Phoenixville OKs $100K for Trail Over Bridge

Photos by Evan Brandt

Two riders who rode the Schuylkill River Trail from Royersford, cross the bridge over the Schuylkill River from Mont Clare into Phoenixville along a narrow stretch of sidewalk borough officials hope to widen.

This drawing shows the current traffic configuration on
the Mont Clare bridge, top, and the proposed changes.

In order to keep a project 20 years in the making on track, Phoenxiville Borough Council voted 7-1 Tuesday night to spend $100,000 toward the cost of a project to widen the Mont Clare bridge over the Schuylkill River into the borough.

The purpose of the $1.4 million project is to improve access to the Schuylkill River Trail.

Councilwoman Dana Dugan cast the vote against the move, saying she questioned why the borough should be fronting $100,000 with no pledges of funding from the other municipalities that will benefit -- Chester County, Montgomery County and Upper Providence Township.

But Board President James Kovaleski said he is willing to take that risk and seek contributions from the other three "on the back end," in order to keep the project moving forward.

This rendering shows what the crossing will look like complete.

The project calls for narrowing the travel lanes for vehicles on the bridge in order to widen the sidewalk that crosses on the bridge on the
north side to nine feet.

That will leave room for a concrete barrier between the vehicles and pedestrians and bicyclists.

When complete, the will provide a crucial link between where the Schuylkill River Trail, traveling upriver from Valley Forge to Mont Clare, crosses the river into Chester County, where a completed portion of the trail in Phoenixville has already been completed.

Eventually, the plan is for the Schuylkill River Trail to extend more than 100 miles from Philadelphia to the river's source near Schuylkill Haven in Schuylkill County.

With this link complete, the only unfinished portion of the trail from Philadelphia to Reading is a four-mile stretch between Park Ford, in East Coventry Township and Pottstown.

Two bikers make their way over the bridge from Mont Clare 

into Phoenixville Tuesday evening.

Last October, Chester County announced plans to complete that section of trail in 2020 and the crossing back over the river into the Pottstown area has already completed.

It was included as part of the new Route 422 bridge between Kenilworth in North Coventry and Armand Hammer boulevard in Lower Pottsgrove.

In April, officials cut the ribbon on a long-delayed crossing of Norfolk-Southern tracks in Pottstown along Industrial Highway which means that portion is officially open as well.

The story of the connection from Mont Clare to Phoenixville goes all the way back to 1999 when the borough received a $760,000 grant to get the project moving, Borough Manager E. Jean Krack told council Tuesday night prior to the vote.

This is what the pedestrian crossing
beneath the freight rail tracks looks
like currently.

In 2011, the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association used a $50,000 grant from the Delware Valley Regional Planning Commission to conduct a feasibility study of the plan.

In 2015, Phoenixville received a $481,900 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the project and design began in 2016.

Further complicating the project is the fact that although no changes were planned to its bridge over Bridge Street, the trail crossing also must pass beneath the Norfolk Southern freight rail tracks on the Chester County side.

That meant involving the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, said Krack.

"If you see what we have to go through to get some of the little projects around here done, you can just imagine the red tape involved with Chester County, Montgomery County, Upper Providence Township, the borough, the state, Norfolk Southern and the Public Utility Commission involved," Krack told the council members by way of explaining why the project has taken so long.

This is what the crossing will look like
when the project is finished.

Last year, PennDOT and the PUC approved the plans for creating an eight-foot crossing beneath the railroad with bollards and a chain to protect walkers and riders.

PennDOT also approved additional funding, but even with that, when the lowest bid were opened earlier this month and came in at $1.4 million, the project was $300,000 short of the amount of money available.

Krack said PennDOT offered to cover $200,000 of that gap if Phoenixville could come up with the other $100,000.

Tuesday night they did.

Kovaleski said the fact that Phoenixville is "the destination" for most of those using the trail is reason enough to make sure the project gets started as soon as possible.

Councilman Edwin Soto said he is frequently asked by residents when this project will see the light of day.

Kovaleski also said getting the project done is a safety benefit as well. "It's quite a harrowing experience to go from the trail over the bridge as it stands now," he said.




One rider who does that all the time, a Royersford resident who identified himself only as Dom, said he crosses the bridge two or three times a week on his bike.

"It's not the best. We have the sidewalk, but there have been times when there are two or three people on the sidewalk when I have been forced to go onto the shoulder," he said.

"I mean it could be bigger. If this sidewalk took up this shoulder, it would be fine," he said.

