Pashek Associates Helps Borough Fund Trail Bridge

In 2012, the Marcellus Legacy Fund was created to distribute some of the shale impact fees resulting from Act 13.  The first grant round of the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Programs was established last spring with proposals due on July 31, 2013.  These grants are limited to a maximum of $250,000 and usually require a 50% match by the local community (for communities of less than 5000 people, a 20% match is required).

Pashek Associates helped the Borough of Fox Chapel submit an application for a trail extension along Squaw Run, a steeply sloped, wooded valley running between Fox Chapel Road and Dorseyville Road.  The stream winds down the valley and connects five municipal parks.  The Borough received a grant of $60,000 matched by public works in-kind services and purchases of materials and engineering services.  The Borough hopes to construct a bike/ped bridge adjacent to the road bridge near Hunt Road to allow safe trail access to the Trillium Trail, Riding Meadow Park and eventually the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s Beechwood Farms nature center.  This new trail extends walking opportunities from the Allegheny River in O’Hara Township into Fox Chapel.

Pennsylvania Trail Design and Development Principles

Until now guidelines for non-motorized trail planning, design, construction, and management were located in a multitude of publications. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive source of information, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources hired Pashek Associates to write guidelines for the design and development of all non-motorized trails.

In Pennsylvania Trail Design & Development Principles: Guidelines for Sustainable, Non-motorized Trails, written by John Buerkle of Pashek Associates, you will find a compilation of best practices and guidelines for the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of your trail. Equally important, it presents techniques for developing trails that are environmentally, physically, and economically sustainable, as well as techniques to create desirable and enjoyable trail experiences.

This comprehensive reference provides trail advocates, agencies, organizations, local and regional officials, and decision-makers with the basic knowledge required to understand any trail project they are about to undertake.

The Guidelines are presented in five chapters:

• Chapter 1: Planning
• Chapter 2: User Characteristics & Design Requirements for Non-Motorized Trails
• Chapter 3: Design Requirements for Sustainable Trails
• Chapter 4: Construction
• Chapter 5: Management

Click here to download a copy of the manual for free.  We trust you will find these guidelines valuable as you embark on your next trail project!

Turning Trail Ideas into Reality

The Pennsylvania Township News recently asked several experts and township officials about their experiences in trail planning.  John Buerkle, who heads our Parks and Recreation Studio, offered some of his advice.  To read the article, click here.

Making Connections... The Forks of the Ohio Regional Trails Symposium

This past Friday John Buerkle and Mike Kotyk attended this symposium which focused on advancing trail planning and development efforts in the Power of 32 region (www.powerof32.org), which includes PA, OH, WV, and Maryland.  The Symposium gave John and Mike an opportunity to rekindle relationships with former clients and friends, as well as participate in “Setting the Regional Trail Agenda”.

The Symposium brought together the “who’s who of trail development” within the four-state area.  It was a great opportunity for veterans to discuss how to expand the trails into a regional network and to tackle those difficult challenges.  It also was an excellent opportunity for new trail advocates to garner knowledge and support from those who “have been there and done that”. 

Dr. Vincent Troia, Ohio River Trail Council, discussing the ORTC’s new water trail map and guide with attendees.

Mike enjoyed the opportunity to network as well as gain new knowledge related to asset based community development and economic impacts from trail development, as well as learning more about the development of the regional trail planning tool.

During the symposium, it became evident that the geographic area of the Power of 32 should include more counties as there are other opportunities to expand the regional trail network.  Presenters frequently referenced the Power of 32, 48, 64, or Power of 32x2. 

John and Mike were happy to share their thoughts on bringing Chautauqua County, NY into the fold.  They are working on a trail feasibility study to connect Chautauqua Institution to Barcelona Harbor on Lake Erie.  The trail will eventually connect to the northern segment of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail (www.eriepittsburghtrail.org). This effort is being undertaken through the Westfield Development Corporation (www.westfieldny.com) and the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development (http://www.planningchautauqua.com) with the assistance of Pashek Associates.

Our current and past clients, as well as friends in trail community, present at the symposium included:

• Ohio River Trail Council - www.ohiorivertrail.org
• Allegheny Valley Trails Association - www.avta-trails.org
• Allegheny Valley Land Trust - www.armstrongtrail.org
• Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority - www.co.cambria.pa.us/conservation-and-recreation.aspx
• Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy - www.rachelcarsontrails.org
• Pittsburgh Trails Advocacy Group - www.ptagtrails.org
• Allegheny County Parks Foundation - www.acparksfoundation.org
• Montour Trail Council - www.montourtrail.org
• Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance - www.eriepittsburghtrail.org
• Oil Region Alliance - www.oilregion.org
• Clarion County Trails Association - www.clariontrails.com
• Ohio Valley Trail Partners – www.ohiovalleytrailpartners.org
• National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program - www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/index.htm
• Rails to Trails Conservancy - www.railstotrails.org
•       Pennsylvania Environmental Council - www.pecpa.org