LYKENS VALLEY RAIL TRAIL
The Lykens Valley Rail Trail is a proposed 20-mail trail for
Northern Dauphin County. It would mostly follow an old railroad bed and could connect
Millersburg,
Upper Paxton,
Elizabethville,
Washington Township, Lykens,
Wiconisco,
Williams Township, and could extend into
Schuylkill County.
This non-motorized, multi-use trail is available for nature fans to enjoy walking, jogging, bicycling, cross-country skiing. Horseback riding will be permitted on certain stretches of the trail. The trail and trail heads (entry/exit points) will meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements and will be accesible to people who use wheelchairs. The trail will be open only during daylight hours and rules, regulations and emergency contact informatin will be posted along the route.
This really is a collaborative effort! Parteners at this point include local municipalities, Dauphin County, several state agencies, and many others. The Lykens Valley Rail Trail Association is a grass-roots 501(c)(3) organization that has been in existence for many years to foster this project. It is a group of interested citizens that meets monthly to facilitate and discuss progress on the construction of the trail, support the future maintenance of the trail, apply for grants and participate in public relations opportunities.
The benefits are many:
- Walking trails are the single most requested park by members of communities.
- Doctors often prescribe the health benefits of walking.
- Rail beds provide easy grades for walking, running, hiking, bicycling, horse back riding, and cross coutnry skiing.
- Visitors enjoy exploring trails and can spark economic growth within adjacent communities.
- Existing rights-of-way from old rail beds are perfect locations for trails.
- Statistically, properties adjoining trails increase in value.
- Trails provide an alternative transportation route through municipalities and link parks, schools, businesses, neighborhoods, and area employers.
Regular trail maintenance and oversight - including "policing" the route for abuses - will be the responsibilty of the LVRT Association, an all volunteer group. The Rattling Creek Single Trackers, a locally based bicycling club also has agreed to assist the LVRT Association with responsibilities such as monitoring the route, and emptying trash receptacles. In addition, trail users are also encouraged to contact state or local police about problems with illegal activity or questionable behavior.
- A Feasibility Study was completed in 2005 by the Dauphin County Department of Parks and Recreation.
- A site plan will be completed in 2008. This will identify the condition of the railroad bed, drainage, road crossings, and other details that wil impact the cost of building various segments of the trail when that becomes possible.
- Grant applications have been submitted for construction of the eastern segment of the trail in Williams Township, Wiconisco, and Lykens.
- A connection from Millersburg to the Ned Smith Center is being discussed.
- Join the Lykens Valley Rail Trail Association.
- Attend a meeting.
- Tell local officials that you support the trail.
- Volunteer!