Creating Connections The Pennsylvania Greenways and Trails How-To Manual By: Russ Johnson, Pennsylvania Environmental Council Edited By: Andrew W. Johnson, Pennsylvania Environmental Council Anna M. Breinich, AICP, Pennsylvania Environmental Council Illustrations By: Frank McShane Design By: Nancy A. Rosenberg Funding for this manual was provided by the William Penn Foundation, the Howard Heinz Endowment, and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Pennsylvania Greenways Partnership 1998 Table of Contents Preface ........................................................................................................................................................................................ v Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................ vi Phases of Creating a Greenway or a Trail ............................................................................................................................... viii SECTION I: Overview: “Building a Green Legacy for Pennsylvania” Chapter 1: Introducing Greenways and Trails ....................................................................................................................... 1 Defining Greenways .................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Understanding Greenway Forms and Functions ......................................................................................................................... 2 Relating Greenways to the Pennsylvania Landscape .................................................................................................................. 3 Defining Trails ............................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Understanding Trail Forms and Functions .................................................................................................................................. 4 Understanding Corridor Concepts ............................................................................................................................................... 6 Understanding Community Benefits of Greenways and Trails ................................................................................................... 6 SECTION II: The Vision and Organization Phase: “Volunteers with a Vision” Chapter 2: Visioning the Greenway or Trail ........................................................................................................................... 9 Forming The Early Vision ........................................................................................................................................................... 9 Sharing the Vision ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Providing Leadership ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Recruiting Initial Support ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 Forming a Steering Committee ................................................................................................................................................... 11 Defining a Purpose ...................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Choosing a Name ........................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Obtaining Non-profit Status ........................................................................................................................................................ 11 Chapter 3: Sharing Your Vision ............................................................................................................................................... 12 Developing a Concept Plan ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Developing the Case Statement ................................................................................................................................................... 13 Making Initial Contacts with Public Officials and Opinion Leaders .......................................................................................... 13 Meeting with Public Officials and Opinion Leaders ................................................................................................................... 14 Meeting with Landowners ........................................................................................................................................................... 14 Chapter 4: Building, Strengthening and Managing Your Organization .............................................................................. 15 Recruiting Supporters, Members and Volunteers ........................................................................................................................ 15 Holding on to Supporters, Members and Volunteers ................................................................................................................... 15 Working Together to Produce Results ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Managing the Organizational Structure ....................................................................................................................................... 16 Creating a Strategic Plan ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 i SECTION III: The Research Phase: “Working Within the Community” Chapter 5: Obtaining Public Input ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Conducting Interviews ................................................................................................................................................................ 20 Using Questionnaires .................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Reporting Results ....................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Using Public Input ...................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Planning an Initial Public Meeting ............................................................................................................................................. 21 Conducting Public Meetings ...................................................................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 6: Working With Landowners and Neighbors ........................................................................................................ 22 Identifying Landowners .............................................................................................................................................................. 22 Making Initial Contact with Landowners ................................................................................................................................... 23 Obtaining Permission to Enter the Property ............................................................................................................................... 23 Identifying Neighbors ................................................................................................................................................................. 24 Making Initial Contact with Neighbors ...................................................................................................................................... 24 Understanding Landowner Concerns ......................................................................................................................................... 24 Chapter 7: Working with Public Officials and Non-Governmental Organizations ........................................................... 25 Working With Municipal Government ....................................................................................................................................... 25 Working With County Government ............................................................................................................................................ 27 Working With Regional Agencies .............................................................................................................................................