York County rail trails.More essential than ever. Your gift.More appreciated than ever.
GIVE LOCAL YORK IS MAY 4-5, 2023
GIVE LOCAL YORK supports building new miles of rail trail. Read on for great news about York County rail trail construction projects, and then Give on May 4-5, 2023 to support new miles of rail trails in York County. Be a part of York County’s largest philanthropy day – Give Local York – and express your love of rail trails through a generous online donation.
It is so easy…between 9 PM May 4 and 9 PM May 5, go online to www.GiveLocalYork.com, search for York County Rail Trail Authority, and smile as you read about our rail trail building work. Then select your donation amount, fill in your information, and finally plan your next visit to the rail trail. You’ll feel great! And we’ll do our part to build more rail trail miles!
HANOVER TROLLEY TRAIL NEWS
Open House attracts nearly 100 people! A huge “Thank You!” to the local residents who attended the March 23, 2023 Open House at Spring Grove’s Windy Hill On-the-Campus, to our consultants from C.S. Davidson, Inc. and LandStudies who offered information on upcoming trail construction and future Oil Creek restoration, and to the many volunteers who helped to staff the information tables. It was a joy to meet old friends, make new acquaintances, and “talk trail.”
Completed surveys showed that nearly 40% considered having a recreational trail within 15 minutes of their home as most important; nearly 50% use a recreational trail several times a month or more; walking and cycling were equally indicated as the most popular activities; and exercise and recreation were considered the primary reasons for visiting a trail followed closely by mental health. We look forward to meeting these interests and needs as we proceed with expansion of the Hanover Trolley Trail. Look for the next Open House in fall 2023 to be held in the Hanover area.
Two giant leaps for Hanover Trolley Trail expansion! St. Patrick’s Day, March 19, 2023, became a “green day” for the Trolley Trail. York County Rail Trail Authority received notification of a $1 Million grant from PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for construction of the Hanover Trolley Trail from Spring Grove to the village of Bair, PA. And by March 21, five local construction firms had submitted bids to construction the trail from the railroad underpass in Spring Grove to Sunnyside Rd. in Jackson Twp. Kinsley Construction offered the lowest responsible bid, and the Authority is awaiting news of a final funding request that will meet the contract cost of $1.6 million. By fall 2023, trail visitors will enjoy an additional 2.1 miles of recreational trail – two giant leaps forward!
Spring Grove completes sewer upgrade. Although disruptions to routine use of the Hanover Trolley Trail can be difficult to accept, York County Rail Trail Authority greatly appreciates the cooperation of Spring Grove Borough in completing this necessary work within the trail corridor in a timely, professional, and safe manner. In the coming days, Trolley Trail visitors can look forward to a fully restored trail surface, as spring brings us all outdoors for healthy exercise. And borough residents are assured of reliable services into the future.
MetEd electric upgrade scheduled for May-July & Sept.-Dec. In the coming months, visitors to the Hanover Trolley Trail’s Penn Township section will experience temporary lane restrictions and trail closures as MetEd, a First Energy company, completes several upgrades to their electric infrastructure near Barnhart Drive. At all times, trail visitors are to observe posted signs, restrictions, and barricades.
For additional information including updates on these projects, please contact Mahdi Sadiqi, PE at 785-317-1310 or Brian Wright, Construction Site Coordinator, at 717-215-5319.
HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL NEWS
Trail re-opens at railroad bridge. Yes, it’s done!Officials met on April 19, 2023 at the site of a new overhead canopy to approve its completion and the re-opening of the Heritage Rail Trail at the Blackbridge Railroad Bridge. Following the closure in December 2020 until the Norfolk Southern requirement for overhead protection could be met, the canopy was designed by C.S. Davidson, Inc. of York, PA; constructed by WSL Inc. of New Bloomfield, PA; and funded through a $250,000 grant from PA Department of Transportation. York County Rail Trail Authority, manager of the project, happily welcomes all trail visitors to enjoy uninterrupted travel along this northern stretch of the Heritage Rail Trail County Park.
YOUR DONATION SUPPORTS THIS RAIL TRAIL WORK! Become a supporting member ... Feel great the next time you visit your rail trails!
Your annual donation provides a one-year membership to Friends of the York County Rail Trail Authority.
Memberships begin at just $25 for an individual and $30 for a family. Every donation supports the work of the Authority to build new miles of rail trails in York County, PA.
