to exercise. This information, added to resource man- French Creek State Park and Hopewell Furnace agement needs and the parameters of policies and NHS; regulations, helped state and national park staff to select the most critical areas that would be the focal • explored implications for the overall vision for points of the Trail Care Crew’s visit. Through this Hopewell Big Woods trails and recreation; trails assessment process, the parks have developed • shared the results of recreation user surveys; stronger relationships with recreational clubs. There • began to construct a recreational user profile is increasing advocacy and support for the parks, and more volunteers are interested in monitoring and • crafted a vision for Hopewell Big Woods trails and maintaining the trails. recreation; and In addition to the workshops, two surveys of rec- • provided sources of assistance and tools for indi- reational users were conducted, one in conjunction vidual trail projects, based on local needs. with a recreation and trail planning workshop and Ongoing coordination with the Goal 5 Working one tied to the French Creek Iron Tour, an annual Group helped to identify the potential locations and bicycling event. The former survey was focused on functions of “gateways” into the Hopewell Big Woods local hiking, biking and equestrian groups and the which could serve as trailheads and information latter on a mix of on road cyclists from throughout hubs. the region and those participating in a number of An additional workshop organized with the Goal different recreational activities. Both surveys derived 4 Working Group brought together many govern- a basic recreational user profile, such as gender, age ment representatives, landowners, health interests, and type of recreation engaged in, and identified the recreational groups, and a private developer. The

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workshop was an opportunity for diverse interests to A second map includes information on permit- work together to finalize the draft vision statement ted recreation uses on trails, as well as the intended for the Hopewell Big Woods Recreation and Trails uses for trails not yet on the ground. There may be Network and review issues, opportunities and con- potential points of conflict where trail segments with cerns related to trails and recreation. The participants differing permitted uses meet up, or where permit- developed a draft set of goals and actions; considered ted uses have not been clarified for the public by the ways to prioritize trail development and establish managing entity. Future feasibility evaluations will feasibility criteria; and agreed a regional approach need to identify locations of these potential “hot was necessary to develop and sustain trails in the spots” and physical design approaches or communi- long-term. cations strategies to address them. Natural Lands Trust worked with NPS RTCA to The previous work of the Hopewell Big Woods develop a map that summarized existing on-road ele- Partnership and Goal Working Groups, along with ments of a potential trail system, including designat- public input, was collected and summarized in the ed Pennsylvania Bicycle Routes, Iron & Steel Heritage Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept auto tour routes and Pennsylvania Scenic Byways. Plan. The Hopewell Big Woods Partnership suggest- The map shows the gateways, discovery centers, and ed a relatively brief promotional piece was needed, interpretive pods that are part of the Chester County rather than a detailed, technical report, in order to Iron & Steel Heritage Plan and could be linked to develop broad public support throughout the region the Goal 5 gateways analysis as that process moves and a greater awareness of the proposal. There is forward. The map also shows access points into the already a high degree of support for the idea of a off-road regional trail system. The map shows some Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Network potential opportunities for combining trailhead facil- within the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership and ities such as parking and interpretive signage for both among members of the public who have participated off and on road trail/tour routes. The map indicates in the workshops to develop elements of the Concept opportunities for combining the protection of scenic Plan. Consistency of the Concept Plan with other corridors with context-sensitive safety improvements local and regional plans is considered imperative. At that benefit both trail users and motorists. the same time, the Concept Plan was painted with a broad brush to allow flexibility in how local communities implement the proposal.

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The Concept Characteristics of the Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Network

Regional trails and river routes currently provide for many types of recreational users; therefore, the connections between theVII communities of Hopewell Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Big Woods and their key resources. While local trails Plan takes a broad view of “trails,” considering are an important asset to these communities, mak- alternative forms of transportation and a variety of ing regional connections will improve opportunities recreational uses in the region rather than focusing for recreation and conservation, and also set the exclusively on off road trails. The trail system of the stage for regional coordination of sustainable devel- region is a major tourist attraction in itself. opment. The local economies of the region can be Regional trail connectors are community-to- connected in support of heritage tourism, through community and community-to-park trail segments. the continued development and improvements to They range from rustic nature trails through state existing trail systems and the completion of new and county parks to more formal, paved routes trails linking Reading, Phoenixville and Valley Forge through urban areas. They may permit single use or to the Hopewell Big Woods. It is primarily the re- multiple uses. Some of the regional trails described gional trails that are the focus for this Concept Plan, below already exist, such as the Schuylkill River Trail, although potential regional connections to internal and may be fully or largely complete and open to the park trails and community trail systems are also de- public. Other regional trails are envisioned as oppor- scribed in the plan. The regional trails include: tunities for future expansion and improved access to recreational and cultural facilities and historic sites. • long distance, off road hiking, biking and eques- Information on trail alignments and status of trian trails; development contained in this plan was complete as • the Schuylkill River as a designated water trail; of January, 2009; however, it must be understood that • two on-road designated Pennsylvania Bicycle opportunities for re-imagining trail connections are Routes; and currently under consideration and will evolve over time. Local communities and agencies responsible • historic routes that include auto tours and scenic for trail development and management will consider roadways with the potential for Pennsylvania Sce- new opportunities for acquiring easements, envi- nic Byway designation. ronmental and fiscal constraints, needs of trail users, It is important to note that users of Hopewell Big and the details of trail location and design, and make Woods recreational facilities often engage in more adjustments accordingly. than one type of recreational activity. For instance, bicyclists who use the roads through the Hopewell Iron Heritage and the Big Woods may also engage in other types of rec- Double Loop Trail reational activities, including horseback riding, Concept: Overview cross-country skiing, fishing, hunting and hiking. Hopewell Big Woods is a recreational mecca The Schuylkill River Trail and Water Trail, following the river’s drainage from west to east, together

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form the northern boundary of the Hopewell Big to southeast through Berks and Chester counties, Woods. The French Creek trail system (including the accessing French Creek State Park, a regional recre- Boar’s Back and Sow Belly trails) is under develop- ation mecca, and Hopewell Furnace National Histor- ment along the southern boundary of Hopewell Big ic Site, a premier example of an early iron plantation. Woods. Together, these two regional trail systems The trail intersects briefly with and parallels French could be united by north-south connector trails to Creek Trail before turning south through East Nant- form a “double loop” trail system. The north-south meal Township. connector trails would include one proposed from The proposed “eastern loop” starts at the eastern Birdsboro Borough south to New Morgan and Elver- edge of the Hopewell Big Woods, beginning with son, forming the western border of the Hopewell Big North and South Coventry’s trail system. From this Woods; a trail proposed to roughly parallel PA Route trail system, three regional trail spines – Schuylkill 345 through French Creek State Park; and North River Trail and the associated Water Trail, and and South Coventry townships’ trail system running French Creek Trail – extend east along with Penn- along the eastern border of the Hopewell Big Woods. sylvania Bicycle Route S to converge in Phoenixville. The proposed “western loop” that is the focus of From there the Schuylkill River Trail and Pennsylva- this Concept Plan consists of regional trails along nia Bicycle Route S continue to Valley Forge, access- the peripheries of Hopewell Big Woods – Schuylkill ing the national park, before diverging to other parts River Trail and Water Trail from Birdsboro east to of southeastern Pennsylvania. Pottstown, and the French Creek / Sow Belly Trail The regional trail segments for the proposed from Pughtown to Elverson along the southern bor- eastern and western loops represent a total of more der of the Big Woods. These three regional trail sys- than 50 miles in distance, including the 5-mile tems would be united by the north-south connector Schuylkill River Trail segment from Phoenixville trails described above. On-road Pennsylvania Bicycle to Valley Forge. Although the primary focus of this Route L along PA Route 345 could be included as an Concept Plan is the western loop, it must be acknowl- additional north-south connector trail. Pennsylvania edged that the eastern and western loops are inte- Bicycle Route S along PA Route 23 would form an grally linked thematically and culturally through the on-road alternative to the French Creek trail corri- Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area. dor, paralleling the latter from west to east. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (Photos Intersecting the western loop through the heart 1 and 2) and Valley Forge National Historical Park of the Hopewell Big Woods is the existing Horse- represent the early history of the iron industry, while Shoe Trail. This regional trail spine trends northwest Phoenixville is representative of its later 19th century history. Chester County Planning Commission Planning County Chester Commission Planning County Chester Photo 1 Photo 2

17 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

It should be noted that trail systems with large The Schuylkill River Trail, designated a National loop trails are the most attractive type of trails to Recreation Trail for a significant portion of its length, both mountain bicyclists and on road tour bicyclists. is the spine of the Schuylkill River National and Bicyclists should be able to access multiple trail loops State Heritage Area, following the Schuylkill River within one day in the Hopewell Big Woods. Parking nearly 125 miles through five counties in southeast- for trail users would also need to be available along ern Pennsylvania. Most sections of this accessible, designated loops. multi-use trail are off road, paved and level. The trail Inherent in the Hopewell Big Woods recreation stretches through a landscape that varies from urban and trails network is the concept of long-term envi- and suburban neighborhoods, to farmlands, to heavy ronmental sustainability and ease of maintenance; industrial sites and accesses major metropolitan ar- therefore, the design and siting of new trails and eas – Reading, Pottstown, Phoenixville, Norristown improvements to existing trails should work with the and Philadelphia. The trail supports recreational conservation goals for this area and consider impacts hikers and bikers, as well as people seeking exercise, to the environment. The existing Schuylkill River and tourists visiting the region. It traverses a number Trail is currently the only trail through the area with of urban areas, including Philadelphia and Reading, some impermeable surfaces and up to twelve feet where it serves as an important commuter route for in width to accommodate multiple uses and large pedestrians and cyclists. volumes of users. Maintaining the rural, scenic char- The grand vision for this trail began with the acteristics and ecological integrity of the Hopewell Fairmount Park Commission during the 1970s. Big Woods will require a sensitive approach to design Montgomery County took on construction of the and development. Impervious surfaces should be trail from the Philadelphia County line to Valley minimized or avoided, topographic contours should Forge, with the result that this first completed section be followed to the extent possible, existing utility and of trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail road corridors should be used where possible, and – the “Philadelphia to Valley Forge Bikeway” in 1976 trail width should be the minimum required for the in time for our nation’s Bicentennial. With the recent intended uses. completion of the Thun Trail section through Birds- Described briefly below are each of the regional boro, the Hopewell Big Woods portion of the trail is trails included in the Hopewell Big Woods recreation now complete. Sections of the trail from Pottstown and trails network, their characteristics and types of to Phoenixville are under development and antici- uses, key destinations, status of development, and pated to be open for use in 2011, eventually enabling issues related to design, development, maintenance trail users to travel from Philadelphia north to the and management. Schuylkill headwaters in Schuylkill County. Trail management is coordinated through Schuylkill River Trail and Schuylkill River Greenway Association with local Schuylkill River Water Trail land managing entities and other partners. Differ- Schuylkill River Trail ent sections of trail are owned and managed by a number of different entities, including government Total Trail Miles: 56.05 miles completed and open agencies. The Schuylkill River Heritage Area formed for use out of 124.71 miles a Trail Council composed of members of each own- Total Trail Miles to be Completed (Birdsboro to ing or managing entity. The Trail Council is working Valley Forge): 14.61 miles together with a Trail Steward to create a unified trail Permitted Uses: Varies by trail segment – permits system, including a standardized system of signs walkers, bicyclists, and generally horses and pets; and brochures. They also developed a standardized for the most part, non-motorized uses except on- method of managing and maintaining the trail, so road portions of trail. that users recognize the entire trail as a single unit, rather than a group of interconnected trails.

18 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

Schuylkill River Water Trail parklands, and a variety of settings from the agricul- Total Trail Miles: 11.8 tural and rural to suburban to industrial. The Schuylkill is nicknamed the “Revolutionary Permitted Uses: Motorized and non-motorized River” because its resources represent the themes boating of the American Revolution, Industrial Revolution Paralleling the land based Schuylkill River Trail, the and environmental revolution. The Schuylkill River Schuylkill River (Photo 3) is a designated water Water Trail offers tremendous opportunities for en- trail within the Pennsylvania water trail system. The vironmental education and stewardship of natural re- water trail idea was born several years ago with the sources and consequently eco-tourism prospects. On Schuylkill River Sojourn, a 7-day, 112-mile trip on line and printed trail guides are available through the the Schuylkill River that provides a wealth of activi- Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area at ties, learning opportunities and fun on the river and www.schuylkillriver.org/Water_Trail.aspx, along with in the riverside communities. The water trail takes links to real-time data on water levels, water quality the boater from the headwaters of the Schuylkill – forecasts and safety tips. Unifying directional and Little Schuylkill Branch and West Branch – in the orientation signage for the Schuylkill River Water heart of coal country. The trail passes by historic Trail is under development. river and canal towns, and through the scenic Blue There are four public landings adjacent to the Mountains and State Game Lands, dramatic geologic Hopewell Big Woods that allow access to the river features such as the Reading Prong, a wealth of trail and, to varying extents, the land trail. At River Chester County Planning Commission Planning County Chester

Photo 3

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Mile 61.6 is the Union Township landing, with park- direct access to the Schuylkill River Trail. It is only a ing for approximately 25 cars. The landing is located ½-mile walk to historic Pottsgrove Manor. within the Union Township Recreation Area, which Currently, the Ganshahawny Park landing does has its own internal trail system, access to PA Bicycle not provide a direct link to the Hopewell Big Woods. Route L along Route 724 and access to the Thun sec- The Union Township landing will eventually pro- tion of the Schuylkill River Trail. At River Mile 57.7 vide a connection to French Creek State Park via a is the Ganshahawny Park landing, owned by Dou- north-south connector trail through the Sheeder glass Township, with parking for about 10 cars and and Yelenoc properties. The landings at Pottstown picnic tables. Riverfront Park and Hanover Street are proposed to Less than one mile north along the Schuylkill Riv- connect with the Hopewell Big Woods via on and er Trail is located the historic Mouns Jones House, off road trails through North Coventry Township part of the Morlatton Village, the earliest settlement that would connect to the township’s parklands and in Berks County. At River Miles 53.8 and 53.6 re- French Creek State Park. spectively is the landing at Pottstown Riverfront Park An additional landing upstream of the Hopewell (owner: Pottstown Borough) and Hanover Street Big Woods is located at Gibraltar, near the Allegheny boat ramp (owner: North Coventry Township). Both Aqueduct at River Mile 67.9 on the southwest bank. include lots for some 25 cars and are accessible from Owned by Berks County, it is unimproved, difficult to Ridge Pike or Route 422. Pottstown’s landing in- spot and not particularly close to the Schuylkill River cludes picnic tables and a trailhead pavilion as well as Trail. The section of water trail south at Birdsboro is Chester County Planning Commission Planning County Chester

Photo 4

20 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

noted in the Schuylkill River Water Trail Guide as a Not all adjacent landowners understand or sup- dangerous stretch of river because the current can port the trail’s development, and some dispute the sweep boats into the Route 82 bridge abutments. It is trail corridor’s ownership. The Hopewell Big Woods recommended that paddlers use the channel paral- Partnership can play an important role in explain- lel to the east bank – if it is navigable. The Gibraltar ing the Hopewell Big Woods project, how the trail landing currently does not provide direct access via project fits the vision and goals for the area, and the trails into the Hopewell Big Woods. benefits of trails to the local residents. The Partner- ship can also allay landowners’ safety and liability French Creek Trail: concerns, including those related to hunting within Boars Back Segment State Game Lands 43. It is anticipated that Chester Total Trail Miles: 5.6 (Elverson to St. Peters Village) County may lease or may take ownership of the trail corridor in the future. Total Trail Miles Under Development: 2.7 miles from Route 345 to St. Peters Village French Creek Trail: Intended Uses: equestrian, bicycling, hiking Sowbelly Segment Forming the southern section of the Hopewell Big Total Trail Miles: 11.3 miles from St. Peters Village Woods trail loop, the Boars Back trail is under de- to Kimberton and 4.2 miles to Phoenixville velopment as the first phase of a five-phase project to Total Trail Miles Completed: 2.0 miles ADA acces- build the 15-mile French Creek Trail. The trail would sible trail in Warwick County Park and on border be located on the former railroad bed of the Boars of East and West Vincent townships, east of Hollow Back Railroad and the Sowbelly Railroad. These Road short-distance railroads used to transport granite and iron from the area, and the elevated area still ex- Total Trail Miles Under Development: 0.25 ists where the track used to be. Intended Uses: Equestrian, Bicycling, and Hiking The trail is intended as a multi-use, non-motor- The Sowbelly Trail is proposed to use the former ized, natural- and crushed-stone surface, provid- railroad bed of the Sowbelly Railroad. From St. ing recreation for hikers, equestrians and bicyclists Peters Village, the Sow Belly Trail accesses Warwick through some of the most spectacular areas within County Park and continues east along French Creek. the Hopewell Big Woods. The trail will be about 10 A short segment of trail uses Pughtown Road in East feet wide. Trail users will be able to access Hopewell Vincent Township before continuing off road along Furnace National Historic Site, Natural Lands Trust’s French Creek through West Vincent and East Pike- Crow’s Nest Preserve, French Creek State Park, State land townships as far as Kimberton. An alternative Game Lands 43, and the Horse-Shoe Trail. alignment would take the trail off road at Pughtown, A $1.5 million grant from Chester County Com- roughly paralleling Pughtown Road to the north for missioners was awarded to French and Pickering about one mile. This alternative alignment would Creeks Conservation Trust for the purchase of ease- then use Pughtown Road until intersecting with Hof- ments and to finance the construction. Matching funds fecker Road. Here the two proposed trail alignments are currently being sought. Included in the project would join. French and Pickering Creeks Conserva- is the purchase of three acres of land at Route 345 to tion Trust intends to develop the Sowbelly section build a parking lot and trail head, the purchase of one of the 15-mile French Creek Trail as part of a future acre of land in St. Peters Village (Photo 4), and the phase and has purchased easements on four miles rehabilitation of the St. Peters train station potentially from the Warwick/South Coventry Township border to create offices for the county park rangers and a visi- to Hollow Road. tor’s pavilion. Restaurants and bike shops are envi- Pughtown Road is critical to the implementation sioned as part of the long-term economic benefits for of not only the French Creek Trail, but also two of this key destination within the Hopewell Big Woods. the auto tours proposed in the Strategic Plan for the

21 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

Iron and Steel Heritage Region. Pughtown Road is • French Creek State Park; also designated as Pennsylvania Bicycle Route S. • Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site; Hollow Road feeds into Pughtown Road from Birchrunville and is a segment of the proposed route • St. Peters Village; for the Pikeland Nails to Rails Trail. A comprehen- • Warwick County Park; and sive assessment of capacity for these local roads will • Wharton Esherick House and Studio, a National be needed in order to implement the French Creek Historic Landmark in Paoli. Trail and the auto tours. Design speed, traffic volumes, and safety issues will need to be addressed for A total of 18.4 miles of the Horse-Shoe Trail traverses motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. the Hopewell Big Woods in Berks and Chester Currently the Trust has no plans to extend the counties. Here it accesses: Sowbelly Trail to Phoenixville; however, a connec- • Birdsboro Waters, a recently acquired tion between Kimberton and Phoenixville has been conservation easement and recreation area; proposed as part of the Phoenixville Area Regional • French Creek State Park; Comprehensive Plan and Chester County’s Forge to Furnace trail concept. The connection to Warwick • Hopewell Furnace NHS; County Park will allow trail users to access the park’s • State Game Lands 43; Iron Heritage Loop Trail, and provide opportunities • St. Peters Village; to highlight the thematic ties to the larger iron and steel heritage area. • Warwick County Park; and • Welkinweir, the 162-acre arboretum and head- Horse-Shoe Trail quarters of the non-profit conservation organiza- Total Trail Miles: 140 miles tion Green Valleys Association. Permitted Uses: Hiking, equestrian permitted along This trail is a major pedestrian and equestrian con- entire trail length; bicycling permitted on some seg- nector route that links key destinations within the wa- ments tershed and provides connections to areas outside the The Horse-Shoe Trail is a long established and watershed. The Horse-Shoe Trail connects to several primarily equestrian trail that stretches through five trails within French Creek State Park, including the counties in southeastern Pennsylvania. From its Six Penny, Boone and Mill Creek trails. The Horse- intersection with the Appalachian Trail--a National Shoe trail is being considered as a designated section Scenic Trail--in Dauphin County, the Horse-Shoe of the proposed Highlands Trail within Pennsylvania. Trail winds through the agricultural landscape Segments of trails that would later become the of Lebanon and Lancaster counties. From here it Horse-Shoe Trail linked many furnaces such as extends through the southern corner of rural Berks Coventry, Hopewell, Joanna, and Cornwall, which County, and northern Chester County until it operated during the Industrial Revolution in the reaches Valley Forge National Historical Park and 1700s and 1800s. The non-profit Horse-Shoe Trail connects to the Schuylkill River Trail. The Trail runs Club (recently renamed the Horse-Shoe Trail Con- roughly parallel to I-76, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, servancy) founded the current trail during the 1920s between Harrisburg East exit 247 (formerly 19) and and largely had completed it in 1935 as a horse riding Valley Forge exit 326 (formerly 24). Along the way, path from Valley Forge National Historical Park the Horse-Shoe Trail accesses these features: (Valley Forge NHP) to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (Hopewell Furnace NHS). Since that • scenic and wild Swatara State Park on the time, the Horse-Shoe Trail Conservancy has since Schuylkill-Lebanon County line; maintained it with the help of many volunteers. • Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area; Member dues and contributions largely support the preservation and maintenance of the trail.

