Dust off your bike, come out of hibernation, and blaze some new trails—rail trails, that is—throughout the Susquehanna Valley. The number of rail trails—old railroad lines converted to recreational paths—is growing throughout the country, and Central PA is no exception. These former railroad industry corridors now provide new vantage points into beautiful, previously undiscovered rural and urban landscapes. And if biking isn’t your thing—you can certainly explore on foot, walking or running the trails. Here are four area trails that have recently been updated and expanded, just in time for some Earth Day fun.
Photo courtesy York County Convention & Visitor Bureau
New Views:
York Heritage Rail Trail
There are more than five miles of new trails to explore this spring, offering new views of York, the Codorus Creek, and—if you’re lucky—bald eagles, along York County’s Heritage Rail Trail.
One of the first rail trails in Central PA, the Heritage Rail Trail recently expanded from 21.5 miles to nearly 26; additional mileage will be added this spring, bringing the trail total to 27.5. It spans 14 municipalities from the Maryland line into the city of York—and now northward to John Rudy County Park.
“The newest phase has been a journey,” says Gwen Loose, executive director of the York County Rail Trail Authority. It began with a feasibility study in 2003 completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She says the goal was to connect John Rudy County Park, the city of York, and the Heritage Rail Trail.
“The vast majority of York County residents have never been in this area of the county because there are no roads,” Loose says. “There are beautiful geological features, stone walls…Now people are able to see a part of York County that looks like the wilderness, but you’re not far away. You go under I-83, and it’s quiet. You’re focusing on the skyline of the city of York…and in the meantime you’re seeing the Codorus Creek, which has egrets, ducks, and bald eagles.”
The $2.1 million expansion project was funded by nine sources, the largest of which was the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), which got involved due to the project’s focus on the Codorus Creek and an innovative stormwater management system.
“In this newest section, it’s more of a natural infiltration system, all designed based on how the trail is graded and using stone so stormwater is directed into a stone channel,” Loose says.
A trail gap of about four or five blocks will exist in York’s central business district, Loose says, until the trail is completely connected in 2020. The Heritage Rail Trail, adjacent to active railroad lines, travels through the boroughs of New Freedom, Glen Rock, Hanover Junction, and Seven Valleys, plus the historic Howard Tunnel. Two historic train stations are open to the public along the way—those at Hanover Junction and New Freedom.
Meantime, a new York County trail is being blazed, thanks to the recent purchase of the 8.5-mile former Hanover Trolley Trail. “Hanover is the second-largest urban area in the county, and we’d like to have a rail trail that connects Hanover to York,” Loose says. “Two small sections are already built and open to the public; this railroad line gives us the ability to connect those [in the future].”
Photo courtesy JENNic Imagery LLC
In the Loop:
Harrisburg’s Capital Area Greenbelt
The 20-mile Capital Area Greenbelt encircling the city of Harrisburg was the dream of visionaries in the early 1900s. Although not a rail trail, the pathway has a long history filled with its own twists and turns. The Greenbelt, envisioned as a pathway connecting Harrisburg’s parks and communities, was partially created and then abandoned in 1917 due to World War I. It wasn’t until 1990, when an arborist discovered the original plans, that the concept was revived with final completion a century after it began—in 2000.
Recent facelifts from fall of 2018 and safety improvements include newly-paved sections, overhead flashing lights, striped walkways, sensors, nearby stream conservation measures, and more. Additionally, plans are underway to extend the Greenbelt with a two-mile northern spur connecting Wildwood and Fort Hunter Parks. That spur is expected to be completed in 2019.
The entire $7.5 million project is largely financed by grants from PennDOT and DCNR.
“The Greenbelt ranges from urban to rural sections, and the connection to beautiful Fort Hunter Park will be just spectacular,” says Dick Norford of the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA).
Greenbelt highlights include the Capital Complex and Governor’s Mansion, Paxton Creek, the Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg Area Community College, and even a large rock from Gettysburg Civil War site Little Round Top.
“The Greenbelt passes the memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King just off 19th Street, the Five Senses Garden, and Rutherford House, which was a stop on the Underground Railroad,” Norford says. “Most of the time you don’t even realize you’re five minutes from downtown Harrisburg.”
Close to half a million people use the Greenbelt annually, says Norford, including commuters and recreational users ranging from bikers to runners, dog walkers, and bird watchers. It’s maintained by community volunteers spearheaded by the nonprofit CAGA. And he says the Greenbelt’s success is thanks to the cooperation between its municipal leaders—the city of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Susquehanna and Swatara Townships, plus Paxtang Borough.
June 2: The Tour de Belt, starting and ending at HACC, is a 20-mile ride around the entire Greenbelt, staffed by volunteers and bicycle marshals, including rest stops, and with intersections manned by local police. Riders complete the Greenbelt at their own pace, with lunch provided afterward. The annual event draws more than 800 riders of all ages and abilities, serving as CAGA’s largest fundraiser to help with continued maintenance of the Greenbelt. caga.org
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Photo courtesy Karen Hendricks
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Photo courtesy Keely Childers Heany
Bridging the Gap:
Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail
The Reading and Columbia Railroad was established in 1856; today this former rail line is making new history as a recreational and commuter pathway linking four municipalities in Lancaster County—the boroughs of Akron and Ephrata, plus Ephrata and Warwick Townships.
