Trail Network Plan Approved August 2013

Whitpain Township, Blue Bell, PA
Trail Network Plan
August 2013
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Executive Summary
Whitpain Township has a long-standing goal to have a township-wide trail network which will
link neighborhoods to community facilities and open spaces. This goal was clearly articulated
in the Township Comprehensive Plan (2006), the Park and Recreation Plan 2020 (2003), and
the Township Open Space Preservation Plan 2005 Update. In the 2005 plan, the Township
adopted the phrase “Walkable Whitpain” to build strong community support for trails and
reduced vehicular traffic. Users are expected to be all age groups and those seeking recreation,
exercise, and exploration. Use of the trails will serve residents and many workers who travel to
the Township daily and who walk during break times. By offering off-road walking
opportunities, the experience is better and safer with reduced use of vehicles, less fuel used, and
less air pollution.
The Township has been working with property owners since 2009 to devise a viable trail plan
called the Core Connector that will link the south and north sides of the municipality and the
intervening neighborhoods and points of interest. The latter includes public facilities such as
parks and institutions, public services such as the U.S. Post Office and municipal complex, and
commercial and retail centers.
As planned, the trail will use
public land and public rightsof-ways and easements.
Where that is not possible, the
trail will use trail easements
secured on private properties.
Each of the private property
owners needed to complete
the trail have been part of the
planning process and have
offered consent to have the
trail pass through their parcel.
From the municipal
boundaries, the trail will link
to other regional and local
trails built or planned.
For this Plan, alternative trail corridors for the Core Connector have been evaluated for their
environmental suitability to permit the trail to be built and with minimal impact. Areas with
environmental and physical constraints such as floodplains, streams, wetlands, and steep slopes
have been avoided wherever possible. This routing not only makes the trail achievable and
feasible but less costly to construct and easier to obtain permits. Further, route selection
considering these factors will allow a substantial portion of the trail to be handicap accessible
meeting the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
i
The planning process included a
public participation component that
was valuable to the overall routing
and design. It included working
closely with a 12 member Study
Committee and representatives from
the neighborhoods and the key
property owners. Among the latter
were the Montgomery County
Community College and several
office parks (Union Meeting
Corporate Center, Arbor View,
Aetna) that border the trail corridor.
They and several organizations such
as the Wissahickon Valley Watershed
Association have become partners in
this effort which is essential to success in achieving the trail network.
In addition, the
proposed trail plan was discussed and reviewed in more than 15 public session and adjustments
made based on the input.
The trail plan is designed to provide a
variety of experiences for all age groups
and for multi-use. The trail will be a
minimum of 8 feet in width and hard
surfaced with accessible grades
wherever possible.
Multi-use is
considered pedestrian (e.g., walkers,
runners) and non-motorize vehicles
(e.g., bikes, strollers) which can share
the trail. Each section of the trail will
provide recreational opportunities,
options to commute and do errands,
chances to explore new places and
environments that have educational
value. By providing a convenient and
safe trail system, users will be
encouraged to use it rather than motorized vehicles. This change will reduce fuel use and air
pollution and have a positive economic impact with easy access to businesses in the
community.
ii
Following a detailed review of optional trail alignments, a preferred alignment was selected. It
is shown on the plans is Section 3 of this report and described in terms of three phases. Phase I
will run from the Wissahickon Creek (Green Ribbon Trail) through the Crossways Preserve to
the Montgomery County Community College. As Phase II, it will traverse the College campus
and enter the Crestline Road/Parkwood Drive neighborhood and connect to the municipal complex at Skippack Pike. The third phase (III) will connect the municipal complex, Wentz Run
Park, the office parks along Union Meeting and Jolly Roads, and Township Line Road, southern municipal boundary. The total length of the Core Connector Trail is approximately 4.8
miles with several short spur trails adding approximately an additional half mile. Most of the
trail (~70%) will be hard surface and multi-use. Longer trails options will be available as each
end of the Core Connector will link to planned and completed trails in neighboring Plymouth
Township (south) and Lower Gwynedd Township (north).