22 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

Started as handshake agreement with farmers, • outline the financial options for the acquisition, the trail is still largely based on short-term infor- design, construction, operation, and maintenance mal agreements with the adjacent landowners. As components of the trail. landowners change, the Horse-Shoe Trail often must The feasibility study also incorporates the results of the be relocated. Working with French and Pickering Horse-Shoe Trail Conservancy’s strategic planning. Creeks Conservation Trust and Natural Lands Trust, Meanwhile, the Horse-Shoe Trail Conservancy the Horse-Shoe Trail Conservancy is seeking to se- continues to seek opportunities for securing more cure easements and address liability concerns on pri- permanent alignments through private and public vate property. They are also trying to make the trail property. The trail segment between I-76 and PA truly open to the public, and remove any segments Route 4082 in Robeson Township is a priority for that are still on road. On-road sections are no longer securing a permanent right-of-way. Local develop- safe due to heavier volumes of traffic, often traveling ers have committed to routing a connector trail above the speed limit. The vehicles startle the horses. through the Bryn Eyre development, provided that The demand for horse trails and their relative a connection can be made from the existing Horse- scarcity in the region make the Horse-Shoe Trail a Shoe Trail through private property south to Bryn valuable recreational resource. People come from Eyre. A three-mile section of trail east of I-76 could hundreds of miles away to ride the trail. In addition, be re-routed south into New Morgan, tying into a Hopewell Big Woods has the support infrastructure proposed trail along Route 10 through the subdivi- for horseback riders, including stables and horse sion. A trail connection to Joanna Furnace could also farms. Examples include: be developed. • Wyndsor Farm in Elverson, a full service boarding The area around Glen Morgan Lake has been and training facility; noted as an Important Bird Area by the PA Audubon Society. This trail could link State Game Lands 43 • Magic Hill Farm in Douglassville, a horse training and 52 with French Creek State Park and could ben- farm; efit a variety of recreational user groups, including • Ryerss Home for Aged Equines in Coventryville; hunters. French and Pickering Creeks Conservation and Trust is offering assistance to the Horse-Shoe Trail • horse equipment stores in Pottstown and Elverson. Conservancy to convey land leased to the Pennsylva- nia Game Commission to Chester County in order to Some of these properties provide the opportunity to permanently protect the Horse-Shoe Trail easement develop additional horse trails on agricultural lands. through State Game Lands 43. Existing plans and studies recognize the Horse- Shoe Trail; however, the trail has not been formally Birdsboro to Elverson via adopted in local ordinances. The PA DCNR recently Hay Creek Corridor placed the trail on its most endangered list. A feasi- Total Trail Miles: 9.7 bility study funded through the PA DCNR is under way to: Total Rail Miles to be Developed (Birdsboro to El- verson): Currently approximately ¼ mile between • evaluate potential alignments in Berks County for Birdsboro and Birdsboro Waters 29 miles of trail and analyze the demand for trail facilities; The former proposed trail alignment for the western border of the Hopewell Big Woods between • identify environmental constraints; Birdsboro and Elverson was recently abandoned by • determine the legal feasibility of relocating the Berks County, the trail’s sponsor, due to the concerns trail off-road through fee simple acquisition, ease- of landowners and private property rights issues. ments, or other forms of agreement; Known as the Hay Creek Trail, it proposed using an abandoned Norfolk Southern rail line that followed • determine costs for relocating the trail; and

23 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

Hay Creek south from Birdsboro to Elverson. The Area. Rock climbing, orienteering and excellent trout trail would have passed through Union, Robeson and fishing are available as well as foot trails. Caernarvon townships, and New Morgan Borough. The first bridge south of Birdsboro (adjacent to The rail line had for the most part reverted back to the Millard/Tucci House) and the third bridge have adjacent property owners, although existing ease- been removed and the second bridge (flood dam- ments for the railbed and previous ownership by the aged) and fourth bridge (Trap Rock bridge) remain. rail company had been retained in limited sections. A total of three bridges are needed for the trail to Easements would have been needed from 65 land- span Hay Creek, unless an alternate route can be owners along some 10 miles of trail corridor, making acquired. trail development a complex and expensive process. As a result of PennDOT’s recent decision not to An off-road trail from Birdsboro to Elverson repair and reopen PA Route 82 south of Birdsboro remains a high priority for Chester and Berks coun- Borough, which has been closed since 1987 due ties and other Hopewell Big Woods partners. The to flood damage, the Pennsylvania Environmental Schuylkill River Trail through Birdsboro was recently Council is taking the lead to convene the various completed, and connecting the Schuylkill River Trail affected governmental agencies to discuss the divest- with a north-south spur trail in this area would be ment options for PA Route 82. Issues to be discussed desirable. Such a trail would cut through the heart include ownership options, trail potential and design of the Hopewell Big Woods, Birdsboro Waters considerations, needed improvements, cost esti- recreational lands, and the Pennsylvania Highlands mates, and maintenance. A Vision and Action Plan Region, providing a critical north-south connection for PA Route 82, completed in mid-2009, was created with other regional trails and with the potential to and will be presented to PennDOT, and incorporated intersect the Horse-Shoe Trail. A north-south trail into the Birdsboro Waters Master Site Plan and Mil- spur is currently under development through French lard/Tucci House Feasibility Study. Creek State Park and is intended to utilize connec- A multi-use trail could utilize existing PA Route tions through properties on the northern end of the 82. Alternatively, a separate side path could be cre- park. The New Morgan Borough/Bryn Eyre section ated for those sections of PA Route 82 further south to the south could eventually connect to Reading that will not be abandoned. It is possible that select area trails now under development, as the Angelica portions of the abandoned rail corridor could be Trail is anticipated for completion as far as Nolde utilized in addition to portions of PA Route 82, with Forest in 2009. The Birdsboro / New Morgan Con- the concurrence of adjacent landowners. FHWA nector would access the western edge of French will require PennDOT to fund improvements which Creek State Park as well as the historic community of could include trail heads, parking areas, and other Elverson and Joanna Furnace. trail related amenities. The recent abandonment of much of PA Route 82 south of Birdsboro paves the way for an alternative Pennsylvania Bicycle Route L trail route that closely parallels the previous rail cor- Total Trail Miles: 225 miles ridor alignment. Concurrently, the Birdsboro Waters Miles through Hopewell Big Woods: 10.3 Master Site Plan is under way which is studying the feasibility of renovating the historic Millard/Tucci Permitted Uses: Bicycling only House as an environmental education center. The Designated and signed in 2001, Pennsylvania Bi- Master Site Plan will address appropriate recreational cycle Route L extends north to south throughout uses of more than 1,800 acres of this site, which is the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, travers- bisected by Route 82. Hay Creek Watershed Associa- ing the eastern portion of the Commonwealth from tion recently acquired the Millard/Tucci property, Susquehanna County in the north (just south of which is the gateway to Birdsboro Waters as well Binghamton, NY) to Chester County in the south as the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage (just north of Wilmington, DE). PA Bicycle Route

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L crosses 10 counties – Chester, Delaware, Berks, is the potential to utilize an off road trail connection Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Luzerne, Lackawa- through French Creek State Park which is planned to nna, Susquehanna and Wayne. It passes close to the roughly parallel PA Route 345. major metropolitan areas of Scranton, Allentown, and Philadelphia, while retaining the rural charm Pennsylvania Bicycle Route S that characterizes much of Pennsylvania. Total Trail Miles: 435 miles PA Bicycle Route L is on road, as are all desig- Miles through Hopewell Big Woods: 14.5 nated PA Bicycle Routes. In Berks County, it follows PA Routes 724 and 345 through Birdsboro, heading Permitted Uses: Bicycling only south through French Creek State Park and Hopewell The longest Pennsylvania Bicycle Route, Bicycle Furnace National Historic Site on PA Route 345 into Route S extends 435 miles from Washington County northern Chester County. PA Bicycle Route L then (east of Wheeling, WV) to Washington Crossing heads south through the Village of Warwick, crossing State Park on the Delaware River in Bucks County, PA Route 23 and PA Route 401, a scenic roadway. PA and skirts the metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, York, Bicycle Route L continues on PA Route 345, crossing Lancaster, and Philadelphia. The route, designated underneath I-76 in West Nantmeal Township. The and signed in 2001, stretches across southern Penn- route is critical because currently it is the only exist- sylvania through 16 counties – Washington, Al- ing, direct north-south trail connection between the legheny, Westmoreland, Fayette, Somerset, Bedford, Schuylkill River Trail and Boars Back / French Creek Fulton, Huntingdon, Franklin, Adams, York, Lan- Trail system within the Hopewell Big Woods. A few caster, Berks, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks. This additional off road north-south trail connections are spectacular route includes 65 miles along the Yough- planned or currently in the design stage. iogheny River and Allegheny Highlands Rail-Trail Surveys have indicated that bicycle touring and through southwest Pennsylvania, a ride that saves special events using the roads through this area are thousands of vertical feet of steep climbing. quite popular. PA Route 345 is adequately signed for In Berks County, PA Bicycle Route S follows orientation to PA Bicycle Route L. The narrow road is Route 23 through Churchtown. At this point it is challenging for bicyclists because it has no shoulders also following the auto tour route for the Colonial and poor lines of sight due to several sharp bends. Forge to Furnace Trail (See below.) Heading east In addition, motorists may exceed the 35 to 45 mph through Morgantown, PA Bicycle Route S enters speed limits on this road. The intersection with PA Chester County at Elverson, on the border of the Route 23 does not include a light or stop sign for Hopewell Big Woods. PA Bicycle Route S continues motorists approaching PA Route 345 from PA Route along Route 23, intersecting with PA Bicycle Route L 23. There is also a sharp incline from south to north near Warwick and passing to the south of PA Game along PA Route 345, making it difficult for bicyclists Lands 43. Further east, PA Bicycle Route S accesses and motorists approaching the intersection with PA Warwick County Park and continues past Coven- Route 23 from the south to see other motorists over tryville. At Bucktown, PA Bicycle Route S diverts the rise who may be approaching the intersection. south briefly onto Route 100 to Pughtown, where the For PA Bicycle Route L to function effectively route turns onto Pughtown Road, roughly parallel- as a trail through Hopewell Big Woods, the route ing the planned off road French Creek Trail. Heading would need to be taken off road as a separate side southeast on a variety of local roads, the bicycle route path, at least in some sections, or shoulders added passes south of Phoenixville and accesses Valley to PA Route 345. Safety signage and crossings with Forge National Historical Park via Pawlings Road. lights may be needed at certain key intersections. The Besides the Schuylkill River Trail, PA Bicycle townships could work with PennDOT to evaluate Route S represents the only existing, direct east-west specific enhancements needed, including redesign trail through the Hopewell Big Woods. The 15-mile and/or relocation of PA Route 345, for safety. There French Creek Trail is planned to also serve that

25 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

purpose and will roughly parallel PA Bicycle Route S. and Lancaster counties that tell the story of the evo- Surveys have indicated that bicycle touring and spe- lution of America’s early iron and steel industry and cial events using the roads through this area are quite its inherent ties to colonial America and the birth of popular. PA Route 23 is signed for orientation to PA the nation. Bicycle Route S. The road has shoulders and appears The Plan focuses on the evolution of the iron relatively straight and level for bicycling. In addition, and steel industry in Chester County from the early there are sidewalks on both sides of the street within 1700s to the present, and includes historic, cultural, Elverson, although it is not clear whether these are and greenway links to neighboring Lancaster and adequate for both pedestrian and bicycle passage. Berks counties. Unique in the nation, this heritage Traffic is becoming more congested on this road and area is where visitors can explore iron industry ves- motorists sometimes exceed the speed limit. tiges from its 18th century infancy, observe 19th cen- Bicycling safety could be improved for PA Bicycle tury technological innovations and industry expan- Route S through Hopewell Big Woods. While the sion, and learn about 20th century international steel route would not necessarily need a side path separat- markets – all within a radius of 35 miles. Through ed from the road, additional safety signage could be partnerships with public and private sites, the plan added and the shoulders widened. Safety signage and recommends the establishment of various levels of crossings with lights may be needed at certain key visitors’ centers, heritage driving loops, greenway intersections. Another option is for the townships to trails, visitor amenities, and a general marketing step up enforcement of the speed limit. The town- plan. Three heritage auto tour loops are proposed: ships could work with PennDOT to evaluate specific Colonial Forge & Furnace Trail, Green Hills & Steel enhancements needed for safety. Mills, and Pikeland Nails to Rails Trail. Of the three auto tour loops, only the Colonial Auto Tour Routes and Forge & Furnace Trail loops through the heart of Scenic Byways the Hopewell Big Woods. It has been designated and the route signed by Chester County, although other Iron and Steel Heritage Road Tours promotional materials and information for tour- Chester County has the nation’s longest history of ists has not been developed. The proposed gateways iron and steel production, dating back to the early within Hopewell Big Woods are Morgantown and 1700s, and one of the highest concentrations of iron Hopewell Furnace NHS, with the proposed Visitor and steel industry historic sites in the country. The Hub at Warwick County Park, and Interpretive Pods Iron and Steel Heritage Region is bounded to the west located at Warwick County Park, Hopewell Furnace by Lancaster County and its rural Amish farmland, to NHS, and Joanna Furnace. The auto loop tour would the north by the Schuylkill River National and State utilize local roads, including PA Routes 23 and 345, Heritage Area to the east by Valley Forge National designated Pennsylvania Bicycle Routes. The auto Historical Park, and to the south/southeast by the loop tour would physically connect and interpret 29 Brandywine Valley and the City of Philadelphia. sites associated with the early iron industry, includ- Chester County and its municipalities adopted a ing furnaces and iron works from the 18th century, Strategic Plan for the Iron and Steel Heritage Region the mines that provided the raw materials, and that is intended to preserve, protect, and promote the historic villages and towns serving these enterprises region’s historic, cultural and natural resources. The such as Elverson, Coventryville, Churchtown and St. plan can also help foster economic growth and revi- Peters Village. talization, and increase awareness and appreciation Gateways on the peripheries of the heritage area of the region’s unique identity as the birthplace of the are designed to provide orientation and an overview nation’s first industrial revolution. The Strategic Plan to those visiting the heritage area. Each gateway loca- focuses on a select number of significant heritage tion would provide information, including a display resources located in Chester, Berks, Montgomery, map, brochures, information concerning events,

26 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

specific tour routes and visitor services information. already contain structures that can serve to orient Gateway structures that house this information may visitors and provide space for display information. range in size from full discovery center facilities to Warwick County Park is the proposed Visitor Hub a kiosk appropriately placed where high visibility or within Hopewell Big Woods. Additional hubs might exposure to travelers can be provided. Additional be established over time as appropriate locations are gateways proposed include Pottstown’s Pottsgrove identified. Each of these hubs would include displays Manor, which is not connected to a particular auto of interpretive materials featuring some aspect of key tour, and Phoenixville’s Visitor Facility and Sculpture heritage area themes that have not yet been developed. Garden and Valley Forge National Historical Park, Interpretive Pods are facilities designed to tell the which are both included in the Pikeland Nails to stories of the iron and steel industry and the people Rails Trail. that are part of it. Interpretive Pods are context- Discovery Centers are the major gateways to each based, where specific elements of the iron and steel of the subregions represented by the auto loop tours. story are told. Each is designed, by virtue of its There is only one Discovery Center for each loop location, unique attributes and/or physical features tour, and each is proposed to provide comprehensive and improvements to tell a part of the heritage story visitor information for these distinct tourism regions in such a way as to make the iron and steel history, within the larger Iron and Steel Heritage Area. Each culture, or scenery accessible and understandable discovery center is also intended to consolidate the to visitors and residents. Interpretive Pods can also most essential information about the entire heritage area in the proposed locations. Discovery Centers be viewed as places that flesh out components of may include interpretive displays, museums, visi- interpretive themes and answer questions raised at tor services, and are designed to enhance gateway gateways and discovery centers. The Colonial Forge functions. Each is designed to provide answers to the & Furnace Trail includes Interpretive Pods at Joanna questions, What is this place?, What is there to do Furnace, Warwick County Park (colliers’ trails and here? and How do I get there? Each is designed to Coventry Forge), possibly St. Peters Village (lime- open the door to the heritage region and provide a stone quarry and French Creek Forge dam), possibly passageway for people to explore a portion of the Coventryville Historic District and Coventry House, heritage region and landscape. Morgantown is the and Hopewell Furnace NHS. proposed Discovery Center for the Colonial Forge Development of the three initial driving tours that and Furnace Trail, Coatesville for the Green Hills feature visitor access to scenic creeks, valleys and and Steel Mills Trail, and Phoenixville for the Pike- vistas within the region are proposed as early imple- land Nails to Rails Trail. mentation projects to enhance the visitor experience Visitor Hubs are designed to support some of the of the heritage area. These three initial driving tours gateway functions at locations that are internal to can serve as a backdrop for developing heritage area the heritage region and centrally located. Since most themes. The Colonial Forge and Furnace driving heritage sites and interpretive facilities are located tour and several existing and proposed trail linkages inside the perimeter of gateways, the hubs serve to (e.g., Struble Trail, Horseshoe Trail and others) can provide orientation from locations within the heri- form the core of the experience linking resources tage area that are associated with significant clusters and communities as an organizing tool within the of heritage resources. Just as visitors may be greeted Hopewell Big Woods. The driving tour would be in- by gateways at the edges of the heritage region, they tegrated with the Hopewell Big Woods trails system may receive orientation at hubs from within the such that a system of car, bike and pedestrian routes heritage area, at which point they may proceed to would provide diverse recreational opportunities that explore sites and resources located outward from can be combined with the heritage experience. each of the hubs. Currently Chester County park A coordinated set of interpretive programs could facilities are proposed to serve this function, as they be designed to use the themes and to tell the story of

27 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

the region through the proposed driving tours, trails bicycling, improvements to road surfaces would be and other heritage venues. There will be a need to needed, and that the high volume of traffic should be coordinate with existing interpretive and educational addressed as a potential contributor to unsafe condi- organizations and entities to develop and enhance tions for recreational users. initiatives that will shape the visitor’s interpretive Promotion of local roads as part of a scenic auto experience along the tour route. tour route should be paired with safety improve- The PA Route 23 and PA Route 345/82 corridors ments for bicyclists. A comprehensive assessment serve as the primary interconnecting spines for the of local roads, whether part of the Iron and Steel heritage region, together touching on all three auto Heritage tours or not, is needed to evaluate relative tours. They are also designated Pennsylvania Bicycle safety for bicycling. Safe on-road routes for bicyclists Routes and major routes through the Hopewell Big should be designated and publicized. If the auto loop Woods. The scenic value and orientation potential tour routes can not be improved for bicycling safety, for these road corridors should be protected and alternative routes for bicycling should be provided. enhanced, perhaps through designation as PA Scenic Byways. Traffic calming strategies and improvements Scenic Byways for bicyclists and pedestrians should be considered, The network of roads within the Hopewell Big such as widening the roads minimally to accommo- Woods provides a pleasant and scenic means to link date a bike lane and installing safety signs, crossings visitors with heritage resources. These roads traverse and lights at busy intersections. a variety of rural and forested scenic landscapes, The Colonial Forge & Furnace and other auto offering panoramic and dramatic viewsheds as well tours should be linked to these corridors to facili- as more intimate drives through woods and along tate visitor orientation and access. Minimal signage creeks. These scenic roadways are an important part should be sited on these road corridors – adequate of the heritage experience and valuable because they to indicate access to the auto loop tours but not so help retain the region’s rural character and attract much as to contribute to “visual clutter.” Completion visitors interested in the area’s history and heritage. of the “core” tour loops will link major historical, They provide the first impressions of the region cultural, natural, and recreational venues, allowing for visitors and are visible expressions of the area’s for an enhanced visitor experience. themes and stories. For instance, creekside views can Other local roads that are part of the proposed be related to Iron and Steel Heritage themes since Colonial Forge & Furnace Trail and also regularly these same creeks provided the source of power to used by bicyclists include Hopewell Road, Park Road, operate earlier forge and furnace plantations. Like- Harmonyville Road, Geigertown Road, St. Peter’s wise there are panoramic views of many former lime- Road, and PA Route 10. Bicyclists who use these stone quarries and iron ore mining sites scattered roads may travel for recreation or commuting, and throughout the Hopewell Big Woods that could be travel distances from five miles upwards of 75 miles. interpreted as part of a program or tour. They may travel solo, with family or friends, or with All of the municipalities within the Northern tour groups. Federation have identified scenic roads in their A recent survey of bicyclists in the area indicated respective open space, recreation and environmental a desire for improvements to road safety for recre- resources plans even though the criteria or process ational users, while at the same time more off road used to define and identify them differ. Within the recreational opportunities should also be provided Hopewell Big Woods, PA Route 23 and PA Route to serve a variety of users and ultimately help protect 401 / Conestoga Road are locally acknowledged sce- the land, preserve green space and scenic beauty, and nic roadways, and PA Route 23 is also a designated promote a sense of community. Bicyclists comment- Pennsylvania Bike Route. ed specifically on their perception that wider roads Both routes could potentially be nominated as a were needed with more shoulders for safe on-road Pennsylvania Scenic Byways. Other roadways that

