Middle Creek Greenway Trail 2015 Feasibility Study 1
Acknowledgements Contributors / Partnering Organizations Steering Committee Organization Name: Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve Phone Number: 717-642-5840 Address: 1537 Mount Hope Road Fairfield, PA 17320 Organization Contact: Chuck Reid Email: creid@strawberryhill.org Chuck Reid, Executive Director Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve Rob Thaeler, Principal Planner Adams County Office of Planning and Development Organization Name: Hamiltonban Township Phone Number: 717-642-8509 Address: P.O. Box 526, Fairfield, PA 17320 Organization Name: Michaux State Forest - Forest District 1 Phone Number: (717) 352-2211 Address: 10099 Lincolnway East, Fayetteville, PA 17222 Organization Name: Adams County Office of Planning and Development Phone Number:717-337-9824 Address: 19 Baltimore Street, Suite 101, Gettysburg, PA 17325 Organization Contact: Coleen Reamer E-mail: cnreamer@embarqmail.com Organization Contact: Roy Brubaker E-mail: robrubaker@pa.gov Organization Contact: Robert Thaeler E-mail: rthaeler@adamscounty.us Kelly Koch, Senior Conservation Planner Adams County Office of Planning and Development Michelle Blevins, Forester Michaux State Forest Alan Patterson, Executive Director Camp Eder Christian Camp & Retreat Center Sara Kipp, Coordinator Land Conservancy of Adams County Dean Thomas, Borough Council Fairfield Borough Organization Name: Penn Trails Phone Number:717-486-4455 9 Dogwood Drive Newville, PA 17241 Organization Name: Camp Eder Christian Camp & Retreat Center Phone Number:717-642-8256 914 Mt Hope Rd Fairfield, PA 17320 Organization Contact: Larry Knutson E-mail: Larry@penntrail.com Organization Contact: Alan Patterson E-mail: apatterson@campeder.org Coleen Reamer, Township Supervisor Hamiltonban Township Gene Wiehagen, Community Member Hamiltonban Township Plan Prepared by: This project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Environmental Stewardship Fund, under the administration of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. Organization Name: Land Conservancy of Adams County Phone Number: 717.334.2828 P.O. Box 4584, 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325 Organization Contact: Sarah Kipp E-mail: skipp@adamscounty.us We are a partner of the South Mountain Partnership, an alliance of organizations working to preserve and enhance the cultural and natural assets of the South Mountain landscape in Central Pennsylvania. This project was awarded through South Mountain Partnership with management oversight of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Adams County Office of Planning and Development 2
Table of Contents Purpose Goals and Policies Study Methodology Benefits of Greenways Trails and Open Space Background Local Planning Activities Demand and Potential Use Key Community Elements and Potential Connections Other Key Community Connections / Users Potential User Profiles Data Collection and Analysis Recommendations 4 5 7 8 9 13 18 20 23 25 28 57 3
PURPOSE This study evaluates the potential of developing a trail along the Middle Creek Greenway in Adams County, PA. The purpose of this trail is to serve as a connecting spoke to the developed hubs of Hamiltonban Township and Fairfield Borough and the natural and cultural nodes of Michaux State Forest, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, and Camp Eder. In 2010, Adams County created a vision to protect the region s natural landscape by developing the Adams County Greenway Plan. The Greenway Plan focuses on improving the physical and visual connections between the built and natural environments through a hub, spokes, and nodes greenway development approach. The majority of the corridors identified in the Adams County Greenway Plan consist of riparian areas along streams and creeks, and the remaining greenways corridors include ridgelines, collections of ridge tops, and significant natural areas. The Greenway Plan also proposes developing potential trail connections with regional systems (e.g. The Appalachian Trail, PA Highlands, Michaux State Forest, Strawberry Hill, and other recreational, environmental, cultural, and historic amenities) to provide continuous hiking and outdoor access opportunities for Adams County residents and visitors. The plan illustrated that trails with public access can play a key role in preserving heritage and land along these streams (HERITAGE PHOTO). Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, the Adams County Office of Planning and Development, Michaux State Forest, Hamiltonban Township, Fairfield Borough, and Camp Eder Christian Camp and Retreat Center evaluated the ability to connect the surrounding community to the major natural and recreational resources within the Middle Creek stream system. This planning study evaluated the potential for developing the Middle Creek Greenway trail system, connecting over 3,500-acres (Glatfelter Tract: 2,500-acres, Strawberry Hill: 609-acres, Camp Eder: 405-acres) of publicly accessible bucolic lands, natural open space areas, a nature center, a retreat center, and over 15 miles of existing hiking trails with a new trail system linking the community centers to these resources. The project inventoried and prioritized the existing trails within the Glatfelter Tract to determine the best trail alignment to connect the community to the existing natural, cultural, and recreational nodes in the area. It also identified potential routes to connect to the community centers of Hamiltonban Township and Fairfield Borough, and it identified the necessary private land owners who will need to provide access for the trail. A goal of this project is to identify potential options for a trail system that will promote the natural, heritage, agriculture, and recreation assets of the region, and showcase the organizations and businesses that are already supporting these assets by linking them together with a community trail. The trail concept is to begin at the Hamiltonban Township Building (proposed park) and meander through the front range farms, up though the foothills of the South Mtn. Range, through Middle Creek s high quality watershed, and connect to the Glatfelter Farmstead in Michaux State Forest. The potential trail will connect the community to their local resources and serve as a tourism attraction for hikers, all the while helping to create a connection to the current active efforts to preserve and protect the Middle Creek Greenway. 4
TRAIL FEASIBILITY STUDY NETWORK GOALS AND POLICIES This trail feasibility study involved evaluating the design and construction of a pedestrian facility between the Fairfield Borough, Hamiltonban Township, Michaux State Forest, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, and Camp Eder Christian Camp and Retreat for recreation purposes. The end result was to produce a plan that meets the following objectives: 1. Determine the feasibility of constructing a trail facility through municipal, state forest, and private land utilizing existing logging roads, private roads, and trails 2. Develop a trail concept that takes advantage of the natural and scenic benefits of the surrounding area, while making connections to existing facilities 3. Evaluate connections to existing/proposed parks and trail facilities 4. Evaluate connections to town centers, recreational areas, cultural, commercial and employment areas 5. Provide recommendations for trail maintenance, operations and accessibility 6. Recommend a trail development strategy and right of way acquisition methods 7. Identify willing landowners to support the trails with an easement 8. Serve as a resource to municipalities for the future grant applications and as a starting point for future preliminary engineering efforts FEASIBILITY STUDY GOALS Objective 1: PRIORITIZE TRAIL PROJECTS: This plan will help prioritize Michaux State Forest s efforts to determine what trails in the Glatfelter Tract will be utilized for public recreational use and those to serve as access routes. It will prioritize Hamiltonban Township and the County s efforts to identify agreeable landowners to establish a community trail. It will map out the primary trunk and connecting routes through the Middle Creek Greenway. Finally, it will assess the existing conditions of the old logging roads within Michaux State Forest and help focus efforts on which sections to develop, shut down, or maintain. Objective 2: SUPPORT ASSET BASED BUSINESSES/ NON-PROFITS THROUGH PARTNER RESOURCES: Developing a new trail system around the Glatfelter Tract will attract visitors to the southern region of Michaux State Forest, helping to reduce visitor impact in the heavily used northern section. It will establish formal public access points with existing non-profit businesses, private landowners, and municipal partners working to protect the watershed and provide recreational opportunities for the community, all the while strengthening a public and private partnership to protect a high quality watershed. Community members and visitors will be able to utilize the existing business services to access the state forest, helping to support these businesses, and the business will be able to help support the state forest system by reducing trailhead development and management costs. Finally, the trail supports the South Mountain Outdoors program through annual trail activities, such as expanding Strawberry Hill s annual 10k and 10- mile trail run which attracts participants from as far as Harrisburg to Washington, DC, promote and encourage the use of Camp Eder as a retreat center, and serve as a tourist attraction to interpret the history of the first formalized tree farm in Pennsylvania, Glatfelter Tree Farm #1. Objective C.3 - WORK WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO FURTHER DEVELOP GREENWAY AND TRAIL CONNECTIONS: As noted above, this trail supports Adam County s Greenway plan to establish a greenway corridor along Middle Creek. It also supports Hamiltonban Township s effort to implement the trail as laid out in the Township s recently adopted Official Map. It expands the regional effort to protect the Glatfelter Tact by developing awareness of the preservation effort of this land and its high quality watersheds, and it specifically works with county governments and trail organizations to develop collaborative opportunities to provide public access. 5
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STUDY METHODOLOGY To complete this project Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve partnered with the Adams County Office of Planning and Development and Penn Trails LLC to conduct the study and develop the plan, with assistance from Michaux State Forest, The Land Conservancy of Adams County, Hamiltonban Township, and Camp Eder. Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve helped administer and process the mini grant: draft the draft the scope of work according to DCNR guidelines, gather the background information and data, facilitate the public participation process, maintain communication with partners, assist with the physical inventory, and assist with preparing the trail concept plan (final document). Preserve hosted the planning partners meetings, coordinated communications with key stake holders, processed all accounts receivable and payable, and provided technical assistance to the partners to complete the plan/document. The Adams County Office of Planning and Development (ACOPD) provided the technical staffing support to complete the final plan: process the data collection, conduct the site information analysis and demand for potential use, assist with the public participation process, assist with the physical inventory, provide geographic information mapping support, evaluate the trail operation, maintenance, and security, determine cost estimates, and prepare the trail concept plan (final document). Penn Trails LLC., a professional trail building company, conducted a groundtruth based trail assessment process for the proposed trail route within the Glatfelter Tree Farm Tract to Camp Eder: The trail assessment utilized the USDA Forest Service TRACS process, providing objective data as to the current conditions, inventory, and features contained within the proposed trail corridor. This data and resulting report will then provide the information needed to determine the necessary prescriptions on which to base future project planning, designs, construction and budget for implementation of a Middle Creek Greenway hiker/pedestrian trail: conduct a physical evaluation of the proposed trail corridor, including adjacent inventory, utilizing USDA Forest Service TRACS based process, collect (non sub-meter) GPS data to include with the above TRACS report, provide results of TRACS assessment and GPS data, and prepare a report of recommended prescriptions, based upon outcomes above, that can be utilized in estimating the types of design, construction practices and costs required for actual implementation of the trail system within the proposed corridor. This is not a planning or design document, nor does it include any design elements, plans, maps, blue prints, etc. The Land Conservancy of Adams County: identified the private landowners to discuss the options for obtaining a trail easement: approach each property owner and open negotiations for an easement, Michaux State Forest assisted the planning effort by: providing additional GIS support, assisting with the background data, Outline of Trails Assessment and Condition Surveys (TRACS) process assisting with conducting the physical inventory, and providing mapping equipment to develop the trail alignment. Hamiltonban Township assisted with the community outreach efforts to identify key private landholders and generate community participation in the planning process Camp Eder provided its facilities for committee and community input meetings. 7
