cindy dunn: state of the region's trails

8/8/2019 Cindy Dunn: State of the Region's Trails

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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

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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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14


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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

cindy dunn: state of the region's trails

Documents