28 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan are part of the Colonial Forge and Furnace auto tour Regional Trail Connections may also be evaluated as potential Pennsylvania to Internal Park Trails and Scenic Byways. Pennsylvania Scenic Byways are in- Community Pathway/Trail dependent routes that have scenic, historic, cultural, Systems archeological, natural or recreational features that are considered representative, unique, irreplaceable At workshops with the Hopewell Big Woods Partner- or distinctly characteristic of an area. There are 10 ship, local residents and recreational user groups, it designated Scenic Byways in Pennsylvania, including was clear that local communities are interested in im- the Exton Bypass on Route 30 and the Blue Route in proving existing access points from the communities southeastern Pennsylvania. to the regional trail system and adding new trail con- PennDOT designates Pennsylvania Scenic Byways nections. While communities within the Hopewell in support of local planning efforts to enhance and Big Woods understand some of the potential eco- improve the visual impact of specific routes, to nomic benefits in developing the long-distance trails, maintain the natural resources and intrinsic qualities a more immediate priority is to enhance the quality along specific routes, and to educate residents and of the residents’ environment and their health, safety visitors on the history and culture of the Common- and well being. Communities expressed the need wealth. The Pennsylvania program is an offspring of for a network of safe, contiguous trail connectors the National Scenic Byways Program. throughout the Hopewell Big Woods so that resi- Any governmental entity can nominate a federal, dents can walk or bike throughout the entire system. state or local road, or portion thereof, for consider- The trails network should consider differences in ation by PennDOT. Pennsylvania Scenic Byways can mobility, ability and the type of experience desired. also be designated by the Pennsylvania General As- The challenge is that local municipalities often use sembly. Pennsylvania Scenic Byways become eligible different design standards for their multiple and for federal scenic byway funds and opportunities single use trail systems. For instance, North Coventry for enhanced funding in related state programs. The Township identifies three types of trails – regional, designation limits the type of advertising that may be rural, and community. Rural is typically a natural placed along the roads and gives them special recog- walking path through public parklands; regional in- nition on state maps. Local governments are required cludes long-distance trails crossing jurisdictions; and to develop a corridor management plan for the desig- community trails are local trail networks in urban nated routes. The corridor management plans would areas that can include sidewalks. Each is associated provide an opportunity for incorporating bike paths with different design standards. Chester County’s along the scenic road corridors. design standards relating to type of class and use may In addition, there are several programs available be applicable across the Hopewell Big Woods. to local governments to help maintain the scenic TheHopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation quality and character along the roadways. These Concept Plan identifies priority connections to the regional trail system from internal community include PennDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway Program to pathway/trail systems, and the infrastructure and reduce litter and the overall cost of litter removal in programs needed to support their development. Pennsylvania, and the Great Pennsylvania Clean-up TheConcept Plan does not make recommenda- Program, which involves communities in organizing tions regarding the classification system and design and conducting local cleanups - recruiting volun- standards that should be applied to trails within the teers, promoting the event, and reporting the results Hopewell Big Woods. Nor does the Concept Plan map for inclusion in statewide and national cleanup totals. all of the internal and community-based trail networks within the Hopewell Big Woods. The priority physical connections to the regional trail system from internal community trail systems, and to key destinations such as parks and historic sites are described

29 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

below. These are connections that are currently under Woody’s Woods / Coventry Woods development or proposed for the future. These ad- Connector ditional access points into the regional trail system Three proposed trail segments would complete an from smaller community-based trails and pathways approximately 8-mile loop through the largest tracts include urban sidewalks and paved pathways as well of public land and private preserves within the as more traditional off-road recreational trails. Hopewell Big Woods. Residents of St. Peter’s Village Additional priority programmatic and infrastruc- and Coventryville could directly access this loop. ture needs can be divided into 1) distribution of infor- The first trail segment consists of a connection mation about the existing trail system to the public, as between Coventry Woods and French Creek State well as inventory information to help plan additional Park’s eastern boundary. Coventry Woods facilities trail access points and support facilities, and 2) devel- include a pavilion, picnic area and parking at its west opment of trail user support infrastructure at existing end, although Coventry Woods (Photo 5) is gen- and new access points, such as parking, trailheads and erally considered a Wilderness Area. The protected alternative transportation. The objectives and actions area has been expanded to include over 400 acres of that address these needs are described in IV. Trails contiguous forest. Existing trail at the western end and Recreation in the Hopewell Big Woods Land- of Coventry Woods would continue west to access scape – Challenges and Opportunities (pp. 4-7). French Creek State Park’s Mill Creek Trail through a recently acquired private tract. The trail segment is located in North Coventry Township. Chester County Planning Commission Planning County Chester

Photo 5

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On-road options were considered for a portion create a multi-use trail – bikes, pedestrians, equestri- of this trail connection; however, no option has yet ans – using its “rural trail” classification and design been chosen. North Coventry Township intends to standards, which may not work for all of these uses. dead end the trail for now at the state park border. ATVs are not permitted on township trails. Environmental clearances are needed from the Com- monwealth, and there are physical obstacles such Pottstown and North Coventry as wet soil and very rocky terrain where the trail Township’s Trail System would enter the state park. It is possible to use an old An interlocking series of on and off road trail seg- logging road to go uphill from the North Coventry ments is proposed to connect North Coventry Town- property in order to avoid first order streams. Head- ship with Pottstown and the Schuylkill River Trail. ing south along this road will impact the streams. These trail segments are major connectors that allow The second trail segment is 0.43 miles in length access from North Coventry communities and the and is comprised of existing and proposed off-road major population center of Pottstown south into the and on-road (Chestnut Hill and Coventryville roads) regional trail system traversing the heart of Hopewell trail segments connecting the east end of Coven- Big Woods. The communities of South Pottstown, try Woods in North Coventry Township with the Kenilworth and Pottstown Landing would be tied northern tip of Woody’s Woods in South Coventry into the North Coventry trail system, with access to Township. Woody’s Woods includes an entrance and Woody’s Woods and Coventry Woods. parking lot off of Harmonyville Road at the park’s An approximately 2-mile trail section is planned northern tip. An additional entrance/parking area is to extend from the north side of Coventry Woods to available off of Coventryville Road, although oth- PA Route 724 and the Schuylkill River, near the junc- erwise the park is served only by old logging roads tion of Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties at as trails. The proposed trail connector ties into the West Pottsgrove. Consisting of on and off road trail existing trail systems within each park. Development segments, it would traverse private property as well of this trail segment is a priority for the township; as public parklands. The trail segment would con- however, the township will need to address trail cor- tinue for another 2 miles east along the south side of ridor encroachments. the Schuylkill River, joining existing sections of the The third proposed trail segment is 0.85 miles in Schuylkill River Trail at Route 100. Access to a river- length and is off road. It would connect the southern front park with parking would be available, and the tip of Woody’s Woods in South Coventry Town- trail would access the headquarters of the Schuylkill ship with the northeastern edge of Warwick County River National and State Heritage Area in Pottstown. Park in Warwick Township. This trail segment A second trail section would continue south bypasses the historic town of Coventryville to its along Laurelwood Road to West Schuylkill Road and west, although residents would have direct access continue on road east along West Schuylkill Road to the Pennsylvania Bicycle Route on PA Route 23 until reaching South Hanover Street. The trail would and French Creek Trail, both of which intersect the head south along South Hanover Street, traversing Woody’s Woods trail connector at Warwick County a municipal park before heading back onto South Park. A ped/bike crossing for the intersection at Hanover Street. Heading south on Laurelwood Road, Ridge Road and Coventryville Road and the installa- this trail segment veers west across North Coventry tion of a separate side path along Coventryville Road Township on a variety of routes, both off and on would make the existing parking area/trailhead at road. The trail heads south and follows St. Peters Warwick County Park more accessible. Road briefly from east to west before heading south North and South Coventry townships both into Coventry Woods. formally recognize trail systems within their com- A third trail section is proposed to head east and prehensive plans, although implementation is not then south from the junction of Route 100 and South complete. North Coventry Township would like to Hanover Street for approximately 1 mile before

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heading west north of Harmonyville Road. The consideration, including the use of an old road to the mainly off road trail section would roughly parallel northwest of Hopewell Furnace NHS, coupled with Harmonyville Road, crossing Pigeon Creek and the off road segments through the woods. A connection North-South Coventry township boundary. At the with PA Route 345 would potentially allow the use of township boundary, the trail would head south into the existing trailhead and parking area with access to the northern tip of Woody’s Woods. the Six Penny and Orange trails. The selection of trail alignments and the design There are currently no trails in the northern sec- and treatment of these trails calls for coordination tion of the state park. The development of a new trail between North Coventry Township, Montgomery through this area would provide an opportunity for a and Chester County planning departments, and northern gateway into the state park, and the possi- Pottstown Borough to ensure consistency. It appears bility of developing interpretive materials highlight- that the Pottstown Regional Trails Plan is proposing the historic and natural resources. The plan- ing an alternative trail alignment that primarily ning and design of the proposed trail must address uses a series of local roads south from the Schuylkill complex environmental challenges relating to the Riverfront at the junction of Route 100. These roads presence of rare, threatened and endangered species; include West Schuylkill Road, Sheep Hill Road, St. stream crossings; and steep slopes. Concurrently, Peter’s Road, and portions of Harmonyville Road. there are safety issues related to the presence of an The proposed trail alignment is off road where it tra- abandoned quarry near the proposed trail corridor. verses Coventry Woods and proposes to enter French The quarry is currently the scene of unauthorized ac- Creek State Park. tivities and trash would need to be cleared from the perimeter. It is not clear if Departmental policy will Monocacy Hill Connection with allow for public access to the quarry, even if certain French Creek State Park safeguards are put in place. The design and use of the new trail within French A 2-mile trail connection is proposed that would Creek State Park would conform to the current state link the Union Township Recreation Area and the park standards. It would be a dirt surface, and pri- Schuylkill River Trail with newly acquired lands at marily used by hikers, with the possibility of eques- the northern end of French Creek State Park. Two trian and mountain biking. Design features to ensure properties will help make the connection to the state stability and long-term viability of the trail and park. The Sheeder property is adjacent to French practicality for multiple uses would be needed. Creek State Park and represents the first part of the The northern end of the proposed trail would tie connection between the state park and Thun Trail/ into an existing trailhead at the Schuylkill River Trail. Schuylkill River Trail east of Birdsboro. The Sheeder There is the potential to connect to a proposed trail property has been acquired by Natural Lands Trust through Amity north of the Schuylkill River, since (NLT) for the state park. this trail ties into the Schuylkill River Trail just ½ a Adjacent to the north side of the Sheeder prop- mile east of the proposed connector to French Creek erty is the Yelenoc property. Berks County Planning State Park. Just 1/4 of a mile to the west the Schuylkill Commission has committed $700,000 in open space River accesses the Union Township Recreation Area, funds for the acquisition of the Yelenoc property. which has its own internal trail system and a variety Currently, there are no existing north-south trail of recreational facilities, including one of the desig- connections through the Hopewell Big Woods except nated Schuylkill River Water Trail landing sites. for Pennsylvania Bicycle Route L, strictly an on-road The existing and proposed trailheads for those route. trails that connect with the Schuylkill River Trail PA DCNR is working with state park staff on the should include signage and the logo indicating the design of the new trail alignment through the state Hopewell Big Woods, and direct access from Mono- park. The project is in the preliminary planning cacy Hill to those connecting trails should be pro- stages. Several alignment options are currently under

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vided. The intersection of PA Bicycle Route L (PA ignated by the Commonwealth as an “Exceptional Route 724), the Leaf Creek Trail, and Schuylkill River Value” stream. Hiking trails take visitors through Trail near Monocacy Hill would include a trailhead. forests of oak, hickory, tulip poplar, beech, maple Parking, water fountains, restrooms and bike racks and spicebush; through grassland meadows and should be considered at this location, along with wildflowers; and through crop fields reflecting the signage indicating the rules for each trail, permitted tradition of Chester County farming. Visitors can see uses, and nearby attractions. and hear a diversity of birds and mammals, which is why the Preserve is part of an Important Bird and Morgantown to New Morgan Important Mammal Area. Connector The northern tip of Crow’s Nest Preserve touches Hopewell Furnace NHS, while another “arm” of Morgantown is located at the junction of I-76, PA the Preserve borders the southeastern tip of French Route 10 and PA Route 23. PA Route 23 is a des- Creek State Park. The walking trails within the Pre- ignated Pennsylvania Bicycle Route and a scenic serve previously did not continue past the borders road that is designated as an auto tour route by into the state and national park. With proximity to Chester County. Given its location at the junction major historic and recreational destinations, and of major roads into the region, and its designation considering Natural Lands Trust’s role in conserving as a proposed “Discovery Center” for the auto tour significant natural habitat in the region, opportunity route, Morgantown is an important gateway into the may exist for a stronger physical connection among Hopewell Big Woods. these public and private lands that will benefit the The proximity of Bylers Iron Mines, Bethlehem region’s visitors and help in managing habitat and Cuba Mines, and Joanna Furnace make the physical visitor use. and thematic connection to Morgantown important. The Bethesda Church Trail now takes visitors The PA Route 10 corridor is a critical link between from Crow’s Nest Preserve into the Baptism Creek Morgantown and the area’s historic and recreational area of Hopewell Furnace NHS, where trail users assets. PA Route 10 enables visitors to the area and can connect with the designated National Recreation New Morgan and Robeson Township residents to ac- Trail and walk through forested wetlands. From the cess not only Joanna Furnace and view the mine sites Baptism Creek National Recreation Trail, visitors can but also visit the area’s premier recreational venues walk east along Hopewell Road into the main park – French Creek State Park and State Game Lands 43. complex. The Bethesda Church Trail and all of the PA Route 10 can serve as an alternative north-south Preserve trails permit hiking, and horseback riding trail connection (on or off road) to PA Route 82. on select trails, but do not allow mountain biking or As the new town of Bryn Eyre develops, it will be motorized transportation such as ATVs. These con- important to protect the scenic qualities of the Route straints are meant to preserve the environmentally 10 corridor from Morgantown to the New Morgan sensitive areas, prevent the disruption of animal life Connector and Joanna Furnace. Accommodations for cycles, and maintain the tranquil setting. safety – for instance, a separate side path, crossings at The remaining connection under consideration is intersections, and stop signs – should be considered the trail from Crow’s Nest Preserve and/or Hopewell for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel this corridor. Furnace NHS into French Creek State Park on the Crow’s Nest Preserve and Hopewell east side of the state park. Currently, a steep “fall line” trail known as Raccoon Trail and a spur from the Furnace NHS Connections with Buzzards Trail enter the national park and converge French Creek State Park near Baptism Creek. Although bicycling is not per- The privately owned Crow’s Nest Preserve, managed mitted on these trails, bicyclists are nonetheless using by Natural Lands Trust, is 600+ acres of exemplary them. These trails are seen as short cuts through the Piedmont habitat dissected by French Creek, des- national park and a way to return to the west side of

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the state park without having to retrace a path back to resource extraction and conservation, and what it the north of the state park through very steep terrain. means to the landscape and culture today. There- National park staff would like to re-route bicycle fore, the Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation trail users away from the Baptism Creek area to min- Concept Plan draws from the Management Action imize impacts to this environmentally sensitive area, Plan for the Schuylkill River Valley National & State while providing an alternative route. Eliminating a Heritage Area as well as the Strategic Plan for the quarter-mile section of Raccoon Trail and equivalent Iron and Steel Heritage Region. These documents section of the Buzzards Trail would break the con- provide important basic organizing principles that nection with the Baptism Creek National Recreation can be applied to the Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Trail and avoid dumping bicyclists into this area. A Recreation Network in developing a “Hopewell Big new section of trail would be established to cross Woods experience.” Baptism Creek and head south below the border of Linking tourism and preservation and attract- French Creek State Park and Hopewell Furnace. ing visitors to the area for a combined cultural and Implementation of this section would be recreational experience can certainly enhance local predicated on the cooperation of private landowners economies. However, the physical and program- for easements and/or acquisition of property along matic infrastructure must be in place first or the Hopewell Road. Alternatively, Raccoon Trail would visitors will be less likely to return for a second visit. be completely eliminated and there would be a new Cultivating heritage tourism opportunities typically trail connection between the southern end of requires sponsorship of activities, interpretive pro- Buzzards Trail and Hopewell Road. The short 1/16- grams, facilities and services which provide visitors mile connection needed between French Creek State with the opportunity to experience, understand, and Park and Hopewell Road could be facilitated through enjoy the special values of a place’s natural and his- Crow’s Nest Preserve, with the concurrence of toric heritage. A sustainable heritage tourism strategy Natural Lands Trust. will provide a wide range of authentic experiences for area residents and visitors, create a product than Gateways and Trailheads can be promoted to stimulate economic opportunities and benefits to businesses and communities, and This plan is intended to support heritage tourism enhance community awareness and appreciation of that utilizes the Hopewell Big Wood’s natural assets local heritage resources. and cultural history as a catalyst for: Developing an interpretive framework, evalua- • saving historic structures; tion of infrastructure needs, and marketing strategy • conserving the countryside; for the Hopewell Big Woods Recreation and Trails Network is beyond the scope of this Concept Plan. • informing the region’s growing number of resi- However, this plan will summarize key findings dents about the recreational facilities, preserves, from the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership gateway and historic and cultural sites; analysis, the Strategic Plan for the Iron and Steel • attracting tourism and generating jobs; and, in Heritage Region, and the Final Management Plan for turn, the Schuylkill River Valley National & State Heritage • stimulating and supporting local economies. Area that can serve as a foundation for a structural framework to promote heritage tourism within the The Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation region and serve recreational users. Network recognizes the need to capitalize on the The first step is to look at how Hopewell Big existing attractions, mainly the recreational facilities Woods communities and historic and recreational and enjoyment of the scenery. Such facilities bring destinations could better serve recreational us- visitors into the region. At the same time, a broader ers, how information about the region is organized marketing and interpretive strategy can be organized and distributed or communicated, and the type of that interjects information on the iron industry,

34 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

information and services recreational users could be SRGA also provides some limited bicycle mainte- provided at key locations. Key locations providing nance and riding tips at its headquarters, as well as information/education functions and visitor support basic kayaking and canoe instructions. services can be designated as “gateways,” and these Pottstown also has a wide range of visitor support can take many different forms. Gateways can: services such as lodgings, restaurants, gas stations. • be major entry points into the Hopewell Big It is located on PA Route 100, one of only two major Woods and larger Schuylkill River National and north-south roads through the region. The other State Heritage Area; major east-west road is the Pennsylvania Turnpike on the western border of the Hopewell Big Woods. • provide a wide range of visitor services; In addition, Pottstown’s historic resources themati- • act as orientation centers that provide an overview cally relate to the iron and steel industry and other of specific types of resources within a region; historic sites in the Hopewell Big Woods that address this topic. Pottstown’s iron and steel related historic • function as visitor hubs that focus on a particular sites span the 18th and 19th centuries and beyond, theme or cluster of resources; or with the town gaining recognition for producing the • be the location of one or more trailheads with Panama Canal Locks and components of the Golden basic facilities such as parking or restrooms. Gate Bridge. These distinctions are emphasized and clarified in The Schuylkill Riverfront Academic and Heritage describing potential Hopewell Big Woods “gateways” Center is an appropriate venue to provide an over- below. view beyond the Schuylkill River Heritage Area’s attractions. The Center could provide an explana- HOPEWELL BIG WOODS tion of the different Heritage regions including the GATEWAY “TRAIL TOWNS” Hopewell Big Woods, a list of basic visitor services in the area (particularly sporting goods and recreation Pottstown and Coventry Mall related stores), trails in Pottstown and links to North Pottstown is one of two major entry points from the Coventry Township/Hopewell Big Woods trails, and Schuylkill River Trail into the Hopewell Big Woods. places to go for more information (e.g., Hopewell Big Pottstown is also the spine of the Schuylkill River Woods visitor centers). National and State Heritage Area. The headquarters The Heritage Center may be difficult for some of the Schuylkill River Greenway Association and visitors to find without appropriate signage and/or National and State Heritage Area is located here, at directions. Supplementing the Center with distribu- the Schuylkill Riverfront Academic and Heritage tion of information at other venues would also be Center in downtown Pottstown. The planned center reasonable, considering where the major population will provide space for four college classrooms, a sci- centers are – for instance, the Coventry Mall is a ence lab and an Interpretive Center with educational, prime shopping destination, or BikePottstown facili- historic and tourist information about the Schuylkill ties and sporting goods stores as destinations for rec- River Heritage Area. The focus of interpretation is reationists. Tri-County Chamber of Commerce could the Schuylkill River as a natural, cultural and histori- also distribute promotional materials and in addition cal resource. interpret the area’s iron and steel heritage. The form Pottstown is currently the only community in or the information takes could vary – printed materi- on the borders of the Hopewell Big Woods that has als, an audio tape, an IPOD or internet download. a broad range of services specifically geared towards Signage along PA Route 100 and at SRGA should recreational users. There are bike repair and sales indicate the visitor is entering Hopewell Big Woods shops and a community bike share program known and could work off of the already established format as BikePottstown; a stable for horses with instruc- for the Heritage Area. tional riding; outfitters; and sporting goods stores.

