Allentown, PA – The Wolf Administration today announced grant funding of $500,000 to construct a critical 1.8-mile segment of the Jordan Creek Greenway Trail in Allentown.

“Trails are all about connectivity – communities to each other, people to being active outdoors,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “The Wolf Administration is pleased to be able to support this segment of the Jordan Creek Greenway Trail to help the Lehigh Valley expand its network of regional trails that also are important as alternative means of transportation, and add to the quality of life features that attract businesses and workers.”

The segment will connect Jordan Park with the Jordan Meadows Park.

Upon completion, the entire 14-mile Jordan Creek Greenway trail will traverse through Allentown and the townships of Whitehall, South Whitehall and North Whitehall and connect many regional parks, including Jordan Park, Jordan Creek Parkway, Covered Bridge Park and the Trexler Nature Preserve.

“The pathway will provide significant recreation, economic, educational and environmental benefits,” said Allentown Mayor Ray O’Connell.  “It will allow trail users of all abilities to experience nature.  I am very grateful to the Wolf Administration and DCNR for the generous support.”

“It is no secret that the Lehigh Valley is home to a tremendous network of trails, providing residents with limitless recreational opportunities,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne said. “Recognizing the impact that a well-organized and maintained interconnected trail system has on a community’s quality of life, I am pleased to have supported and help secure funding for this key project.”

“The Jordan Creek Greenway is one of the backbones of our trail system in Allentown,” said state Rep. Mike Schlossberg. “It serves as a fantastic recreational opportunity for every resident of the city. I’m thrilled to have worked with the state to support this investment.”

The investments are among 41 grants supported by the Keystone and Environmental Stewardship funds, ATV and Snowmobile restricted accounts and federal Pennsylvania Recreational Trails funds awarded statewide, totaling approximately $7.6 million for trail projects including planning, construction and rehabilitation, as well as for ATVs/snowmobiles. A complete list of the grants is on the DCNR website.

DCNR has a goal of providing a trail within 10 minutes of every Pennsylvanian. Dunn said anyone who wants to visit a trail but is not sure where to go can find more than 12,000 miles and events listed online.  Learn more about trail experiences in Pennsylvania on this short video.

In Pennsylvania, outdoor recreation generates $29.1 billion in consumer spending, $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue, $8.6 billion in wages and salaries, and sustains 251,000 direct Pennsylvania jobs.

Information provided to TVL by:
Mike Moore
Communications Manager
Mayor’s Office
435 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
Mike.Moore@allentownpa.gov
http://www.AllentownPA.gov

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