Feasability Study approved by Charlestown Board of Supervisors

On Tuesday September 2nd, the Board of Supervisors endorsed the final draft of the Devault Line's rail-to-trail feasibility study.  This plan looked at three possible options for non-motorized traffic through the township, and identified the pros and cons of each.  The Devault Line, previously on this blog called the Candy Line, looked to be the best option of the three, and it was determined that the plan was feasible.  It did not investigate the details of design or estimate costs - that will be in the next step; the Design Plan.

Using this feasibility study, the project will next seek to coordinate with the Borough of Phoenixville and the Green Team (an environmental action group), Schuylkill Township and its trails committee, and East Whiteland township.  With all four municipalities involved, Chester County and the State would be able to work with us to create a final design document, and to start investigating possible funding sources.

The Feasibility Study is available here:
http://www.charlestown.pa.us/misc_docs/2015_devault_trail_study-2.pdf

Due to a naming conflict with another Pennsylvania rails to trails project, the Candi Line, this project is now simply being called the Devault Rail Project.  I will keep this blog updated with important news, however official project news will be located on the Charlestown Township website.

Discussions are underway to create a formal 501(c)(3) citizen's action group in Charlestown township to assist with this effort - contact me at scprailstotrails@gmail.com if you would like to be involved!

Public meeting to review Devault Line status: May 12th 7:30 PM GVMS

Announcement - the first public meeting for the Devault Line rails to trails feasibility study will occur May 12th at 7:30PM in the Great Valley Middle School Cafeteria.  Stop in for a few minutes to discuss the options for the line, and see pictures of the corridor and the great view from the trestle bridge over Rt 29.

Thomas Campbell and Ray Ott will be present to answer questions, as well as members of SCP Rails to Trails - join us!

Winter 2014 update!

Winter 2014 update!

With a grant from Chester County, the Rails to Trails project on the Phoenixville-Devault line, AKA the Candy Line, is undergoing a formal feasibility study with help from Campbell Thomas and Co Architects and Planners and Charlestown Township.

This is great news, particularly given Bob Thomas's history of involvement with many trails projects in the region, including the Schuylkill River Trail and the current work to improve the SRT's crossing over the rt 29 bridge between Montclaire and Phoenixville.

This feasibility study will include an inventory of the current status of the line, plan for possible options for a conversion, and determine the feasibility and cost of the various option available.  This is something that SCP Rails to Trails had begun done in part; so all information has been handed over to Campbell Thomas, along with Ray Ott & Associates out of West Chester, PA.  Mr. Ott has already run with the concept, and produced nearly as much planning content in two months as we have up until this point!  It's great to have a professional in the field on hand.

Given that the majority of the line exists in Charlestown township, they have stepped up to lead the effort and host the internal project meetings.  In addition to these internal meetings, outreach efforts to the surrounding townships and public meetings will be held, to maintain full involvement by every effected by the project.  Everyone involved wants to make sure that we're not doing this project merely because we think it is a good idea, but because there is a public interest in providing a safe corridor for commuting and recreation through this effort.

Once the public meetings are scheduled, I will post the information here. In addition, general announcements will be made to the public through the standard methods - if we can get into the quarterly Charlestown township newsletter, we will do so.  Campbell Thomas had a number of good suggestions of how to make sure everyone has a chance to provide input to the plan, and Charlestown Township is also on the case.

The next internal meeting is next week, so look for another update soon.  This spring should be busy!!

Updates on Activity: East Whiteland, Schuylkill, Charlestown and Chester County

This past week, SCP Rails to Trails attended the Schuylkill Township open space meeting as well as the East Whiteland Planning Commission meeting to answer questions on the Candy Line proposal.  In both cases, interest and excitement were high, and hopefully signals participation of volunteers from East Whiteland into the SCP group.  We may need to rename the group SPEC Rails to Trails soon.

Discussion with the East Whiteland Board is still needed, scheduling to be determined.

Charlestown township is voting this coming Tuesday on applying for a county grant to fund a preliminary study of a rails to trails project.  This will fulfill Rails to Trails national's suggestion of getting Official township buy-in along with an independent corridor value assessment, and is a huge step in making a trail that connects the Schuylkill River Trail and the Chester Valley Trail.

The August SCP Rails to Trails meeting was canceled due to scheduling problems, and September looks pretty busy as well.  Depending on the progress that is made in the next couple of months, an early October meeting may be the best option.  I will keep everyone on the email list informed as we get closer.  If you'd like to attend, please email SCPRailsToTrails@gmail.com.

Charlestown Township Parks and Trails Plan

The SCP Rails to Trails group has focused on assisting Charlestown Township with their long-term strategic plan for trails and open spaces this past year, and the final version of that document has been submitted to the Charlestown Board of Supervisors.  This document includes and inventory of current trails, along with suggestions of where the township should look to for expansion of the trail system - both on-road bike routes and off-road multi-use trail corridors.   The Candy Line trail is mentioned as a long-term option.

The current trail map can be seen in detail here:
http://www.charlestown.org/ct-misc/ct-Trails/ct_Trails.asp