“The railroad terminated services in 1976,” says Dan Zimmerman, Warwick Township Manager. “What was unique about the railbed—when the railroad went bankrupt they took and sold the right of way as an asset, which was somewhat unusual.”
That allowed the railroad to be reborn as the Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail—in phases, over the past 12-15 years, into its current-day 7.2 mile pathway. The last connecting piece fell into place this past December—a bridge over the Cocalico Creek connected the west and east branches of the trail. The $302,000 project rehabilitated an old railroad bridge, financed through a DCNR grant.
Unless you braved the trail over the winter, this spring presents the first opportunity for visitors to traverse the entire trail.
“It links dozens of destination points,” says Zimmerman. “It has all kinds of environments, from suburban downtown Ephrata and Akron, to a very rural and agricultural area in Warwick. It’s aesthetically very pleasing with beautiful views of farmsteads, touching on historic sites. Warwick, established in 1779, is an extremely old township.”
Zimmerman, who has served Warwick Township for 25 years, says he was personally involved for the length of the project, dating back to 1996 when work began on the first leg of the trail.
“It’s a testament to the ability of the adjacent property owners who cooperated on the project, the endurance of elected and municipal officials, and [the] consistency of support throughout the project. It’s neat to see it come to fruition—I like the fact that it’s not just a recreational facility; people can use it to commute too.”
April 24: A dedication ceremony is set for 10 a.m. at the bridge. warwicktownship.org/wert
A delightful surprise for kids and the young at heart is a wonder-filled gnome village that spans the backyard of a private resident along the Ephrata Rail Trail in Akron. Stretching about a hundred yards are various vignettes of gnome homes like the Enchanted Forest Cottage, home to Nibbles McGibbles, as well as businesses like the Sherwood Florist. You can follow Nibbles McGibbles at facebook.com/railtrailgnomes.
Photo courtesy Bill Smith
Expanding East and West:
Cumberland Valley Rail Trail
Until recently, the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail extended nine miles, mainly through rolling Cumberland County farmland with views of South Mountain, from Shippensburg to Newville. The nonprofit, all-volunteer Cumberland Valley Rail Trail Council mobilized additional funding and resources for the past 10 years, resulting in bridges being built on both ends of the trail in 2017, allowing for further trail expansion.
Today, the trail stretches for 13 miles between Shippensburg Station and Newville’s Big Spring High School. Not only can visitors explore new trail sections, but there’s also a free railroad museum in a restored boxcar, paying homage to the trail’s historic roots.
“Working with Shippensburg Township, the borough, Shippensburg University, the Rotary Club, and businesses, we launched an ambitious plan to transform a decrepit parking lot into a multi-use performance space centered around the CV Railroad Museum housed in a restored 1956 boxcar found along the route and moved there in the fall 2017,” says Allen Dieterich-Ward of the CV Rail Trail Board. A second restored railcar, a B&O coal hopper car, was moved to the site in the fall of 2018.
The CV Railroad Museum at Shippensburg Station opened in February, telling the story of the railroad in a short documentary, showcasing railroad memorabilia, and featuring a children’s area with model trails and more. It’s open seven days a week with free admission. A sculpture walk is in development.
“The Cumberland Valley Railroad was one of the nation’s earliest, chartered in 1833 and opened in 1837—it was one of the earliest four railroads in the country,” says Dieterich-Ward. “It was designed to go from Harrisburg to Hagerstown and connect to the Pennsylvania main line system…it has enormous historical significance.”
Expansion is ongoing; eventually, the trail will stretch 20 miles into Carlisle, says Dieterich-Ward. One mile of trail is currently open, at Allen Road, Carlisle. Talks are also underway to extend the trail south into Chambersburg, Franklin County.
There’s an even greater, exciting vision at work. “The CV Rail Trail is a piece of the September 11th National Memorial Trail, which would connect to the Pentagon, Shanksville, and New York City in a trail network. There’s also talk about connecting Harrisburg to Pittsburgh, and CV would be a part of that,” says Dieterich-Ward.
CV Rail Trail usership is on the rise. A 2012 study estimated the trail drew 40,000 annual visitors; an infrared trail counter installed in 2017 shows usage has more than doubled to 80,000-90,000 annual visitors.
“The great thing about trails, they can contain the magic sauce of identity,” says Dieterich-Ward. “They are about recreation and outdoor exercise and commuting, they are historic sites, these are brownfields. Trails really were the things that connected communities during America’s early existence. When trains went away, many of these communities weren’t connected well by auto, but rails to trails have the promise of reconnecting these communities. Trails allow us to celebrate that past, our industrial past, while building new connections that are meaningful today.”
April 27: A trail fest is set for Shippensburg Station, featuring the museum, food trucks, a beer garden, free children’s activities, and races/rides on the rail trail. See the website for more information: cvrtc.org
Additional Area RailTrails to Explore:
Northwest Lancaster County River Trail: nwrt.info
Conewago Recreation Trail: co.lancaster.pa.us/268/Conewago-Recreation-Trail
Enola Low Grade Trail: enolalowgradetrail.com
Lebanon Valley Rail Trail: lvrailtrail.com
Jonathan Eshenour Memorial Trail: derrytownship.org/resident-services/jonathan-eshenour-memorial-trail
Swatara Rail Trail: dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/SwataraStatePark
Stony Valley Rail Trail: stonyvalley.com/rail-trail.html