High Street Traffic Study

Borough council also voted to request that mayor Peter Urscheler instruct the police department to conduct a traffic study of the 400 and 500 block of High Street.

Residents have been complaining about trucks using the street and alleys and that this has caused several accidents.

The traffic study will document how many accidents have occurred there, and will also look at the possibility of creating one way streets there to improve safety, according to the agenda.

Speaking of Mayor Urscheler, here's video of his monthly report to council:

Welcome West Pikeland

In addition to voting to hold a public hearing next month on the Phoenixville Regional Comprehensive Plan Update, council also agreed to allow the potential of another municipality to join the regional planning group.

You can check out the current comprehensive plan here.

Currently, the regional planning group consists of the borough of Phoenixville and the townships of Schuylkill, Charlestown, West Vincent and East Pikeland.

Tuesday night, council voted to allow the exploration of adding West Pikeland, which has asked to join the group. Krack said it will mean updating the just updated comprehensive plan and may also cost the borough more than $23,000, although it could be reduced to about $1,000 if grants being pursued by the Chester County Planning Commission are obtained.

And with that, here are the Tweets from the meeting:

Happier Trails

Schuylkill Trail Bridge Helped by State Grant

Cyclists cross Route 724 at the Schuylkill River Trail intersection in Monocacy during Ride for the River in September.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Schuylkill River Greenways 

Schuylkill River Greenways NHA has been awarded a PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources grant totaling $516,501 for the construction of a Schuylkill River Trail pedestrian bridge over Route 724.

The bridge will be located in Union Township near Monocacy Station. Funding will provide for ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.

Schuylkill River Greenways (formerly Schuylkill River Heritage Area) hopes to begin construction in 2019. The bridge is expected to take one year to build.

The total project cost has been estimated at about $1 million. The DCNR grant will pay for construction expenses, according to Schuylkill River Greenways Trail Manager Robert Folwell. 

An additional $325,636 has been secured from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to cover design, inspection, engineering and administrative costs associated with the project, as well as a portion of construction expenses. Schuylkill River Greenways will be applying to additional private and grant funding sources to make up the approximate $150,000 shortfall.

Preliminary design work for the project is already underway, and the final design phase will begin early next year, with the hopes of going out to bid in fall 2018 so that construction can begin the following spring, Folwell said.

A pedestrian bridge is needed at that location in order to ensure a safe crossing for trail users.

“This is a high traffic area along Route 724 where cars are traveling at a high rate of speed with poor sight distances, and trail users must negotiate a steep hill on either side,” said Folwell. “

The crossing is located in Monocacy along the Thun Section of the Schuylkill River Trail, and is part of the 20-mile Pottstown to Reading stretch.

Currently, trail users must descend a steep slope in order to cross Route 724 and ascend another slope on the opposite road bank. The slope was created by a former railroad bridge that was removed before that section of the Schuylkill River Trail was built along an old railroad bed.

Schuylkill River Greenways installed visible warning signs at the intersection last year. Those signs were paid for through Safe Crossing funds raised through the sale of Sly Fox Brewery’s SRT Ale.

The Schuylkill River Trail is a multi-use trail that, when complete, will run an estimated 130 miles along the entire length of the river. There are currently more than sixty miles complete, including a section of over 30 miles stretching from Philadelphia to Phoenixville. That section will connect with the Pottstown to Reading section in the next several years.

The Schuylkill River Greenways NHA manages over 30 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail in Berks and Schuylkill Counties, and works with partners to expand and improve the entire trail. Learn more at www.schuylkillriver.org.

Schuylkill Water Trail Guide Perfect for Paddlers

The new Schuylkill River Water Trail Guide.

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

Do you have a paddler on your Christmas list? The Pottstown-based Schuylkill River Heritage Area may have the perfect gift.

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area has introduced a new Schuylkill River Water Trail guide designed to help paddlers plan enjoyable trips and safely navigate the Schuylkill. The newly released “A Paddler’s Guide to the Schuylkill River Water Trail,” is available exclusively through the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.

The high-quality, comprehensive guide consists of a book and set of removable maps. Both are printed on waterproof synthetic stock. The 20-page spiral-bound guidebook includes a section-by-section trip planner, as well as valuable safety information, a field guide and detailed listing of water trail landings.

A portfolio on the inside back cover holds a set of 18 tri-fold maps that can be easily removed for access on the water. The maps divide the river into 18 sections, and each map provides essential details about waypoints, hazards, river miles, points of interest and much more. Areas of cautions are clearly delineated as is information on water levels and estimated travel times.