BENEFITS OF GREENWAYS TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE Greenways provide a "blueprint for conservation. By creating a plan for future growth, they ensure the preservation of natural and cultural resources. Though land is preserved, growth is not hindered. PRESERVE NATURAL RESOURCES - Greenways provide many benefits to the environment. They preserve biological diversity and wildlife habitat, they protect water quality, and they are an environmentally sensitive form of stormwater management. PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES- Greenways may serve as learning laboratories. Students are able to leave the classroom and learn about nature in an outdoor environment. While in the greenways, they have a hands-on learning experience. PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION - In highly congested areas, greenways offer an alternative to single occupant vehicle use reducing traffic congestion. In rural areas, they can provide connections to areas of employment, commerce, and recreation otherwise unattainable without a motor vehicle. As alternative routes of transportation, they provide pathways for commuting to work, provide safe routes to school, and connect the community to local places of business. These facilities should receive even greater attention when considering their dual value as both recreational trails and transportation alternatives - improving air quality, saving energy, improving personal health, and reducing congestion. FOSTERING PUBLIC RECREATION, HEALTH, AND FITNESS - Greenways offer many diverse forms of recreational opportunities conducive to mental and physical wellness. The number one public health problem identified by the U.S. Surgeon General is the lack of physical activity among adults. Trails within greenways provide individuals opportunities to improve personal health. DEVELOPING A GREENWAY Phases of Creating a Greenway or Trail (from "Creating Connections: The Pennsylvania Greenways and Trails How-To Manual", Pennsylvania Greenways Partnership, 1998) This resource may be used as a reference as this plan is implemented. A. Visioning B. Building Support C. Planning the Project D. Acquisition E. Development F. Managing the Greenway or Trail SUPPORT ECONOMIC PROSPERITY -Along with environmental advantages, greenways are economically beneficial. It has been found that there is a direct relationship between an increase in property value and proximity to greenways and green space. Therefore, greenways increase real property values. Open space generates revenue and requires few services for its upkeep. Greenways help generate revenue for business. For example, bicycle trails are a part of greenways, and when one is built, the need for bicycles and related equipment increases. The bicycle industry reaps the benefits, economic development, and employment rise. ENHANCE SENSE OF COMMUNITY- Adding to the visual and environmental character, they enhance a sense of place in a community or region. Phases of Creating a Greenway or Trail 8
BACKGROUND General Description of Project Area / Regional Setting until after the American Revolution the population in Adams County lived a frontier-like existence. The people along the stream made their living by working the land. They cleared forests, farmed, planted orchards; they even mined for copper and other minerals. Many mills, early farmstead homes, and charcoal mounds can still be found throughout the watershed. Historical Landscape of Middle Creek The Middle Creek Watershed has a long history of human activity dating back to the Native Americans. Native Americans traveled, hunted, and settled in the woods along the stream. Among the Indian tribes that inhabited these parts was one called Tomes (Tom Indians). Remnants of arrowheads and other tools can be found throughout the area documenting their presence as the residents along this creek. Native Americans used the land in the watershed before the European settlers, although there is no written history of their experiences in this watershed. Strawberry Hill property management, pre-preserve A photograph of the Baird home and mill on Mount Hope Road, probably taken in the late 1800s when the structures were still standing. Historical roadmap of Adams and York Counties, 1792 The earliest European settlers came to the area in the 1730s. They were mostly Scotch-Irish who came to America to escape famine in Ireland. Before 1767, parts of what are now Adams and York Counties were claimed by both Maryland and Pennsylvania. When the first Europeans settled the area, the English government was casting a worried eye at French moves to claim the interior of the American continent. To counter French encroachment, the English government began an active policy of promoting settlement of the wilderness. Settlement in the area began with the felling of trees, clearing rocks, burning brush, and cultivation. During this time, from the middle of the 18th century During the French and Indian war (1754-1763), Hamiltonban Township was on the frontier, and there was much bloodshed in the area, both by settlers and Indians. In 1758 or 1759 settlers formed companies for the defense of the frontier near Virginia Mills, found along Mount Hope Road, along Middle Creek. One of the major mills on Middle Creek was subsequently a wool and cloth factory. The mill sat on the creek, two miles from Emmitsburg on the main road to Gettysburg. The factory carded wool into rolls that was manufactured into cloth, cashmere, cassette, blanketing, and flannels. All the mills in the area depended on the flow of water in the Middle Creek to serve local families and villages. There are well-documented captures of frontier settlers in Adams County by Indians during these years. One well documented abduction in the area was that of Richard Baird (Bard), son of early settler Archibald Bard, who operated a mill in Carroll's Delight near what is now Virginia Mills. The author of A History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, written in 1886, writes that in 1758 the house of Richard Baird, who resided on the southeast side of South Mountain, near the mill now known as Myers Mill, on Middle Creek about one and one half miles from Fairfield was attacked by Delaware Indians. Five days after his capture on April 13, 1758, he escaped, and two years later was able to ransom his wife from the Indians and return to his home in Hamiltonban. 9 In the 1770 s petitions from Hamiltons Bann cited the need for an established road along the creek "by which to carry their flour and other produce to market a road from Ramseys and Gettys Merchant MiIl on Middle creek the best and shortest way to intersect the road already laid out and cleared from McGaugheys Mill to the temporary line at the northeast corner of James Thompson's old field. Middle Creek also appears as early as 1792 on Reading Howell s map of Pennsylvania as a prominent waterway between Marsh and Tom s Creek. Middle Creek is known today as one the best quality streams in Adams County and its health is important for the Monocacy watershed. Middle Creek flows south directly though the Borough of Fairfield toward Maryland. Because of Fairfield s location on the main road from Gettysburg to Hagerstown, MD, the town continued to grow during the intervening years up through the American Civil War. Fairfield would have been designated an important stop on Thaddeus Stevens tapeworm railroad had it not been abandoned in 1838. Remnants of the Tapeworm Railroad are located throughout the Middle Creek Watershed.
In 1878 copper was discovered in the Snively Mines on the Musselman tract near Fairfield. This is located near Lost Limb Lane off Mount Hope Road - the lane was named for a worker at the Snively copper mine who lost a leg in a mine explosion. The Snively mine shaft opening is still visible today. It is 80 feet deep, although it is now filled with water. On this tract three veins were discovered, one of which was ten feet thick. Operations at the mine have been shut down for about 100 years. In the 1830s, prominent Adams County resident and Pennsylvania State Senator Thaddeus Stevens proposed and initiated construction of a branch railroad line to connect iron furnaces in Adams and Franklin Counties to the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad in Columbia, Maryland. Due to political and financial problems, the full extent of the railroad was never completed. In the late 1830 s, laborers and masons picked up their tools and walked away from the Steven's only partially built line, leaving embankments, cuts and fills, and bridges unfinished throughout the watershed. Nevertheless, the rail-bed did provide a path for escaped slaves using the underground railroad to freedom. A significant portion of the original and never completed right of-way of the so-called Tapeworm Railroad is located in Hamiltonban Township on the slopes of Jack s Mountain. Although not publicly used at this time, the feature is identified in this inventory as an existing physical feature that has long been viewed as having potential to highlight the cultural heritage of the region and possibly host a regional recreation trail link. In 1889, Virginia Mills located along Middle Creek, did become a stop on the Western Extension of the Baltimore and Harrisburg Railway near Fairfield, PA and the site of the 1863 Battle of Fairfield in the American Civil War. The railway was routed near the mill site on the John Linn farm and an 1838 Tapeworm Railroad viaduct on the Rev. A. W. Geigley farm. 1839 map of the never-completed Gettysburg Railroad, now called the Tapeworm Railroad P.H. Glatfelter Company, a producer of engineered papers and specialty printing papers was founded in the rolling hills of south central Pennsylvania in Spring Grove, PA in the mid to late 1880 s. A pulpmill was installed in 1895 to make pulp from pine and poplar wood by a soda process. Shortly after, Glatfelter began to lead the industry with the installation of the world s largest paper machine, and the company switched to making paper using wood fiber instead of rags. Early in the day on July 3rd, 1863, Jones' Brigade of Stewart's Cavalry Division of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia fought a bloody battle with the 6th U.S. Cavalry on Carroll's Tract Road, just 2 miles north of Fairfield. The Union Cavalry was driven back to Emmitsburg, and Jones' Brigade remained in Fairfield, protecting the left flank of the Confederate Army during Pickett's Charge on the decisive day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Jones Brigade encamped at Fairfield that night, and the next day, one of two major columns of the Army of Northern Virginia began its retreat through Fairfield, up Iron Springs Road, and over South Mountain through Monterey Gap (now within Borough of Blue Ridge Summit). The other column, with Lee's wagons, supplies, and wounded retreated through Cashtown towards Chambersburg. Map of Snively Mine In 1934, Glatfelter began its forestry management initiative, encouraging farmers to plant more trees and prevent soil erosion. The term tree farming was fashioned in the 1940 s to introduce the public to sustainable forest terminology they could understand. The American Tree Farm System was created in 1941 in response to the need to protect forest resources on private lands, provide advice and assistance to forest owners, and ensure the continued supply of wood and other forest products. In 1947, Glatfelter launched their first tree farm, within the Middle Creek and Toms Creek watersheds, managed for the growing of sustainable forest crops in Pennsylvania and Maryland. The land became Pennsylvania s first designated Tree Farm (Tree Farm #1), and has since been a local natural and recreational resource while being actively managed for timber production. Sign at entrance of Glatfelter Tree Farm No. 1 10
Beginning in the 1960 s Frances Morton Froelicher and her husband, Hans Froelicher, came to the watershed and began purchasing land as a retreat from Baltimore. The Froelichers purchased properties in Hamiltonban Township, stitching together various tracts of land to create the original 519- acre core of Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve along Middle Creek, and adjoining Tree Farm #1 and Michaux State Forest. Creek, and Mount Hope. The Preserve provides recreational opportunities to Adams County residents through a variety of cultural and environmental programs and by maintaining ten miles of trails that are open to the public for hiking. By 2007, the Glatfelter Tree Farm grew to roughly 2,500 acres and the Glatfelter Pulp Wood Company decided to put the property up for sale. Drawing concern from local citizens, worried about the threat to the property s water resources, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, a collaborative effort between local, state, and national conservation organizations and local governments was put together to purchase the tree farm. In 2011, the community was able to complete the purchase and transfer the land to Michaux State Forest for long term preservation. Map of Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve property, 1987 Mrs. Froelicher managed the land and worked towards establishing an environmental center until her death on December 31, 1994. In her passing, she gave Strawberry Hill to the community of Mount Hope, and provided a small endowment to create an environmental education center. Since 1994, Strawberry Hill has expanded the preserve to include 609 acres. Today, Strawberry Hill protects numerous wetlands, vernal pools, and two highquality stream corridors, and the cultural heritage of Swamp Creek, Middle The Conservation Fund map of Protected Lands in the South Mountain Region 11
Natural and Cultural Resources Site Overview Geologically, Adams County is in the Piedmont Province, a wide belt of rolling hills that serves as a transition between the Eastern Coastal Plain and the Appalachian Mountains. The South Mountain range, the northernmost extent of the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains, forms the County s western flank. The Appalachian Trail sits atop South Mountain s 2,000-foot-high ridges, just to the west of Adams County. The underlying geology of the Blue Ridge consists of Precambrian bedrock, primarily from Metarhyolite, Weverton, and Loudoun Formations, and metabasalt. Middle Creek is located within the Blue Ridge physiographic province. Pronounced ridges and deep valleys characterize the topography. The watershed is located in the southern portion of the South Mountain Region with a varied landscape of wet and dry woodlands, ponds, streams, and wetlands. An average of forty inches of precipitation falls on Adams County feeding the numerous headwater creeks, which drain into either the Susquehanna or Potomac Rivers. Because elevation and slope vary markedly within the Middle Creek watershed, there are local differences in climate, or microclimates within the corridor. According to the Gettysburg weather station, average temperatures range from 29 degrees F in January to 95 degrees F in July. Mean annual precipitation is 45 inches, 44% of which normally falls in April through September. Severe thunderstorms occur occasionally and are local and of short duration seldom causing any extensive damage. It is specifically noted that Toms Creek, East Branch Antietam Creek, Little Marsh Creek, and Middle Creek are designated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as Approved Trout Waters, and are depicted accordingly on Map 2-3. These creeks and associated floodplains often include significant wooded riparian area, which help manage the erosive effects that can occur during flooding events and which contribute to habitats in these areas. Adams County Water Features Adams County is split up into two major watersheds. The Potomac River Watershed is located in the southwestern region of the County, and the Susquehanna River Watershed is located in the northeastern region of the County (Map 2.10). Most of the land in the Susquehanna River Watershed drains to the Conewago Creek, the largest creek in Adams County, via various streams. Tributaries to the Conewago Creek include the South Branch Conewago, Bermudian, Latimore, Opposum, Beaver dam and Beaver Creeks. Most of the land in the Potomac River Watershed drains to tributaries of the Monocacy River in Maryland that include Toms Creek, Middle Creek, Marsh Creek, Rock Creek, Piney Creek, and many smaller streams. Virtually every stream in Adams County originates in the County. The Middle Creek Watershed There are more than 86,000 miles of streams and rivers in Pennsylvania, more than in any state in the United States except Alaska. Only 22,563 miles, or about 27% of those streams, have been classified high quality. Adams County has over 1,300 miles of streams and virtually every stream that flows in Adams County originates within the county. Approximately 8% of the streams, or roughly 100 miles, are considered high quality. There are only 17 high quality streams within the County and Middle Creek is one of those few high quality cold-water streams. The Middle Creek Watershed is approximately 24 square miles located along the face of South Mountain in southwestern Adams County. Middle Creek is a 17.1-mile-long tributary of Toms Creek in Pennsylvania and Maryland in the United States. Middle Creek is born on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains (South Mountain Range), and from there flows through Adams County, Pennsylvania and into Maryland. The creek rises along the eastern slopes of Green Ridge, in Hamiltonban Township, PA, about two miles east of Caledonia Springs. It flows southeast, passes near Fairfield, PA, after which it courses to the south. Water from Middle Creek joins Toms Creek near Emmitsburg, Maryland, forming a tributary to the Monocacy River. The Monocacy enters the Potomac River which empties into the Chesapeake Bay and eventually the Atlantic Ocean. Approximately 7.5 square miles of the watershed is designated as a High Quality Coldwater Fishery. