Penn Grant to Benefit Schuylkill River Trail Projects

The Schuylkill River Trail will run from Philadelphia 

to Pottsville when complete.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Schuylkill River Heritage Area: 

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area has received a three-year, $394,238 grant from the Philadelphia-based William Penn Foundation to continue the development of the Schuylkill River Trail in Schuylkill County, and to develop and implement river and trail-related programs.

The money will fund watershed stewardship programs, environmental education and trail expansion.

It will also fund a one-mile loop River Walk Trail in Pottstown’s Riverfront Park, with direct connection to the Schuylkill River Trail. The loop trail, which will be located directly behind the Schuylkill River Heritage Area’s 140 College Drive offices, will incorporate five interpretive stations focused on the river and watershed protection.

The Schuylkill River Sojourn

In addition to trail building, the grant will enable the Heritage Area to provide a mentor-based watershed education program for the I-LEAD Charter School in Reading that incorporates classroom lessons and field trip elements. That program will be a continuation of an existing class introduced this year by the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.

“This grant will enable us to continue to develop the Schuylkill River Trail,” said SRHA Executive Director Kurt Zwikl. “It will also allow us to provide educational and recreational programs that connect people to the river and inspire them to protect and conserve our natural resources.”

Several river and trail-based recreation programs will also be supported by the grant, including the Schuylkill River Sojourn, an annual weeklong, 112-mile guided canoe/kayak tour that is organized by the Heritage Area.

The Pedal and Paddle

The sojourn, which is entering its 16th year in June, incorporates educational programming about the river’s history, culture and environment that are intended to promote the river as a valuable natural and recreational resource.

Another popular Heritage Area program that will benefit from the grant will be the Pedal and Paddle events held every summer. Pedal and Paddles take participants on a round-trip adventure from Pottstown to Douglassville. 

They include a bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail, tour of Historic Morlatton Village and return trip via kayak. The program introduces people to the river and the trail, and promotes preservation and conservation.