Attractively illustrated with numerous color photographs, “A Paddler’s Guide to the Schuylkill River Water Trail” covers roughly 115 miles of the Schuylkill River, beginning in Schuylkill Haven and ending in Philadelphia just below Schuylkill Banks.

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area developed the guide in response to a growing interest in river recreation.

“In recent years, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of people paddling, fishing and recreating on the river, and we expect that trend to continue,” said Schuylkill River Heritage Area Interim Executive Director Tim Fenchel.

“We put a great deal of effort into creating a first-rate water trail guide that is attractive, portable, and most importantly is painstakingly researched to ensure that paddlers of all abilities have the information they need to safely explore the river.”

The guide was designed by graphic artist Brian Swisher, an avid paddler who spent years researching and developing the content with assistance from nearly 50 contributors.

Cost is $40. For more information or to order a copy visit www.schuylkillriver.org.

The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, managed by the non-profit Schuylkill River Greenway Association, uses conservation, education, recreation, tourism, and cultural and historic preservation as tools for community revitalization and economic development. For more information visit www.schuylkillriver.org.

The Trail Leads to What Ales You

Some proceeds from the sale of SRT Ale will be used

to help maintain the Schuylkill River Trail.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Schuylkill River Hertitage Area and re-printed here with tremendous enthusiasm.

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area has announced its collaboration with Sly Fox Brewing Company, on the release of a new canned beer that benefits and celebrates the Schuylkill River Trail.

SRT Ale, due to hit local distributors in cans on Earth Day, is brewed specifically for craft beer fans who also love the outdoors of southeastern PA. 

Sly Fox's SRT Ale is a golden, delicious, hop-forward American Pale Ale, and at 4.7% alcohol by volume, it's designed to be the perfect post-activity beer.

The latest Sly Fox beer is also a tribute to a beloved recreational resource. 

A portion of the proceeds from the sales of SRT Ale will be donated to improve and maintain the 130-mile Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) that meanders near the brewery in Pottstown, as well as Sly Fox's original Brewhouse and Eatery in Phoenixville. 

The beer's launch will take place over several days as it journeys down the southeastern Pennsylvania trail from Pottsville to Philadelphia.

"Brewing a tribute beer to the crown jewel of regional recreation was a natural for us," said Sly Fox Brewmaster, Brian O'Reilly. "The Schuylkill Watershed is vital to the work we do and Sly Fox is committed to supporting it."

HIDDEN RIVER, PUBLIC TRAIL

The Schuylkill River Trail and accompanying Water Trail are well-used recreational resources that follow the length of the beautiful Schuylkill River, whose name means "hidden" in Dutch. 

When complete, the Schuylkill River Trail will wind along the river

from Pottsville to Philadelphia.

The Schuylkill was named 2014 Pennsylvania River of the Year by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers. Recreational usage on and along the river is growing exponentially as the surrounding population does, and consequently, more resources will be required to complete, protect and maintain the trail.

Starting in Pottsville, Schuylkill County and winding through the Schuylkill Highlands to Philadelphia, the river was historically flanked by railroad lines that have since been converted to paved and gravel trails as part of the Greater Philadelphia's Regional Trail Network. 

The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, managed by the non-profit Schuylkill River Greenway Association, works to promote and improve the entire Schuylkill River Trail and operates and maintains about 30 trail miles in Berks and Schuylkill Counties.

Not only is Sly Fox Brewing Company's SRT Ale contributing to trail upkeep, but the beer is a tribute to every step, paddle and pedal on the trail.

"The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is pleased to enter into this partnership with the Sly Fox Brewing Company," said Kurt Zwikl, executive director of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. 

"The release of SRT Ale highlights the recreational value the trail brings to the communities along the river, he said. "Our thanks go out to the brewery for this recognition."

The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area also hosts the Schuylkill River Sojourn, an annual 112-mile guided canoe/kayak trip on the Schuylkill River that begins in rural Schuylkill Haven, PA, and ends seven days later in Philadelphia's Boathouse Row. 

The Sojourn is a way to advocate and educate about the river's importance, history and connection to the people who live and work along it. 

Inspired by the Sojourn, the ceremonial release of Sly Fox Brewing Company's SRT Ale will make the journey, north to south, delivering news of the beer along the way.

SRT SPREE

The SRT Spree will follow a Sly Fox launch team over the course of four nights and five days as they trek from Pottsville to Philadelphia with a larger-than-life SRT Ale can, welcoming beer and trail lovers to join in along the way. 