Implementation is expected to take place over time (several years) as funds are secured through
in-kind and volunteer services, grants, and municipal budgeting. Phasing is expected to be sequential beginning at Phase I as defined above, especially as some funding has been secured for
it. The estimate of construction costs in 2013 dollars is $380,000. Partners, including volunteers will be instrumental in achieving the ultimate goal of a completed Core Connector.
iii
Section 1: Introduction and Background
Whitpain Township has a long-standing goal to have a township-wide trail network which will
link neighborhoods to community facilities and open spaces. This goal was clearly articulated
in the Township Comprehensive Plan (2006), the Park and Recreation Plan 2020 (2003), and
the Township Open Space Preservation Plan 2005 Update. In the 2005 plan, the Township
adopted the phrase “Walkable Whitpain” to build strong community support for trails and
reduced vehicular traffic. Users are expected to be all age groups and those seeking recreation,
exercise, and exploration. Use of the trails will serve residents and many workers who travel to
the Township daily and who walk during break times. By offering off-road walking
opportunities, the experience is better and safer with reduced use of vehicles, less fuel use, and
less air pollution. The community and Board of Supervisors have been focused on
accomplishing these goal in phases to be implemented over time. Preparing an overall network
plan is the focus of the work funded, in part, by the PA DCNR (BRC-TAG-14-252).
The work on this project has been ongoing
since 2009 because of the large number of
property owners involved in granting
permission to allow the trail to cross private
lands. In that time period, there have been
numerous changes in property ownership
resulting in new rounds of education and
granting of permission.
The downturn
experienced since 2008 in the U.S. and local
economy has also impacted property values,
tax revenues, and municipal budgets.
In addition, a major property owner essential
to the network (Montgomery County
Community College) had a campus master
plan in process when this network plan was
begun and wished to complete that work
before exploring options for the trail to
access and cross through the campus. As a
result of a completed campus Master Plan in
2011, the College joined this effort and the
DCNR contract was amended to permit this
segment to be planned as part of the overall
network.
1
The proposed network of trails has been reviewed in detail for feasibility. The analysis
included an assessment of the physical attributes of the trail corridor and the selection of routes
that are most suitable to build and to use. Constrained areas were avoided wherever possible.
Legal feasibility also was assessed in terms of ownership and the ability to secure trail
easements where needed. As planned, the trail network will traverse public lands and private
properties lands were permission and agreements were agreed to by the owners.
2
Regional Context
Whitpain Township is located in south central Montgomery County bounded by Worcester,
East Norriton, Plymouth, Whitemarsh, Lower Gwynedd, Upper Gwynedd Townships and
Ambler Borough. The Township views the proposed trail network at both the local and
regional scales. Within its borders, the network is to connect neighborhoods with as many
points of interest as is feasible in a largely built-out community of suburban Philadelphia. The
points of interest were mapped and include: parks and preserved open spaces, the municipal
complex, private and public schools, shopping centers, small retail establishments, restaurants,
post office, library, churches, office complexes, and a public airfield. The main trail known as
the Core Connector Trail will connect Township Line Road (South) and Township Line Road
(North). The Core Connector will link to a second cross township trail near the south boundary
that will follow Narcissa Road connecting to the existing Wissahickon Valley Watershed
Association Green Ribbon Trail. The end result is a large loop trail that will be connected to
adjacent municipal trails built and planned. These are shown on the overall trail map using a
recent aerial photograph as the base in Section 2.
On the regional scale, the Township network will be connected directly to the Wissahickon
Valley Green Ribbon Trail (shown in green) that follows the Creek. This trail is identified by
Montgomery County in the County Comprehensive Plan (2004) as a “Primary Trail” in the
County Trail Network. The Core Connector will also link to the Liberty Bell Trail (shown in
red) and the Route 202 Trail (shown in purple). The former will connect 23 municipalities in
two counties. The latter will connect Norristown, the Montgomery County seat to Doylestown,
the Bucks County seat. As with the local network, these regional trails are shown on the map at
the end of Section 2.
3
Goals for the Trail Network
The following goals were established during the initial stages of the project:
Connect neighborhoods and community assets
Provide an alternative to motorized vehicles to easily reach places in the community
Encourage trail use for a healthier population, recreation, and reduced air pollution
Make the trail experience safe for all age groups
Route the trail to provide a variety of experiences
The Planning Process
Preparation of this trail plan has utilized a deliberate process that has built upon the previous
open space plans, solicited opinions and feedback from members of the public and a Project
Study Committee representing broad community interests, and explored in detail trail alignment
options. Community stakeholders were interviewed for opinions about trail types, locations,
and needs. Many of them were business and property owners, institutions, and conservation
groups. The largest challenges were crossing of private property
Public Participation
Public participation was an essential
and valued component of the
process.
The Project Study
Committee with 12 members and
the Trail Subcommittee of the
Township’s Park with five members
guided the work and decisions.