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission have designated portions of the stream as Approved Trout Water. Middle Creek is considered one of the county's highest quality streams, by the state of Pennsylvania as well as the local residents and anglers. The Middle Creek Watershed covers portions of six different municipalities, including the townships of Hamiltonban, Highland, Liberty, and Freedom. The entire borough of Fairfield and a small portion of Carroll Valley are included in the watershed. The watershed landscape includes large forested tracts of land, fruit orchards, crop and grazing lands, residential housing developments, a golf course, an active limestone quarry, and the borough of Fairfield. Adams County, PA, hydrologic features with insert showing MCGT assessment area 12
LOCAL PLANNING ACTIVITIES South Mountain Conservation Landscape Initiative (CLI) The South Mountain CLI has been established by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to address conserving the globally significant natural, cultural, agricultural, and recreational resources of the South Mountain region. Michaux State Forest, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, Adams County, Hamiltonban Township, several local municipalities, and various local conservation organizations have become active participants in the South Mountain Partnership (SMP). Through the Partnership, the South Mountain CLI addresses the issues of conserving important resources and providing appropriate recreation opportunities for visitors. The ultimate goal is to make certain that conservation activities from the various partner organizations are coordinated to ensure the protection of the South Mountain resources. The primary boundary of the South Mountain Landscape Initiative is comprised of the outermost boundaries of the municipalities that intersect with or are contained within the South Mountain Section of the Ridge and Valley physiographic province that is a narrow mountain range extending through Virginia and Maryland into PA. The area serves as a large, linear corridor six to seven miles wide and extending about 40 miles in a northeast to southwest direction connecting Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties. The South Mountain includes much of the western portion of Adams County, including substantial areas in western Hamiltonban and Liberty Townships characterized by quality forest habitat with mossy seeps and many older hemlocks and white pines on the higher slopes. South Mountain is host to globally significant natural, cultural, and recreational resources that contribute to the economic wellbeing of the region. The South Mountain Conservation Landscape Initiative provides an opportunity for the community to work together to ensure that these resources are conserved for the wellbeing of today s communities and future generations. A substantial portion of The Middle Creek Greenway, including Michaux State Forest, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, Camp Eder, and the recently conserved Glatfelter Tree Farm #1 are all located within the Planning Area's portion of the South Mountain CLI. The area also includes a large number of exceptional value and high quality streams. These areas strongly contribute to the makeup of South Mountain CLI and are representative of the CLI's main preservation themes. Several South Mountain initiatives including The Appalachian Mountain Club s (AMC) PA Highlands project, seek to conserve land for uninterrupted forest habitat. The Adams County Greenway Plan includes the Middle Creek and its tributaries as priority protection areas for the PA Highlands Project. Adams County Greenways Plan (2010) In 2010, Adams County adopted a new greenway plan as a revision to the 1990 County Comprehensive Plan. The greenway plan inventoried and evaluated potential greenways throughout the County to provide a specific action plan to guide implementation. The goal of the greenway plan is to provide a vision and approach for establishing a comprehensive countywide greenway network that will protect Adams County's natural and cultural resources for generations. The plan identifies Nodes: natural, recreational, cultural, and historical places of interest, origin, or destination and encourages connection to these sites via the establishment of local greenways. These nodes are smaller destinations than major hubs, such as Michaux State Forest, and typically contain only one facility in addition to the greenway it enhances. Many of Adams County s well known parks (Carroll Valley Lakes, Gettysburg Borough Recreation Park, Littlestown Borough Park, Oakside Park), outdoor recreation areas (State Game Lands, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, South Mountain Fairgrounds), and historical sites (Villages of Cashtown and Hunterstown, Johns Burnt Mill Bridge), as well as natural areas and open spaces that provide critical wildlife habitat (Glatfelter Tree Farm, Buchannan Valley, Adams County Fruit Belt) should be considered as a County greenway network that will protect Adams County s natural and cultural resources. The County Greenway Plan identified numerous greenways for preservation. The Middle Creek Greenway is proposed as a passive greenway in the Adams County Greenway Plan. The proposed greenway is centered on Middle Creek from Swamp Creek south to the Maryland line, a distance of approximately 12.0 miles. The Middle Creek Greenway also includes an extension off Middle Creek along Muddy Run and through the Mountain View Golf Club outside the Borough of Fairfield. The extension ends near the Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve. The greenway and extension pass through Fairfield Borough and the Townships of Freedom, Liberty, and Highland. Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve and Glatfelter Tree Farm No.1 tract were also identified as key assets to extend the southern portion of the Toms Creek Greenway, primarily located in the Borough of Carroll Valley, northward into Hamiltonban Township connecting to the Appalachian Trail. The plan recognized that this greenway has an excellent opportunity to become an important project to demonstrate the benefits of active greenways. 13
MCGT Study Area 14
MCGT Study Area 15
The Middle Creek Watershed Assessment Report (2010) In August 2007, the Watershed Alliance of Adams County in partnership with Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, Adams County Trout Unlimited and the Adams county Conservation District, received a grant from the Coldwater Heritage Partnership to develop a baseline assessment of Middle Creek. The study included a survey of the in-stream insects, a survey of existing fish populations, collection of water chemistry data, and an evaluation of the streamside habitat. This project was the initial step in developing a comprehensive watershed evaluation and improvement plan. The report developed the following goals: To promote the values and benefits of the Middle Creek Watershed To develop an appreciation of a local water resource To encourage the continued preservation and protection of the Middle Creek Watershed The report indicated that the good quality physical characteristics of the stream are stable banks with a wide forested buffer zones on both sides of the stream, also known as a riparian buffer. Another physical indicator of good water quality is the absence of fish barriers within the stream itself that prevents the natural migration of aquatic organisms up or down stream. A modified rapid bio-assessment protocol was used to assess habitat along the entire length of Middle Creek. Sampling throughout the project including chemical, biological and physical data and helps to visualize and compare different stream sections. The total score of Middle Creek ranged between good and excellent. Hamiltonban Township Official Map (2013) The official Map of Hamiltonban Township has been prepared to identify those lands and features that the Township intends to reserve as public grounds to accommodate proposed public uses or achieve state public goals. The Official Map identifies a range of proposed trail corridors that would, if developed, provide an extensive trail network within the Township. The Official Map also identifies a variety of greenway and buffer areas. These areas were identified utilizing the spatial extent of two or more of the listed natural features that: preserve rural character, maintain and increase tree canopy cover, provide continuous open space corridors for wildlife, and protect and maintain existing stream corridors. Areas along Middle Creek, Carrolls Tract Road, Fairfield Station Road, the Historic Proposed Tapeworm Railroad connecting to the proposed Township Park, Camp Eder, Michaux State Forest, Strawberry Hill, and The Appalachian Trail all have been identified as important preservation features. Hamiltonban Township & Fairfield Borough Joint Recreation Plan (2007) Hamiltonban Township and Fairfield Borough partnered together in 2007 to complete a joint recreation plan to better plan for the provision of parks and recreation due to the potential for increased residential development in the two municipalities. The municipalities completed the plan so they can collect recreation fees or receive a dedication of public land for recreation from developers. Hamiltonban Township completed this update to their Comprehensive Plan in 1991. The following are goals specific to recreation and open space: Natural resources should be preserved, including air, land, and water. The preservation measures include a reaffirmation of the concept that positive measures should be taken to ensure that land in agriculture and woodland usage can be maintained for as many years as possible. The widest possible range of educational, recreational, and governmental facilities should be provided and they should be located so as to be readily accessible to the persons to be served. The major activities in the Township are and should remain agriculture and agriculturally related activities. A secondary activity of importance is forest oriented recreation. The Fairfield Borough Comprehensive Plan, completed in December of 1984, also details how open space concepts and outdoor recreation are important factors in planning for Fairfield Borough. Hamiltonban Township Open Space Plan (2007) The Hamiltonban Township Open Space Plan was developed to guide the Township in creating a municipal-wide network of open space and greenways. The goal of the plan is to initiate an open space program that preserves the Township's natural areas by restricting development in areas of environmental significance. Exhibits have been prepared as part of this analysis of natural features to serve as a guide to potential conservation lands within Hamiltonban 16 Township. These maps illustrate those environmental features, or green infrastructure that are deemed essential to a comprehensive review of important open space and valuable natural resources. Differential Assessment (Clean and Green Act) Farmland under the Clean and Green Act is assessed at farm production value instead of development value, which reduces the farmer's annual tax bill and creates an incentive to continue farming. If the land is developed, the landowner must repay the tax savings from the previous seven years plus interest. A number of the properties identified in this study are enrolled in the Clean and Green Program. County Recreation and Open Space The land use category most pertinent to the Adams County Greenways Plan includes all public and private land associated with active or passive leisure time pursuits. Parklands in Adams County include areas owned by the federal and state government, municipalities, school districts, semipublic, and private organizations. Parks, recreation sites, trails, and conservancy lands (Map 2.17, Table 2.5) are the hubs and spokes of the greenway system and provide important recreational enjoyment for Adams County residents. The Michaux State Forest, the Gettysburg National Military Park, Eisenhower National Military Site, and the state game lands all have restrictions on the type of public activity permitted. The Gettysburg National Military Park is the most recognized such land use, surrounding Gettysburg Borough with 5,990 acres of protected, memorialized green space. By size, however, the largest recreation and open space holding is Michaux State Forest, spanning the entirety of Adams County s western flank. Michaux contains over 85,000 acres of woodland in Adams, Cumberland, and Franklin Counties, and helps preserve the northernmost segment of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The third largest open space in Adams County is State Game Land #249. The game land is actually four separate tracts located in five townships, but is generally centered on the US 15/PA 234 interchange. Various local active recreation facilities including fields, courts, and other amenities for games are located at active recreation sites throughout the County. Softball/Little League fields are the most common active recreation facility on publicly-accessible recreation land in Adams County. Only one public swimming pool is available, located in Littlestown Borough.
