A three-mile segment of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in Archbald Borough, Lackawanna County, opened December 5, helping to piece together more segments in a large regional trail network in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Called the Powdermill Section because of the nearby remains of a gunpowder mill along the Lackawanna River, this new segment completes an eight-mile section of trail that will link eight municipalities in the Mid-Valley area.

This section creates a vital connection between the on-street portions of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in Jermyn, to the rail-trail section from Archbald to Blakely known as the Mid-Valley Trail.

“We know that what people want the most when it comes to outdoor recreation are opportunities close to home—in their neighborhood, at a local park or trail, or at a state park or forest a short distance away," DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti said. “This trail—a true collaboration between DCNR, PennDOT, DCED, Lackawanna County, the Lackawanna Valley Heritage Area—helps accomplish that for northeastern Pennsylvania residents.”

DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation has granted more than $1 million to LHV for trail planning and development. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Ferretti delivered the good news that DCNR committed an additional $773,000 to support further work on the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail as well as support for the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority as part of its 2013 Community Conservation Partnerships grants announced that same day.

Natalie Gelb, executive director of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley, said the organization is developing the trail not only for recreation and transportation but also to interpret the historic and cultural life of the region.

The Powdermill Section takes trail users along the abandoned Ontario & Western Railroad where many pieces of railroad history are visible, including a 300-foot retaining wall that LHV intends to become a historic and cultural mural.

The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail runs 40 miles along the Lackawanna River, beginning at the confluence with the Susquehanna in Pittston, joining the Delaware and Hudson (D&H) trail in Simpson, and continuing to Union Dale at the Stillwater Dam. From there, the trail extends north to the New York State border to complete the 70 mile trail system.

The Heritage Trail is used by thousands of people throughout the year for health and wellness, recreation, alternative transportation, access to the river and simple enjoyment of the area’s natural beauty.

For more information, visit the Lackawanna Heritage Valley website.

(Reprinted from DCNR’s December 11 Resource newsletter.)

12/16/2013