A feasibility study for a new recreation trail in Carbon and Monroe counties has received support from Palmerton.

Borough council last week agreed to pay $3,000 for a Chestnut Ridge Greenway Trail feasibility study.

The agreement is through Dec. 31, 2024.

Christopher Strohler, Wildlands Conservancy senior conservation planner, said this is really the first step in looking into the development of the trail, converting portions of a former rail bed into a multiuse trail, connecting Kunkletown to Blue Mountain Resort and the Borough of Palmerton.

“A lot of what we are hoping to see as far as the benefits will include public input, the goals of what this regional trail could be; this is a critical first step,” Strohler said. “This idea was proposed over 30 years ago; it did not come to fruition because there wasn’t equal municipal (buy-in), and I think that’s going to be the game-changer here.”

Strohler said the project spans Palmerton Borough, Lower Towamensing Township and Eldred Township.

“This is a multimunicipal project, and we need everyone working together to do this, and that’s where we see this study being an important and necessary first step to set that stage,” he said. “This is the chance to dream big, and to voice concerns.”

Strohler said he believes there are several benefits to the areas involved; specifically for Palmerton, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, as well as economic opportunities.

“What we’ve seen with trails is it’s a great way for people of all ages and abilities to get out and experience nature, get out and get active,” he said. “It’s a great space and place for people to get out and have that active lifestyle.”

Strohler said that specifically for Palmerton, having this kind of connection of a regional trail for its residents is special.

“There’s so many studies out there that have proved the positive impacts on physical and mental health by getting out into nature, and that’s also represented with all the local health networks as well,” he said.

As for the economic development side, Strohler alluded to tourism, along with the businesses on Delaware Avenue in downtown Palmerton and the tie in with Blue Mountain Resort becoming more of a four-season type of business.

“We’re hoping in this study to make a connection between those two, that the direct connection could be a physical connect to the trail,” he said. “There could be opportunities for joint marketing and promotion for Palmerton being physically connected to Blue Mountain.”

Project scope

The Wildlands Conservancy is leading the effort in cooperation with municipal and local business partners to complete the study for the Chestnut Ridge Greenway, a proposed multiuse trail between Monroe and Carbon counties.

The study will evaluate the possibility of connecting Kunkletown to the borough of Palmerton, and utilize portions of the former Chestnut Ridge Railway and linking to key destinations in between.

For over 30 years, the Wildlands has owned a portion of the former Chestnut Ridge Railway, which was originally purchased to develop as a Rail-Trail.

According to Strohler, the conservancy has owned a rail line with Eldred Township in Monroe County for years. Spanning about 4 miles, it stretches from Eldred to Little Gap in Lower Towamensing and outside Palmerton’s boundaries.

The Wildlands has received grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to complete the study following DCNR-designated guidelines for a trail feasibility study.

Background

In 2020, the Wildlands Conservancy Inc. was awarded state funding to complete the study following DCNR-designated guidelines for a trail feasibility study.

The Emmaus-based nonprofit organization received a $40,000 grant to prepare a study for the development of about 9 miles of the Chestnut Ridge Greenway in Palmerton Borough, Lower Towamensing Township and Eldred Township.

Strohler said the plan will focus on the preservation of the Buckwha Creek and Aquashicola Creek corridors, while creating opportunities for economic development and recreation-based tourism in these communities.

The funding was made available through the 2020 Community Conservation Partnerships Program administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Palmerton Borough Manager Donna McGarry said the feasibility study is where a lot of work will be done to see how it can reach the borough.

In May 2020, Palmerton voted 6-1 vote to support the study.

Councilwoman Holly Hausman Sell cast the negative vote. She said with the coronavirus pandemic ongoing, she’s concerned what the borough’s future budgets might look like with so many residents out of work.

Council originally voted against the study when the conservancy asked for $10,000.