The public school systems have both outdoor and indoor facilities that may be used for leisure activities. The six school districts that serve Adams County have policies that provide community groups and other organizations with access to school facilities. The Gettysburg Area School District has a formal agreement which grants the Gettysburg Recreation Department second priority in scheduling school facilities behind school events and programs. In the private sector, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve protects 609 acres of wooded hillsides in Hamiltonban Township. Other recreation and open space uses, such as municipal parks, golf courses, and private athletic facilities throughout the County, compose the remainder of recreation and open space land uses. Carroll Valley Path System A master site plan has been completed by the Borough of Carroll Valley to complete a gravel pedestrian and bicycle trail along Toms Creek. The plan proposes to extend Carroll Valley trail northward from Ranch Park connecting Lakes May, Carroll, and Kay to the Fairfield High School. Ultimately, the trail could connect to the Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve and continue through Michaux State Forest to provide another connection to the Appalachian Trail. Middle Creek Greenway: This greenway is proposed as a passive greenway in the Adams County Greenways Plan. The proposed greenway is centered on Middle Creek from Swamp Creek south to the Maryland line, a distance of approximately 12.0 miles. The Middle Creek Greenway also includes an extension off of Middle Creek along Muddy Run and through the Mountain View Golf Club outside the Borough of Fairfield. The extension ends near the Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve. The greenway and extension pass through Fairfield Borough and the Townships of Freedom, Liberty, and Highland. Critical elements should include a trail system connecting the Hamiltonban Township Park to Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve and Michaux State Forest, the Carroll Valley Path System connecting Lake Kay in the north to Ranch Trail Park in the south, trails around Fairfield Borough and along the Flat Run and Middle Creek Greenways. The SWJCP mandated that each municipality should participate in future efforts to formally establish and conserve these greenways, and should actively engage neighboring municipalities, conservation groups, citizens groups, and others to advance greenways goals and objectives. Southwest Joint Comprehensive Plan (SWJCP) - The SWJCP, initiated by six Adams County municipalities in 2009, outlines the ideal future for the community and recommends specific policies and projects in order to facilitate conservation and development over time. The municipalities within the planning area, including Carroll Valley and Fairfield Boroughs, and Freedom, Hamiltonban, Highland, and Liberty Townships, are intended as active participants in these ongoing processes to ensure that greenways and open space activities at various levels are coordinated and are mutually supportive of regional goals and objectives. Of specific interest to this project, both the Michaux State Forest greenway and Middle Creek Greenway are named as high priority projects for the region. The following are excerpts from the Southwest Joint Comprehensive Plan: Maintaining and enhancing the Michaux State Forest greenway will be essential in terms of retaining rural and natural character, groundwater and surface water quantity and quality, ecological diversity, and the natural resource elements of the region s tourism economy. 17
DEMAND AND POTENTIAL USE With increasing construction of gray infrastructure (i.e. roads, sewers, utilities), the need to preserve green spaces, wildlife corridors, quality waters waterways and local cultural heritage grows. As one of the fastest growing counties in Pennsylvania, there is a demand for both the preservation and creation of open spaces, woodlands, wildlife habitats, parks, and other natural areas within Adams County. The concept of a greenway began about 130 years ago with Frederick Law Olmstead, Sr. In designing such spaces as New York City's Central Park and Boston's Emerald Necklace, Olmstead sought to link parks with each other and then link them to neighborhoods. Over the years, several factors have contributed to the escalating demand and need for additional greenways. Fragmentation of land, the need to protect endangered species, decrease in water quality, increased interest in urban revitalization, public health concerns, and sustainable development play a role in the growing demand for greenways. of land, while allowing communities to grow. In doing so, greenways encourage conservation, recreation, alternative transportation, and environmental education. GREENWAY TRAILS There are many types of trails (hiking, biking, nature, exercise, multi-use). In many instances, one or more of these trail types fits appropriately within a greenway corridor. The potential for this coexistence may be determined by: access existence of sensitive natural areas greenway width adjacent land uses connectivity local population Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources defines a greenway as a corridor of open space that vary in scale and purpose. Greenways vary greatly in scale, from narrow ribbons of green that run through urban, suburban, and rural areas to wider corridors that incorporate diverse natural, cultural and scenic features. They can incorporate both public and private property, and can be land- or water-based. They may follow old railways, canals, or ridge tops, or they may follow stream corridors, shorelines, or wetlands, and include water trails for non-motorized craft. Some greenways are recreational corridors or scenic byways that may accommodate motorized and non-motorized vehicles. Others function almost exclusively for environmental protection and are not designed for human passage. Greenways differ in their location and function, but overall, a greenway will protect natural, cultural, and scenic resources, provide recreational benefits, enhance natural beauty and quality of life in neighborhoods and communities, and stimulate economic development opportunities. Greenways can be either publicly or privately owned, and they are one of the fastest growing forms of land preservation. Some Greenways are used for recreation or preserving scenery while others are used for environmental protection. The location and function of greenways differ, but they all have a common focus - to protect natural, cultural, and scenic resources. Greenways are found on all levels: state, regional, metropolitan, and community. As an investment in the environment, they provide preservation 18 Excerpted from Southwest Joint Comprehensive Plan
SERVICE AREA The service area of the Middle Creek Greenway Trail system encompasses Hamiltonban Township, Fairfield Borough, Carroll Valley Borough, Adams County residents, Michaux State Forest visitors, Gettysburg National Military Park visitors, and beyond. Individual elements of the system will have varying service areas. For example, schoolchildren, residents visiting the parks, and places of business may use a trail within the lower valley. On the other hand, hikers of the Appalachian Trail may take a side trip through Michaux State Forest and use the proposed trails on the Glatfelter Tract. Tourists to the Gettysburg area, Liberty Mountain Resort, Camp Eder, or the various other campgrounds may use the system for day hiking as another recreational activity. Recognizing this difference is important because the goal of the greenway system is to accommodate a variety of users, including both local residents and tourists. DEMOGRAPHICS General Description of Project Area / Regional Setting The trail project area will primarily serve the surrounding communities of SW/Central Adams County, SE Franklin County, and northern Maryland. The trail system, with its connection to Michaux State Forest, will draw for visitors from metro Baltimore/ DC areas to central and eastern Pennsylvania. In addition, annual multiple users are also anticipated to be visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park, coming from across the nation. For the purpose of this study, the Hamiltonban Township & Fairfield Borough Joint Recreation Plan (2008) and the Southwest Joint Comprehensive Plan (Adams County) will be referred to for specific demographic information for the township and borough. (see appendix) Hamiltonban Township Hamiltonban Township is predominantly comprised of agricultural and natural lands, including a substantial portion of Michaux State Forest, other conserved natural settings. Agricultural lands include the southern extent of the Adams County Fruitbelt and the broad agricultural landscape along Carroll s Tract Road. Commercial uses are concentrated along the PA Route 116 and PA Route 16 corridors. The most significant residential concentrations are adjacent to Fairfield Borough and various unincorporated villages (including Orrtanna), and on lots associated with the former Charnita subdivision. Fairfield Borough Fairfield Borough is a classic example of a compact Pennsylvania village. A mixed-use borough core is surrounded by several low to moderate density residential neighborhoods. The largest proportion of Fairfield s land area is comprised of agriculturally used lands. Service Areas Demographics SW Adams County consists of the 17320 zip code. 17320 zip code has 55.56 square miles of land area and 0.16 square miles of water area. As of 2010, the total 17320 zip code population is 7,823, which has grown 12.76% since 2000. The population growth rate is much higher than the state average rate of 3.43% and is higher than the national average rate of 9.71%. The 17320 Zip Code population density is 140.38 people per square mile, which is lower than the state average density of 275.81 people per square mile and is higher than the national average density of 81.32 people per square mile. The most prevalent race in 17320 Zip Code is white, which represent 96.75% of the total population. The average 17320 Zip Code education level is about the same as the state average and is lower than the national average. As of 2008-2012, the per capita income of 17320 Zip Code is $30,437, which is higher than the state average of $28,190 and is higher than the national average of $28,051. 17320 zip code median household income is $67,356 in 2008-2012 and has grown by 34.52% since 2000. The income growth rate is higher than the state average rate of 30.32% and is higher than the national average rate of 26.32%. 17320 zip code median house value is $231,800 in 2008-2012 and has grown by 96.27% since 2000. The house value growth rate is higher than the state average rate of 70.00% and is much higher than the national average rate of 51.67%. On average 17320 Zip Code residents spend 34.2 minutes per day commuting to work, which is higher than the state average of 25.7 minutes and is higher than the national average of 25.4 minutes As of 2008-2012, median price of a house in 17320 Zip Code is $231,800, which is higher than the state average of $164,900 and is higher than the national average of $181,400. The 17320 Zip Code median house value has grown by 96.27% since 2000. The growth rate for the price of a house in 17320 Zip Code is higher than the state average rate of 70.00% and is much higher than the national average rate of 51.67%. The median year that a house in 17320 Zip Code was built is 1984, which is newer than the median year for a house built in the state which is 1960 and is newer than the median year for a house built in the USA which is 1975. SE Franklin County consists of the 17214 zip code. 17214 zip code has 3.98 square miles of land area and has no water area. As of 2010, the total 17214 zip code population is 1,089, which has grown 1.97% since 2000. The population growth rate is lower than the state average rate of 3.43% and is much lower than the national average rate of 9.71%. The 17214 Zip Code population density is 273.74 people per square mile, which is about the same as the state average density of 275.81 people per square mile and is much higher than the national average density of 81.32 people per square mile. The most prevalent race in 17214 Zip Code is white, which represent 94.12% of the total population. The average 17214 Zip Code education level is lower than the state average and is lower than the national average. As of 2008-2012, the per capita income of 17214 Zip Code is $29,799, which is higher than the state average of $28,190 and is higher than the national average of $28,051. 17214 Zip Code median household income is $50,583, which has grown by 24.20% since 2000. 17214 zip code median household income is $50,583 in 2008-2012 and has grown by 24.20% since 2000. The income growth rate is lower than the state average rate of 30.32% and is lower than the national average rate of 26.32%. 17214 zip code median house value is $202,900 in 2008-2012 and has grown by 76.90% since 2000. The house value growth rate is higher than the state average rate of 70.00% and is higher than the national average rate of 51.67%. On average 17214 Zip Code residents spend 23.9 minutes per day commuting to work, which is lower than the state average of 25.7 minutes and is lower than the national average of 25.4 minutes. As of 2008-2012, median price of a house in 17214 Zip Code is $202,900, which is higher than the state average of $164,900 and is higher than the national average of $181,400. The 17214 Zip Code median house value has grown by 76.90% since 2000. The growth rate for the price of a house in 17214 Zip Code is higher than the state average rate of 70.00% and is higher than the national average rate of 51.67%. The median year that a house in 17214 Zip Code was built is 1962, which is newer than the median year for a house built in the state which is 1960 and is older than the median year for a house built in the USA which is 1975. 19
KEY COMMUNITY ELEMENTS AND POTENTIAL CONNECTIONS The Middle Creek Greenway Trail System has the potential to play an important part of the local community fabric. This study acknowledges key community elements that may have an influence upon or be influenced by the greenway. Several of these elements may serve as destinations or starting points as part of the trail system associated with the greenway. These potential connections will be an important part of residents and tourists interactions with the greenway. KEY CONNECTIONS: Michaux State Forest includes portions of Adams, Cumberland, and Franklin Counties. Michaux contains over 85,000 acres of woodland areas and helps preserve the northernmost segment of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Approximately 4,143 acres are located within Hamiltonban Township. Approximately 4,143 acres of Michaux State Forest are located within Hamiltonban Township. However, recreational use of the portion of Michaux State Forest in Hamiltonban Township is somewhat limited, given how remote this portion is from embedded activity centers within the State Forest (for example, Caledonia State Park). Some equestrian and hiking trail access is located off of Cold Springs Road in Hamiltonban Township. The state forest provides opportunities for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and snowmobiling. Two recreation access areas are located within Hamiltonban Township; one off Tearberry Road and the other south of Waynesboro Reservoir. Michaux also features the Appalachian Hiking Trail, although the trail does not enter into either the township specifically or Adams County as a whole. Glatfelter Tree Farm No.1 is a forested 2500-acre tract adjoining Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve and Camp Eder to the south; Middle Creek largely defines the property boundary. The Tree Farm was the first tree farm in Pennsylvania, and was a symbol of sustainable resource management and shared use. Glatfelter Paper Company placed the largest private tract in Adams County for sale in late 2007. Developers began to express interest soon after with proposals with 500 houses. In March 2008, the Conservation Fund purchased the property and served as temporary owner, while more than $13 million was raised to transfer it to the Commonwealth. The Conservation Fund managed a two-year project raising funds that involved private organizations, citizens, and Federal, State, and local governments. Adams County provided a critical $3.7 million from the $10 million Water & Land Protection Bond, which overwhelmingly passed in 2008. On May 24, 2010, the tract of land was transferred to the DCNR to be managed as an addition to Michaux State Forest. With the recent addition of the 2,500-acre Glatfelter Tree Farm No.1 to Michaux State Forest, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve has become the 20 Map provided by PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources southernmost established public access point to Michaux. The Tree Farm borders the southern boundary of Strawberry Hill and even before its addition to Michaux was completed, the community began to use the Preserve s parking to visit the tree farm.