Appointed members represented
various constituents of the
community. The plan and findings
of the study were presented to and
reviewed by members of the Study
Committee in 17 advertised public
meetings. In the latter part of the
s t ud y, Mont gom ery C ount y
Community College became an active participant. They formed a campus Study Committee
representing academia, administration, security and safety, and public relationship. Comments
from the two study committee members and the public were used to revise the trail plan
options. The Trail Network Plan was also presented to the Township Board of Supervisors in a
regular public meeting. Final revisions were made based on input from the Supervisor’s
meeting. A list of meetings is included in the appendix of this document.
4
Demand and Potential Uses & Users
The demand for more trails and a network that connects neighborhoods and places of interest
has been publically discussed with increasing support since the year 2003 when the Township
Park and Recreation Plan 2020 was prepared. Residents and workers who come daily to office
parks in the Township are seeking passive recreation opportunities and in some cases
alternative ways to commute or reach places of interest without use of a motorized vehicle.
The expanding user profile will include walkers, runners, hikers, bicyclists, and stroller
pushers where surface treatments permit.
To help meet this demand, the proposed trail network plan has been created to connect
neighborhoods to each other and to the many features in the Township and neighboring
municipalities. The latter includes public facilities (e.g., library, post office), schools, and
commercial/retail establishments. Evidence that new facilities attract users is apparent from
the high level of use that Wentz Run Park has gotten since its opening and development.
Besides use of the recreational
facilities (e.g., tennis courts,
playground, soccer fields), the trails
within the park are used every day by
residents and local workers who seek
places to walk and run before and
after work, as well as during lunch
time breaks.
On a daily basis,
workers from the adjacent office
complexes along Union Meeting Road
walk to and within the park. A better
pedestrian connection between these
uses, as proposed, will increase use
and users.
A complete and improved trail
network will enhance walkability. When trails are convenient to reach, safe, and offer suitable
surfaces that are uniform, mud-free, and generally dry, the number and diversity of users
rises. The proposed network plan indicates routes that meet these walkability objectives.
Wherever possible, the trails will be handicap accessible and in accordance with the 1990
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
Where this is not possible in limited sections due to unavoidable site conditions (e.g., steep
slopes), comparable experience will be provided in other segments of the network.
5
Besides the positive impacts of recreational opportunities and reducing vehicle miles driven,
use of the trail network is expected to have a positive economic impact on the local economy.
The trail plan purposely connects to retail and commercial centers within the Township. By
making these connections from neighbors, customers are offered a safe route by foot or bicycle
to places where they make purchases of goods and services. Trips to do regular errands
supports the businesses with the associated benefits of healthful exercise and reduced fuel use
and air pollution. Reduced mitigation costs for fuel production and pollution reduction has
economic benefits on a more regional basis.
6
Section 2: Mapping and Alternative Alignments
A project base map for the Township and the immediate adjacent municipalities was prepared
using a recent aerial photograph.
Points of Interest
This sheet at various scales was used to identify those community points of interest and the
neighborhoods to be connected by trails. The map referenced above and on the following page
shows with graphic symbols the following:
Whitpain Township Municipal Complex
Wentz Run Park
West Side Park
West Side Courts
Stony Creek Sports Park
Prophecy Creek Park
Wissahickon Valley Library
Blue Bell Post Office
Stony Creek Elementary School
St Helena’s Church and School
Shady Grove School
Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell Elementary School
Epiphany of Our Lord Church/School
Boehms Reformed Church
Silver Springs Martin Luther
Tiferet Bet Israel
St. Johns Church
Reformation Church of Blue Bell
Whitpain Shopping Center
Broad Axe Center
Center Square
Blue Bell Inn
Permanent Open Spaces (Walbridge Farm, Armentrout Preserve, Camp Woods
Preserve, Briar Hill Preserve, Crossways Preserve)
7
Regional Map Pocket
8
Environmental Analysis - Trail
Selecting alignment options and the
preferred route was directed by the
environmental conditions within the trail
corridor and land use/ownership as
indicated above regarding legal
feasibility. The base maps prepared for
the evaluation included recent aerial
photographs, site features (e.g.,
floodplains, wetlands, topography)
available from the State database, and
multiple field visits.
