Greenbelt detour at S. Front and Sycamore streets.
Harrisburg has received a boost to reconnect the Greenbelt trail.
The city on Thursday announced that it won a $750,000 state grant to support the relocation of the Capital Area Greenbelt in south Harrisburg, which was interrupted by several housing developments for veterans in the area.
“This investment reflects who we are as a city,” said Mayor Wanda Williams, in a statement. “We believe in honoring our veterans and first responders, and we also believe in protecting the spaces that bring our neighborhoods together. Reconnecting the Greenbelt in South Harrisburg is about access, equity, and quality of life. It is about making sure every part of our city remains connected, walkable and welcoming.”
The city will receive the grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and work with the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA) to implement the project.
In total, the section of trail in south Harrisburg will be rerouted to go to Sycamore Street from S. Front Street, just before the PennDOT building. The trail would then follow Sycamore over the railroad tracks and veer right through one of two privately owned lots, before Cameron Street, and then connect with the current trail near Shanois Street.
Reached by phone, CAGA President Doug Hill said that they hope to begin work on phase one of the relocation this year, which would include creating a crosswalk across S. Front Street near Sycamore and widening the sidewalk on Sycamore, from Front to Pennsy Drive, to 10 feet for pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Phase two, which includes creating a new section of the Greenbelt through private land, is dependent on CAGA reaching agreements with landowners.
The city and CAGA also have additional grant applications pending and are fundraising for the project.
Currently, the Greenbelt is detoured from S. Front Street to Sycamore to Cameron Street.
“CAGA is grateful to have a strong partnership with the city and the city’s legislative delegation, which enables us to continue our work to preserve and improve the Greenbelt on behalf of the city residents and neighborhoods, and our visitors,” Hill said.
For more information about the Capital Area Greenbelt Association, visit their website.
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