The team will travel by kayaks, road bicycles, trail bikes, horseback, recumbent trikes and on foot to advance the giant can to the final destination. 

Each day the Spree will stop along the trail for an organized trail cleanup and recognition of a local beer purveyor that will introduce SRT Ale to the public. 

The Schuylkill River Trail in Pottstown.

Area businesses and community organizations will be invited to join this movement as it draws awareness to the trail – and the ale.

"We hope this unique event creates a lot of buzz for SRT Ale," adds Corey Reid, Sly Fox Beer Ambassador and member of the SRT Spree launch team, "but, more importantly, it will draw valuable attention to the trail and the river."

On Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, the SRT Spree will conclude at the Schuylkill Banks, Philadelphia's newest riverfront park, for a final cleanup and launch celebration.

"SRT Ale is a special release for Sly Fox," said Todd Palmer, also a member of the launch team and creative director at Virtual Farm Creative, Sly Fox Brewing Company's advertising agency. 

"The brewery is right off the trail, and we all use it and value it as a resource. We all love the outdoors and we all love beer. Every great adventure should end with a great beer!"

Beer lovers anticipating the release of SRT Ale are encouraged to join the journey or track the team's progress online at www.slyfoxbeer.com/SRTSPREE.

Think Globally, Award Locally

Photo by Evan Brandt

Andy Pitz, executive director of the French and Pickering

Creek Conservation Trust, addresses the problems
of climate change.

Friday morning found this reporter sitting in the meeting room of the Connections-on-High Cafe in the old New York Store building for a meeting of the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape event and meeting.

If you want to know more about the speakers who tied local actions to global results, pick up a copy of Mondays paper for my story on the subject (unless, you know, there's a car crash or something Sunday.)

For the story on the impacts of tourism in Pennsylvania and the region, check out The Mercury's business (or news) pages in the next couple of days.

If you want to know what it was like being there in the moment, live Tweeting, then read on fearless reader.

Zwikl Stepping Down as Executive Director of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area

Kurt Zwikl, shown here speaking at an event earlier this year.

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

Schuylkill River Heritage Area Executive Director Kurt D. Zwikl has announced that he will retire, effective June 30, 2015.

Zwikl has led the Heritage Area since 2003. 

The board of directors for the Schuylkill River Greenway Association, which manages the Heritage Area has formed a search committee and hired Leadership Recruiters, an executive search firm specializing in non-profit searches. 

The goal is to replace the outgoing executive director by May 1st in order to provide for a two-month transition period before Zwikl leaves.

“The board extends its gratitude to Kurt for successfully advancing the Heritage Area’s mission through his vision, passion and strategic leadership,” said board member and Search Committee Chairman Rob Kuhlman.

The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, headquartered in Pottstown, is one of only 49 congressionally designated National Heritage Areas in the country, encompassing the Schuylkill River corridor through parts of five counties (Schuylkill, Berks, Montgomery, Chester and Philadelphia). 

The organization uses conservation, education, recreation, historic and cultural preservation and tourism as tools for community revitalization and economic development.

During Zwikl’s tenure the Heritage Area broadened its reach, expanded its financial base, and ushered in a number of projects and programs that have led to region-wide improvements of the Schuylkill River Trail, the river and the communities along it.

Zwikl, of Allentown, is a former state legislator, past president of the Allentown Economic Development Corporation and former chair of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

“It has been my real pleasure to have worked with Kurt,” said Board President Carl Raring. “His qualifications for the job were outstanding but his attention to detail and enthusiasm for the organization once he took the job moved the Heritage Area forward to a position envied and imitated by many other National Heritage Areas.”

Since Zwikl took the helm, the Heritage Area has raised more than $20 million in public and private funds, all of which has been invested in initiatives that benefit the region.

Chief among those initiatives is building and improving the Schuylkill River Trail, which is owned

The Schuylkill River Trail

and maintained by a number of partners and will one day total 130 miles. The Heritage Area took a lead role in unifying the entire trail, managing the creation of a master sign system, instituting a trail website and designing and distributing trail maps, all while Zwikl was executive director.

In addition, the Heritage Area is directly responsible for building and managing the trail in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. 

Of the 30 miles of trail currently in place in those counties, nearly half were built while Zwikl was heading the organization.

The Schuylkill River Restoration Fund was established through an agreement Zwikl brokered with Exelon Corporation in 2006. 

To date, the fund has collected over $2 million and awarded grants to 62 projects that reduce stormwater runoff, agricultural pollution and abandoned mine drainage throughout the watershed.

