On May 11, 2021, Northampton County secured a trail easement from Donna M. Garrity in Plainfield Township to close Two Rivers Area Trail Gap 9A. Northampton County Council adopted Ordinance Number 705 on May 6, 2021 authorizing the purchase of the trail easement containing 0.4298 acres from Donna Garrity for $7,300.

The trail easement is within a twenty foot (20’) wide right-of-way over the western boundary of Ms. Garrity’s property. In 2020, Northampton County purchased a 1.4 acre parcel from the Norfolk Southern Corporation to serve as a regional trailhead for the Two Rivers Area Trailway and the September 11th National Memorial Trail. The Garrity property is adjacent to the County’s acquisition and is a direct connection to the planned regional trailhead.

The easement will link to future connections heading north to Filetown Road and cross over to the Bushkill Township leased right-of-way along Route 33 Southbound from Filetown Road to Henry Road to access Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center.

County Executive Lamont G. McClure remarked, “Northampton County is proud to be a leader investing in trails to provide recreational, health, and wellness benefits for our residents. We are a partner in THE LINK trail network within the Lehigh Valley—an interconnected network of safe, beautiful multi-use trails for year-round outdoor recreation.”

Bryan Cope, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation stated, “This is a significant trail connection for the continued development of the September 11th National Memorial Trail. It is an integral section of the nationally significant trail within Northampton County.”

Sherry Acevedo, Conservation Coordinator commented, “This trail easement implements the County’s Livable Landscapes Plan goal to provide an exemplary network of parks and trails. This trail gap will connect regional trail networks of existing and planned trails within the Two Rivers Trailway, Northern Tier Trail, and the September 11th National Memorial Trail.”

 
Information provided to TVL by:
Becky Bartlett
Deputy Director of Administration
Northampton County Government Center
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/

 

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