Section 2. Schuylkill Resources That Need Protection or Enhancement
SCHUYLKILL
GREENWAYS AND TRAILS
For many years, watershed communities, counties and nonprofit organizations
have been planning and developing greenways and trails along various segments
of the Schuylkill River and its tributaries. It now appears possible to create
an interconnected regional network of land and water trails throughout the
watershed. Founded in 1974 with a mission “to bring people back to the
River,” the Schuylkill River Greenway Association (SRGA) has been a leading
advocate and facilitator of efforts to create a regional land trail system.
More recently, SRGA has created canoe landings to establish a regional water
trail for small boat access to the Schuylkill.
In April 2001, Montgomery County adopted a plan to establish a Schuylkill Greenway corridor that will connect 16 boroughs and townships. The plan envisions three zones along the corridor and establishes a framework for inter-municipal cooperation. Individual communities, often led by nonprofit organizations, are implementing parts of a regional greenway and trail network. One example is the work of the Phoenixville Iron Canal & Trail Association and its partners in creating a greenway trail system in the Phoenixville area. Similarly, the Schuylkill Canal Association has been a leader in restoring remnants of the Schuylkill Canal and towpaths in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County. With the challenges of planning, funding, land acquisition and trail construction, these kinds of efforts take time. But the results will benefit present and future generations.
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