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Birdsboro Town” in much the same way as Elverson to the Birdsboro, founded circa 1740, is well situated to south. Recreational facilities in the Borough itself in- function as a gateway into the Hopewell Big Woods. clude the Maple Springs Swimming Pool and tennis With Morgantown and Pottstown, it is one of the courts as well as golf courses, while for more passive most populated towns in the Big Woods, with a wide forms of recreation there is nearby Birdsboro Waters range of commercial services available for residents and French Creek State Park for hiking, horseback and visitors. With Pottstown, it is one of only two riding, bicycling, fishing, boating, hunting, swim- access points into the Hopewell Big Woods from the ming and picnics. north, located as it is at the junction of PA Routes The presence of the Millard / Tucci House as the 345 and 724. Access to the Schuylkill River Trail, re- headquarters for the Hay Creek Watershed Associa- cently completed through Birdsboro, is available, and tion provides the opportunity for the Discovery/Visi- there are plans to extend a spur trail through Birds- tor Center to be sited here. Such a center could also boro south along the abandoned portion of Route 82 be sited at the Borough Hall. The Discovery Center to Birdsboro Waters. The latter is poised to become would introduce visitors to the Hopewell Big Woods a major recreational destination in the region once within the context of the Schuylkill River National the master plan is implemented. Currently, access to and State Heritage Area, provide an overview of area the Schuylkill River Water Trail to put in or take out recreational and cultural attractions and the regional canoes, kayaks or motorboats is problematic. A dock trail system, a display map, brochures, and informa- or launch in Birdsboro would be desirable to serve tion concerning events, specific tour routes and visi- water trail users and enable them to connect to land tor services information. Structures that house this trails and other recreational facilities. information may range in size from enclosed facili- When Berks County was formed in 1762, Birds- ties with visitor amenities and interpretive exhibits boro was already a town of considerable size. Named to a kiosk appropriately placed where high visibil- after its founder, William Bird, the town was an ity or exposure to travelers can be provided – e.g., outgrowth of his enterprises, including forges along Schuylkill River trailhead or Borough Hall. While the Hay Creek as well as a sawmill and gristmill. William Discovery Center will consolidate the most essential Bird’s mansion, constructed in 1751, was remodeled information about the entire heritage area, it will as a community and recreation center in 1920. His also feature a broader range of information regard- son, Marcus Bird, succeeded his father in the 1760s ing those heritage resources located in proximity to and built a furnace at Hopewell, becoming the largest Birdsboro. producer of iron in America during the Revolution- There are challenges in developing Birdsboro ary War. In 1796, Matthew Brooke purchased all as a gateway to the Hopewell Big Woods. Visitor of the lands owned by the Bird family including all services are currently very limited. Motels, bed and forges and mills. His two sons became the exclusive breakfasts and other lodgings are mainly available owners of these lands in 1837. They later became in the Reading and Douglassville areas. The nearest organized into the E & G Brooke Iron Co., and their campgrounds are located in the Reading area, Honey influence made the growth of this one-industry town Brook or French Creek State Park. There is only one possible. sporting goods store in Birdsboro to support visi- The interpretive connection to Hopewell Furnace tors who would be interested in a wide variety of NHS, the large numbers of iron and steel related his- recreational activities, including specialized activities toric sites, and availability of top notch recreational like rock climbing. An organized promotion of the facilities make Birdsboro an appropriate Visitor Hub downtown such as through walking tours and special and potential “Discovery Center.” Birdsboro can not events would need to be developed, and recreation only tell the preservation story and the development related businesses encouraged. The presence of the of the iron and steel industries in the region, but it multi-use Schuylkill River Trail and PA Bicycle Route can also serve as a major recreational hub and “Trail L on the edge of town would require more bicycle

36 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

friendly routes through Birdsboro, bike racks down- skilled workers and services necessary to support town, and preferably a full service bike shop. small growing industrial communities through the As in Elverson, downtown businesses can be end of the 18th century. Bylers Iron Mines and Beth- enlisted to distribute information about trails, lehem Cuba Mines sites are located in Morgantown. recreation and historic sites, perhaps developing These and other mines located at nearby Joanna – an “ambassador” program in which volunteers are Copper, Kenny and Jones mines – could potentially specially trained to assist visitors with directions and be interpreted at sites in Morgantown, for instance questions about area attractions and how to access at the Tri-County Heritage Society Archives and the trail system. Birdsboro can be the starting point Museum. The numerous restaurants and other small for a number of walking and bicycling tours through specialty shops testify that Morgantown’s economy the area and could eventually support commercial is no longer farm related; rather it caters to tourist tour operators in partnership with other nearby oriented services. historic towns and sites along the PA Route 724 cor- Morgantown is identified as both a gateway and ridor. Trailheads with basic facilities such as parking potential site for a Discovery Center in the Strategic and interpretive signs would be needed in several Plan for the Iron and Steel Heritage Region. Morgan- locations around the Borough. town is an appropriate venue for a visitor center that would provide: Morgantown • an overview of the Hopewell Big Woods and Iron Morgantown is uniquely positioned to be a major and Steel Heritage Region and their historic, natu- gateway into Hopewell Big Woods. Located at the ral and recreational attractions; junction of PA Routes 10 and 23, it is also conve- • a list of basic visitor services in the area (particu- niently accessible from the Interstate – I-76 and larly sporting goods, campgrounds and recreation I-176. It is one of the most populous towns in the related stores); Hopewell Big Woods and includes many services for visitors such as hotels, gas stations, sporting goods, • trails in the area, including auto tours and PA travel agencies and a variety of restaurants. ST Tack Bicycle Routes; and and Horse Supply serves horseback riders and sta- • places to go for more information (e.g., other bles. The sizeable Morgantown Historic District, with Hopewell Big Woods visitor centers such as that its 128 historic features, represents village commer- proposed near Hopewell Furnace NHS). cial activity and architecture from 1790–1945. The An appropriate facility (not necessarily staffed) could village was advantageously situated in the vicinity be located so that it is easy for visitors to find and of three Indian paths which became the early trails provides amenities such as restrooms, bike parking, for traders and settlers. Today, PA Bicycle Route S fountains, and interpretive information. The form and the Colonial Forge & Furnace Trail intersect in that information takes could vary – printed materi- Morgantown. It was, and still is, a point of merging als, an audio tape, an IPOD or internet download. commerce and transportation. Signage along I-76 and the PA Turnpike as well as PA Morgantown is thematically connected to nearby Routes 23 and 10 should indicate the visitor is enter- historic iron and resource extraction resources. ing Hopewell Big Woods and could work off of the Morgantown developed specifically to serve the already established format for the Schuylkill River surrounding farms and nearby iron and mining National and State Heritage Area. communities. Growth continued through the Revo- lutionary War because of the close proximity to the Elverson Jones Mine and charcoal iron furnaces and forges at Hopewell, Warwick, Joanna, Reading and Rebecca Elverson was established in the late 1700s. Much like furnaces and the forges at Windsor. These activities, Morgantown, it retains a sizeable Historic District which flourished during the Revolution, demanded and the character of a small, early 19th century vil-

37 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

lage. Even though it became host to the Wilmington tion Plan and implementing some of its recommen- and Northern Railroad in 1870 it never really grew dations. The right mix of easily accessible businesses and flourished. Originally part of West Nantmeal and services would accommodate a variety of visitor Township, early settlement in the area of the present- and resident needs, and many of these services are day Borough of Elverson responded to its situation already available in Elverson. For instance, along an established trade route from Lancaster to groceries, ice cream parlors, and restaurants are the French Creek iron furnaces at a location where available downtown, and there are two sports shops travelers had access to three important springs. in the area. Elverson is situated on the edge of Chester There are also a couple of Bed-and-Breakfasts. County and looks westward into the Conestoga An historic home that has been turned into a B&B Valley of Lancaster and Berks Counties. There are in the downtown would be very attractive to visitors. regional records of iron ore being dug here in the Currently, there is no full-service bicycle shop for late 17th century. The opening of the Warwick Mines equipment, rentals and repairs in Elverson, although (1717) in Chester County for the French Creek there is one such business in nearby Joanna and one furnaces brought regular travel on the “Blue Rock of the Elverson sports shops sells bikes and related Path” from Lancaster’s Conestoga region to points equipment. There are no campgrounds in or adjacent east. A petition in 1736 was issued for a road to to Elverson, although there are some to the south “the new furnace” (Reading Furnace, Warwick/East in Honey Brook and campgrounds to the north in Nantmeal townships) which would also connect with French Creek State Park. iron deposits and furnaces in Lancaster County near Elverson can serve as a Visitor Hub and major Cornwall. The iron industry supported an increase in distribution point for information relating to the population and provided economic stability to this Hopewell Big Woods trail system and recreational fa- otherwise remote area of Chester County. cilities, where to go for supplies such as recreational Today, the Borough of Elverson is a nexus for equipment, and where to go to participate in certain existing regional and local trails, including PA types of recreation. Downtown businesses can be Bicycle Route S and the Colonial Forge & Furnace enlisted to distribute this information, perhaps devel- Trail. Elverson has the potential to become a Penn- oping an “ambassador” program in which volunteers sylvania “Trail Town” should the Morgantown Trail are specially trained to assist visitors with directions Connector, Boars Back Trail, and Hibernia Trail be and questions about area attractions and how to developed and related support facilities installed. The access the trail system. Elverson can be the starting Pennsylvania Trail Town program is patterned after point for a number of walking, bicycling and auto “Main Street” principles, and relies on communi- tours through the area and could eventually support ties becoming bicycle and pedestrian oriented. The commercial tour operators in partnership with other program recognizes that trail corridors can create nearby historic towns and sites along the PA Route new opportunities in town to serve visitors who are 23 corridor. Trailheads with basic facilities such as hungry, need supplies, and who may want to spend parking and interpretive signs would be needed in the night and explore interesting places along the several locations around the Borough. trails. Technical assistance is available through PA DCNR, the local PennDOT engineering district and VISITOR HUBS regional Metropolitan Planning Organization or Ru- Birdsboro Waters ral Planning Organization to transform Pennsylvania towns into more inviting and memorable tourist The primary purpose for the 1,848 acres managed by destinations. the Birdsboro Municipal Authority is to protect the Elverson has already taken steps to re-energize its public water supply for the Borough through con- downtown and make it safer for motorists and pedes- serving the natural environment around the reser- trians, completing the Elverson Borough Revitaliza- voirs. The recently completed draft for the Birdsboro

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Waters Master Site Plan recommends permitting PA Route 4082 to the Indian Run Reservoir. South of low-impact, nature-based recreational activities “to the Reservoir, the road is washed out. complement its unique and natural features without The Birdsboro Waters Master Plan proposes the harming the environment.” Birdsboro Waters, with existing trails to remain and additional paths or trails its unusual variety of natural, historical and recre- constructed, if necessary, to provide pedestrian ac- ational features packed into a relatively small area, is cess and linkage between the Millard/Tucci House poised to become a premier recreational destination and the proposed adjacent camping and picnicking once the recommendations of the Master Site Plan area. The proposed trail along Hay Creek will follow are implemented. former PA Route 82 south through Birdsboro Waters. Existing authorized and unauthorized recre- The primary attraction for this site is the Dyers/ ational uses were considered as part of the master Trap Rock Quarry west of the Millard/Tucci House. planning process. Current permitted uses include With its series of eight walls and more than 75 climb- hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding along ing routes, the quarry is a unique feature of the existing trails, picnicking at the Rustic Picnic Area, Municipal Authority property which users travel and rock climbing at the Birdsboro Quarry. Camping many miles from throughout the region to and motorized uses such as ATV and motorcycle rid- experience. The Master Plan suggests capitalizing ing are not permitted; however, these uses do occur on this feature due to the popularity of this activity on the property. Motorized users are a major pres- and the few outdoor rock climbing experiences that ence on some of the trails and seem to be responsible are available in the region. This use is anticipated for the only trail maintenance that occurs. They cut to continue and may increase once access to the away downed trees and keep the main trails clear; site is improved with the replacement of the bridge however, motorized use also causes trail erosion that adjacent to the Millard/Tucci house; however, rock is not being addressed. Unauthorized camping and climbers would still need to backpack their equip- the addition of informal fire rings and picnic tables ment and supplies into the quarry site. The access to certain parts of the property also take place. Cur- would continue to be available only for pedestrian rently, the only alternative for ATVs available in the and emergency/maintenance vehicle use. In addition, region is a private track run by Pagoda Motorcycle the safety of rock climbers and other recreational Club. There are no public ATV accessible properties users in this area would need to be addressed for two in the Reading or SE PA region. Some accommoda- reasons: 1) the risk of falls, and 2) the nearby location tion may be possible on the Haines and Kibble house of a shooting range used by Birdsboro and Robeson property; however, there are currently no potential Township police departments. The rock climbing ATV accessible properties on the west or south sides. may best be approached by only permitting orga- The trail system is most frequently used by geo- nized groups who provide safety training to climb. cachers, hikers, ATVs, and motorcyclists. Bicyclists Other future recreational uses initially suggested rarely use the trails due to access and condition for Birdsboro Waters include camping and picnick- issues. Horseback riders infrequently use the ing, proposed for a 37-acre area northwest of the section of the Horse-Shoe Trail in Birdsboro Waters. Millard/Tucci House. The Forest Legacy Conserva- Totaling 27.8 miles, the trails consist currently of tion Easement precludes improvements such as a series of interconnected dirt roads and narrower buildings, structures, and paved parking areas on hiking pathways blazed in different colors. There is Municipal Authority lands. Restroom facilities at the no formal sign system within Birdsboro Waters. The Millard/Tucci and Rustic Picnic Area and parking at Horse-Shoe Trail (or yellow route) skirts the south- the Rustic Picnic Area could be made available and ern boundary of Birdsboro Waters. Access and park- shared with the users of the camping and picnic area. ing is available at the Kulptown Fire Department, Since direct vehicular access to each campsite can and the area is also accessible through Geigertown not be permitted, the camping area would be lo- Rod & Gun Club property and the gravel road from cated as near as possible to the proposed Hay Creek

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pedestrian bridge. Additional unpaved paths could area around the old quarry, and fishing along Hay be developed to provide increased access from the Creek. parking and restroom facilities to the camping and The presence of the Millard / Tucci House as the picnic areas. headquarters for the Hay Creek Watershed Associa- The final Master Plan eliminated primitive camp- tion provides the opportunity for a Discovery / Visitor ing due to the impacts human waste and litter and Center for the Hopewell Big Woods to be sited reduction of native vegetation at these campsites here, as described above in the Birdsboro section. could have on water quality in the reservoir. It is In addition to providing information as previously known that fishing in the old quarry and reservoirs is described, the Discovery Center could be one of five currently associated with littering problems. venues to tell the conservation story and educate Additional uses of Birdsboro Waters would be the public on the natural values of the Hopewell Big bird and wildlife watching, fishing, exercise walking, Woods as well as provide more site-specific informa- camping, bicycle riding, running/jogging, hiking, tion about Birdsboro Waters, the Hay Creek water- cross-country skiing, and hunting on a seasonal shed and water resource conservation. basis. Improving public access points to the Hay Given the ecologically sensitive nature of the site, Creek would help to serve the region’s needs for fish- introducing permanent interpretive facilities or ing areas and would complement the fishing available structures would not be proposed. Rather, removable at the two lakes in adjacent French Creek State Park. kiosks, waysides and electronic media should be con- Providing the variety of activities in one area would sidered. A washing station and educational materials appeal to a broad spectrum of recreational users who on invasive species could be provided, along with would likely become repeat and overnight visitors. information on appropriate uses of the trails and Playground and picnic tables are proposed for a recreational facilities. Historic features – quarry and turnaround to be constructed for Hay Creek Road. related structures, mill and race, dam, charcoal plat- The playground equipment would require an amend- forms, collier’s huts, the cannon testing site – would ment to the Forest Legacy Easement, which prohibits not be ignored, but highlighted and interpretively structures and other improvements except where connected to French Creek State Park and other exempted. historic sites in the area. These resources, accessed by Due to access limitations and restrictions of the the public, would constitute an “Interpretive Pod.” Easement, the Millard/Tucci House would be needed for restroom facilities and the Rustic Picnic Area Warwick County Park used for parking and additional restroom facilities. The park is one of three Chester County facilities Since shared parking would be required for mul- proposed as a Visitor Hub in the Strategic Plan for tiple recreational uses, the adequacy of the existing the Iron and Steel Heritage Region. Warwick County parking lot at the Rustic Picnic Area will need to be Park currently has the structures and space for dis- determined, in addition to possible paving and land- play information that can help orient visitors and is scaping/ screening of the parking area. No support a popular recreational destination. Warwick County facilities such as restrooms, storage and maintenance Park can provide an overview of sites and resources facilities, or paved parking areas can be constructed in the Hopewell Big Woods, and from here visitors on the site except within a few exclusion areas (e.g.,– may proceed to explore the nearby attractions. The shooting range, Rustic Picnic Area, water plant and park can provide visitors with both a broad look at cell tower lot) or property not owned by the Munici- Hopewell Big Woods and a more detailed focus on pal Authority (e.g., – Millard/Tucci house). Rest- the iron industry, so that visitors can drill down to rooms and parking at the Millard/Tucci House and the level of detail that interests them and make deci- Rustic Picnic Area would provide access and use by sions about where to go and what to do. Warwick visitors to the camping and picnicking area north- County Park is well positioned to tell the stories of west of the Millard/Tucci house, the rock climbing natural resource exploitation through charcoal and

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iron production, and conservation of the area’s parking areas and trailheads at the eastern end of significant natural resources, all of which are the park, along Mt Pleasant Road and Coventryville integrally linked. Road. The 538-acre park includes a variety of habitats, Another popular recreational pastime is fishing from vernal pools and wetlands to meadows to in French Creek. Two miles of this pristine waterway woods, and an extensive system of trails that offers can be accessed from within the park. French Creek numerous opportunities for hiking, biking, horse- is one of the most popular destinations in southeast- back riding and bird watching. One of these trails ern Pennsylvania for trout fishing, and is stocked is the Horse-Shoe Trail, which winds its way along each year with rainbow and brown trout. the southern boundary of the park. Hiking and There are no special facilities for horses and their walking are permitted on all trails, bicycling and riders, or for bicyclists. Improvements to trail facili- cross-country skiing on some trails, and horseback ties would be needed to better support users of the riding exclusively on the Horse-Shoe Trail. The trails Horse-Shoe Trail, the existing PA Bicycle Route S, take advantage of historic features and landscape which follows PA Route 23, and the proposed multi- elements, recognizing that Warwick’s woodlands use Boar’s Back/French Creek Trail. It is anticipated provided much of the timber for charcoal used in that the latter would use the existing North Loop the early American iron industry. Charcoal hearths, Trail, which currently permits bicycle use, along the historic house and barn ruins and the site of 1717 northern boundary of the park. A secure bike park- Coventry Forge are marked to inform the visitor ing area would be needed so that bicyclists can leave about the area’s iron heritage. The existing collier’s their bikes behind temporarily to explore the hiking trail, with its charcoal hearth sites, provides the trails or take advantage of the amenities in the day opportunity to feature the lives of the furnace use area. plantation woodcutters and colliers. Amenities such as a horse trailer parking area According to the Strategic Plan for the Iron and and/or hitching posts and watering trough would Steel Heritage Region, the site “should feature the encourage additional use of the Horse-Shoe Trail. process of reducing wood to charcoal, and feature The existing day use and parking areas could be various aspects of the life of the collier. Buildings on considered to accommodate these amenities, or pos- the site could be used to display artifacts and pho- sibly expanded. Information about the auto tour and tos and further communicate this aspect of furnace various trails in the area could be provided through plantation life. A colliers hut could be added as a trail maps and brochures at each of these parking areas, feature to further develop this interpretive theme.” A and at the park office. system of walking, bicycling tours and even hay rides could be developed with Hopewell Furnace NHS, French Creek State Park Coventryville and St. Peters Village to highlight At close to 8,000 acres, the state park is the largest different aspects of iron-making technology and the public recreational facility in the region and a major lives of furnace managers and workers. recreational destination. French Creek offers two The more developed day use area is confined to lakes – Hopewell and Scotts Run – extensive forests, the western end of the park. This area offers several and almost 40 miles of trails. Lake activities include single-family picnic tables and two roofed pavilions boating, fishing and swimming, with the availabil- that can be reserved for special events. Park facilities ity of boat rentals, showers, restrooms, phones, and feature two age-appropriate playgrounds, a sand a seasonal food concession shoreside. A variety of volleyball court, horseshoe pits and a quoit pit. The camping experiences are available, from organized day use area also includes a water spigot. Restrooms group tenting, to organized group cabin camping, to are available and there is a ranger station. There is individual and family cabins, campsites and RV camp- even a public telephone. Other areas of the park ing. Some of these campsites are ADA accessible. are generally unimproved, although there are two