For the last 29 years, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve s mission has been to protect a high quality cold-water stream system (Swamp Creek Watershed) and connect the surrounding community with the natural world by teaching, inspiring, and promoting stewardship of the environment. The Preserve is a non-profit (501.c.3) conservation organization and education center located on 600 acres in Hamiltonban Township, three miles north of Fairfield, PA. As of 2014, Strawberry Hill welcomes more than 10,000 people annually to the watershed for a variety of cultural, educational, and recreational programs; and to hike our trails. The Preserve predominantly serves the communities within Adams County with over seventy-five percent of its members, visitors, and students being residents of the County. Strawberry Hill has also become a popular destination for the tourists visiting Michaux State Forest and the Gettysburg Battlefield. The Preserve offers public access to the watershed by maintaining 10 miles of walking trails. These trails are open daily to the public from dawn to dusk, free of charge, providing year-round recreation opportunities for all people including hikers, bird watchers, families, and more. Strawberry Hill is the only non-profit environmental education center in Adams County. The nearest alternatives are Bear Branch Nature Center managed by Carroll County, Maryland; Kings Gap State Park near Carlisle, managed by the State; Nixon Park, managed by York County PA; and the Wildwoods, managed by Cumberland County, PA. More than eighty percent of the visitors are school-age children, pre-school to grade 8, who attend one of the hands-on educational programs, either as individuals or part of an organized group such as school classes or scouts. Experienced part-time teachers in a small group environment, with a limited class size, teach the programs year-round. Most of those children live in Adams County. However, participants come from as far as Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Frederick, MD to take part in our programs. Proposed Hamiltonban Township Park: Hamiltonban Township owns a 10.3 acre parcel of land within the triangle bounded by Fairfield Road, Carroll's Tract Road, and Bullfrog Road. The parcel currently hosts Township road maintenance facilities, but will also host a community park in the future. Although the park has yet to be developed, the parcel in included in the existing facilities inventory of the Official Map Narrative as it already owned by Hamiltonban Township and was obtained with an express purpose of providing recreational opportunities for Township residents in the short to moderate term future. Current trail map of Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve 21 Planned park overview from Hamiltonban Township Parks & Recreation Commission
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is the world famous hiking trail that traverses approximately 2,200 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, passing through 14 states on its route. Pennsylvania has 229.6 miles of the trail, extending from the Pennsylvania- Maryland border at Pen Mar, a tiny town straddling the state line, to the Delaware Water Gap, at the Pennsylvania-New Jersey line. In the southern half of the state, the AT passes through Caledonia State Park, Michaux State Forest, and Pine Grove Furnace State Park. These areas in south central Pennsylvania are the northernmost portions of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are geologically distinct from the Ridge and Valley section further north. The Trail passes through the eastern portion of Washington Township, crossing six roadways. The road crossings serve as points of access to the Trail in Washington Township. The Trail can also be accessed locally in nearby Pen Mar Park in Washington County, Maryland and several locations in Quincy Township. The Washington Township portion of the trail is located within a two day hike approximately 30 miles of the Trail s midway point and the Appalachian Trail Museum in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Camp Eder is part of the Southern Pennsylvania District Church of the Brethren and is located in Hamiltonban Township. The camp offers yearround activities. A summer camp is held every year, as well as weekend activities for youth and adult retreats. In 2001, 250 acres was purchased to allow the camp to expand in the future. Facilities at Camp Eder include lodges, cabins, a large kitchen and dining room, archery range, pool, climbing wall, challenge course, and a meetinghouse. Camp Eder opens its doors the last Wednesday of every month to senior citizens and offers a variety of activities. Camp Eder has collaborated with Strawberry Hill on youth programs. Often the old logging roads in the Glatfelter Tree farm tract have been used as a means to connect these two organizations for hiking and nature programs. The United States Postal Office in Fairfield, PA is located at the busy junction of SR 116 and Carrolls Tract Road. Though this is a heavily utilized site, there are no sidewalks in the vicinity of the post office allowing pedestrians to access the office. The Middle Creek Greenway Trail would decrease the necessity for vehicular travel to the post office, which is a daily trip for many rural users with PO boxes. Quad Graphics would be well-positioned as an access point to the Middle Creek Greenway Trail, which would provide non-motorized commuter options for more than 250 area residents that are employed by the commercial printing business. Facility map of Camp Eder Christian Camp & Retreat Center Appalachian Trail through Central Pennsylvania Main Street of Fairfield Borough is the hub of the local community, with the grocery store, multiple restaurants, the schools, churches, and other local businesses all located along this single route. Each September, Main Street in Fairfield Borough plays host to Pippinfest, one of the most popular local cultural festivals. Many recreational opportunities for area residents are based in the Borough, but this area is currently only reachable by car for those who do not live along the main roads. 22
OTHER KEY COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS / USERS Local Parks and Recreation Areas The Fairfield Recreation Association Fields are located in Hamiltonban Township and Fairfield Borough, and serve as a public and semi-public recreational facility of 3.75 acres. The general public has access to the recreation facilities on the Fairfield Recreation Association property when the facilities are not otherwise scheduled for league activity. The Association restricts use of the property from "Dusk to Dawn." available to rent on a permit basis. The pavilion is equipped with 12 banquet tables with seating for up to 96 persons. An outdoor pavilion is connected to the indoor pavilion and contains 14 picnic tables with seating capacity of 8-10 people at each table. Lake May is located along SR 116 in Carroll Valley Borough. The lake offers public fishing, boating, and a picnic area. The lake is the largest of the three in the Borough and has a small access area off SR 116 featuring a public boat ramp. The facilities include: Baseball Field, Soccer Field, Softball / Little League Field, Football Field, Basketball Court, Volleyball Court, Swimming Pool, and a Tennis Court. Fairfield Area School District Campus (Hamiltonban Township) includes approximately 20 Acres. The stadium is a multi-purpose field used for soccer, football, field hockey, and track & field. A running track encircles the stadium field. Three other multi-purpose fields are located throughout the campus. Basketball courts are located within parking lot areas. Two small playgrounds with equipment are located near the elementary school. There are no written School District policies regarding use of these facilities. Organized groups are required to complete a reservation form to reserve ballfields. Organized groups and the public at large have access to the facilities when there is no scheduled School District activity. Multipurpose fields are lined for specific sports only "in season." The Fairfield Fire Company occasionally allows the field to the south of the Fairfield Fire Station to be used for midget football, but is not maintained. The Fire Company also has a hall used for public events. Lake Kay, located in Carroll Valley Borough, offers public fishing, boating, and a small playground area in the "K" Section of the borough and can be accessed from Trout Run Trail. A boat ramp is also available at Lake Kay. Ranch Trail Commons is the newest Carroll Valley Borough Park, located off Ranch Trail Road; it was completed in October 2007. The park comprises 13.5 acres and consists of a playground, walking trail, baseball, softball, football, and soccer fields, as well as two pavilions Located just off State Route 116 in Carroll Valley Borough, Carroll Commons is the largest municipal park located in the project area. The park covers approximately 20 acres and includes two waterways, Lake Carroll and Toms Creek. Carroll Commons features a large playground, picnic area, pavilion, beach volleyball court, softball field, soccer field, restrooms, basketball court, bocce court, horseshoe pits, and shuffle board. An indoor pavilion is 23
Area Nonprofit Recreation Facilities The Adams County Fish and Game Nursery #3 is located at 1000 Jack Road in Hamiltonban Township and has been operated by the Adams County Fish and Game Association since 1970. The Association is part of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's (PFBC) Cooperative Nursery Program, "Coops", which helps the Commission supplement its trout-stocking program. Middle Creek is a high-quality cold water stream which is stocked by the state for trout fishing. The Blue Ridge Sportsman Association s grounds are located in Hamiltonban Township along State Route 16. The Association was established in 1949 and consists of 3,200 members. Located in Liberty Township, Girl Scouts Camp Happy Valley has facilities for year-round camping and offers day camps throughout the summer for Girl Scouts. The Skyloft Lodge can accommodate one large troop or two troops with separate sleeping quarters. The only recreational facilities located within Fairfield Borough consist of three softball/little league fields on Steelman Street that are owned by the Fairfield Recreation Association. The general public has access to the fields when the facilities are not scheduled for league activity. Hays Pheasant Hunting, Inc, located in Highland Township, is a regulated shooting ground along Seven Stars Road. People are allowed to hunt on the grounds for a fee. Middle Creek Bible Conference Center: located on 535 acres in Freedom Township is a non-profit, non-denominational Bible Conference Center that can accommodate up to 50 overnight guests. Private For-Profit Recreation Liberty Mountain Resort is nestled in Carroll Valley, Pennsylvania near the scenic Catoctin Mountains. Just 8 miles southwest of historic Gettysburg, and 5 miles north of Emmitsburg, MD, the resort is convenient from both the Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC metro areas, as well as all of south central Pennsylvania. Liberty Mountain Resort is a commercial ski & golf resort and conference center located in Carroll Valley Borough. home to the Boulder Ridge Challenge Course and in the winter to 15 lanes for snow tubing. Liberty is now in the process of building new facilities to expand their operations. Opening in the fall of 2015 a new 83,000 square foot facility will feature more meeting a conference space, two restaurants, hotel rooms, and indoor pool. The expansion will also offer Liberty 114 rooms for guests. Mountain View Golf Club is located along Bullfrog Road in Hamiltonban Township just to the east of Fairfield Borough. The course includes four par 3 and three par 5 holes. The golf course includes a pro shop located in a restored pre-civil War farmhouse. Gettysburg Campground is located on SR 116 in Highland Township and offers 260 campsites. Of the 260 sites offered, 124 have water and electric, 116 offer full hookups, and 20 are rustic tent sites. The campground also offers two rustic cabins and four full- facility cottages. Recreational facilities include a game room, softball field, bingo, hayrides, fishing, mini-golf, shuffleboard, volleyball, horseshoes, pool, and a playground. Gettysburg KOA Campground is a commercial campground located along Knoxlyn- Orrtanna Road in Highland Township. Accommodations include 75 RV sites, 16 tent sites, and 26 cabins. Recreational amenities include a swimming pool, basketball court, shuffleboard, horseshoes, dog park, playground, game room, play cabin, mini golf, nature trail, and bicycle rentals. Granite Hill Resort is a commercial campground located on SR 116 in Highland Township and offers overnight facilities for campers and RVs. The resort is a 150-acre Civil War era farm with 300 campsites, 5 camping cabins, swimming pool, tennis courts, paddleboat & kayak rentals, four playgrounds, trout fishing pond, bass fishing lake, daily hayrides, basketball, shuffle board, sand volleyball, horseshoes, softball field, and game room. Land of Little Horses is a seasonal performing animal theme park located in Highland Township on Glenn Wood Drive. The horse farm allows children and adults to visit the farm to view, pet, and ride horses. A summer day camp is also offered for young children to teach basic animal care and responsibility. In 2010, Liberty Mountain purchased the Carroll Valley Resort golf resort. The resort now consists of 275 acres, with 100 acres of skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and two 18-hole championship courses. The resort currently also offers over 22,000 square feet of multifunctional meeting space. It is made up of 3 lodges, each offering unique and complimentary venues and amenities. The resort caters to both weddings and corporate retreats and is 24
POTENTIAL USER PROFILES Before one begins to establish design requirements for a trail, it is important to have a thorough understanding of who will be using the trail. Each trail user is unique and may desire a certain experience. The purpose of this section to provide background on the various types of trail users for the Middle Creek Trail System, and to identify the desired experience of each. Once an understanding is gained, only then can it be determined which classifications a trail system will be designed to accommodate. Subsequently, appropriate trail design decisions can be made to meet the needs of the intended users. For the purpose of this trail system, the following user groups have been identified: PEDESTRIANS Persons who walk along a road or in a developed area, especially for exercise, enjoyment, or as means for traveling. Pedestrians are typically accommodated with other trail users, such as bicyclists and hikers, within a multi-use corridor. In some cases, however, pedestrians may be accommodated on an exclusive trail. Where pedestrian use is expected, facilities should be accessible to a variety of people with a broad range of abilities, skill levels, and desired experiences, and should be designed to accommodate all persons. New and reconstructed trails should be made as accessible as possible while maintaining the essential character of the resource. Furthermore, all trail amenities, such as restrooms, drinking fountains, and picnic tables, should comply with the ADA accessibility guidelines. FITNESS WALKERS: Walkers are often looking for a short outdoor experience. They can be accommodated by short trail segments and tend to like direct paths from one destination to another. HIKERS: Hikers are usually more familiar with the outdoors and like a more strenuous walk. They can negotiate difficult terrain and steep grades. Hikers will generally stay on trails that are direct yet appealing enough to keep their experience interesting. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS: This study identifies several physical ties with educational facilities in the region. Whether a corridor runs immediately adjacent to an educational facility or is miles away, greenways offer opportunities for environmental education. These opportunities are facilitated by the development of a greenway trail system, which provides access to greenway areas. Trails and interpretive signs provide the necessary facilities for educators to successfully run environmental programs. CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS: Cross-country skiers will utilize a variety of trail types during the winter. Open fields are also considered skiing opportunities. FISHERMEN: Fishing is an important aspect along Middle Creek and the local community that should be protected and augmented. Fishing requires minimal amenities, other than access to appropriate stream areas. In the rural segments of a fishing stream, parking may also be necessary if pedestrian access is not feasible. BACKPACKERS: This group yearns for a backcountry experience, and will travel many miles to reach it. Even though they have an intended destination they are less apt to shortcut because they carry heavy loads that hinder maneuverability. Gentle trail grades linking natural features help keep long distance foot travel interesting. Water sources should be regularly spaced and near suitable camping sites. TRAIL RUNNERS: Runners enjoy several miles of connecting trail loops that provide variety for their workouts. Rolling contour trails with occasional difficult sections for challenge are desirable. EQUESTRIANS: Horses (and their riders) are the heaviest, widest, and tallest non-motorized users. Trails designed to accommodate horses have a great deal of flexibility in design. Trails for equestrians usually call for a wider corridor and a higher ceiling. The most important consideration for equestrian trails is the surface, which should be designed to reduce injuries to animals and riders. The placement of obstacles is also a key issue for designing equestrian trails. Some people with mobility impairments are able to travel by horseback but are not able to walk a horse around obstructions. Therefore, equestrian trails should not require the rider to dismount to avoid obstacles while on the trail. In all design elements, the safety of the horse and rider is paramount. 25 Accessible Greenway Concept Example of a multi-use greenway with several access points ENDURANCE ATHLETES: Some trail runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians like to push the limits of their endurance. These types of visitors will look for trail networks that are as much as 50 or 100 miles in length. A large network of trails will be more appealing than multiple laps of a short trail.
