Detour map for the Capital Area Greenbelt
As the weather warms and people get outside, the Capital Area Greenbelt Association is reminding the community to follow a trail detour.
A portion of the Greenbelt along the riverfront in Harrisburg, which is currently closed off due to construction in the area, has been temporarily rerouted and officials are urging people to follow the signs.
The city’s detour directs users from S. Front to Sycamore to Cameron and then Shanois Street, before meeting up with the Greenbelt again near the train bridge. The trail, between the entry point south of the I-83 South Bridge and where the Greenbelt meets with Shanois Street next to the Paxton Creek, is closed to traffic.
There is detour signage posted along the route.
The city has re-routed the Greenbelt as Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania is currently constructing 15 tiny homes and a community center along the riverfront, past the PennDOT building. The path leading to the development is now blocked by a fence.
However, according to Dick Norford, spokesperson for the association, some Greenbelt users were unaware of the closure. He has also witnessed bicyclists and pedestrians who are climbing fenced-off areas and even crossing railroad tracks to access the Greenbelt. This, he said, is not permitted and is often dangerous.
Greenbelt Association officials don’t think that the detour is ideal, as it takes cyclists and walkers along portions of roadway where sidewalks are in disrepair and shoulder space is limited. However, they are urging the community to follow the detour rather than putting themselves in more danger.
“We want to direct people that way. Even though that’s a little dicey, going over the railroad tracks is worse,” Norford said. “We certainly don’t want someone to get injured.”
The city does not yet know how long the detour will be in effect.
The Greenbelt Association is working with the city and other partners to decide on the future path of the portion of the trail that is under development.
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