He also cultivated a unique partnership between the Heritage Area and Montgomery County Community College. Through that partnership, the River of Revolutions Interpretive Center opened in 2012, fulfilling Zwikl’s vision to develop a visitor center for the entire Schuylkill River region.

(Here's video I shot earlier this year of Zwikl giving a tour of the River of Revolutions Interpretive Center)

The Interpretive Center is a component of the college’s Schuylkill Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center in Pottstown in the college-owned building where the Heritage Area is headquartered.

The Heritage Area is well known for its signature event, the annual Schuylkill River Sojourn, a seven-day, 112-mile guided canoe/kayak trip down the river that celebrated its 16th year in June.

The Sojourn Salute

Its popularity has grown steadily under Zwikl’s leadership, introducing over 3,000 registrants from 22 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and France to paddling the river since 1999.

Shortly after coming on board, Zwikl introduced the annual Scenes of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Art Show. For the past 11 years that exhibit has provided a platform for artists to showcase works that celebrate the beauty of the Schuylkill River corridor.

The Pedal/Paddle from Pottstown to Morlatton Village and back

was one of the first and the most popular.

Among the many other Heritage Area projects initiated by Zwikl are the popular Pedal and Paddle program, an annual Schuylkill River Trail Bike Tour, a Heritage Area lecture series, an exhibit of Revolutionary War engravings, and a PBS documentary entitled Revolutionary River. 

A total of 21 Gateway Centers have been installed throughout the region, and the popular free bike share, Bike Pottstown, which is managed by the Heritage Area, has been expanded into other communities as Bike Schuylkill.

“Although it will not be easy to fill Kurt’s shoes, we are confident that we can find someone of good character, vision and other skills necessary to move the organization even further ahead,” said Raring.

Pedal and Paddle

First comes the pedal, which leaves Pottstown's
Riverfront park at 9 a.m...

The schedule for the increasingly popular "Pedal and Paddle" bike and kayak trips from Pottstown to Douglassville and back has been announced.

The first will be held Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Now, you can register on-line by clicking here.

Registration can occur up to one-week before the event, but space is limited to 15 people and these trips often fill up quickly. (You must be 16 or older to participate).

If the May 17 date does not work for you, the other dates are June 28, July 26, Aug. 23 and Sept. 13.

The trips include:

• 4.5 mile bike ride using Bike Pottstown's yellow cruisers along the Schuylkill River Trail from Pottstown's Riverfront Park to Historic Morlatton Village in Douglassville.
• Guided tour of Historic Morlatton Village.
• Boxed picnic lunch at Ganshahawny Park in Douglassville
• Brief introduction to kayaking



...then the visit to Morlattan Village....

• Paddle back to Riverfront Park

The cost is only $25 and includes the bikes, the kayaks, the kayaking gear and the lunch.

Each event begins with a 4.5 mile bike ride from Pottstown’s Riverfront Park to Historic Morlatton Village in Douglassville, using yellow cruisers from the Bike Pottstown bike share program. 

Participants are given a guided tour of Morlatton Village, a historic village consisting of four 18th century buildings that have been restored or are in the process of being restored, one of which is the oldest home in Berks County. 

...then lunch and kayak lessons at Ganshahawny
Park 

in Douglassville....

The village is located directly off the trail and is owned by the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County, which provides a tour guide during the event. 

The buildings are only open to the public during special events. 

From there, participants take a short bike ride to Douglassville’s Ganshahawny Park where they eat a picnic lunch (provided) and receive a brief introduction to kayaking from outfitter Doug Chapman of Take it Outdoors Adventure Group. 

Then, they paddle back to Pottstown in kayaks along the Schuylkill River.

To begin, the group always meets at the Schuylkill River Heritage Area offices, located beside Riverfront Park, at 140 College Drive in Pottstown.

Registrants are asked to arrive a few minutes early, so they can sign a waiver and spend time in the

...and finally a leisurely paddle back to Pottstown.

River of Revolutions Interpretive Center, which is open during the event.

The tours are held rain or shine, however, if heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast the event may be canceled. If it becomes necessary to cancel, participants will be notified by email by early Saturday morning and a full refund.

All equipment, including bikes, helmets, kayaks, paddles and PFDs are provided. However, it is recommended that you bring the following items: water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, water shoes and bike helmet, if you prefer to use your own. 

For more information call the Schuylkill River Heritage Area at 484-945-0200, or email ckott@schuylkillriver.org.