DISABLED TRAIL USERS: The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal law enacted in 1990 that protects the rights of people with disabilities to have equal access to public facilities. With increasing levels of skill and endurance, and more efficient off-road wheelchairs, physically disabled trail users are seeking more trail opportunities. They require an average trail grade of no more than 5 percent, a wide, relatively smooth tread surface and no staircases. BIKERS: As with other user classifications, there are several classifications of mountain bikers. Each classification is based upon the rider's technical abilities, as well as their desired experience. The classic mountain bike trails is the "single track," which is a narrow pathway with many hills and sharp turns. Mountain bike trails vary greatly in difficulty. Biking classifications include: Beginner Cross-Country Riders: Casual cyclists like gentle, relatively short trails. As riders become more skilled, they usually seek longer more difficult trails. Rough, arduous, or twisty sections will satisfy the need for technical challenge and can help control speed. Mountain bikers tend to stay on trails if they are fun to ride. Avid Cross-Country Riders: Experienced cyclists who are comfortable in the backcountry and typically carry tools, water, food, clothing, and sometimes a first aid kit. Avid riders seek medium-to-long distance rides covering from 10 to 100 miles in a day and are prepared to take care of themselves. Solitude, nature, and challenge are key elements of the allure. Several miles of connecting loops with exciting natural obstacles are desirable. Downhillers: Technically advanced riders with very sophisticated equipment who desire steep, very difficult downhill trails. Downhill bikes are function specific and are geared mostly for going down hills. Rocky contour trails with many grade reversals are the most sustainable for this segment of the sport. Downhill riders will seek trails that have vehicle shuttle access from the top and bottom. Ski areas that provide summer lift service and amenities are popular with this user group. Technical/Trails Riders: This group seeks very technical trails, incorporating features such as rock face drops, log rides, elevated bridges, stone ledges, dirt jumps, and seesaws. The experience this type of rider looks for varies - some riders prefer to incorporate technical features into longer cross-country rides, while others look for these challenges as a stand-alone experience. One solution is special use technical areas, similar to snowboard parks at ski resorts that focus use. On backcountry trails, these technical features should be well built, blend with nature and flow with the trail. On-Road Bicyclists: Advanced or experienced riders are generally using their bicycles as they would a motor vehicle. They are riding for convenience and speed and want direct access to destinations with a minimum of detour or delay. They are typically comfortable riding with motor vehicle traffic; however, they need sufficient operating space on the traveled way or shoulder to eliminate the need for themselves or motor vehicles to shift positions. Basic or less confident adult riders who may use their bicycles for transportation purposes, for example, to get to the store or visit with friends, but prefer to avoid roads with fast or busy motor vehicle traffic unless there is ample roadway width to allow easy overtaking by the faster motor vehicles. Thus, basic riders are comfortable riding on neighborhood streets and multi-use paths and prefer designated facilities such as bike lanes or wide shoulders on busier streets Children, riding on their own or with parents, may not travel as fast as their adult counterparts but still require access to key destinations in their community, such as schools, convenience stores and recreation facilities. Residential streets with low motor vehicle speeds, like those with multiuse paths, and busier streets with well defined pavement markings between bicycles and motor vehicles can accommodate children without encouraging them to ride in the travel lane of major arterial roads. There is extensive literature relating to guidelines for on-road bicycle facilities. AASHTO and FHWA, as well as many states, offer a wide range of guidelines for various types of bicycle accommodations. There are essentially three types of on-road bicycle facilities: paved shoulders, shared roadways (including wide curb lanes), and bicycle lanes. All on-road bicycle facilities should be designed so bicyclists travel in the same direction as motorists. Safety is of great concern in the design of on-road bicycle facilities. Conflicts with pedestrians, automobiles, or other bicyclists can lead to serious injury. Poorly maintained pavement, snow build-up and debris can also lead to safety problems. 26 MOTORIZED USE: Use of off-road motorized vehicles is popular in Adams County and the Michaux State Forest Region. This recreation activity may have significant environmental, aesthetic, and social impacts. Input was collected through previous local planning projects and through meetings with supporting organizations on this particular use. The input indicated support for motorized off-roading, but an acknowledgement of its incompatibility with this greenway s conservation efforts. The potential negative impact is particularly apparent within the creeks riparian zones. The limiting of motorized off-road activities from the creek corridors does not preclude any such activity within the region. In fact, opportunities to provide a formal area for motorized activity should be explored. This study did not evaluate trails for motorized use.
(Middle Creek Greenway Trail Sections Overview Map) 27
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS This proposed greenway trail project has been broken down into two major focus areas: (1) the upland area consisting of Michaux State Forest s newly acquired Glatfelter Tree Farm Tract, and (2) the foothill and valley areas consisting of private lands connecting to the community centers of Fairfield Borough and Hamiltonban Township. Because of the existing conditions of the Glatfelter Tract and because the foothill and valley areas traverse through private lands used for various purposes, this study took two different approaches to evaluating the potential for a trail system within the corridor. The Tree Farm tract has an existing road and trail system and is currently open to the public. Michaux State Forest is currently evaluating the status of the system to determine their approach to maintaining access. To assist Michaux with this process a trail building consultant from Penn Trails LLC evaluated the network of roads and trails to determine a primary trail for the greenway. Penn Trails utilized the U.S. Forest Services TRACS (Trail Assessment & Condition Surveys) methodology for conducting the trail inventory and condition assessment. In the lower section of the foothill and valley areas, Adams County s Office and Planning Department (ACOPD) conducted a more traditional municipal planning process. This process included reviewing previous planning documents, evaluating the corridor s natural resources; determining land ownership and seeking their input; identifying cultural and historical features; utilizing GPS and GIS mapping; and conducting a physical inventory (ground truthing). Penn Trails also accompanied members of the MCGT project team, including Michaux SF and Adams County Office of Planning, on a conceptual walk-through of corridor options that would run from Camp Eder to Hamiltonban Township. The optimal conceptual corridor options were discussed by the above team and data logged on GPS by the ACODP. For the purpose of the above walk through, Penn Trails referred the team to the same managed use and designed use parameters shown within this report. STUDY AREAS Upland Area Section: Michaux State Forest Since 1947, Glatfelter Pulp Wood Co. maintained this 2,500-acre section as a tree farm. In addition to timber farming, the area has also been utilized for recreational hunting and fishing during the course of the tract s history. The existing corridor consists of forestry roads, logging routes, skid trails and informal recreational trails that have been created over several decades, to support a variety of designated and informal uses of the land. During this study, Michaux began the process of determining the location of all the existing roads and trails in the tract, see map below. From Michaux s mapping, Penn Trails and members of the planning committee determined a primary trail route with a secondary loop. The 2,500-acre area was then split into two tracts: Tract 1 (northern) and Tract 2 (southern) for mapping purposes. Penn Trails was contracted by Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve to conduct a professional, ground-truth based trail assessment process 28
(MCGT Glatfelter Tract Overview Map) 29
(MCGT Glatfelter Tract Section 1 Map) 30
(MCGT Glatfelter Tract Section 2 Map) 31
for the proposed Middle Creek Greenway Trail MCGT corridor. The corridor has been conceptualized by MCGT partners; Adams County Office of Planning and Development, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, Michaux State Forest, Hamiltonban Township, and Camp Eder. Penn Trails created a set of managed use and design use parameters to determine the existing trail corridor s capacity to support the type of pedestrian use as roughly conceptualized by the MCGT partners. Penn trails then utilized the U.S. Forest Services TRACS (Trail Assessment & Condition Surveys) methodology to provide recommendations for the primary trail. Penn Trails also included gathering new GPS linear route and point data, as well as photo documentation. TRACS (Trail Assessment & Condition Surveys) TRACS is the Forest Service s required methodology for conducting trail inventory, condition assessment, and prescriptions for National Forest System trails. TRACS provides standardized terminology, business rules and data fields which are integrated with the agency s corporate database and used for planning, management, cost estimation, and reporting. The assessment is a trail management approach based on specific management objectives, reflecting forest plan direction and management decisions. TRACS employs a set of Trail Fundamentals, five concepts, which are the cornerstones of Forest Service trail management strategy. Trail Type Trail Class Managed Use Designed Use Design Parameters The managed and designed use parameters were derived from Federal Trail Data Standards and U.S. Forest Service design parameters for a two-lane pedestrian/hiker Trail. Penn Trails expanded several of the design use parameters to provide enough adjustment that the corridor could support a multi-use trail, for pedestrian and bicycle use. However, these parameters would not support a trail that was designed for a true mountain biking experience, which would be very different parameters all together. These parameters are only utilized for conducting the assessment, allowing comparison of the existing corridor conditions against a set of use and design parameters that are known to support the above mentioned hiker/pedestrian or multi-user trail concepts. They are indicated in the table above. The assessment includes a field inventory and validation of the trail length, width, and constructed features along the trail; along with a condition assessment of the trail and the constructed features along it; and finally, a prescription, documenting what needs to be done to the trail to meet standard. 32
Penn Trails TRACS Assessment The purpose of the TRACS assessment, included in this document, is to provide objective, field based information and data that can be utilized in determining the types of trail planning, design, construction practices and costs required for actual implementation of a sustainable recreational trail within the existing corridor. The TRACS assessment is not a planning or design document, nor does it include any design elements, plans, maps, blue prints, etc. Rather, it serves as the baseline information and data for subsequent decisions and actions regarding planning, design, construction, and management. The trails in this tract that just happen to have erosion problems are because they are subject to one or more of the following issues; Too steep or narrow, Do not follow the natural contour of the land, Do not run within grades or cross-slopes that promote drainage, Were created for other uses than recreation, Were created as temporary paths and not long term, sustainable trails. One, or more, of the above factors are the case for the majority of the MCGT corridor. Both water retention within corridor and trail tread, as well as fall line erosion and cupping of trail tread, are an extensive problem. These issues exist largely because there was frequently no intention to follow natural contours, construct the corridor for the recreational use now being applied to it, or establish maintenance processes to mitigate issues before they became problems. One of the primary results of such unplanned usage, and the trails that result from such, is the level of trail cupping, trenching and braiding encountered in the assessment process. As the existing corridor s path-of-travel becomes less desirable, or untenable, pedestrian, bicyclists, equestrians (and others) simply alter their path of travel to create a new path-of-travel adjacent to the existing one. The assessment shows that many segments of the existing trail corridor do not provide good, or even fair, productivity factors. These factors (i.e.; target grade, cross slope, tread type, etc ) will continue to degrade as