The Clearfield County Planning and Community Development Office will host a public kick-off meeting for a county-wide Greenways and Trails Plan on April, 29 at 6 p.m. in room 131 of the Multi-Service Center 650 Leonard St., Clearfield, PA 16830. This meeting will describe the purpose and benefits of greenways and trails to Clearfield County, and ask interested citizens and local officials for their ideas and opinions.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources defines a greenway as “a corridor of open space.” Greenways can encompass areas of land or water. They can be transportation and recreation-based, like walking paths, bike lanes and rail-trails, or they can be natural resource-based, such as conserving areas that provide essential functions such as stormwater management or protection of water supply resources.
The goal of the plan is to develop a network of trails and natural area corridors linking Clearfield County’s municipalities, parks and important historic and cultural places. At the kick-off meeting, the public will be asked to help identify the places to connect, the types of corridors needed and the priorities.
Jodi Brennan, Director of the County Planning and Community Development Office noted, “The economic benefits of greenways and trails have been well established. They spin off new business opportunities such as bike and boat rentals, trailside restaurants and lodgings. They bring tourism dollars into the region. We have some of the most beautiful natural resources in the Commonwealth right here in northwest Pennsylvania. A network of greenways and trails will allow us to tap into their economic potential.”
The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission has hired Pashek Associates of Pittsburgh to prepare the plan. The project is partially funded with a Community Conservation Partnership Program grant provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with matching funds provided by participating counties.