A Trail Leads to Recognition

Stephen P. Pohowsky, left, with his award and Kurt Zwikl, executive director

of the Schuylkill River National Heritage Area in Pottstown.

A Pennsylvania Department of Transportation employee recently earned a 2013 National Trails Award from American Trails for his work improving trail user safety on several Pennsylvania trails, including the Schuylkill River Trail.

Stephen P. Pohowsky was recognized with a State Trail Worker Award, which is a category in the National Trails Awards presented annually by American Trails. He was nominated for the honor by Schuylkill River Heritage Area Trail Projects Manager Robert Folwell.

Pohowsky is a Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator and Safety Program Specialist for PennDOT District 5-0, which encompasses the counties of Berks, Schuylkill, Lehigh, Carbon, Northampton and Monroe. He received the award in recognition of "his extraordinary contribution to improving trail user safety at state highway crossings within District 5-0."

According to Folwell, Pohowksy is an avid trail user who uses "his trail riding

experience as well as his extensive knowledge of PennDOT highway safety issues to effectively evaluate all trail crossing plans to determine what works best, and has developed model guidelines for District 5 that will save lives."

Plans for the connection of the Schuylkill River Trail between Phoenixville and Pottstown.

In accepting the award Pohowsky thanked the Schuylkill River Heritage Area and American Trails. He observed that he had worked to foster better communication between PennDOT and the trail building community. He also spoke about the value of trails to local communities.

"We are fortunate to be located in an area of the state with a large expanse of both canal and rail trails, thanks to the former anthracite coal industry. These trails are not just a portal to our past, but also a pathway to our future,” Pohowsky said. “I look forward to continuing to work with our partners to make our trails a source of pride, an asset to their communities, and a fine example of what we can accomplish together."

American Trails, which sponsors the annual National Trails Awards, is a national, non-profit organization that works on behalf of all trails. Awards are offered in a number of categories, including the State Trail Worker Awards, which recognize one individual in each state “who has demonstrated outstanding contributions and consistent support for trail planning, development, or maintenance in either the private or public sector.”

Awards were presented at a symposium last month that took place in Arizona. Since Pohowsky was unable to attend that event, his award was presented to him by Schuylkill River Heritage Area Executive Director Kurt Zwikl at a recent PennDOT event.

A Day That Will Live in Activity

Tomorrow is going to be one busy day!

In my business, it is gospel that the busiest months of the year for news and events is September, when everyone gets back from vacation; December, when everyone is getting ready to take a vacation; and May/June, when everyone is getting ready for an even longer vacation.

An excellent example of this, allow me to present September 22, which I am calling "the day everything happens."

There are no less than five major events going on in our coverage area that day, any one of which could carry the next day's paper.

But because they will all happen on the same day, often at the same time, we won't be covering all of them.

(Any and all are, of course, encouraged to e-mail photos and summaries of their events to me at ebrandt@pottsmerc.com)

I will present here, chronologically, a list of all the things going on and the irony is, no doubt I will miss one I don't even know about:

• Schuylkill River Trail Bike Tour Series: 7:30 a.m. registration begins. A bike tour of nine, 18 or 20 miles from Pottstown to Birdsboro on the Schuylkill River Trail. The tour will focus on the Pennsylvania Railroad, its history and impact on the area. Kurt Zwikl, director of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area, which is sponsoring this first of several rides, said reaction has been spectacular and more than 100 people have signed up to participate.
  
  Digital Notebook readers first learned about this on Aug. 8.
  
  Today at noon is the latest to register. Click here to do so on-line, there is no sign-up tomorrow.
  
  Fee is $25 for adults (aged 16 and up); $20 for members; $15 for children ages 11-15. Children 10 and under free.
  
  Price includes refreshments in Pottstown and Birdsboro. Complimentary pre-ride bicycle safety checks provided by Tri-County Bicycles.
  
• Second Annual Pottstown Pet Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.in Smith Family Plaza in front of Pottstown Borough Hall. I neglected to mention in my post on this yesterday, that the Montgomery County Health Department will be there to provide rabies vaccination at $10 per shot. Admission to the event is free. Food and pet items will be sold there.
• Open Garden at Pottstown Community Garden from 12 to 2 p.m. at the garden at 423 Chestnut St. Visitors can participate in a salsa-making workshop, learn how the garden works, and pick vegetables to take home. The event is free.
• Can Jam Festival 2012: Sly Fox brewery, 331 Circle of Progress, the beer-lovers event will host the event from 12 to 9 p.m., it features live music, food and admission is free.
• At 1:30 p.m. the YWCA will host the next in a year-long "Girl Talk" series, this one on teaching girls to be advocates. The event, at 315 E. King St., will be free.
• Tomorrow evening, doors open at 6 p.m., the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars will host an intra-league bout between Damage Inc. and Fabulous disaster at the 422 Sports Complex at 1400 Industrial Highway. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
   

A Marriage of Natural and Historic Preservation

Photo by Dulcie Flaharty

The Daniel Hiester house was built in 1757 and will be preserved as a result of this effort.

