LHVA Ambassador Newsletter

In February 2009, LHVA launched a year-long planning initiative, the "Lackawanna Greenway Plan and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail (LRHT) Feasibility Study." The goals of the study are: assessment of every section of the LRHT, establishment of a trail routing alignment for each new section, identification of amenities and improvements for each section of trail, development of a master site plan and a construction document package for the Central New Jersey Rail-Trail Extension in Scranton, and development of a new construction document package for the Powdermill Rail-Trail in Archbald and Jermyn. The Greenway Plan will identify and outline action steps to connect all of the area's natural resources, including lakes, streams, parks, recreational facilities, open spaces, and spur trails recognizing the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail as the spine of the Greenway.

In April, LHVA selected the consulting team of Arora and Associates, Campbell Thomas & Co. Architects, and Urban Partners. The team initially worked with the staff of LHVA to share ideas and information and to outline a work plan with specific tasks. A Steering Committee was established, and it met in May and August. The consultants conducted field work and interviews with focus groups and key personnel.

The first Public Information Meeting was held at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA, on June 30th with 110 people in attendance. After a brief presentation, the group broke into small groups so that participants could give input on the development of the Lackawanna Greenway Plan and possible connections between the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and other trails, parks, and open spaces in the region.

The second Public Information Meeting was held on September 22nd at Steamtown National Historic Site. The consultants presented an update, reporting that:

The Lackawanna Greenway will include trails, lakes, parks, open spaces, and outdoor recreational sites with the Lackawanna River as the spine of the Greenway.
The Lackawanna Greenway's boundaries will extend from ridge top to ridge top in the Lackawanna Valley, and the Greenway will connect to the Susquehanna Greenway at both ends. The Lackawanna Greenway will become a key component of the Pennsylvania Mega Greenway System.
Design concepts for two new sections of trail, the Central New Jersey Extension Rail-Trail from Scranton to Taylor and the Powdermill Rail-Trail from Archbald to Jermyn, have been finalized.
Proposed trail routes for the undeveloped sections of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail have been identified.

The study is continuing, and a draft plan is anticipated in early 2010. More information on the study is available on LHVA's website at http://www.lhva.org/greenway.html.