recreational use increases. Thus, if left to the current conditions and with increased recreational use, the anticipated sustainability of those segments (see assessment sheets) are very low. NOTE: Approximately 4,687 feet (24% of total assessed corridor) are beyond sustainable grades of 15% or more, which will require realignment of the trail corridor and obliteration of the old corridor. See Critical/Frequency column indicating code TG3. Therefore, an objectively planned, designed, constructed and managed MCGT corridor and trail would address sustainability, create community and user satisfaction, allow for more users, reduce trail user impact, simplify future trail maintenance and be much more cost effective. As shown on the assessment sheets, one section of the trail is particularly well suited to rehabilitation, bringing it back within sustainable parameters, and thus making it a good example of what the system could potentially look like. NOTE: 13+04+94 to 17+03+62 represents a good starting point/example for a project trail, given existing TRACS condition results of TG1 - TG2, constructed trail bed, bench cut, etc. TRAIL SEGMENT ASSESSMENTS In conducting the TRACS trail assessment for the noted 19,576 linear feet, the primary Productivity Factors that were visually observed and documented are; A. Corridor alignment B. Trail alignment C. Original side slope D. Running grade E. Created cross slope F. Tread surface G. Erosion, faults, berm H. Creeks, streams and hydrology I. Trail structures The resulting Trail Assessment for each Trail Segment consists of a Trail Segment Assessment Sheet which provides the linear (station-tostation) identification of the trail, including any critical issues that should be addressed, and the basic prescriptions to address those issues. Future MCGT design partners can then utilize this assessment as an objective resource in helping to create any future conceptual or actual trail planning. With such a plan in place, the project partners can then determine specific Design Parameters that will meet the Managed Use parameters that they would have previously determined and agreed to with other parties, such as lands owners and others adjacent to the corridor and trail. Design Parameters should take into account the Managed Use, as decisions are made regarding; Trail corridor placement Trail alignments Trail design elements Trail construction practices Soil conditions and tread surfaces Vegetation and landscaping Hydrology, drainage and erosion control Other features and amenities, such as parking and trailer areas, camping and picnic areas, etc. 33
Penn Trails TRACS Assessment Sections 3 4 2 1 End Section 1 End Section 2 End Section 4 34
TRACS TRAIL NAME: Middle Creek Greenway Trail Conceptual Study Section 1 SEGMENT: MICHAUX SF ASSESSMENT: Penn Trails Begin Station FEATURE CONDITION TASK Critical Non-Critical End Station Code & Comments Code & Comments Code & Comments Freq. Severity 00+00 Timber Rd, Trl Jct TG3, no def tread BC, GR, SW, CT TG3 07+59 759 ft 07+59 Tread of common soils TG1 BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 09+32 09+32 cupping TG3, no def tread BC, GR, SW, CT TG3 12+72 340 ft 12+72 View Shed area, grass tread TG1 BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 19+67 19+67 forest TG2, cupping BC, GR, SW, CT 27+17 27+17 Grass tread, common soils TG1, cupping BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 28+86 28+86 forest TG2, trenching, cupping BC, GR, SW, CT 31+47 31+47 clearing, trl jct, grass field TG1, rough tread area BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 33+28 33+28 meadow/forest, grass tread TG2-3, insloping, BC, GR, SW, CT TG3 39+10 trenching 582 ft 39+10 Grass tread, common soils TG1 BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 41+90 -= Pine forest TG2-3, inslope, cupping, BC, GR, SW, CT TG3 44+20 trenching 230 ft 44+20 Pine forest ditto BC, GR, SW, CT 45+10 45+10 forest TG3-4, deep trenching, no TG3 51+36 drainage, cupping RELO, OBLIT 626 ft 51+36 forest, meadow Culvert Crossing flood plain?, wet soils 53+30 wetlands trail? 53+30 view of pond, field stone headwall TG1 wet soils wetlands trail? TG1 55+15 Skid rd jct erosion area uphill close and OBLIT 00+00 12+72 35
TRACS TRAIL NAME: Middle Creek Greenway Trail Conceptual Study Section 2 SEGMENT: MICHAUX SF ASSESSMENT: Penn Trails Begin Station FEATURE CONDITION TASK Critical Non-Critical End Station Code & Comments Code & Comments Code & Comments Freq. Severity 58+00 Til Jct, Barn Barn deteriorating public risk? 58+00 Grass tread, common soils TG3, insloping, treanching, RELO, OBLIT TG3 61+36 cupping 336 ft 61+36 Grass tread, common soils itto TG2, cupping include in relo 62+99 62+99 Grass tread, common soils TG3, trenching, cupping RELO, OBLIT TG3 65+48 249 ft 65+48 Trl Jct, field and pines TG1, tread stable, good 68+18 xslope, w/ SW, GR 68+18 Trl Jct BC, DB TG1 55+15 68+18 grass, pines TG2, trenching, cupping BC, GR, SW, CT 72+71 72+71 4-Way Trl Jct, grass clearing, WITNESS tree 72+71 grass tread, wet soils TG2, cupping, insloping, 79+42 drainage from side slope TG1 outslope,add drainage BC, GR, SW, CT 79+42 grass tread, wet soils TG3 ditto outslope,add drainage BC, TG3 81+41 GR, SW, CT 199 ft 81+41 grass tread, wet soils TG1, cupping uphill trench DB, BC, GR, SW, CT 83+10 geotex drainage 83+10 grass tread, wet soils TG2, ditto DB, BC, GR, SW, CT 85+14 geotex drainage 85+14 grass tread, wet soils TG1, ditto DB, BC, GR, SW, CT 91+10 geotex drainage 91+10 grass tread, wet soils TG1, stable, dry w/ culvert and trench above trench drains to culvert, clean, DB, outslope 92+39 Pipe culvert deteriorating BC, DB, clean culvert and pipe TG1 TG1 TG1 TG1 92+39 36
TRACS TRAIL NAME: Middle Creek Greenway Trail Conceptual Study Section 3 SEGMENT: MICHAUX SF ASSESSMENT: Penn Trails Critical Non-Critical End Station Code & Comments Code & Comments Code & Comments Freq. Severity 92+39 wet soils TG1, cupping, trenching, DB, BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 1+06+16 1+06+16 wet soils insloping trenching, cupping geotex drainage DB, BC, GR, SW, CT 1+08+54 geotex drainage 1+08+54 wet soils TG1, cupping, berm DB, BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 11+02+80 geotex drainage 11+02+88 Jct w/ SHNP trl spur Note: 81+41 to 11+02+80 very poor shade zone 11+02+88 TG3-4, trenching, Fall line, OBLIT, RELO TG3 12+03+69 insloping 1081 ft 12+03+69 TG2, stable DB, outslope 12+06+57 12+06+57 Grass dirt stone tread deteriorating backslope of 13+00+50 old bench TG2 13+00+50 13+00+50 13+04+94 DB, BC, GR, SW, CT Trl Jct TG2, cupping, trenching DB, BC, GR, SW, CT DB, BC, GR, SW, CT 11+02+88 11+02+88 37
TRACS TRAIL NAME: Middle Creek Greenway Trail Conceptual Study Section 4 SEGMENT: MICHAUX SF ASSESSMENT: Penn Trails Critical Non-Critical End Station Code & Comments Code & Comments Code & Comments Freq. Severity 13+04+94 Begin defined forestry road structure TG1, Full Bench Cut, DB, BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 14+00+19 14+00+19 forestry road structure some cupping, inslope TG2, cupping DB, BC, GR, SW, CT 14+04+04 14+04+04 forestry road structure TG1 DB, BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 15+02=03 15+02+03 forestry road structure TG2, inslope, trenching, DB, BC, GR, SW, CT 15+09+113 15+09+13 forestry road structure cupping TG1, cupping, berm DB, BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 17+03+62 17+03+62 forestry road structure TG1 DB, BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 17+04+68 17+04+68 forest, trail jct TG1, no def'd tread DB, BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 17+05+80 17+05+80 Boundary line Camp Eder & SF structure, etc. timber slash, TG1 DB, BC, GR, SW, CT TG1 13+04+94 17+05+80 no defined tread timber slash, TG1 determine corridor TG1 17+09+36 17+09+36 no defined tread TG3, erosion, trenching determine corridor TG3 18+00+16 FALL LINE 80 ft 18+00+16 Clear Cut Zone TG2, Erosion zone determine corridor 18+07+60 18+07+60 clear cut zone TG3 to TG2 erosion determine corridor TG3 18+09+65 205 ft 18+09+65 clear cut zone TG1, very wet hydro 19+01+10 active area determine corridor TG1 19+01+10 Begin dirt farm road TG1 determine corridor TG1 19+04+32 19+04+032 Jct w/ path to sprinkler systems 19+05+76 Trailhead @ corner of church field & see large Tulip Popular for good connection to any orchard fence approx. jct point proposed corridor 19,576 Feet total linear distance assessed 17+05+80 38
Mid Atlantic Hikes Mid Atlantic Hikes a web site full of information on hiking in the Mid- Atlantic Region (PA, MD, VA and WV)... topo maps, 3-D maps, elevation profiles, GPS data, directions, trail notes, photos... everything hikers need to prepare for an excursion into the wilderness. The site publishes information for 318 hikes and over 3,657 trail miles. Venues include, but not limited to, Shenandoah National Park/VA, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, VA and WV, the Monongahela National Forest in WV, state forests throughout PA, Green Ridge State Forest in MD and regional, state, county, and federal parks throughout the Mid-Atlantic region are represented. The contributors to the site have also published various hiking trail guidebooks for public distribution. Two of these books include The Mid-Atlantic Hikers Guide: WV and The Mid-Atlantic Hiker's Guide: Central Maryland. At the completion of Penn Trails assessment, Mid- Atlantic Hikes published its own guide to hiking Michaux State Forest s Glatfelter Tract. The loop route depicted below has been included on the proposed trail corridor map for reference due to potential use by hikers using the book and website. Much of the route described by Mid Atlantic Hikes corresponds with the primary route laid out in this study. Trail Description (from Mid Atlantic Hikes): On 05/24/2010 the Conservation Fund announced the transfer of the 2,500-acre Tree Farm #1 property in Hamiltonban Township, Adams County, to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), completing a two-year partnership involving federal, state, and local governments, private organizations and the citizens of Adams County. The property is now part of the Michaux State Forest. It contains several miles of well maintained logging roads open to hiking. The Forest Service has yet to develop a trail map for the area. The following 7.2 mile moderate hike is based on GPS data obtained on 03/16/14. I tried to collect a waypoint for every road junction we came across. Still there may be some lesser-traveled roads that are not easily seen. Take this map, trail notes and a compass with you and you should do alright. The hike begins at the Strawberry Hill Preserve (a nice hiking venue in its own right!) on the south side of Mount Hope Road. Trail Notes: As you face the pine trees behind the parking lot turn right and walk out to a grassy area. Turn left at the edge of the pines and cross Middle Creek on a stout bridge. The Middle Creek Trail, a part of the preserve, bears to the right. Stay straight, walking around the steel forest gate. In 0.3 miles pass a road on the left. This will be your return route. The road continues to climb gradually in a southerly direction for another 0.7 miles. Turn right at a 4-way intersection. In less than 0.1 miles this road will also turn south. Here a fainter road will come in from the right and yet another one, also from the right, in a few more steps. You ll soon arrive at an old barn at the beginning of a hollow. You ll see a pond to the left. This is probably the trickiest part as old logging roads go off in almost every direction. Bear right, keeping the pond on your left until you are past it. The trail that you are on will climb a short hill, pass a well maintained cabin and end at a forest gate on Mount Hope Road. You don t want to go this way. Turn left at the bottom of the hill instead. This road splits almost immediately with the trail on the left staying low and following the bank of the pond. Bear slightly right here climbing gradually up a wooded hill. Bear right at a fork in another 0.3 miles and in 0.2 miles arrive at a clearing with what appears to be a game feeder on the right. A trail, also to the right, 39
leads to Mount Hope Road. Continue straight here and in 0.3 miles arrive at a clear-cut area that provides a view of Culp Ridge to the east. You will be there in a couple of miles. You might see another road to the left. Continue straight. Arrive at a westerly view including Kepner Knob in another 0.2 miles. The last logging road leading to Mount Hope Road is on your right. The main logging road descends through mature forest for 0.5 miles to a three way intersection. Turn left here and in a few steps pass another road on the left. There was a tree across it when we did the hike. Ignore it and continue straight out to a gas pipeline right of way. Turn left onto it and descend but only for a few steps. The logging road will veer off to the left. Follow it for 0.3 miles and cross Copper Run. Immediately turn left, joining another road and cross the run again. The road will closely follow the stream, passing a road to the left in 0.2 miles and then crossing the stream again, this time over a culvert. In 0.6 miles from the last intersection make a sharp right hand turn and climb for 0.4 miles to another road, this one along the top of Culp Ridge. Turn left and in 0.1 miles reach the ridge s crest. There will be a road to the right. Continue straight (left). The road passes through forests all going through different stages of recovery. In 0.6 miles turn left at a three way junction but in 0.1 miles turn right again if you want to continue the ridge walk. Reach another fork in 0.3 miles. Going left will get you back to the starting point a little faster but going straight (right) will bring you some broken pastoral views and a glimpse of Sugar Loaf to the east, a knob that rises out of the valley all by itself. If taking the more scenic route arrive at another junction in 0.6 miles. Turn left and in another 0.2 miles turn left again. Here you begin to descend from the ridge. Pass the previously mentioned shortcut on the left in 0.1 miles and then, in another 0.2 miles arrive back at the original road you started on. Turn right and retrace your initial steps back to your vehicle. 40