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The most significant recreational use at the level of challenge for beginners, intermediate and state park occurs at Hopewell Lake and adjacent advanced bicyclists. Additional connections from campgrounds, although hunting is quite popular in the state park trail system to the regional trail system season. Hunting is allowed in most areas of the park have been proposed in the north, south, east and except around the two lakes and campgrounds. The west quadrants of the park. These connections are pool at French Creek State Park is very popular, at- described on pp. 55-58 under Appendix A – Initia- tracting visitors from Lancaster, Reading and other tives Contributing to the Concept Plan and pp. parts of southeastern Pennsylvania. The state park is 29-34, Regional Trail Connections to Internal Park one of the few recreational facilities in the Hopewell Trails and Community Pathway/Trail Systems. The Big Woods area that includes overnight camping. PA DCNR and state park staff are working to imple- There is an extensive, year-round campground with ment some of the plan recommendations over time 200 wooded campsites in the more developed part of as funding becomes available. the park north of Hopewell Lake. The campground The former quarry, with a total height some 300 has paved parking pads, hot showers, a playground, feet, is a geological and scenic wonder at the north- 60 sites with electric hookups for RVs, accessible ern tip of French Creek State Park. There is currently campsites and two family-assist restrooms. There are no authorized trail access to the quarry. While the also three cabins that sleep five each in single bunks quarry provides an opportunity for rock climbing, and double/single bunks, with windows, electric some faces are unstable, presenting a serious safety heat, porch, picnic table, fire ring and electric lights concern for rock climbers. Creation of unauthorized and outlets. Two Mongolian-style round tents or ramps for ATVs is also a concern in the quarry area. “yurts” on a wooden deck sleep 4-5 people in single There is nonetheless tremendous potential for the bunks and double/single bunks. Each yurt has a development of several climbing walls in the area, cooking stove, refrigerator, countertop, table, chairs, including St. Peters Village and Birdsboro Waters, electric lights, electric heat, outlets, fire ring, and which together would comprise a unique and very picnic table. A showerhouse is nearby. marketable recreational attraction for the Hopewell All trails at the park allow for hiking and access Big Woods. to hunting areas. Some trails also permit off-road Along with its recreational importance to the bicycle use, and in fact the state park is a regional region, French Creek State Park has historical signifi- mecca for mountain bikers. Horseback riding is only cance that is intimately connected with the develop- allowed on the Horse-Shoe Trail. Off road biking has ment of Hopewell Furnace and later the national been taking place in areas of French Creek State Park park. The historical and continuing relationship where this use is currently restricted, and also in the between the two parks provides tremendous oppor- adjacent national park; however, in recent years the tunity to seamlessly complement the interpretation state park has been working effectively with bike and at each park. While Hopewell Furnace NHS should hiking groups to better monitor and manage trail continue to be the primary focus for interpretation use, educate users on trail etiquette, and maintain the of the iron industry, French Creek State Park can also trails. provide some limited interpretation in this area, with Workshops on sustainable trail design with the an emphasis on resource extraction and management International Mountain Bicycle Association, local and impacts to the environment. recreational clubs and land managers resulted in the Operations at Hopewell Furnace from 1771 to development of a Concept Plan for a series of loop 1883 required tremendous amounts of charcoal to trails through the state and national park. The multi- fuel the large blast furnace. To sustain the furnace use loop trails would utilize sections of existing park operations, the entire area now contained in French trails, re-locate and redesign others, and add new Creek State Park was timbered repeatedly to make trails in the northeastern part of the park where there charcoal. The thick woods visitors see today were are currently none. Each loop addresses a different once barren and treeless. During the 1930s, the

42 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

federal government purchased the lands that would other areas of the park could be potentially open to become the state and national parks to create a timber harvesting. The different stages of succession Recreation Demonstration Area. Two Civilian Con- and how they relate to the area’s historical develop- servation Corps (CCC) camps were built here and ment could be demonstrated. A 40-year forest cycle operated until the early 1940s. The CCC built two could be demonstrated more easily at the state park dams, two group camps, several tent camping areas, as compared to the national park, which is much beaches, roads, and picnic areas, and began to restore smaller in size. the historic core of Hopewell Furnace. Minimal alterations to interpretive media at the In 1946, most of the property and recreation visitor center would allow French Creek State Park to facilities were transferred to the Commonwealth become one of the key sites in Hopewell Big Woods of Pennsylvania and French Creek State Park was to tell the conservation story and provide an over- created. The historic core of the furnace operations view of the area’s iron heritage resources. Along with and some of the surrounding fields and woodlands detailed information on state park facilities, an over- were retained by the federal government to create view of the Hopewell Big Woods trails system and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. recreational facilities would be provided to visitors, The state and national park are working together with directions on where to go for further informa- to develop a seamless and sustainable trail system tion. Visitors would be directed to the proposed that is understandable to users but also meets the Hopewell Big Woods visitor center near Hopewell conservation, use and education mandates of each Furnace NHS to get very detailed information on managing agency and Hopewell Big Woods environ- area services, recreational and cultural attractions, mental standards. Signage and informational mate- tours and events, and significance of the Hopewell rials that are clear regarding appropriate times and Big Woods. The existing video for the Schuylkill Riv- types of use, trail etiquette, level of challenge, and key er National and State Heritage Area in the state park resources would help support a seamless trail system visitor center should be modified or supplemented that combines a recreational and cultural experience. with an orientation to the Hopewell Big Woods. Opportunities for waysides and other interpretive In addition, the state and national parks are approaches should be pursued to highlight historic seeking opportunities to eliminate or redesign sec- features along the trails, and access provided where tions of state park trails that impact the resources there is currently none. Key features to be interpreted of Hopewell Furnace NHS. Access points between include the site of Hay Creek Forge, Birdsboro Iron the two parks that enhance the visitor experience Works, New Pine Forge, and the marble mines at the for both would also be considered. For instance, the southern tip of the park. A consistent design of signs Lenape Trail could be discontinued at the northern and informational materials with use of the Hopewell border of Hopewell Furnace NHS, routed onto the Big Woods logo should be considered. Mill Creek Trail, and the Mill Creek Trail redesigned An interpretive connection with the trail system to narrow the width of the existing 35-foot right-of- would communicate the character defining features way and create a surface that is amenable to bikes of Hopewell Big Woods. For example, flat areas and hikers. Likewise, sections of the Raccoon Trail within the steep landscape would be identified as and Buzzards Trail could be eliminated to prevent ac- colliers’ charcoal beds. Management of forest areas cess to the sensitive Baptism Creek area and re-rout- would be connected to interpretation of the iron ed to use a scenic section of Hopewell Road to enter industry. More than 100 years of forest development the national park. Direct, efficient access from the is essential to a visitor’s understanding of the forest as pool at French Creek State Park to Hopewell Furnace a resource that was cut historically but is now viewed NHS would be developed. as a recreational setting. French Creek State Park can control its “cut zone” for interpretive purposes. The park staff will not allow cutting near trails; however,

43 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

St. Peters Village programs to Scouts and school groups. The trestle This historic mining community and black granite bridge across French Creek would be restored. quarry village is located next to a dramatic waterfall St. Peters Village is unique in its almost absolute on French Creek. Built in the late 1800s, St. Peter’s historic integrity as a small-scale company village of Village was constructed as a company town for the the 1880s. There are few villages that can boast a com- quarry and iron mines, owned by 19th-century mon ownership of the entire village for 130 years. The entrepreneur Davis Knauer. It was owned by the integrity is further supported by the village’s unique Knauer family for nine decades but was sold several position in a ravine and bordered on the west entirely times from the 1970s to 2005, when it was purchased by Pennsylvania Game Lands, ensuring minimal by a development firm in Pughtown, Chester County. encroachment by modem development. The historic The developer has begun to construct roads, recre- integrity of a simple, plain working man’s company ational trails and upscale homes around the village, village of the 1880 period should be retained with any which was added to the National Register of Historic new development, as the village’s period charm is a Places in 2003. Many shops feature views of French major attraction in the region. Particular consider- Creek, which runs through the town and is full of ation should be given to accommodating the needs large boulders that attract rock climbers. of horseback riders (for instance, providing hitching The existing restaurants, shops and inn within posts), other trail users, and rock climbers. this charming village provide key visitor services in a St. Peters Village is suggested as an “Interpretive part of the Hopewell Big Woods which has few such Pod” in the Strategic Plan for the Iron and Steel Heri- facilities. The development of the multi-use Boar’s tage Region rather than a Gateway or Visitor Hub. It Back Trail to connect the village with significant is a key destination along the Colonial Forge & Fur- historic and recreational resources would likely drive nace auto tour, which utilizes St. Peter’s Road. The the need for additional visitor amenities. These could reason for the village’s designation as an Interpre- take the form of bike racks, trailheads, interpretive tive Pod is that the recommended interpretive focus kiosks, and comfort facilities, among other amenities. would likely flesh out elements of interpretive themes There are currently no recreational specialty shops and answers questions raised at other Hopewell Big or sporting goods stores, which would be useful in Woods Gateways and Discovery Centers. St. Peters an area frequented by a variety of recreational users, Village would largely concentrate on the village’s including rock climbers. industrial development, while making broader The French and Pickering Creeks Conservation interpretive connections to Hopewell Furnace NHS Trust is working with Warwick Township and the and other related historic sites and districts such as developer to implement a land development program Coventryville. The village has an important role to as part of the Boar’s Back Trail project. The proposal play in this regard, by virtue of its location, compact- is to rehabilitate the train station as a “green” inter- ness and walkability, and unique physical attributes. pretive facility and ranger station to enable Chester It can tell a part of the heritage story in such a way as County rangers to patrol the trail. It would also to make the iron and steel history, culture, or scenery house a mini-museum to interpret the industrial more immediately accessible to visitors and residents heritage of St. Peters Village. The station museum and express the personal drama of history. could feature various aspects of the miners who The village makes an excellent starting point for quarried granite and the tools they used. Many intact walking tours. A walking tour already exists between physical resources remain to make interpretation Hopewell Furnace NHS and the village, and can be come alive – French Creek Black Granite, Wilm- expanded to include cultural features in Warwick ington & Northern Railroad features, French Creek County Park and Coventryville. Other forms of Mine sites, Crosley Mines, and St. Peters Quarry. The transport can be considered – perhaps bicycles, trol- station would include public restrooms, parking and leys or horse drawn carriages (e.g., such as those at a pavilion for the park rangers to provide educational Acadia National Park) for transport.

44 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

St. Peters Village is located at the junction of three park’s recreational facilities, trails and permitted uses trails – Horse-Shoe Trail, the proposed Boar’s Back would need to be updated to reflect changes to park Trail, and the Colonial Forge & Furnace Trail; there- facility locations and uses associated with Hopewell fore, a trailhead with directional and interpretive Furnace General Management Plan. signage would be useful in the village, perhaps at the Hopewell and other “iron plantations” of south- railroad station. It is not necessary for St. Peter’s Vil- eastern Pennsylvania formed the basis for America’s lage to provide detailed information and an overview iron and steel industry. Hopewell Furnace NHS rep- of all the attractions in the Hopewell Big Woods, resents America’s development during the industrial as there are facilities nearby that can play that role revolution. The complex of historic and reconstructed more effectively; however, informational materials structures represents Hopewell during the years 1820 about the nearby trails (including the Colonial Forge to 1840, featuring a cold-blast furnace restored to its & Furnace auto tour), how to access them, permit- 1830s appearance. Hopewell Furnace serves as an ted uses, and nearby recreational facilities such as example of an early American iron-making commu- Warwick Woods Campground would be useful for nity, one of hundreds of “iron plantation villages” that visitors and residents alike. once utilized charcoal-fueled iron furnaces. These furnaces produced iron items to make arms that supported the Americans during the Revolutionary War DISCOVERY CENTERS and to support the nation’s growth during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Morgantown – See Hopewell Big Woods The ongoing planning effort related to the General Gateway Trail Towns above Management Plan for Hopewell Furnace NHS has yielded a wealth of information on the early iron in- Birdsboro Waters – See Visitor Hubs above dustry that greatly affected the Hopewell Big Woods landscape the visitor sees today. The Hopewell Hopewell Furnace NHS Furnace Company once encompassed 10,000 acres, The National Park Service manages Hopewell Fur- roughly the size of the core conservation area for nace National Historic Site, an 848-acre unit sur- the Hopewell Big Woods. Two-thirds of an acre per rounded to the north, west and east by French Creek day of woods was needed to bake the charcoal that State Park and to the south by private and public fueled the iron furnace. The policy during the 18th conservation lands. Hopewell Furnace NHS and the century was to use one acre and leave it untouched state park together may be considered as “gateways” for another 30 years, in order to regenerate the forest. for orienting the public to area attractions; however, Remnants of the iron industry are everywhere in the the primary visitor hub would be a future “Discovery landscape, and include earthworks such as colliers’ Center” or Hopewell Big Woods Visitor Center ad- pits and 18th-century Joanna Furnace. jacent to the national park. The existing program on The existence of many intact remnants of the iron the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area industry makes interpretive planning for the entire could conceivably be relocated to the new Discovery Hopewell Big Woods vitally important for an authen- Center in the future. tic, informative and memorable visitor experience The Discovery Center could pull visitors into the and one that is not duplicative. The interpretive plan Hopewell Big Woods as a “center of gravity” and then can be a starting point to address significant iron send visitors out to explore the area. The existing mining history and resources associated with private Hopewell Furnace NHS visitor center and the com- lands that present challenges in access, preservation plex of village structures could continue to tell the and interpretation. Hopewell Furnace NHS will em- story of the development of the early iron industry bark on its own interpretive planning process in the as they currently do. Existing materials such as the near future, which can form the core for the broader Unigrid brochure and NPS web site relating to the interpretive strategy for the Hopewell Big Woods.

45 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

The physical landscape at the park could provide only assemblage of buildings within the heritage re- a stronger statement to help visitors understand the gion, in one location, that characterize the form and environment, life and times of the early iron workers arrangement typical of 18th century iron plantations. and managers. The General Management Plan sug- The site explores the lives of ironmasters Mark Bird gests re-orienting access to the park from the south, and Clement Brooke, provides a characterization of which would have been the historical entry point to Iron Plantation life, and provides the only opportu- the furnace. It has also been suggested that visitors nity within the region to see all of the components could be transported by horse carts to provide a necessary to 18th century iron production in one unique and historical experience. place. It is also an excellent place to interpret African The surrounding vegetation and woods are also American resources such as Sixpenny Village and important interpretively. Diversifying the set of the contribution of African Americans to the re- stands – also important to maintaining healthy and gion’s iron industry. Hopewell Furnace NHS should diverse ecosystems – would suggest the historical continue to concentrate primarily on its history approach to forest management in the interest of education role; however, opportunities to provide fueling the furnace. This diversification would occur recreational activities that complement this role and through managing for different age structures and create a coordinated system with the adjacent state leaving down and dead woody debris and cavities for park would be useful in exposing more visitors to the nesting animals. A working demonstration of the 30- national park. year rotation system is possible. Opportunities to expand recreation and enhance The approach to landscape management at the park connections with the state park have already begun would be complemented by existing and new interpre- at Hopewell Furnace NHS. The Horse-Shoe Trail tive programs. During summer months, costumed has been re-routed through Hopewell Village from historical interpreters demonstrate, describe and tell its entrance via the state park on the west side of the story of Hopewell’s iron-making years (1771-1883) Hopewell Furnace NHS. The Student Conservation and depict village occupations. Producing charcoal Association developed walking trails in the Baptism on a small scale and lumber carving are activities that Creek area, with landscape assistance through the could be part of the hands-on approach appropriate to NPS Olmsted Center. Planning is under way to de- this former Recreation Demonstration Area. Hopewell velop a trail connection between the southeast end of Furnace NHS could be one of five venues to tell the French Creek State Park and Bethesda Church area conservation story, along with Crow’s Nest Preserve, that could encourage bicycle use of Hopewell Road Welkinweir, French Creek State Park, and Birdsboro through the national park. This connection would Waters / Millard House. create the opportunity for a trail loop through French Nature walks and talks at French Creek State Park Creek State Park and Hopewell Furnace NHS. The and Hopewell Furnace NHS could be expanded in latter currently only allows biking on paved roads. partnership with Natural Lands Trust, which pro- The Colonial Forge & Furnace auto tour also follows vides on-site environmental education programs. Hopewell Road, and a stop or turnout specific to this Currently, there is a four week summer program and tour should be provided, along with interpretive in- an after-school program at Crows Nest Preserve. The formation, perhaps near the Marble Mines at French route between Crows Nest and Hopewell Furnace Creek State Park or Bethesda Church, or the pro- NHS can follow local roads as part of an educational posed concession / parking area at Baptism Creek. field trip for school children. These programs and A bicycle repair and rental concession, with tours, and self-guided tours of the Hopewell Big distribution of safety information, and potentially Woods, could start from the proposed Discovery concessions for other recreational equipment are Center near Hopewell Furnace NHS. sorely needed in the Hopewell Big Woods. There Hopewell Furnace NHS currently serves a great is an opportunity to place such concessions near number of interpretive functions. It represents the Hopewell Lake at French Creek State Park, the visi-

46 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

tor center area or Baptism Creek area of Hopewell of native habitats through which wind trails open Furnace NHS, or in the future the Hopewell Big to the public. The grounds are open daily. Hiking Woods Discovery Center. The Baptism Creek area is only is permitted on the trails, with the exception not ideal for this purpose, as it includes wetlands and of the Horse-Shoe Trail. A visitor education center historic features, drawing water through a head race. with restrooms and parking, and a picnic pavilion, is The area is also some distance from Hopewell Road available. and not marked. Several factors make Welkinweir an excellent The existing CCC picnic shelter at Hopewell Fur- potential visitor information hub for learning about nace NHS could provide a central operating location conservation and recreation in the Hopewell Big for trail users and concessioners; however, conces- Woods: sioners would need to provide temporary structures • the location of Welkinweir along Route 100, a ma- that generate their own power, which is currently jor north-south thoroughfare, and as the eastern not available in this part of the park. Baptism Creek anchor of significant private and public preserved National Recreation Trail would need to be re-routed lands; around the East Race. The fee for the bike concession could be split with French Creek State Park. A • the location of the Horse-Shoe Trail; bike permitting program would support trail main- • the availability of visitor support facilities; and tenance. 100 parking spaces total could be provided, • the role of Green Valleys Association in conserv- with 50 or less paved. Permeable paving may be used ing open space and water quality. to retain water on site and direct it away from the stream. This bike hub could also provide an educa- Welkinweir could function much like the “Visitor tional opportunity to emphasize reasons visitors can Hubs” described as part of the Strategic Plan for the not access cultural resources in this area. Iron and Steel Heritage Region. Welkinweir could introduce visitors to the Hopewell Big Woods within CONSERVATION the context of the Schuylkill River National and State HERITAGE NODES Heritage Area, and describe its significance and the ongoing conservation efforts of Green Valleys Asso- Welkinweir ciation and its partners such as Natural Lands Trust Welkinweir is the 197-acre property and former and Hay Creek Watershed Association. Welkinweir estate housing the offices of the Green Valleys -As could also provide an overview of the recreational sociation, which has been pursuing protection of facilities and trails – including auto tours – in the the lands and waters of northern Chester County for area (and how to use them responsibly), along with more than 36 years. Green Valleys has contributed information on visitor services. substantially to the public education and awareness Welkinweir could also expand its interpretive pro- of the need to preserve the region’s natural resources, gramming and visitor services, perhaps considering including obtaining Pennsylvania Scenic River des- a trailhead and/or parking off of Route 100 for access ignation for French Creek, providing environmental to the Horse-Shoe Trail and a location for washing education programs for adults and children, and off hiking boots or horses hooves to minimize the continuing to conserve the Pigeon Creek, Stony Run, translocation of invasive species. Printed and digital French Creek, Pickering Creek, and Valley Creek materials and signage could use the Hopewell Big watersheds of northern Chester County. Woods logo. Welkinweir could serve as one of five Welkinweir was placed in 1976 into a conserva- major locations to tell the conservation story, along tion easement held by Natural Lands Trust. The with Crow’s Nest Preserve, Hopewell Furnace NHS, property was placed on the National Register of French Creek State Park, and Birdsboro Waters. Historic Places in 2001. Welkinweir’s grounds include formal gardens, an arboretum and a diversity

