North Pocono Trail Opens with $3.5M Investment in Outdoor Recreation

New Trails and Investments Enhance Outdoor Recreation in Pennsylvania

Lackawanna County is now home to the newly inaugurated North Pocono Trail, a result of the Shapiro Administration's $3.5 million initiative aimed at boosting outdoor activity options and refining local transportation networks.

This development introduces a 3.2-mile multi-use trail, supported by over $1.5 million in Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) grants, coupled with a $2 million allocation from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for rehabilitating the Erie and Wyoming Railroad bridge.

This endeavor not only links the trail with the restored county-owned railroad trestle but also integrates PennDOT's revamp of the Twin Bridges on the Interstate 84 corridor, enhancing recreational prospects and reflecting state investments in the area.

The coordination among Lackawanna County, DCNR, and PennDOT facilitated this project. DCNR's contributions include $61,211 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund granted in 1981 for property acquisition, and subsequent Keystone grants totaling $1.52 million for Phase 1 trail design and development.

PennDOT's $2 million investment rehabilitates a former railroad trestle that will serve as a key component of the trail network, now owned by Lackawanna County.

Offering a venue for walking, hiking, running, and biking, the trail opens up the Roaring Brook corridor's natural beauty. The trailhead can be accessed at 134 Old State Road in Elmhurst Township, where visitors can embark on a southward journey toward Dunmore.

Somerset County

Furthermore, the Shapiro Administration has earmarked close to $1 million for upgrades at Mount Davis, the highest natural point in Pennsylvania, within Somerset County's Forbes State Forest. This initiative focuses on enhancing visitor access, safety, and facilities.

DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Mount Davis to emphasize the significance of the $986,000 investment, which includes a restored observation tower, new educational displays, and improvements to the entrance road and parking area.

"Mount Davis is one of the most distinctive places in Pennsylvania's state forests," she remarked. "Visitors come from across the country and around the world to experience this site, which is why continued investment in access and safety matters so much."