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Project Overview
Keynote Speaker: State of
the Regions Trails
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Pole Steeple
Comfort SuitesComfort SuitesDowntown Carlisle, PADowntown Carlisle, PANovember 3, 2010November 3, 2010
Cindy DunnCindy DunnDeputy Secretary for Conservation andDeputy Secretary for Conservation and
Engineering ServicesEngineering Services
PA Department of Conservation andPA Department of Conservation andNatural ResourcesNatural Resources
2010 SOUTH MOUNTAIN REGION2010 SOUTH MOUNTAIN REGION
TRAIL SUMMITTRAIL SUMMIT
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Pennsylvania Trails
A National Leader
25,000+ miles of water/land trails with 3,500+miles proposed
About 10,000 miles in GIS database
#1 with 146 open rail trail projects
1,413 miles of rail trail top multi-use trail miles
GAP w/ MD (318 miles); RTCs1st Hall ofFame Trail
24 National Recreation Trails; 8 new trails weredesignated in 2009 adding over 400 miles.
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Pennsylvania
Outdoors:The Keystone for
Healthy Living
2009-2013 Statewide
Comprehensive OutdoorRecreation Plan
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What are Pennsylvaniansdoing?
Participation Rates for PopularOutdoor Recreation Activities
Research
Finding
s
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What kinds of facilities
should be provided morewidely?
ResearchFindings
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How do people feel
about trails in PA?
6% 6%
12%
17%
59%
11%
13%
21%22%
33%
5% 6%
18%
22%
49%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
I would be more likely to
use a trail if it was within
easy walking distance
from where I live.
My community is a safe
and easy place to walk.
It is important that
greenways/trails connect
neighborhoods with
schools, shopping areas,parks, and open spaces
Strongly
Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
StronglyAgree
76% use
more
71% make
connections
7
ResearchFindings
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Regional Comparisons: SomeRegional Comparisons: Some
HighlightsHighlights
South Central
PA
North East
PA
South East
PA
Slightly less likely to
walk or ride a bike in
their neighborhood
More likely to
participate in fishing
(like several regions)
Most likely to participate
in visiting historic sites
Most likely to
participate in nature
study and bird
watching
Most likely to
indicate a need for
wildlife and fish
viewing areas (like
Philadelphia)
Especially likely to use
local/municipal recreation
areas
Most likely to indicate
a need for bike lanes
and bike paths (like
SW region)
Expressed high need
for more and
improved pools and
picnic areas
Expressed high need for
more overnight recreation
facilities like
campgrounds, rental,
cabins, nature lodges
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ResearchFindings
Top 5
PreferencesFor FUTURE
State Park
Strategies
and Efforts
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10
Strengthen connectionsbetween recreation,health, and economics
Reconnect people to theoutdoors
Develop a statewide land
and water trail network Enhance outdoor
recreation through betteragency cooperation
PA Outdoor Plan Goals
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Goal 3: Develop a statewide land and
water trail network to facilitate recreation,
transportation and healthy lifestyles
WHY?
PA is a national trail
leader Disconnects in statewideefforts
Need for coordinatedfunding and maintenance
Trails are an easy way toconnect in communitiesand in the great outdoors
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COUNTY GREENWAYPLAN
Strategy: Develop County Greenway Plans
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Pine Creek Trail65 Miles 100% complete
Extensions planned
Great AlleghenyPassage150 Miles 90% complete
Sch
uylkill
Rive
r Trail130 Miles 47% complete
D & L Trail165 Miles 79% complete
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Goal 3 Recommendations Establish a statewide Trails Committee Standardize trail planning guidelines and information (close the
gaps) Improve existing electronic information for data collection and
trail planning Improve the accessibility of trails and trail information Develop educational trails and programming opportunities Build the capacity of local/regional land and water trail groups
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DCNRs Strategy for Funding Trails:Top 5 Considerations
1. Does your project implementlocal or state planningpriorities?
2. Have you formed partnershipsto complete your project?
3. Does your trail connect peopleto places such as parks,schools, downtowns, and othercommunities?
4. Is your project ready to go?
5. Does your project embracegreen principles?
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Key PennDOT/DCNRRecommendations
Promote greener, safer,pedestrian-friendlycommunities (safe routesto schools)
Coordinate PennDOTsSmart TransportationInitiative and DCNR CLIs
Encourage local land use policy that preservesEncourage local land use policy that preservesgreen spaces, creates walkable communities, andgreen spaces, creates walkable communities, andprovides connections to amenities.provides connections to amenities.
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Share your trail photos and reviewsShare your trail photos and reviews
Report trail updatesReport trail updates Add new trailsAdd new trails
SearchMap
Get descriptions Get directions Get connected
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Economic Impact of Trails
Ghost Town Trail (2009) - $740,000annual soft goods
Heritage Rail Trail County Park (2007) -$4,000,000 in annual soft goods
Pine Creek Rail Trail (2006) $3,600,000
in annual soft goods
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New ConstructionSouth Bethlehem Greenway, City of Bethlehem
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Resources
New DCNR webpage tracking economic stories:http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/indexeconomic.aspx
Coming in Mid-November -- Green SpaceAlliance releasing Economic Benefit quantifyingthe economic value of open space (includingtrails) in Southeastern
PA: http://www.greenspacealliance.org/home/whatsnew.asp
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Coming Soon!
Statewide Trail Committee
Scheduled Improvements toExplorePAtrails.com
iPhone application for
ExplorePAtrails.com
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