47 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

Crow’s Nest Preserve visitor services. Crow’s Nest Preserve could consider The Preserve is one of several major tracts of private- regular hours of operation for its visitor center, and ly owned conservation lands within the Hopewell Big expanded interpretive programming and visitor Woods. Natural Lands Trust owns and manages the services. Preserve. The non-profit land trust NLT was founded A trailhead, kiosk and/or parking off of Hopewell by a group of avid bird-watchers in 1953. NLT is Road could provide access and information to serve one of the first regional land conservation groups two trail routes – Chief’s Grove Trail within Crow’s in the country and one of the largest in the region. Nest and the Colonial Forge & Furnace auto tour NLT owns and manages conservation lands in the along Hopewell Road. Printed materials and signage counties surrounding Philadelphia, in northeastern could use the Hopewell Big Woods logo and tell the Pennsylvania, and in Salem and Cumberland coun- conservation and iron heritage story, supplement- ties, New Jersey. NLT is spearheading the Hopewell ing the existing kiosk. A location for washing off Big Woods project, which the organization describes hiking boots or horses hooves could minimize the as one of four “Keystone Landscapes” that are critical translocation of invasive species, in keeping with to the region’s ecological health. the Preserve’s Leave No Trace visitor management Crow’s Nest Preserve is a 600+acre property along approach. Crow’s Nest Preserve could serve as one French Creek characterized by wildflower meadows of five locations to tell the conservation story, along and grasslands, crop fields and forested areas typical with Welkinweir, Hopewell Furnace NHS, French of Piedmont flora. NLT manages the land for native Creek State Park, and Birdsboro Waters. habitat as well as for agricultural and passive public use. Bow hunting for deer only is allowed. The pre- State Game Lands 43 serve provides environmental education and research Pennsylvania Game Lands #43 consist of three opportunities, including a summer day camp and discontiguous properties totaling 2,909 acres for the after-school programs. The visitor center includes a benefit of the public. Pennsylvania Game Commis- library, meeting space, and restrooms; however, the sion policies focus on managing wildlife populations center is only open by chance or appointment. and minimizing impacts to their habitat to the extent Several factors make Crow’s Nest Preserve a po- possible, for the benefit of hunters. Game Lands tential ”Interpretive Pod” for learning about conser- management and facilities maintenance are funded vation and recreation in the Hopewell Big Woods: through hunting license fees, mineral revenues, and • its location adjacent to Hopewell Furnace NHS timber fees. and State Game Lands 43, as the southern anchor Existing access roads serve informally as trails, of significant private and public preserved lands; but there are currently no authorized single track or cross country trails and no authorized connections to • its location adjacent to the Horse-Shoe Trail, French Creek State Park or Hopewell Furnace trails, Boars Back Trail and Forge to Furnace auto tour; with the exception of the Horse-Shoe Trail. The PA • the availability of visitor support facilities; and Game Lands trails are essentially service roads and • the role of Natural Lands Trust in conserving open were not developed to enhance recreational experi- space in the region. ences for hikers and bicyclists. In 2000, state regulations were changed to permit bikers on Game Lands; Crow’s Nest Preserve could describe to visitors the however, unauthorized bike trails continue to be an conservation values of the Hopewell Big Woods and issue. There are time-of-year limitations on trail use the ongoing conservation efforts of Natural Lands for safety. For instance, during the major hunting Trust and its partners. The Preserve could also season, the trails are closed except on Sundays. provide an overview of the recreational facilities and Pennsylvania Game Lands #43 (SGL #43) and trails – including auto tours – in the area (and how French Creek State Park are major regional hunt- to use them responsibly), along with information on ing destinations where there are open areas to hunt.

48 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

A shooting range is available on the Pennsylvania safety for recreational users away from the rifle range Game Lands only. Hunting is possible most times area, and expanding wildlife habitat. The trails would of the year (bow season, deer season, bird season), need to be properly posted on both SGL #43 property although limited to bow hunting and shotgun. Rifle and also French Creek State Park to alert recreational hunting is not permitted in Chester County but is users to the rules and safety precautions. permitted in Berks County. Currently, trails on pub- Unlike other conservation organizations and lic hunting lands are generally not used by groups agencies that manage area lands, the Pennsylvania other than hunters. Game Commission does not include interpretation The Pennsylvania Game Commission is concerned and education of natural and cultural resources in its about the development of biking / hiking trails through mission. The education focus is primarily on hunting Game Lands because of safety issues; however, the safety and management of wildlife habitat on State Commission has been receptive to the idea of a land Game Lands. An additional challenge is the lack of exchange or purchase that would enable NPS and its visitor support facilities such as a visitor center, rest- partners to expand trail connections to adjacent prop- rooms, and picnic or rest areas. Nonetheless, the con- erties. There is also the possibility to use Game Lands nection of all three SGL #43 properties through the facilities off season, with the exception of the pistol proposed Boar’s Back Trail, the existence of a major range and other hazardous areas used year-round. regional trail – the Horse-Shoe Trail – connecting For each region, there are designated routes. two SGL #43 properties, and the presence of historic These route designations, which total more than resources on or adjacent to the Game Lands provides 1,000 miles, are in compliance with State Game an opportunity for interpretation. Lands use regulations that went into effect on Febru- Existing parking areas could be used to provide ary 1, 2003. Under the new regulations, anyone who an enhanced overview map of State Game Lands rides a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., bicycle), convey- #43, including the existing designated trails and their ance or animal on State Game Lands must do so only permitted uses, historic resources, and ways to access on designated routes. Such riding activities will not the regional trails from the SGL internal trail system. be permitted, except on Sundays or on roads open to Parking areas near historic iron mines could include public travel, from the last Saturday in September to waysides, brochures or other relatively simple media the third Saturday in January, and after 1 p.m. from to interpret the mines’ role in the iron industry and the second Saturday in April to the last Saturday in how they impact the landscape today. These historic May. This does not apply to anyone lawfully engaged mines include Hopewell Mines, Everhart Mines, in hunting, trapping or fishing on State Game Lands. Warwick Mines, and Steel’s Mines. The role of the Within SGL #43 (western property), there is only Commonwealth in conserving the Hopewell Big one designated route currently which starts from the Woods could also be interpreted here, as well as at rifle range off of Laurel Road and loops around and French Creek State Park. Due to the poor condi- back to the rifle range within the Game Lands for tion of these historic features, direct physical access 3.4 miles. The rifle range includes a buffer to avoid should not be provided to the public. use conflicts, and bicyclists can ride at night or on Currently there are no existing trailheads on Sundays to avoid hunters. SGL #43 properties. A trailhead in conjunction with The Horse-Shoe Trail is noted as a special use trail existing parking would be needed for the Horse-Shoe on Pennsylvania Game Commission maps but is not Trail where it enters the State Game Lands from listed as a designated route. There is an opportunity Hopewell Furnace NHS. Suitable locations for ad- to identify the Horse-Shoe Trail within SGL #43 and ditional trailheads for the Boar’s Back Trail should be the proposed Boars Back Trail as designated routes. considered on or adjacent to the southern portions of The designation could provide the impetus for pre- SGL #43. Special design features for horseback riders serving additional lands adjacent to the trail corridor, should be considered – e.g., spaces for horse trailers, providing improved access for hunters and greater horse unloading ramp, hitching rail, etc.

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Birdsboro Waters – See Visitor Hubs above Hub, as proposed in the Strategic Plan for the Iron and Steel Heritage Region. A trailhead suitable for French Creek State Park – See Visitor bikers and hikers, and trail connections to the newly Hubs above developing community of Bryn Ayre and the abandoned PA Route 82, would enhance this function. Hopewell Furnace NHS – See Discovery In much the same way as Crow’s Nest Preserve, Centers Above Birdsboro Waters, and other select sites could tell the conservation story, Joanna Furnace could tell the IRON HERITAGE NODES story of iron production in the region, linking it to the conservation story. Joanna Furnace could serve Joanna Furnace as one of seven hubs of information for the Colonial The location of Joanna Furnace adjacent to PA Route Forge & Furnace auto tour and the Iron and Steel 10, a segment of the Colonial Forge & Furnace auto Heritage Region, along with Birdsboro, Hopewell tour, and near a proposed off road trail (New Morgan Furnace NHS, French Creek State Park, St. Peters Connector), and its visitor facilities and interpretive Village, Coventryville, and Warwick County Park. programming provide excellent potential for devel- Joanna Furnace could introduce visitors to the oping the Furnace as an interpretive node or Hopewell Big Woods within the context of the Iron potentially a “visitor hub” in the future. Joanna and Steel Heritage Region, and describe the Furnace’s Furnace has the potential to serve a great number of significance and the ongoing preservation efforts of interpretive functions. Hay Creek Valley Historical Association and its part- Ongoing restoration efforts have provided a full ners. Joanna Furnace could also provide an overview range of structures that offer interpretive opportuni- of the historic sites in the area and distribute infor- ties, including the furnace, charcoal house, blower mation about the local parks and recreational facili- engine house, blacksmith shop and a number of ties for other organizations and agencies. The Furnace other structures. Joanna represents opportunities to could provide information about the locations and highlight changes in iron manufacturing technology permitted uses of trails once these are established, through most of the 19th century. The site also offers along with information on visitor services available in opportunities to feature the daily lives of the workers nearby Morgantown and Elverson. Printed materials and that of the owners and ironmasters. Interpretation and signage could use the Hopewell Big Woods logo at Joanna Furnace can complement and enrich the and tell the iron heritage story, supplementing exist- stories told at Hopewell Furnace NHS by helping to ing information about the Furnace history. provide a complete continuum of ironmaking history. The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association Coventryville (HCVHA) owns and operates the Furnace. The As- Coventryville is among the most scenic and historic sociation’s mission is to “support and demonstrate, villages in the Hopewell Big Woods and identified as to foster interest in and appreciation for our local a destination for the Colonial Forge & Furnace Trail. heritage, and to provide a living experience of Berks It is a possibly unique example of a community built County’s rich agricultural and technological past.” in the early years of the iron industry that does not The furnace is supported almost entirely by the represent a more traditional iron plantation. Cov- services of HCVHA’s volunteer members and festival entryville’s location near a significant cluster of iron activities such as Christmas at Joanna, Hay Creek related resources (Coventry Forge, Coventryville Festival, and the Hay Creek Apple Festival, which at- Iron Works, and Rock Run Furnace) and near the tract thousands of visitors each year. Visitor facilities junction of several trails, and the presence of visitor include a museum in the Charcoal Barn, restrooms support services such as the Coventry Inn, make it and parking. Hours of operation would need to be an excellent starting point for walking, bicycling and expanded in order for the site to function as a Visitor driving tours related to the early iron industry.

50 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

Coventryville can serve a function similar to that interpretive signage and information about French of “Interpretive Pod” described in the Strategic Plan Creek Trail – e.g., rules for its use, resources, etc. A for the Iron and Steel Heritage Region, offering inter- box with self-guided French Creek Trail brochures pretive information that clarifies the links between could be stationed here or information could be the formation of the community and the early years available at a nearby business (such as Coventry Tea of the iron industry. Should an appropriate facil- Room), along with an overview of Hopewell Big ity be located in town, Coventryville can expand its Woods, places to get additional information about function to “Visitor Hub” and provide an orientation recreation and historic resources (e.g., Welkinweir to the iron related resources and history of Hopewell Visitor Center), and nearby attractions. Big Woods, on and off road trails that access those resources, and directions to nearby attractions and Eagle/Ludwigs Corner visitor services. Direct connections to the French Ludwigs Corner represents the southeastern entry Creek Trail and Horse-Shoe Trail could be developed point into the Hopewell Big Woods. This rapidly from downtown Coventryville. developing crossroads is now mainly the location Alternately, Coventry House, the headquarters for high-priced residences, although the vestiges for French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, of an historic town and some small businesses are could serve as an interpretive stop for the Colonial visible along PA Route 100. A suitable location for Forge & Furnace Trail, providing an opportunity to an information kiosk or visitors center could be at showcase the lives of early ironmasters. Coventry the Henrietta Hankin Library on PA Route 401 just House could also house information materials relating east of its intersection with PA Route 100. Just north to the Colonial Forge & Furnace Trail, French Creek of Ludwigs Corner is a sizeable park –the Ludwigs Trail, Horse-Shoe Trail and other trails in the area. Corner Horse Show Grounds – where information Other sites that double as Iron Heritage Nodes about the Hopewell Big Woods could be provided. and Gateways, Visitor Hubs or Discovery Centers At a minimum, roadway signage should indicate the include: St. Peter’s Village, Warwick County Park, visitor is entering Hopewell Big Woods. Directions to Morgantown and Hopewell Furnace NHS. the Horse-Shoe Trail and the nearest trailhead would be useful. TRAILHEAD TOWNS The 33-acre Ludwigs Corner Horse Show Grounds Monocacy – See pp. 32-33, Monocacy Connec- are located nearby, the site of significant regional rid- tion with French Creek State ing competitions, horse shows, kennel club shows, and an annual 5K cross country race. Income to maintain Pughtown and improve the grounds for show purposes and to secure this open space for similar activities in the future This historic crossroads village at the eastern end of is obtained from membership dues and donations; the Hopewell Big Woods would be an appropriate loca- annual Ludwigs Corner Horse Show; and the rental tion for a trailhead and information kiosk, perhaps of the grounds to other groups for other horse shows, located in the Norchester Red Knights field, although dog shows, antique shows, automobile shows and only portable restrooms are available. Directional similar activities; and other fund raising activities. In signage could indicate the route for the Pikeland addition, area rides for the public are sponsored by the Nails to Rails auto tour to the east as well as the Co- Ludwig’s Corner Riding & Driving Club, a non-profit lonial Forge & Furnace auto tour to the west. organization of about 100 people who enjoy riding Pughtown is also the junction of PA Bicycle Route and driving. Members include English and Western S and the French Creek Trail, and direct access could pleasure horseback riders, carriage drivers, and com- be provided to the French Creek Trail from town. petitors of all ages and skill levels. Annual dues are The trailhead could include a small parking area so collected to fund club activities, and for donation to that visitors and trail users could stop to read the worthy equine and open-space organizations.

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The Horse Show Grounds provides a potential OTHER TRAILHEADS / venue for distributing information about Hopewell TRAIL ACCESS POINTS Big Woods trails and recreational facilities that would appeal to auto tourists, horseback riders, and Woody’s Woods and Coventry Woods a wide range of recreationists. In addition, there is These protected lands in South and North Coventry the potential for partnering with the Ludwig’s Corner townships respectively are relatively unimproved Riding & Driving Club to distribute information, and do not offer the broad range of amenities visitors market the nearby riding trails in particular (e.g., would find in French Creek State Park and other lo- Horse-Shoe Trail), and develop and maintain trails. cal parks in the area. While not suitable for the loca- A few miles south of Ludwigs Corner is the town tion of full service visitor facilities, Woody’s Woods of Eagle. Eagle has a wide range of services for visi- and Coventry Woods (Photo 6) are proposed to tors, including gas stations, restaurants, and lodg- tie into North and South Coventry’s multi-use trail ings; however, the town does not support businesses system. Hikers, horseback riders, and bicyclists are that specifically cater to the area’s recreational users. anticipated to use these parks. Therefore it is likely Currently, Eagle is the last town before entering the that some expansion of visitor services would be Hopewell Big Woods on PA Route 100 and located required if trail use justifies it – e.g., installation of along a busy, commercial area of the highway. restrooms/port-a-potties, parking, bike racks, and Although the location and range of services create outdoor picnic facilities. some potential for Eagle to become a “gateway” into Both parks could maintain a large “You are here” Hopewell Big Woods, information infrastructure map of the Hopewell Big Woods with an overview would need to be developed and promoted with area of the trails and recreation facilities, where to go for businesses and West Vincent Township. The com- specific recreational activities, permitted uses and mercial development detracts from the gateway idea. “rules of the trails,” and more detailed information on the developing trail systems of North and South Coventry townships. The information could be provided in the form of a simple kiosk or waysides. Alternately, a box with brochures for self-guided trail information could be provided, along with a “sign-in sheet” to track visitor use during the year. As in the case of other area parks, the issue of invasive species and their relation to trail use should be included in information materials. Chester County Planning Commission Planning County Chester Photo 6

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Benefits

BOOST LOCAL ECONOMIES region, resource extraction and its impacts on the AND SUPPORTVIII TOURISM environment, and consider the concept of sustainability in resource use. The trail network would All Hopewell Big Woods communities can partici- essentially form part of a nontraditional classroom, pate in the significant economic benefits of heritage with heritage assets linked together thematically and tourism supported by a well integrated transporta- enriched by interpretive areas for use by schools and tion network and organized, coordinated marketing the general public. Communities would understand and promotion. An organized trail system is a desir- and be motivated to protect the cultural, historic and able amenity and can contribute to the economical natural resources that make the Hopewell Big Woods vitality of the community, often boosting values of a special place to live, play and work. properties adjacent to the trail. Evidence shows that the access to quality natural, recreational and cultural PROMOTE AND SUPPORT settings is an important factor in corporate reloca- HEALTH, FITNESS, AND tion decisions. Trails are often cited as important contributors to RECREATION quality of life and they offer opportunities for em- Inviting pathways and trails that link population ployees to commute by foot or bicycle. Trail network centers to the great outdoors and scenic, historic and users provide a market for food and beverages, lodg- recreational attractions would encourage residents ing, equipment, bicycle sales/rental/repair, clothing, and visitors to participate in outdoor exercise and accessories, books, maps, and guides. The Hopewell fitness activities. Walking, bicycling and other hu- Big Woods trails can guide both visitors and resi- man powered transport are ways to contribute to the dents through diverse neighborhoods, past interest- health and well being of participants, reducing both ing shops, enticing restaurants, and many other busi- the direct and indirect costs of illness and disease, nesses in downtown areas such as Elverson, St. Peters improving lifestyles, and reducing geriatric costs. Village, and Birdsboro. Revenue generated from trail Well designed trails get people in the habit of exercis- related recreation and sports activities can provide ing and socializing with others. Alternative transpor- substantial income and employment opportunities. tation choices create more cohesive communities, conserve gasoline, and reduce traffic congestion and INSPIRE INTEREST IN pollution. The Hopewell Big Woods Trail Network HISTORY, CULTURE AND can create more opportunities for recreation and THE ENVIRONMENT make parks more accessible to the community. The Hopewell Big Woods Trail Network can provide a unique opportunity for current and future genera- tions to learn about and appreciate the American Revolution, the rich iron-making heritage of the

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LINK COMMUNITIES WITH THE VALUABLE ASSETS THAT SURROUND THEM Residents can build on existing plans such as the Berks County Greenway, Park and Recreation Plan and Chester County’s Linking Landscapes, as well as current community revitalization and trail development efforts, to provide more travel choices (Photo 7). They can identify short trips between communities and their heritage Commission Planning County Chester assets, tying them together socially and economically using safe routes for cyclists, Photo 7 wheelchair users and families with stroll- ers. They can connect to the larger region through long-distance trails such as the Schuylkill River Trail and Horse-Shoe Trail.

Get Involved!

Share Our VisionIXPlease join us! The Hopewell Big Woods trails and recreation Contact: network can provide excellent opportunities to link Jim Thorne, Senior Director of Science, Natural communities, boost local economies, encourage Lands Trust, 610-353-5587 (ext. 241) or alternative modes of transportation, support [email protected] environmental and history education, and reconnect 1031 Palmers Mill Road, Media, PA 19063 people to their heritage. But it can’t happen without you. Forging new partnerships between public and Check out the Hopewell Big Woods web site at: private interests is the only way to make the network http://www.hopewellbigwoods.org/ a reality.