Foothills & Valley Section: Private Land Owners The Adams County Office of Planning and Development (ACOPD) took the lead on the assessment of the Foothills & Valley section of the Middle Creek Greenway Trail Feasibility Study. Geographic Information System (GIS) base map information was used to prepare field maps and preliminary planning documents consisting of the base aerial photography, municipal boundaries, roadways, parcels and other identifying features. Planning staff conducted in-field ground truthing to compare image data and relate the data to real features and materials on the ground, verifying the physical feasibility of conceptual trail locations. ACOPD reviewed all existing local planning documents supporting the greenway development to guide the development of the corridor in the interests of the community. ACOPD also performed landowner interviews whose property had the potential to be included in the Middle Creek Greenway Trail to determine existing conditions and potential opportunities and constraints. Segment Name: Foothills 1 (F-1) Segment Location: Edge of orchard on Camp Eder property. Data Points 1 through 9. Existing Conditions Trail Development Opportunities Trail Development Constraints Segment F-1 is located on the Camp Eder property, running along the northern edge of the apple orchard and along the southern edge of the forested area. The segment passes close to Camp Eder s stone chapel that overlooks the scenic Carroll s Tract valley. Segment F-1 follows an existing orchard lane for its full length. The orchard lane averages approximately 10 feet in width, and currently has a compacted gravel and earth surface. Property use transitions from the wooded and undeveloped portion of the Camp Eder camping and retreat facility to the active apple orchard. Camp Eder leases the orchard land to a local farmer who conducts the agricultural operation. Site elevation changes from 950 feet at Data Point 1 to 790 feet at Data Point 9. This segment measures approximately 2,490 feet in length. Segment F-1 would provide trail users the opportunity to traverse orchard areas and to experience stunning views of the Carroll s Tract valley to the east. The segment could provide connections to other trails and activity nodes within the setting. Trail users would be able to access the Camp Eder s historic stone chapel and could connect to other existing and proposed trails at Camp Eder. These trails may ultimately connect to Michaux State Forest (specifically the Glatfelter tract) and to Strawberry Hill Nature Center. Data Point 1 could become a connection point to further trails in the Foothills and Upland portions of the study area. Condition of the orchard lane is generally good and may not require substantial improvement to allow trail use to be collocated. Segment F-1 would be located within an existing an active orchard area. Therefore, potential conflicts with the orchard operation would have to be investigated and, if necessary, mitigated. Potential constraints in this regard may include conflicts between trail users and farm equipment. This conflict may also involve concerns regarding standard orchard maintenance activities such as spraying of pesticides and herbicides. Trail signs may be necessary to advise trail users of these typical orchard operations. Trail use could be curtailed when spraying operations are being conducted. The segment includes some steep slope areas, which may be challenging for some potential trail users. Trail signs may be necessary to inform trail users of the topographic nature of the segment. The segment includes some lower lying areas which may require some attention to drainage to ensure that an appropriate trail surface is maintained. An example of this concern lies between Data Point 3 and Data Point 4. 41
(Foothills & Valley Map) 42
Segment Name: Foothills 2 (F-2) Segment Location: Orchard on Camp Eder property. Data Points 9 through 14. Existing Conditions Trail Development Opportunities Trail Development Constraints Segment F-2 is located primarily on the Camp Eder property, with the portion between Data Points 13 and 14 located on the Philip Roth property. The segment runs through the middle of the existing apple orchard. The segment connects the area near the Camp Eder stone chapel to the property boundary of Camp Eder and the adjoining Phillip Roth farm. Segment F-2 follows an existing orchard lane for its full length. The orchard lane averages approximately 10 feet in width, and currently has a compacted gravel and earth surface. Segment F-2 crosses the active apple orchard leased by Camp Eder to a local farmer who conducts the orchard operation. The segment crosses a very lightly used, private grass landing strip associated with the Roth property. An active railroad right-of-way (CSX) runs parallel to the grass landing strip. The segment proposes to cross the railroad right-of-way via an at-grade, non-signalized farm lane crossing at Data Point 14. Site elevation changes from 790 feet at Data Point 9 to 640 feet at Data Point 14. Segment F-2 would provide trail users the opportunity to traverse orchard areas and to experience views of the Carroll s Tract valley to the east and Camp Eder s stone chapel to the west. The orchard landscape itself is also highly appealing from a visual perspective. Segment F-2 provides the transition from the proposed trail system within the Valley to the proposed trail system in the Foothills and beyond. Condition of the orchard lane is generally good and may not require substantial improvement to allow trail use to be collocated. Segment F-2 would be located within an existing an active orchard area. Therefore, potential conflicts with the orchard operation would have to be investigated and, if necessary, mitigated. Potential constraints in this regard may include conflicts between trail users and farm equipment. This conflict may also involve concerns regarding standard orchard maintenance activities such as spraying of pesticides and herbicides. Trail signs may be necessary to advise trail users of these typical orchard operations. Trail use could be curtailed when spraying operations are being conducted. The segment includes some steep slope areas, which may be challenging for some potential trail users. Trail signs may be necessary to inform trail users of the topographic nature of the segment. The segment crosses a lightly used grass landing strip between Data Points 13 and 14. Trail signs may be necessary to advise trail users of this feature, and to prevent movement through the facility when a plane is using the strip. This segment measures approximately 2,728 feet in length. The segment crosses the CSX railroad at Data Point 14. Trail signs may be necessary to advise trail users of the active railway. 43
(Camp Eder Orchard Map) 44
Segment Name: Foothills 2 Alternate (F-2A) Segment Location: Orchard on Camp Eder property. Data Points 9 through 14. Existing Conditions Trail Development Opportunities Trail Development Constraints Segment F-2A is located primarily on the Camp Eder property, with the portion between Data Points 13 and 14 located on the Philip Roth property. The segment connects the same locations as Segment F-2, but provides an alternative route around the northern edge of the orchard instead of through the middle of the orchard as envisioned as Segment F-2. Segment F-2A provides the same connectivity as Segment F-2, but without passing through the middle of the active apple orchard. Segment F-2 follows the edge of the active apple orchard leased by Camp Eder to a local farmer who conducts the orchard operation. An active railroad right-of-way (CSX) runs parallel to a portion of the proposed trail segment. The segment proposes to cross the railroad right-of-way via an at-grade, unsignalized farm lane crossing at Data Point 14. Site elevation changes from 790 feet at Data Point 9 to 640 feet at Data Point 14. Segment F-2A provides the same elevation gain as Segment F-2, but the average slope is less given the longer length. The slope may be more manageable for some trail users than the somewhat steeper average slope of Segment F-1. Segment F-2A provides the transition from the proposed trail system within the Valley to the proposed trail system in the Foothills and beyond. Segment F-2A would be located adjacent to an existing an active orchard area. Therefore, potential conflicts with the orchard operation would have to be investigated and, if necessary, mitigated. Potential constraints in this regard may include conflicts between trail users and farm equipment. This conflict may also involve concerns regarding standard orchard maintenance activities such as spraying of pesticides and herbicides. Trail signs may be necessary to advise trail users of these typical orchard operations. Trail use could be curtailed when spraying operations are being conducted. The segment includes some steep slope areas, which may be challenging for some potential trail users. Trail signs may be necessary to inform trail users of the topographic nature of the segment. The segment crosses the CSX railroad at Data Point 14. Trail signs may be necessary to advise trail users of the active railway. Several surface water features lie near the proposed Segment F-2A. These include a farm pond, a portion of Middle Creek, the floodplain and a wetland associated with Middle Creek, and a drainage feature within the orchard. Trail surface design within or near these features would have to be carefully evaluated to ensure trail surface durability and to prevent trail erosion A trail bed and suitable trail surface would have to be provided for Segment F-2A. 45
Segment Name: Valley 1 (V-1) Segment Location: Philip Roth property. Data Points 14 through 19. Existing Conditions Trail Development Opportunities Trail Development Constraints Segment V-1 is located on the western portion of the Philip Roth property. The segment follows the western and southern edge of an existing apple orchard. The segment connects the beginning of the Foothills portion of the trail system to a right-of-way that provides access to the Philip Roth property from Fairfield Station Road. Segment V-1 provides connectivity from the Foothills portion of the trail system through a significant elements of the Valley portion of the system. Eventual connection to Fairfield Station Road via Segment V-2 will provide important connectivity to Fairfield Borough. An active railroad right-of-way (CSX) runs parallel to a portion of the proposed trail segment. Site elevation changes from 640 feet at Data Point 14 to 610 feet at Data Point 14. This segment measures approximately 2,550 feet in length. The segment is primarily flat over its length and would be suitable for most trail users in terms of difficulty. Segment V-1 would be located adjacent to an existing an active orchard area. Therefore, potential conflicts with the orchard operation would have to be investigated and, if necessary, mitigated. Potential constraints in this regard may include conflicts between trail users and farm equipment. This conflict may also involve concerns regarding standard orchard maintenance activities such as spraying of pesticides and herbicides. Trail signs may be necessary to advise trail users of these typical orchard operations. Trail use could be curtailed when spraying operations are being conducted. Several surface water features lie near the proposed Segment V-1. These include a former quarry pit near Data Points 15 through 17, a portion of a tributary of Middle Creek, and the floodplain and a wetland associated with this tributary. Trail surface design within or near these features, particularly surrounding Data Point 19, would have to be carefully evaluated to ensure trail surface durability and to prevent trail erosion Private outdoor recreation amenities associated with the Philip Roth property are located at the former quarry pit near Data Points 16 and 17. These facilities include a fire pit and hunting stand. Safety concerns regarding the former quarry pit would need to be evaluated. Fencing may be necessary. 46
(Roth Parcel Map) 47
Segment Name: Valley 1A (V-1A) Segment Location: Philip Roth property. Data Points 15 through 17. Existing Conditions Trail Development Opportunities Trail Development Constraints Segment V-1A is located on the western portion of the Philip Roth property, and connects Data Points 15 and 17 along the west and south sides of the existing farm pond. An active railroad right-of-way (CSX) runs parallel to a portion of the proposed trail segment. Site elevation changes from 630 feet at Data Point 15 to 620 feet at Data Point 17. Segment V-1A provides a short alternative route between Data Points 15 and 17 around the former quarry pit. This alternative may help mitigate concerns with trail location close to the private recreation facilities associated with the Philip Roth property at the farm pond. This segment could locate a portion of the trail away from the active orchard. The physical area to the west and south of the former quarry pit may be limited to the degree where trail placement may be difficult. Safety concerns regarding the former quarry pit would need to be evaluated. Fencing may be necessary. 48