Blogger's Note: The following was submitted by Dulcie Flaharty of Montgomery County Lands Trust about the successful completion of a long sought-after protection project.

Montgomery County Lands Trust has announced the permanent protection of the 78-acre Rogers-Hiester property, a long sought-after landscape in Upper Salford and Marlborough Townships that is rich in both natural and historical resources.

Photo by Dulcie Flaharty

Ridge Valley Creek, one of two high-quality streams preserved.

The property is the gateway to the Unami Forest, one of the largest remaining intact forests in southeastern Pennsylvania, and is home to the 1757 Georgian-style Daniel Hiester House.

Plans for the property include restoration of the historically significant structure, the creation of a 75-acre park, and the future development of hiking trails that will connect the property to other regional trails and open space.

The group’s $1.6 million purchase of the property followed a 30-month campaign to raise the needed funds. A wide variety of public and private donors contributed to the effort, including Charles and Maureen Rogers, whose family had owned the property since 1929.

Upon purchase, the land was transferred to Upper Salford Township, which will maintain it as a publicly accessible park. MCLT will hold a conservation easement on the property that ensures it will be forever protected from development.

“This is a capstone project for Montgomery County Lands Trust’s two decades of work in the region,” said Dulcie Flaharty, MCLT’s executive director. “During a time when funds for open space are scarce, we are grateful to have partners recognize the significance of this project, one that combines protection of both natural and cultural gems.”

The property is located off Route 63 just south of Sumneytown. Its visual prominence, natural resources, rich history, and potential access to public trails and parkland make Rogers-Hiester one of the most significant acquisition projects in Montgomery County.

Photo by Dulcie Flaharty

Many of the original features of the Daniel Hiester house remain
untouched by subsequent restorations, making it a 'high priority'
for restoration in Montgomery County.

The 78-acre property contains diabase geology, prime agricultural soils, and the confluence of Montgomery County's only two high-quality streams: Unami Creek and Ridge Valley Creek.

A large portion of the property consists of mature woodlands that are part of the Unami Forest, a notable section of the nationally recognized Pennsylvania Highlands.

The land is ideally situated to serve as the linchpin for future connection to both Montgomery County's 3,400-acre Green Lane Park and the 19-mile Perkiomen Trail just west of the property.

With 50,000 users monthly, the Perkiomen Trail connects with the Schuylkill River Trail, linking Philadelphia to Pottsville.

The wooded property is a picturesque setting for a 255-year-old brick manse, originally the residence of Daniel Hiester, noted patriot and statesman.

Because it was never remodeled, the house is in remarkable condition, retaining exceptional, unaltered period features. The prominence of this estate was so significant that it was noted on the first official map of Pennsylvania in 1759.

Photo by Geoff Patton

The stairway of the Heister house. 

The rare combination of natural and historic resources elevates Rogers-Hiester landscape to a status of unprecedented importance, not only regionally but statewide.

Montgomery County Lands Trust was attracted to the project, recognizing that it had ranked for three decades as “highest priority” by the Montgomery County Parks and Heritage Services Department but had not yet been protected.

Over the course of several years, Montgomery County Lands Trust worked with property owners Charles and Maureen Rogers to develop a preservation strategy, which was complicated by the necessity of finding funding to protect both the land and the structures.

Funding partners brought substantial resources to the project, including: $678,000 from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, $342,000 from Montgomery County’s Green Fields/Green Towns Open Space Program, $150,000 from the Open Space Institute, $20,000 from Upper Salford Township, and more than $60,000 in community support rallied by Montgomery County Lands Trust.

Photo by Dulcie Flaharty

Another view of the Hiester House. It was included on the very first
Colonial map of Pennsylvania.

“This property was a 'Critical Habitat' acquisition,” said Carolyn Wallis, natural resource program supervisor for DCNR. “The land has the highest conservation value in the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape. Two high-quality streams run through it, the diabase geology supports rare and unusual plants, and it is within the Unami Forest Important Bird Area as identified by the National Audubon Society. In other words, it is an exceptional place that needed desperately to be preserved.”