54 Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan

APPENDICES

A. Initiatives Contributing the Borough’s park system. Among the highest prior- to the Concept Plan ity projects identified in the plan are: The Hopewell Big Woods Recreation and Trails Net- • Develop Millard House work is not a completely new idea. Elements of the • Acquire right-of-way within Armorcast Property concept were circulating for several years among the • Acquire right-of-way for Mountz Trail from F.M. townships, recreation groups, local landowners, non- Brown profits and area businesses. The idea for these groups to work together for the “collective good” of the These projects support the revitalization of Birdsboro Hopewell Big Woods region was conceived several as a northern gateway to the Hopewell Big Woods years ago in 2000, when the Hopewell Big Woods and important access point for the Schuylkill River Partnership was born. A coalition of interest groups Trail. The right-of-way within the Armorcast proper- (see Acknowledgements Section) and dedicated in- ty has been acquired for one year, with the possibility dividuals volunteered to examine ways to unlock the of future renewal. full potential of Hopewell Big Woods assets for all to Elverson Borough Revitalization Plan (2003) appreciate, protect, and enjoy. Previous planning for Currently there are few pedestrian crossings in the Hopewell Big Woods is described below. downtown Elverson, the sidewalks are relatively narrow, and motor vehicles are generally traveling MUNICIPAL PLANNING EFFORTS at speeds greater than those posted. Traffic calm- Birdsboro Waters Master Plan (2009) ing and streetscape enhancements along Route 23, a The master plan identified appropriate recreational designated Pennsylvania Bicycle Route, and im- activities within Birdsboro Waters and provided the provements to the pedestrian and bicycling environ- concept for the trailheads. Trail design treatments ment, are important elements of the Revitalization will be provided to PennDOT for guidance on the Plan. Elverson Borough is interested in reducing future disposition of Route 82. Federal Highways the negative impacts of vehicular traffic on Route 23 Administration will require improvements from and improving pedestrian and vehicular safety along PennDOT that could fund enhancements to trails borough streets. The Borough supports encouraging in Birdsboro Waters such as trailheads and parking motorists traveling through the borough to patronize areas. Elverson businesses, and creation of a pedestrian- oriented community where sidewalks and trails Birdsboro Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan connect to community destinations and enhance (2006) the pedestrian experience. Bumpouts, gateway signs Birdsboro Borough completed a comprehensive and pedestrian crossings are planned for Route 23 to review of its recreation facilities and programs. create a more pedestrian friendly environment. New Through this process the Borough identified ecologi- trails connecting a proposed elementary school and cal, recreational, heritage, and management goals in recreation facilities to the Borough pedestrian system order to guide the future growth and development of are recommended. In addition, businesses will be encouraged to provide bicycle racks.

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The recommended actions in the Elverson Bor- grants, and urban revitalization grants. Currently, ough Revitalization Plan support the development three municipalities in eastern Chester County are of the regional trail system by providing safe access conducting a study of the “Patriots Path,” which links to the trails from this historic community through municipal parks to Valley Forge Park using the same a system of on-street and off-road walkways and sort of approach. As a result, there is precedent for bicycle routes. Working in concert with the Hopewell pursuing the Forge to Furnace concept over the long Big Woods Partnership, Elverson Borough can re- term in incremental steps. The Strategic Plan for the imagine itself as an information hub and southern Iron and Steel Heritage Region described below can gateway for Hopewell Big Woods trails, providing be the overarching guidance for developing the Forge facilities and services for trail users such as bike rentals and repairs, outfitters, and tours and tour guides. to Furnace concept. Horse-Shoe Trail Feasibility Study (2009) COUNTY INITIATIVES and This study focused on approximately 29 miles of the PLANNING EFFORTS Horse-Shoe Trail in Berks County, where segments Chester County Forge to Furnace Concept of the trail are either on road or on private property (ongoing) and not protected through easements. The goals are to get the trail off-road and permanently protected. A During 2008, a series of meetings were held with portion of this 29 miles falls within the Hopewell Big municipal and county representatives to develop Woods, and in this area options for re-locating the the scope of work for the Federation of Northern trail off road are being considered. One option is to re- Chester County Communities Regional Park, Open locate the trail after it exits French Creek State Park by Space and Recreation Plan, beginning in 2009. One taking it through the proposed Bryn Eyre community. of the concepts which came out of this coordination was the “Forge to Furnace” corridor. This concept Berks County Greenway, Park and Recreation Plan was not a formally adopted or approved plan. Rather (2007) the concept is a recognition that the various trail and An update to the 1994 Berks County Greenway, Park greenways that exist, or are proposed, in northern and Recreation Plan, this plan guides municipalities, Chester and southern Montgomery Counties could organizations, developers and private interests on the create a trail network linking Valley Forge National development of future recreational facilities. It also Historical Park with Hopewell Furnace National addresses connections to existing trails and green- Historic Site. As a network, this corridor need not be ways and preservation of open space and historic one trail facility owned and maintained by one orga- resources throughout Berks County, setting specific nization, but rather a series of interconnected trails goals with a target date of 2020. and greenways that have the same identity, and might The plan sets forth recommendations specific share the same minimum design criteria, signage, to the Southern Highlands Region, which includes and a common friends-of group. Hopewell Big Woods. The plan describes the multi- Such a corridor would require substantial coor- tude of recreational, ecological and historical resourc- dination and planning, and would likely be realized es within the Highlands, and specifically identifies through a series of related smaller trail planning the Schuylkill River Greenway/Trail, the Horse-Shoe efforts such as the Northern Federation plan and the Trail, and the proposed Hay Creek Trail. The plan plan for trails along French Creek being pursued by notes the importance of key destinations connected the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust. by the trails, such as Hopewell Furnace NHS, French The benefit of the Forge to Furnace Concept is that Creek State Park, Birdsboro Waters property, and it would link two national parks and Phoenixville state gamelands. The Hopewell Big Woods is charac- Borough, thus making the corridor well-suited for terized as the “heart of the Pennsylvania Highlands” receiving funding from state grants, recreational and an “Ecologic Hub of Significance” that is a high

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priority for conservation. The plan further notes that, ing recreational trail connections to St. Lawrence, although there seems to be an abundance of parks and Monocacy Hill and Birdsboro; and preserving the trails in the region, the demand for these recreational Lower Allegheny ecological area with potential trail opportunities is increasing across Pennsylvania. connections to the Schuylkill River Trail and Big About the Thun/Schuylkill River Trail, the plan Woods. notes “Some sections are incomplete and it is very Linking Landscapes: A Plan for the Protected important to finish the connection to Montgomery Open Space Network in Chester County, County.” The gap in the Schuylkill River Trail from Pennsylvania (2002) Birdsboro southeast to Pottstown was recently eliminated. The trail section from Birdsboro northwest to In February 2002, the Chester County Board of Gibraltar remains an on road segment that in time Commissioners adopted Linking Landscapes, the first will be re-located off road. The Horse-Shoe Trail is of the specific plan elements tied to Landscapes as the described as a “major pedestrian and hiking con- open space element of the Chester County compre- nector route that links key destinations within the hensive plan. The primary goal ofLinking Landscapes Southern Highlands Region and provides connec- is the protection of open space through the coordi- tions to areas outside the region.” nated efforts of Chester County, municipalities, land The plan suggests a trail along Hay Creek utiliz- trusts and conservancies, and private property own- ing the abandoned Route 82 and rail corridors. The ers. Open space is defined as “woodland, meadows, proposed Hay Creek Trail has since been abandoned; farms and even back yards or the lawns surrounding however, a replacement connection is being pursued industrial parks.” The plan includes policy recom- in Union Township. The plan suggests that these mendations for protecting agricultural and natural trails be developed as part of greenway corridors that resources lands and the creation of open space are vital for wildlife migration corridors and connect linkages, as well as the development of recreational “Ecologic Hubs of Significance,” including Hopewell resource areas for township residents. Big Woods. The plan also suggests two themes – Relevant to the Hopewell Big Woods Trails and gristmills and furnaces – that can be applied to the Recreation Concept Plan is the Linking Landscapes historic resources of the region and used to organize recommendation to rehabilitate already developed the visitor experience, including trail use. lands as open space. In particular, two railroad cor- Other recommendations that support the ridors within Hopewell Big Woods are identified for Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Network potential rehabilitation: Sow Belly Railroad and New include: Holland Branch. Linking Landscapes recommends that these rail corridors be recycled into trails, if they • marketing and promotion of the Hopewell Big are not likely to be used for future rail transport. Woods and French Creek State Park; While Linking Landscapes evaluated the Hopewell • completion of the Schuylkill River/Thun Trail Big Woods region as not needing additional regional through Birdsboro; (federal, state) or county parks, it did recognize the • securing permanent protection of the Horse-Shoe need to connect these existing resources through Trail off road; non-motorized routes. Linking Landscapes identified the Schuylkill River Trail, Horse-Shoe Trail, and • recognizing and incorporating local trail segments Welsh Mountain – St. Peters recreation corridor as into the Pennsylvania Highlands Trails Network; “Regional Priority Trails” that Chester County would and like to see developed and/or completed. • marketing and restoring Joanna Furnace and link- Linking Landscapes looked broadly at ways the ing it to adjacent trails. Regional Priority Trail Corridors would fit into a The Berks County Greenway plan also proposes cre- larger regional and interstate network of trails. Such ating a historic resources “hub” at Birdsboro; provid- a network would allow residents from the Delaware

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state line to bike through Chester County to French a county-wide trail network. Local governments are Creek State Park. Cyclists could also travel from the charged with encouraging developers to incorporate Octoraro Valley to Valley Forge and the Schuylkill designs into their proposals that consider forms of River Trail. Given Chester County’s central location transportation other than automobiles, to include and the presence of several regional trails in a rela- transit, pedestrians, bikes, and existing trails, and tively compact area, such a network could increase to build alternative transportation into subdivision tourism and promote the revitalization of older ordinance design standards. urban centers. County and local governments are urged to promote alternative means of travel to reduce automo- Landscapes: Managing Change in Chester County tive dependency, increase accessibility, and improve 1996-2020 (adopted in 1996) air quality. The emphasis is on: Landscapes, now undergoing revision, established a vision for the future of Chester County to preserve • developing a network of corridors for non-mo- and enhance the unique character of Chester County torized travel and protecting existing corridors to landscapes by concentrating growth in the most link areas of concentrated development; appropriate areas. The primary goal of the Chester • enhancing pedestrian and bicycle connections County policy plan is to focus new development within and among residential, commercial, and in areas where it can best be accommodated and employment areas, and among community facili- encouraging the revitalization of the County’s urban ties; and areas. The plan stresses the importance of protect- • supporting concentrated, mixed-use development ing natural and historic resources and emphasizes that encourages bicycling and walking. the need to preserve farms and prime agricultural soils. The plan identifies growth boundaries around Separate bicycle facilities and pedestrian facilities are four types of landscapes: Natural, Rural, Suburban, encouraged wherever possible to avoid user conflicts. and Urban, and proposes key actions to protect and Policies guiding the provision and management of enhance the character of each landscape. parkland and recreational facilities include: The majority of the Hopewell Big Woods region • providing new land for open space and recreation- is located in the Rural and Natural Landscapes, with al facilities to meet forecasted needs; the Borough of South Pottstown and Pottstown • establishing a trail and bikeway network to link Landing in North Coventry Township identified residential areas, business uses, community facili- as Urban Landscapes. Portions of East Coventry, ties, and parks; East Pikeland, East Vincent, and North Coven- try are identified as the Suburban Landscape. The • ensuring that special needs populations can access Region also contains rural centers that are part of recreational facilities; the Hopewell Big Woods, including Bucktown and • providing diverse recreational programs; Pughtown in South Coventry; St. Peters Village and • supporting joint recreational use of facilities Knauertown in Warwick; and Ludwig’s Corner in among state, county, and municipal governments, West Vincent. local organizations, and school districts; and Recommendations regarding trails and recreation facilities are folded into the goal of providing safe • cooperating with surrounding areas to link and efficient transportation via an intermodal system Chester County’s open space system to a regional which optimizes mobility, strengthens the economy, network. protects the environment, and supports the vision for Chester County. Chester County is charged with developing a bikeway plan consisting of a network of trails and roads and expediting key components of

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REGIONAL PLANNING EFFORTS • St. Michael’s Church Hay Creek Greenway Plan (2007) • a potential historic district for Birdsboro, along Along with conserving, enhancing and protecting with the Brooke Mansion natural areas within the Hay Creek watershed, the Birdsboro Waters is clearly a major natural and Hay Creek Greenway Plan recommends diverse and recreation focal point for the Hay Creek watershed unique outdoor recreation opportunities should be and a key element in the greenway system. Recom- provided highlighting the Hay Creek Watershed’s mendations for developing, enhancing and managing natural and historic resources. Objectives include: the recreational network include establishing recreation greenway corridors throughout the watershed • Creating a regional hiking, biking, and walking to provide additional recreational opportunities trail network that connects people with natural for area residents. The plan suggests completion of and historic resources, and the Schuylkill River Trail through Birdsboro and • Increasing outdoor recreation-related tourism development of at least one trailhead with support opportunities that take advantage of the abundant facilities, as an economic stimulus. The plan also rec- resources in the watershed such as bird watching, ommends preparing a feasibility study for the Horse- rock climbing, hiking and biking, kayaking, and Shoe Trail, which would include costs associated canoeing. with realignment of the Horse-Shoe Trail from an Related to objective #2 is the emphasis on heritage- on-road facility to a primarily off-road trail facility. related tourism and environmental education oppor- Integrally linked to the development of the tunities throughout the watershed, including those recreation greenway corridors are the heritage available at Joanna Furnace, Hopewell Furnace, and greenway corridors. Heritage greenway corridors other National Register sites. The plan further rec- serve to protect the watershed’s locally and nation- ommends the development of “outdoor classrooms” ally significant historic resources, increase awareness within the greenway systems that provide hands-on and expand the Hopewell Big Woods initiative, and access to environmental resources. Indoor and out- facilitate implementation of the Schuylkill River Trail door classrooms that provide access to historic and and Greenway. Birdsboro would be marketed as a cultural resources, such as the Tucci House, Joanna gateway to the Hay Creek Watershed and Hopewell Furnace, and other key sites, are also recommended. Big Woods. Joanna Furnace Complex would be The plan describes the recreational network for rebuilt to serve as a southern gateway for the Hay Hay Creek watershed, including parks and recre- Creek Greenway and Hopewell Big Woods. Acqui- ational trails such as the Horse-Shoe Trail, Schuylkill sition, planning and reuse of the Millard “Tucci” River Trail, and the proposed Hay Creek Trail as im- House in Birdsboro would provide an environmental portant community amenities. Key recreational, his- education center and headquarters for the Hay Creek toric and cultural destinations to be linked through a Watershed Association. recreation greenway system include: Various greenway management options are described, including regional or county management, • French Creek State Park non-profit management or shared management • Union Township Recreation Area among several entities. Roles of greenway partners • Twin Valley and Daniel Boone school campuses are also outlined, including the ecological management role of Hopewell Big Woods Partnership. • potentially rock climbing areas Phoenixville Area Regional Comprehensive Plan • Joanna Furnace (draft 2006) • Hopewell Furnace NHS In 2000, six municipalities facing similar challenges • Geiger Mill joined together to develop a joint comprehensive plan. The six municipalities include the Borough

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of Phoenixville and the townships of Charlestown, create a GIS map of the existing trail network and East Pikeland, East Vincent, Schuylkill, and West work as a group with French and Pickering Creeks Vincent, covering approximately 70 square miles in Conservation Trust to identify linkages within each northeastern Chester County along the Schuylkill municipality as well as connecting across municipal River and portions of select tributaries. East and boundaries. West Vincent townships are located within the Hopewell Big Woods. The plan has as its central The Federation of Northern Chester County focus the revitalization of downtown Phoenixville Communities Regional Resource Protection Plan as a regional magnet for shopping, arts, culture and (2006) entertainment; protection of agriculture and natural The Regional Resource Protection Plan is a joint resources, including the Hopewell Big Woods; and planning effort of the townships of East, North and creating a sustainable framework for growth and re- South Coventry; East and West Vincent; East Nant- source protection. Development of design guidelines meal; East Pikeland; Wallace and Warwick in north- for small-scale village style and mixed use develop- ern Chester County. Portions of all of these town- ment are encouraged, resource protection areas that ships except Wallace and East Pikeland are located include riparian corridors are identified, and an within the Hopewell Big Woods. The plan outlines aggressive reforestation program is recommended recommendations and actions for the identification for municipal-owned lands, particularly within the and protection of the region’s natural, historic, sce- Hopewell Big Woods. nic, agricultural, and recreational resources, building The Phoenixville Area Regional Comprehensive on previous conservation efforts of the individual Plan contains recommendations specific to regional townships. The chapter on recreation focuses on trails. The plan references the Chester County Link- regional and municipal efforts to expand and/or cre- ing Landscapes Plan, which identified the Horse- ate parkland and recreational facilities, the connec- Shoe Trail corridor as a priority for protection. Ad- tion of recreational facilities, and the coordination ditionally, the Sow Belly-French Creek Corridor and of community events and organizations. In addition, Pickering-Upper Uwchlan Corridor are recommend- a recreational resources inventory identifies size ed for expansion, as these corridors connect regional and type of parkland and recreational resources in parks, municipal parks, and points of interest along the region and describes the legal basis that enables their routes. Building trail connections from Phoe- municipalities and regional groups to manage recre- nixville area communities to existing segments of the ational resources. Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) is a regional priority, as To improve the environment and quality of life the SRT is the primary greenway/trail in the region. for residents, the plan recommends expanding ADA Chester and Montgomery Counties are working accessibility to public lands to the extent possible. It together to acquire property for the SRT and have also encourages the creation and connection of trails determined the route of the trail on the Montgomery and pathways in order to provide a regional pedes- County side of the Schuylkill River and crossing over trian circulation system. The plan identifies “regional to Phoenixville on the Route 29 bridge. parks and recreation facilities” to include national The Phoenixville Area Regional Comprehensive and state managed lands such as French Creek State Plan notes: Park, State Game Lands #43, and Hopewell Furnace The regional trail system is important; however, NHS, and “sub-regional parks and recreation facili- it is the local connections to that trailsystem that ties” to include significant private and county man- boost its usage. Municipalities should identify aged facilities such as Natural Lands Trust’s Crow’s potential linkages to the regional trail system from Nest Preserve, Springton Manor Farm, and Warwick park spaces, subdivisions, and commercial areas. County Park. The plan also identifies nine community parks One of the initial steps the Region can take to work and recreational facilities that include several within together in creating a regional trail system is to

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Hopewell Big Woods: Kimberton Community Park, provide economic benefits to business owners within Warwick Township Park, Welkinweir, and Woody’s the region in providing related services to these users Woods. Regional, sub-regional and community parks such as refreshment and the sales/rentals of related and recreation facilities all serve the region rather equipment. The Hopewell Big Woods Partnership than just individual townships and communities. It has published a map of existing trails and recreation- was noted that portions of West Vincent and East al facilities that is an excellent starting point for such Nantmeal townships are deficient in community rec- an inventory. Other venues for sharing this informa- reation facilities. These townships are located on the tion with the region’s residents include community southern and eastern borders of the Hopewell Big events. Woods and are divided by the Horse-Shoe Trail. Ac- The Regional Resource Protection Plan notes cess to the Horse-Shoe Trail and French Creek trail the challenge of having only one trail through the system further north, and development of local trails, region – the Schuylkill River Trail – with a formally may help alleviate the current deficiency in commu- designated right-of-way, while many other existing nity recreation facilities. and proposed trails are informal “social trails” or The Regional Resource Protection Plan further sidewalks and trail systems within residential devel- identifies a lack of adequate inventory information opments designed specifically for interior circulation and current, accurate plans for individual municipal and connection. In addition to recommending the parks, recreation facilities and environmental redevelopment of trail master plans for each town- sources, such that it is difficult to determine the need ship to address this challenge, the Regional Resource for future facilities based on municipal impacts such Protection Plan goes on to urge development of a as increasing populations. Current plans need to be regional public trail system master plan. This plan updated so that township officials can determine the would “identify the location of trail corridors and potential need for additional neighborhood facilities. provide a plan for connection or the linking of these The plan further recommends establishing a regional facilities to other similar uses within and beyond the recreation commission for Northern Federation mu- boundaries of the Region.” nicipalities that would enable municipal officials to The Regional Resource Protection Plan further address recreation needs from a regional perspective, challenges the townships and PennDOT to “make including a coordinated strategy for land our roads safer to bicycle on and constructing cycling acquisition, capital expenditures, programming and specific facilities where appropriate.” Combined with management of recreational facilities on a regional other societal trends (such as increasing traffic con- basis. The Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation gestion, fuel costs, and development densities), safer Network supports the establishment of a regional roads would make cycling a more attractive travel entity, proposing coordinated development of consis- option for a greater number of county residents. In addition to the cycling facilities that are either in tent trail standards, supporting the development of place or in the planning stages, there are other cor- trails and recreation facilities across the region, and ridors in Chester County where cycling facilities are suggesting the regional management entity would needed but not currently available, such as Routes provide resources and tools to municipalities to suc- 100 and 23. Route 23 is designated as a Pennsylva- cessfully implement and manage trail projects. nia Bicycle Route. These corridors link key areas of Many of the actions recommended in the Re- population density, employment areas, commercial gional Resource Protection Plan relate to marketing areas, and recreational areas. In each case, there is a and promotion of the recreation facilities, and shar- potential and/or existing demand for bicycle access ing information on their hours and operations with to these corridors that is currently unmet. township residents. A comprehensive inventory of The plan specifies ways to make existing roadways recreation facilities and associated operating infor- more bicycle friendly, such as through wide shoul- mation is suggested that would provide informa- ders/curb lanes, dedicated bicycle lanes, dedicated tion to a variety of user groups. In addition, it could

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off-road path, and a “road diet” that narrows or abandoned. The Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Rec- removes lanes. The Regional Resource Protection reation Network supports the idea of these regional Plan identifies specific actions that would lead to trail “spines” while recognizing the importance of the improvement of roads for bicycle use or creation local input into trail routing and design options. of appropriate bicycle facilities on state and local Reconnections: “Reconnecting the people of North roadways, such as through PennDOT road improve- Coventry Township and Pottstown Borough with ments, municipal transportation planning efforts, each other and their Schuylkill River Heritage” routine road maintenance, and safety education for (2004) bicyclists and motorists. Recreational user surveys conducted as part of the Hopewell Big Woods Trails The Reconnections project, a joint planning effort of and Recreation planning effort further support the Pottstown Borough and North Coventry Township, need for bicycle friendly roadways as part of a com- examines the potential physical, economic, social, plete regional trails system. heritage, and aesthetic connections between the two communities. The plan focuses on the Schuylkill Southern Berks Regional Comprehensive Plan River as the “heart” of each community’s history. (2004) Reconnections proposes major recommendations for This plan provides direction and guidance for future physical improvements to connect the two munici- growth, development and preservation efforts for palities. These improvements would be completed the next 10 to 20 years within the Borough of Birds- within two years, and include: boro, and Caernarvon, Robeson and Union town- • Enhancements to the Hanover Street Bridge to ships. The Southern Berks region covers portions create a functional and symbolic link and gateway of French Creek State Park and Hopewell Furnace for both communities; NHS as well as Pennsylvania Gamelands 43. Chapter VI, Parks and Recreation, identifies the trails within • Establishment of the River Road Trail from the these recreational facilities as well as specific “linear Hanover Street Bridge to River Park in North parks”(e.g., trails) as valuable assets for the region. Coventry; The linear parks include the Horse-Shoe Trail, Thun • Other improvements along Hanover Street, Lau- Trail, and Joanna (Hay Creek/Conestoga Creek) relwood Road and Rt. 724 to create more attrac- Trail. The plan urges local officials to protect and tive and walkable links between Pottstown Bor- incorporate these trails into the region’s overall park ough and Coventry Mall; and and open space system and programs. • Conversion of the existing unused railroad trestle The plan recommends local incentives to develop- into a pedestrian bridge across the Schuylkill ers to protect the trail alignments and type of use, River to connect River Park and Riverfront Park. respect the trails’ physical integrity, and provide connections from the development to the trail. In ad- Enhancements to existing trails and pedestrian paths, dition, the plan goes on to suggest, “local public facil- and development of new trail connections, complet- ities projects (e.g., roads, drainage, parks, etc.) should ing connections from Pottstown and North Coventry similarly include measures to protect and develop the to the Schuylkill River Trail, addition of bicycle and trail with suitable use and access features (p. 122).” pedestrian facilities along Route 724, and comple- The Southern Berks Regional Comprehensive tion of the North Coventry River Trail are all actions Plan also referenced the Joanna Trail as part of the that support the implementation of the Hopewell Berks County Open Space and Recreation Plan Big Woods Recreation and Trails Network. The (January 1994). The Southern Berks plan notes Schuylkill River Trail through Pottstown Borough the potential length and difficulty of the process and North Coventry Township’s trail system form the for developing a potential rail-trail along Hay and northeastern and eastern segments, respectively, of a Conestoga creeks. The proposed trail has since been proposed Hopewell Big Woods trail loop.

