The Greenway is designed to maximize the promotional, economic, and environmental viability of the corridor's rich natural and community resources by highlighting the unifying historical context of the PA Mainline Canal.

John Turner and Dave Sewak organized the project into five sub-organizations or "clusters" each representing a specific portion of the corridor. Project development within each cluster is led by a 'Locktender'.

The Greenway public process will be driven by the clusters. The clusters (from west to east) are delineated as follows: Pittsburgh Area, Kiski Basin, Allegheny Ridge, Juniata Basin, and Harrisburg Area. These clusters will function initially as ad-hoc committees of interested organizations and individuals, led by a designated "locktender." Over time this group structure will evolve and potentially formalize, as directed by democratic consensus of the groups. The clusters will provide continuing grassroots presence and local promotional capabilities for the Greenway.

The Locktenders are developing comprehensive partner systems within each cluster. The method is to develop a core team of partners - interested people and organizations who can facilitate the efforts of each cluster, and the overall effort.

Local partners will be able to "enroll" their projects in the Greenway network by participating in an upcoming public process which will determine the future and ultimate vision of the Greenway. Local project managers can expect increased visibility for their initiatives, and can potentially increase their chances of finding necessary funds. Eligible Greenway projects can be roughly categorized into the following types:

• trails (land, water and thematic)
• river access areas
• historic preservation and interpretation
• downtown revitalization initiatives
• downtown promotion strategies
• protection of natural resources
• recreational park improvements

A second layer of partners will be created from business, local government, the media, sports, the arts and entertainment. This layer of partners will contribute with financing and "Greenway Content". A major aspect of the Greenway is its conceptual layer. The "thematic trails" add immense vitality and bring all interests of the community together. "Greenway Content" - will include features of the thematic layer as well as amenities of the physical layer. This layer of partners will realize tremendous promotional benefit for their endeavors.

There has been one open meeting in each Cluster to introduce the project. We are developing a Web site with an interactive area that will enable instant communication among clusters. This will be operational next month. Four of the five Locktenders are in place.

A system of events is being discussed. The events will include such activities as biking, paddling, crafts, historic/cultural excursions, educational excursions, visual and performing arts. The purpose is to identify the western end of the Legacy Trail, by focusing attention on the vast array of recreational resources that are available, to people who live in or might relocate to the Southwestern PA region. A main goal is to shed light on the "creative potential" in the Legacy Trail Communities. We want to demonstrate that this is a region of participants rather than on-lookers. Above all, we want to demonstrate that this is an environment that will "unleash" creative potential by providing markets for skill and ingenuity. Consider a person who is out of work or whose income has been reduced as a result of industry loss. That person might have an avocation such as furniture making, outdoor trekking or a performing art. The person might have the entrepreneurial spirit to add a new business establishment that will be needed for a community with a growing recreational profile. The events must show these people that possibilities exist. In order to do that an ongoing system of events and activities must develop. It must generate revenue and support, become integrated into the workflow of the community, and lay the foundation for a recreational industry.

There will be a presentation for people and representatives of organizations that will be significant in 'Trail' development within the Pittsburgh and Kiski clusters (the two westernmost). The purpose is to begin construction of the liaison system that will bring Legacy Trail communities together as a functioning unit.