Photo by Dulcie Flaharty

In addition to Valley and Unami creek's the deal preserves a 'critical habitat in the Schuylkill Highlands.

As a nonprofit conservancy, Montgomery County Lands Trust works to preserve and connect the natural areas, farmland, and neighborhood green spaces which contribute to the quality of life, to a clean and abundant water supply, and to the health of the region’s economy.

Below is a video about the Hiester House made by Brian Bingaman of The Mercury's sister paper, The Reporter. (If the embed code did not work, click here to see the video.)

Pedal to the Past

A series of trail tours along the Schuylkill River begins Sept. 22.

One of the hallmarks of the "Trail Town" strategy  outlined a few years ago at the Schuylkill River Heritage Area's Town Trail Conference held here in Pottstown, is that towns along the Schuylkill River Trail must link their local history to the trail

An effort to do just that gets started this fall, when the Schuylkill River Trail Bike Tour Series gets underway.

The first of the three-ride series will be held Sept. 22 and will be a round-trip ride from Pottstown to Birdsboro

Much of that portion of the trail is built upon the old Pennsylvania Railroad bed and the trip will include a presentation about the railroad  along with optional visits to three villages along the route.

The Mons Jones House in Morlatton Village.

Riders can take a nine-mile, 18-mile or 20-mile ride with options to take a guided walking tour of Birdsboro or historic Morlatton Village’s four 18th Century buildings in Douglassville. Brochures will be available for participants who also want to take a self-guided walking tour of Pottstown.

According to the Schuylkill River Hertiage Area, which is sponsoring the tour, this is the first ride in  a new multi-year series. "Each event will feature a unique combination of biking and history.

Those who register by Sept. 5 will get a free T-shirt and pay $25 per person

Tickets are $20 for heritage area members, and $15 children between the ages of 11 and 15. Children age 10 and younger are free.

A Pennsylvania Railroad engine in Pottstown.

Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. Welcome and Pennsylvania Railroad presentation begin at 8:30 a.m. and the rides start at 9 a.m.

You can register by clicking here.

Refreshments will be provided in Pottstown and Birdsboro. Ride support and complimentary pre-ride bicycle safety checks provided by TriCounty Bicycles of Pottstown.


Helmets are required. Due to the width of the trail, no bicycle trailers are permitted.

According to a report in the Sanatoga Post, other tours in the works include:

• A 2013 “Cycles and Cemeteries Ride” that will take participants along the trail from Norristown to East Falls, with stops at two cemeteries where Civil War generals are buried; and
• A 2014 “National Parks of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Ride,” which will feature a two-day ride taking cyclists to three national parks: Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Independence National Historical Park.

Happy Trails to Them

Pottstown Middle School teacher Perry Augustine, rear, took students on a bike tour of the Schuylkill River Trail.

Blogger's Note: FOB John Armato is at it again! Please find below his latest submission. (You can submit posts to The Digital Notebook as well. Just e-mail ebrandt@pottsmerc.com and our friendly and courteous staff will happily review your submission for possible publication.)

Their trip began in Pottstown's Riverfront Park, a trail head.

Pottstown Middle School students had the opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Schuylkill River Trail recently  and learn many interesting facts about the environment.

The tour was done from the seat of their bicycles as they peddled the trail during the middle school’s “Bike Day” field trip organized teacher Perry Augustine.

The day began with a presentation about trail wildlife and history by Robert Folwell of the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area.

Savanna Pulcher and Br'anna Williams enjoy the
scenery on a trail bridge over the river and a break
from peddling

Before taking off on their adventure, middle school teacher Terry Niemann instructed the students about bike safety and trail riding etiquette.

Students, faculty, and parent volunteers then rode the scenic and picturesque Schuylkill River Trail to Birdsboro and back.

As the students rode the trail, they were able to observe various forms of wildlife and developed a better understanding of concepts they have talked about in science class.

Ernest McCalvin prepares his bike for the trip

As an added benefit, the event proved to be a healthy, fun alternative to the everyday classroom routine.

Students were accompanied by middle school staff members Annmarie Gruenling and Teresa Niemann, along with parent volunteers Mr. Camacho and Mrs. Lineman.

Mr. Augustine noted, “Our students today had an outstanding opportunity to learn about the environment while at the same time enjoying the relaxation and pleasure that the scenic, picturesque Schuylkill River Trail provides.

A special thank you to Mr. John DiRenzo of Tri County Bicycles for providing bike accessories which were used as prizes throughout the day for student achievement.”