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Living with the River: Schuylkill River National & tage area, particularly those important to the devel- State Heritage Area (2003) opment of the iron and steel industry; and to act as This management action plan guides the Schuylkill a catalyst for economic development by attracting River National & State Heritage Area in its approach tourists who seek authenticity, consequently gen- to the Schuylkill River watershed as one of America’s erating jobs, stimulating investment and yielding most significant cultural and industrial regions. permanent economic benefits. One of the three auto A National Heritage Area is a place designated by tours proposed in the plan specifically focuses on the United States Congress where natural, cultural, Hopewell Big Woods resources related to the early historic and recreational resources combine to form iron industry. a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape. The boundaries of the Heritage Area cover the Schuylkill FEDERAL and STATE PLANNING EFFORTS River watershed in Schuylkill, Berks, Chester, Mont- Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site General gomery, and Philadelphia counties. Management Plan (draft will be distributed end This region is nationally significant for the role of 2009) that its people, places, and events played in the The two action alternatives in this plan entail very American, Industrial, and Environmental Revolu- different management scenarios. One action alter- tions. The Heritage Area is home to over 3.2 million native concentrates on 100 years of ironmaking at people across the five counties and works to revi- Hopewell Furnace and the development of the iron talize and restore the region through natural and industry. The second alternative expands the inter- cultural resource preservation, education, recreation, pretation of Hopewell’s history to address the con- community revitalization, and heritage tourism. cept of sustainable industry and resource use, and The Schuylkill River National & State Heritage Area brings the park up to date with current environmen- forms the northern boundary of the Hopewell Big tal issues. A new visitor center is proposed for the lat- Woods and is thematically linked to it. Physical link- ter alternative, to be located within Chester County ages between the two areas are under development and used as a headquarters for the Hopewell Big through local trail implementation efforts. Woods Partnership. Both action alternatives support Strategic Plan for the Iron and Steel Heritage physical and thematic connections to Hopewell Big Region (2002) Woods recreational, historic, and natural attractions. This heritage tourism management plan is designed Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site to focus on and bring to life a select number of Alternative Transportation Study (2009) resources located in Chester, Berks, Montgomery, In 2007, the National Park Service launched an Al- and Lancaster counties in such a way as to relate the ternative Transportation Study (ATS) effort to assess evolution of America’s early iron and steel industry. the potential for an alternative transportation system The plan provides a strategy for furthering efforts to at Hopewell Furnace NHS. The study is in its second implement a heritage park program using iron and year of investigating existing conditions and making steel-making themes. This distinctive program ap- recommendations for future transportation improve- proach is intended to support the region’s economic ments at Hopewell. The goal is to resolve existing revitalization by attracting visitors and creating localized transportation issues as well as concepts for opportunities for investment in new visitor support a broader system. The study area includes connec- services and facilities as well as making greater use of tions to sites run by partners within the Hopewell Big existing facilities. Woods. Initial findings demonstrate that most partners By telling the story of the people, places, and would welcome an ATS and provide marketing sup- activities that shaped the iron and steel industry, this port. A few have strong enough interest and capability plan seeks to link two major objectives: to preserve to contribute to it financially. NPS plans on releasing a the historic and cultural resources within the heri- draft of the study for comment and review in 2009.

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Trails Assessment: French Creek State Park & of non-sustainable trails, and addition of new trail Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (2007) segments, were considered in the proposal. A total Through the help of the International Mountain of eleven existing trail segments, ranging in length Bicycling Association (IMBA) Trail Care Crew, some from several feet to 45 yards, have been modified in 50 volunteers worked side by side in June of 2007 French Creek State Park as a result of IMBA’s rec- with state and national park staff to re-route .75 miles ommendations. In addition, a new parking area has of formerly unsustainable hiking trail within French been added at the intersection of Shed Road and PA Creek State Park. The trail re-route was part of a five- Route 345 to accommodate trail traffic. day series of events at Hopewell Furnace NHS and Pennsylvania and Schuylkill Highlands & Trail French Creek State Park that included roundtables System with recreational user groups and land managers; The PA DCNR is leveraging and advancing trail IMBA’s Trail Building School; a trail ride; and the work in the region through the Schuylkill Highlands Trail Care Crew’s user survey and trails assessments Conservation Initiative. The PA DCNR has provided at the state and national parks. The Crew was spon- matching grant funds for the Middle Schuylkill sored by French Creek State Park, Hopewell Furnace Compatible Economic Development Study in 2008, NHS, Natural Lands Trust, and Birdsboro Borough, and seeking additional funding from the Department who worked closely with local bicycle clubs such as of Community and Economic Development as well Pennsylvania Trail Hands, Beans Racing, and the as partnerships with select municipalities. Building Southeastern PA representative for IMBA, to orga- on the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership’s gateways nize the events. NPS RTCA helped make contacts for analysis, the plan will focus specifically on Schuylkill partnerships and assisted with coordination of the River Towns as potential gateways to the region week’s events. Volunteers from Pennsylvania, Mary- and connections to the Schuylkill River Trail. The land and beyond participated, representing a broad completion of the Schuylkill River Trail is a priority, range of trail users from teenagers through seniors along with the identification of several spur trails that and including bikers, hikers, paddlers and equestri- connect to important destinations such as French ans, all working together on creating a sustainable Creek State Park and Hopewell Furnace NHS. trail system. DCNR is currently cooperating with French This partnership project resulted in the forming Creek State Park in the design of a north-south trail of new relationships to continue trail design and alignment within the park that would pass to the development, and specific recommendations for trail east of the quarry roughly parallel to Route 345 and building and management in the state and national eventually connect directly with the Schuylkill River parks. IMBA’s trail assessment and user survey infor- Trail. PA DCNR is also working with North Coven- mation has been considered as part of the analysis try Township to create a trail linking the State Park for the Hopewell Furnace NHS General Manage- with North Coventry Township’s Coventry Woods ment Plan. Currently the state park allows biking on park. This effort complements the current NPS effort some trails, while the adjacent national park only to upgrade connections between National Recreation allows biking on select roads. The national park is Trails. Hopewell Furnace NHS features Baptism considering whether or not to open up some trails to Creek NRT and has applied for funding for its bicycling. improvement in FY09. The two parks’ trail systems were considered The Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Initiative jointly as one seamless system in the development of will address connections between the Hopewell Big a proposed “stacked loop system.” The stacked loop Woods trails and trails in other parts of the region, system would include trail loops that provide three including Reading and Phoenixville. For instance, different challenge levels for bicyclists and other us- the Angelica Trail, completed from Angelica Park ers – beginning, intermediate, and advanced. Re- in Reading to Cumru, is planned to extend to Nolde design and relocation of existing trails, elimination

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Forest in 2009. A link to the New Morgan Connector Big Woods. AMC is also creating a Pennsylvania further southeast in the Hopewell Big Woods will be Highlands recreational map that will highlight considered in the future, although highway crossings the Hopewell Big Woods and the region’s many will make this connection challenging. recreational opportunities. AMC will continue to In the Pennsylvania Highlands, land conserva- highlight the Hopewell Big Woods in their publica- tion in the Schuylkill Highlands is a high priority tions and recreational materials for the Pennsyl- for the Pennsylvania Committee of the Highlands vania Highlands to aid in branding the area as the Coalition. Working with key partners, the Coalition Hopewell Big Woods. helped to secure federal funds from the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy program for Birdsboro Waters, B. Individual Trail and a 2000-acre property in the heart of the Hopewell Big Recreation Projects Woods in the Schuylkill Highland. The Pennsylvania In 2008/9, several trail projects and projects related Committee will continue to support land acquisi- to acquisition of open space for conservation and tion in Schuylkill Highlands and will seek to secure recreation have moved forward, following the vision federal and state funds to accomplish this. and goals described in the previous plans. These The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is coop- projects are critical to the eventual completion of a eratively planning a trail network in the Pennsylvania Hopewell Big Woods trails system. Highlands by coordinating with trail stakeholders, non-profit organizations, public agencies and Thun / Schuylkill River Trail communities to link existing trails throughout the The Thun Trail is a section of the Schuylkill River 13-county region. The trail network will link the Trail that runs through Berks County. A .68-mile “hubs” of the Pennsylvania Highlands greenway section of the Thun Trail was recently completed vision, especially emphasizing the eleven priority through Birdsboro. The Thun Trail, owned and conservation areas. The Hopewell Big Woods in sponsored by the Schuylkill River National and State one of these eleven priority conservation areas. The Heritage Area, now stretches 19 miles from Read- Pennsylvania Highlands Trail Network is conceptual ing Area Community College in Berks County to in the Hopewell Big Woods area, but AMC has been Pottstown’s Riverfront Park in Montgomery County. reaching out to the Horse-Shoe Trail Conservancy This section of trail includes a 3.5-mile on-road piece and North Coventry Township on possible co- that, over time, will be converted to an off-road trail. alignments of existing trails with the Network. The When completed, the Schuylkill River Trail will run vision of the route in the Hopewell Big Woods area 130 miles along the river, from Philadelphia to Potts- would be to connect from Green Lane Reservoir in ville. The Schuylkill River Trail section in Birdsboro Montgomery County over to Pottstown. From Pott- provides a gateway into Chester County through the stown, the trail would connect with French Creek Hopewell Big Woods and resources such as Hopewell State Park and co-align with the Horse-Shoe Trail to Furnace NHS and French Creek State Park. the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail. AMC met with North The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Coventry Township in December 2008 to discuss Area requested Chester County funding to complete, the township’s goal of making a trail connection into on behalf of the County, a 3.5-mile gravel segment French Creek State Park. of the Schuylkill River Trail between Spring City AMC has also created a series of “Hike the Borough and Cromby Village. Matching funds from Highlands” cards for the public that highlight trails the PA DCNR Schuylkill Highlands Conservation in the Pennsylvania Highlands in cooperation with Landscape Initiative could potentially be applied. the Wildlands Conservancy. The cards identify the Chester County acquired trail easements for four priority conservation areas in which the trails are PECO properties that will help solidify these con- located within the Pennsylvania Highlands. There nections, including the PECO power plant property are four that have been categorized in the Hopewell at Spring City. Private property was also purchased

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in Parkerford for a ranger station. The latter prop- will be coordinated with the PA DCNR assisted trail erty south of Pigeon Creek includes the potential to projects in French Creek State Park. The trails could construct a boat access on the creek. form a complete loop of about 30 miles through the Hopewell Big Woods, allowing communities and Boars Back Trail visitors access to a remarkable variety of recreational Further to the south, Chester County commissioners activity options. The loop would provide a systematic provided a $1.5 million grant award to the French way to experience all the region has to offer, and an and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust as part of understanding and appreciation of natural and cul- a pilot trail funding program to purchase easements tural resources through interpretive programming. and fund construction of 2.7 miles of multi-use trail through Warwick Township. Known as the “Boars New Town of Bryn Eyre and New Morgan Borough Back Trail” because of the former Boars Back Rail- Trail Connections road right-of-way it follows, the trail is expected to The transformation of the approximately 3,100 acre be complete in 2010. It will connect historic St. Peters New Morgan Borough into a master planned com- Village to PA Route 345 and provide a link to War- munity (a traditional neighborhood community) is wick County Park, Hopewell Furnace NHS, Natural envisioned to take at least 20 years to complete. The Lands Trust’s Crow’s Nest Preserve, French Creek new town, currently in the planning stages, will be State Park and the Horse-Shoe Trail. Another $1.5 known as Bryn Eyre. Located on the southern border million in donations of material, labor and the pur- of Hopewell Big Woods, the proposed smart growth, chase of land will be provided by Earth Companies walkable community at full build-out would consist of Kimberton, a land-development company that of 12,500 residential units of various types. The town owns much of St. Peters Village. would also include: Included in the project is the purchase of three • five churches; acres of land at Route 345 to build a parking lot and trail head. One acre of land will be purchased in St. • seven community centers; Peters Village, with the goal of rehabilitating the old • 3.27 million square feet of office space; train station to create offices for the county park • 1.06 million square feet of retail and commercial rangers and a pavilion for visitors. The new trail is space; just the first phase of a five-phase project to build a 15-mile trail known as the French Creek Trail on the • 584,000 square feet of light industrial space; former railroad bed of the Boars Back Railroad and • schools and other community services; and the Sowbelly Railroad. Phase I includes the develop- • 1,000 acres of open space. ment of the trail from St. Peters Village to Route 345. French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust The new town is planned to be self-sufficient and is in the process of acquiring the railroad bed and include a complete range of services for the people developing the St. Peters visitor center. The Pennsyl- who live and work there. vania Game Commission was provided the right-of- The development of this new town, with more way title. Private landowners will also be contacted than 30,000 new residents in addition to significant to apprise them that the right-of-way title is clear and new economic development, is expected to provide insured. opportunities to incorporate recreational facilities The Schuylkill River Trail and French Creek Trail, and community trails that would connect to the along with the Horse-Shoe Trail, are major east-west larger regional trail system. Access to nearby Joanna “spines” through the region that are anticipated to Furnace and the Horse-Shoe Trail would be devel- connect with trails running north to south currently oped, and mills associated with Joanna Furnace under development in northern Chester County and would be preserved. The Horse-Shoe Trail Conser- southern Berks County. Development of these trails vancy is reviewing options for connecting to the Bryn Eyre development, potentially via easements

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through private property. Natural Lands Trust is as- • Sheeder and Yelenoc property acquisitions – The sisting the Horse-Shoe Trail Conservancy in identi- Sheeder property is adjacent to French Creek State fying potential funding sources for land conservation Park and represents the first part of the connec- and easement acquisition. Natural Lands Trust has tion between French Creek State Park and Thun also contacted the New Morgan developer regard- Trail/Schuylkill River Trail south of Birdsboro. ing the protection of important bird habitat around Berks County Planning Commission has commit- Glen Morgan Lake. This habitat includes a bald eagle ted $700,000 in Growing Greener funds for the nesting site. acquisition of the Yelenoc property further to the north. Easements and Acquisitions for Parklands and Open Space Conservation • North Coventry Township – The Board of Super- visors created the Open Space Review Board on • Birdsboro Borough – Birdsboro Waters acquisi- June 24, 2002 under Ordinance 120. The Board tion (1,848 acres), rehabilitation of Millard/Tucci was created in response to a citizen referendum House, and redevelopment plan for Armorcast voted on May 21, 2002, which authorized a .25 property. percent wage tax increase for the purpose of The Millard/Tucci House was transferred from establishing a fund to purchase and preserve open PennDOT to the Hay Creek Watershed Associa- space within the township. The Open Space Re- tion via Birdsboro Borough. This historic house view Board makes recommendations to the Board was recently inspected by a restoration special- of Supervisors, who have final approval over the ist and assessed as in relatively good condition. acquisition of property and easements in the A cost estimate for its restoration was being township. The Township’s Open Space Master Plan developed as of December 2008. The property identified properties that should be connected is anticipated to be renovated and reused as an with trails. In 2008, North Coventry Township: environmental education center and headquarters ÌÌ Developed the connection between Woody’s of the Hay Creek Watershed Association. It is the Woods and French Creek State Park physical and visual gateway to Birdsboro Waters Ì as well as the Schuylkill River National and State Ì Worked with Natural Lands Trust to acquire the Heritage Area. Furlong property – 28 acres The redevelopment plan for the Armorcast ÌÌ Added to the Coventry Woods Preserve (315 property, which includes a short section of the acres) – 5.3 acres, with Kulp parcel (2.1 acres) Thun Trail, will address options for crossing ÌÌ Acquired a portion of the Bentley property – 60 the Hay Creek through the Middle Schuylkill acres Compatible Economic Development Study. The current bridge on this property is closed, as are ÌÌ Acquired the Hill School property two additional bridges over Hay Creek that access This acquisition of the Bentley property is the first Birdsboro Waters. These bridges are key to the de- half of a joint project by North Coventry, Warwick velopment of a Birdsboro Spur Trail that connects and South Coventry townships to acquire a total Birdsboro Waters to the Schuylkill River Trail. The of 115.44 acres of land from the Bentleys. The Spur Trail could potentially use the abandoned 115.44 acres are included in three parcels adjacent railroad or abandoned section of Route 82. Haines to and contiguous with North Coventry Town- and Kibble have volunteered to salvage 60-foot I- ship’s Coventry Woods Preserve. This application beams from the Bethlehem Steel site and transport is for the Warwick and South Coventry portions them to the Birdsboro bridge site, as a first step of the property only. North Coventry Township in replacing one of the bridges over Hay Creek. intends to acquire the North Coventry acreage Another option under discussion is the use of (55.44 acres) in a separate transaction. North Cov- temporary bridges.

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entry Township will act as the lead contact agency in this transaction, as noted by an inter-governmental agreement among the three townships. Warwick and South Coventry Townships, with assistance from Natural Lands Trust and North Coventry Township will acquire a fee interest over the indicated parcels. The parcel in Warwick is 46 acres and the South Coventry parcel is 14 acres. This acquisition project is located within the Coventry Woods, an extensive maturing woodland situated at the headwaters of Pigeon Creek, a tributary of the Schuylkill River and the headwaters of Rock Run, a tributary of French Creek. North Coventry Township currently owns 315 acres of forest in Coventry Woods. The two parcels in this project would protect a portion of the wooded ridgeline of and adjacent to Chestnut Hill, an extension of the ridge in the eastern end of French Creek State Park, and a part of the contiguous wooded area of the Hopewell Big Woods. Hopewell Big Woods Heritage Tourism Map & Web Site The Goal 5 Working Group completed the development, printing and distribution of a heritage tourism map and brochure for the Hopewell Big Woods, showing the major attractions and existing trails. It is a first step in wider publicity for the recreation facilities so that people know what is available in the area and how to access these facilities. Printed copies are being distributed through Hopewell Furnace NHS. More information on the Hopewell Big Woods project can be accessed on the internet through Natural Lands Trust at www.hopewellbigwoods.org. In addition to the brochure, the Goal 5 Working Group identified Hopewell Furnace NHS Visitor Center as the point of contact for people interested in Hopewell Big Woods. The park serves as an information gateway to the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area as well as now to Hopewell Big Woods.

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