|
Pennsylvania's Millennium Legacy Trail:The Pittsburgh-Harrisburg Mainline Canal Greenway Introduction |
|
|
|
|
|
Greenway Holds First Round of Public Open Houses October 30, 2002 Altoona, PA - The Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Mainline Canal Greenway, an initiative sponsored by the non-profit Allegheny Ridge Corporation (ARCorp), will hold a series of four public meetings in the form of open houses beginning Nov. 4. The Greenway follows the path of the historic Pennsylvania Mainline Canal system. A way of life sprang up along this corridor and communities shared a common legacy. The Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Greenway is the next chapter. Though still in its early phases, the White House designated the Greenway Pennsylvania's Millennium Legacy Trail in 2000. Since then the Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Mainline Canal Greenway has seen the development of community initiatives including land and water trails across the corridor. The Greenway is designed to maximize the promotional, economic, and environmental viability of the corridor's rich natural and community resources by highlighting a unifying historical context that is of interest not just to Pennsylvanians, but also the whole nation and beyond. Through the open house events, area residents can learn more about the 320-mile long corridor that is more than a continuous land trail. The Greenway is a growing network of locally managed community and environmental stewardship initiatives. This public process will determine the future and ultimate vision of the Greenway by creating a democratic, community-driven support network. The alliance created will benefit all who participate by sharing information and technical assistance. Residents and interested organizations are invited to attend one of four meetings being held throughout the corridor and take an electronic tour of the greenway. Participants can also peruse detailed maps of the regions and identify areas of particular cultural, environmental, historical, or recreational significance. Representatives from local initiatives will also be available to highlight successful projects and future plans. Information collected from these open house events will be included in a regional Greenway Plan to be used as a planning tool for creating necessary land and water trail links and developing supporting businesses and infrastructure. Citizens with a variety of interests are encouraged to attend the meeting in their area to learn more about this beneficial project and to share valuable information about their hometown. Promoting local projects, networking with tourism promotion agencies to attract visitation, and working to increase our region's access to funding opportunities are some of the benefits made possible by participation in the Greenway. Just as the canal system once forged a vital connection
across the Allegheny Ridge, the Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Mainline Canal
Greenway links two major urban areas and two major watershed planning
initiatives while physically connecting two of Pennsylvania's Heritage
Parks. For more information, residents can contact Dan Pryor,
Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Mainline Canal Greenway Coordinator, at (814)
696 - 2900. ARCorp is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to develop, interpret and restore the historic, cultural and natural resources of the Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area in central/western Pennsylvania. Governor Ridge's recent announcement of more than $30 million in recreation and conservation grants across Pennsylvania will have a major regional impact. $150,000 in state funding will be provided for the planning and development efforts of the Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Mainline Canal Greenway, a community and watershed stewardship project managed by the non-profit Allegheny Ridge Corporation (ARCorp). Contact: |
|
