09/02/24 - 146 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/yck6vkb4
| Share this: | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Newest Section Of D&L Trail Opens In Lehigh County
|
|
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary John Quigley joined Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham this week to officially open the newest section of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Trail.
The 2.8-mile section runs from Route 329 in Cementon to Laurys Station. It is one of several stretches needed to complete the 165-mile Delaware and Lehigh Trail, which follows canal towpaths and abandoned rail lines from White Haven to Bucks County.
The county received an $110,800 matching grant from DCNR to construct the 2.8-mile crushed limestone surface trail. The total project cost was $223,000.
“Trail connections are a top priority in our Lehigh Valley Greenways conservation landscape effort, and this section of the D&L Trail is our most recent success,” said Acting Secretary Quigley. “This newest section, a culmination of many years of hard work, demonstrates what a recent year-long evaluation of our approach also shows us—that strong partnerships, strategic grant-making, and more meaningful engagement with citizens do pay off, with the results being more vibrant communities and increased opportunities for people to connect with the outdoors.”
At one time, the Heritage Corridor was used to transport anthracite coal from the mines of Carbon County to Delaware Valley where it was loaded on canal boats destined for Philadelphia and other markets.
“The development of a network of trails for passive recreation promotes healthy lifestyles and encourages physical fitness,” said Cunningham. “In addition, the Corridor is an important piece of Pennsylvania history and tells the story of our industrial and agricultural past.”
In 2002, the county paid $165,000 for 11.2 miles of a 17-mile abandoned rail bed that runs from Washington Township to Cementon. The county dedicated the first piece—a 2.5-mile trail that runs from Slatington to the Carbon County line at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center in 2008.
"Trail building is about making connections so it’s appropriate that the project was the outcome of several partnerships," Cunningham said.
In addition to DCNR 's grant, the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor provided surveying, engineering and technical support as well as signage; the Emmaus-based Wildlands Conservancy assisted in securing the necessary easements for trail access and Lehigh County Parks Department cleared brush from the rail beds prior to construction.
“This is very exciting and Lehigh County has been a great partner to complete another section of D&L Trail,” said Allen Sachse, Executive Director of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. “It is a vital link to establish a 165-mile D&L Trail system from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, PA on former railroad right-of-ways and canal towpaths. Without the partnership of Lehigh County, the regional connection of the D&L Trail would not have been possible.”
(Reprinted from DCNR's Resource newsletter) |
|
4/5/2010 |
| Go To Preceding Article Go To Next Article |
