The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has released a draft Land and Water Trail Network Strategic Plan 2020-2024 Recommendations for comments.

The recommendations are an update to the 2014-2019 Pennsylvania Land and Water Trail Network Strategic Plan on the development of a statewide network of greenways and trails.

The 2020-24 recommendations are organized into seven different categories--

-- Close Priority Trail Gaps in Pennsylvania’s statewide land and water trail network with the overall goal of having a trail within 10 minutes of every citizen

-- Coordinate state and federal funding programs to leverage maximum investment in priority trail projects

-- Cultivate diverse partnerships to build capacity to address local and regional trail needs.

-- Provide more opportunities and connections for everyone to regularly use a trail.

-- Connect communities and community assets and establish accessible trail networks.

-- Maintain and improve existing land and water trails and related infrastructure.

-- Promote Pennsylvania’s trails and their economic, environmental, and health benefits.

DCNR also is updating this plan and has analyzed existing data and input from external stakeholders and partners through surveys and facilitated discussions; completed an assessment of the 2014 plan’s progress; and reached out to all specialized trail user groups.

The 2020-2024 trail plan will be a companion document to the 2020-2024 Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

DCNR will be accepting comments on the draft trail recommendations and actions through June 25, through an online survey.

Visit Explore PA Trails to find out more about trails in Pennsylvania.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

(Reprinted from the May 27 DCNR Resource newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

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[Posted: May 28, 2020]

6/1/2020