Greenway and Open Space Coordinator Hired
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The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) defines a greenway as a
corridor of open space. Some greenways are recreational corridors, such as a river corridor
or bike trail, while others are preserved for ecological purposes such as storm water
management. Greenways differ in their location and function, but overall, a greenway will
protect natural, cultural, and scenic resources, provide recreational benefits, enhance
natural beauty and quality of life in neighborhoods and communities, and stimulate economic
development opportunities.
Throughout 2007, organizations associated with trail and open space planning, development
and operation throughout the Oil Heritage Region identified the need for a staff person to
assist in the coordination of greenway and trail work as well as serve as a central point of
contact and to provide professional technical assistance. A partnership was formed by two
counties and thirteen other municipalities and organizations, and a Coordinator was hired in
July to serve the area of the Oil Heritage Region and areas with contiguous greenways both
to the north and to the south. A steering committee serves as the managing entity of the
organization with one representative from each of the partners. The goals of this
partnership are to maintain and operate the premier greenways system throughout this region
and to plan and implement projects that create and build on the groundwork for future
acquisition, development and management of greenways and open space, natural areas,
rails-to-trails, and river/watershed corridors. Technical assistance will be given to meet
statewide and local needs and for educating the public on recreation and conservation
opportunities. Debra Frawley was hired as the Greenways and Open Space Coordinator and can
be contacted at 814-432-4476 Extension 121. Greenways questions can be sent to
greenways@ficda.org and trail questions can be
directed to
avta@ficda.org. Visit
www.ficda.org/greenways.html.
The Steering Committee will work directly with affiliated organizations such as local
municipalities, trail and conservation organizations, governmental agencies, private
businesses, and non-profits to help them fulfill their objectives as related to greenways and
open space. These organizations will provide direct input back to the Committee concerning
their interests as well. The Greenways and Open Space Coordinator can focus attention on
bringing the appropriate agencies and nonprofit organizations to the table, interfacing with
municipal officials and providing technical assistance where needed. DCNR is providing
funding for the salary of the Coordinator in descending amounts over a four year period.
Crawford County is serving as grant recipient of these funds. The member organizations of
the Steering Committee are contributing funding and support for benefits and operating
costs. The Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development Authority has donated office space
and resources for the Coordinator. By the fifth year the position must be self-funded.
The organizations that currently form the Steering Committee are:
Allegheny Valley Conservancy
Allegheny Valley Trails Association
City of Franklin
City of Oil City
City of Titusville
Clear Lake Authority
Cornplanter Township
Cranberry Township
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Crawford County
Emlenton Borough
Foxburg Borough
Franklin Industrial & Commercial Dev. Authority
Friends of Oil Creek State Park
Oil Creek State Park
Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism
Venango County
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This region has a network of multi-purpose recreational trails, used as models in other
regions, of 60+ miles of completed asphalt trail with an additional 15+ miles in the planning
or construction stage. Soon one will be able to travel from Titusville in Crawford County,
through Venango County, to Parker in Armstrong County non-stop on the trail system. Many
different entities own and operate the trail system in our area including non-profit and
volunteer groups and municipalities. A Regional Greenways and Open Space Plan for eight
northwestern Pennsylvania Counties is nearing completion. It will include recommendations
for planning and implementing strategies for both recreational trails and conservation of
ecological greenways.
When asked about the most important functions of greenways, those surveyed throughout
Pennsylvania ranked protection of natural resources and wildlife habitat as the two most
important functions of greenways, followed by open space protection and non-motorized
recreation. Greenways also support tourism. PennsylvaniaÕs second largest industry,
tourism, supports thousands of jobs and attracts visitors of all typesÑamong them hikers,
canoeists, hunters, fishermen, bicyclists, and history buffs. According to the Office of
Travel and Tourism, outdoor recreation is a prime motivating factor for one-fifth of all
visitors to PennsylvaniaÑtranslating to $4.03 billion in tourism dollars documented for 1997.
Locally, a 2006 trail utilization study showed that an estimated 160,792 users frequented the
trail system throughout the year, creating an estimated overall economic impact of $4.31
million dollars. Seventy seven percent of the trail users surveyed traveled from other areas
to use our trails. That includes those that traveled from other states including Ohio, New
York and Florida. Many of these trail users stay overnight, dine in the local restaurants
and shop in local stores. Non-local trail users spend an average of $32.93 per person per
day or $88.49 per group, while local users spend a daily average of $3.71 per person or
$10.91 per group.
Hunters, fishermen, bird watchers and other outdoor enthusiasts know the wealth of natural
resources, open space and greenways of this area. Sections of the Allegheny River have been
designated in the national Wild and Scenic River program from Kinzua Dam to Emlenton Borough.
Wildlife abounds. Pennsylvania has more stream miles than any other state except Alaska.
Resource protection of ecological functions of these resources will ensure that this area
continues to be a natural wonder.
The new organization of the Greenways and Open Space Steering Committee has been created to
coordinate the greenways and open space in the Oil Region and neighboring communities. The
organization serves for the specific purpose of coordinating the planning, development,
management, and maintenance of trails, greenways, and/or open space. As additional
stakeholders are identified, they will be asked to serve on the Committee as well.