Each of the
potential alignments was investigated in
the field, and adjustments made to select
the most suitable route. The criteria
included the avoidance of physically
constrained areas such as steep slopes, wetlands, floodplains wherever possible. Where these
areas ere found to be unavoidable such as a stream crossing, the least impact solution was
selected. For example, in the case of a stream crossing, the narrowest portion was selected and
the least impact methods for crossing recommended. The latter included use of footbridges,
boardwalks on elevated pilings, and permanent stepping stones. Trail surfaces are to be limited
to natural materials and compacted surfaces where feasible (e.g., compacted stone, woodchip).
Additional criteria included special environments and features such as a State championship
tree, streams, lowland and upland woodlands, meadows, and vistas. By reaching different
environments, the trail user is exposed to a variety of experiences from shady wetland woods to
sunny native grass meadows. This diversity also provides educational value.
9
Trail Plan Criteria
The Core Connector Trail is shown between Township Line Road North and South in yellow.
Wherever possible, the trail options traversed property owned by Whitpain Township or the
East Norriton-Plymouth-Whitpain Joint Sewer Authority and as a secondary choice within the
public road rights-of-way. Use of sidewalks along the roadways was limited to locations where
no other options were available with
the goal of providing a nicer and varied
t rail experi ence.
Alt ernati ve
alignments were explored through each
of the private properties including
Arbor View (Copt), Aetna, Union
Meeting Corporate Center (REIT),
PECO, Henkel & McCoy, Montgomery
County Community College (MCCC),
Reformation Church of Blue Bell, and
Crossways Preserve (WVWA). For the
private properties, alternative routes
were mapped and meetings held to
review the options and secure
agreements for the trail and public use.
Trail widths were established at a minimum of 8 feet. Where possible, trail segments were
planned for hard surface and handicap accessible grades and multi-use. Multi-use is
considered pedestrians (e.g., walkers, runners) and non-motorized vehicles (e.g., bikes,
strollers) which can share the trail and can pass on it. The final alignment (described below)
has some sections that cannot meet the accessible requirements, although comparable
experiences are achievable from the accessible portions.
10
Section 3: Preferred Alignment – Core Connector Trail
The Core Connector Trail will link the north and south sides of the Township and 10 or more
neighborhoods with ready access to the trail network. The length of the Core Connector will be
approximately 25,530 linear feet. It will be a combination of hard surface trails (asphalt),
sidewalk segments (concrete), soft trails (woodchipped, limestone), and boardwalks/footbridges
(recycled lumber).
Most of the trail will be designed for multi-purpose use. The Township defines that as
sufficiently wide and hard surfaced to allow walkers, joggers, runners, stroller pushers, and bike
riders. An 8-foot width is the minimum to allow these users to pass and is the minimum width
that Montgomery County has funded previously with open space funds. In cases where
sidewalk segments must be used and are sufficiently wide for pedestrians, bicycles will be
accommodated under a share the road configuration.
The Core Connector is described below and as three phases. The Township complex
(administrative office, police, park) is the approximate center of the network. Phase I is shown
from the Wissahickon Creek (opposite Penllyn Woods) to the Morris Road/Cathcart Road
intersection (Crossways Preserve). Phase II will be from Cathcart Road/Morris Road
intersection (Community College) to Skippack Pike/Wentz Road (Township complex). Phase
III will be from Township Line Road (South) to the Skippack Pike/Wentz Road intersection
(Township complex). These are shown on the maps that follow.
11
Trail Phases (maps on pages 17-19)
Phase I (Wissahickon Creek to Morris Road/Cathcart Road)
Phase I will begin at the Wissahickon Creek
on land owned by the Wissahickon Valley
Watershed Association (WVWA). Under a
separate (Montgomery County) funding
program, a footbridge will be installed by
neighboring Lower Gwynedd Township
crossing the Creek. The trail will proceed
west (~500 feet) on a soft trail in this region
because it will lie within the Wissahickon
Creek floodplain.
If funding becomes
available in the future, this section of trail
may be converted to a low boardwalk. The
soft trail will extend (~200 feet) over a North
Wales Water Company easement that links
to the terminus of Township Line Road (North). The easement is kept clear of vegetation, and
an agreement has been established to permit the trail. From this point, the trail will share the
public road shoulder to the intersection with Plymouth Road, a distance of approximately 1,460
feet. This stretch of Township Line Road is very low traffic volume serving only a few homes.
The trail will cross Plymouth Road at the
intersection which is controlled by a 4-way STOP
and follow a woodland strip (~240 feet) along the
north side of the road. An easement has been
established with the property owner for a soft trail.
The trail will cross the road to the south side and
continue in the Crossways Preserve. The Preserve
is owned by the WVWA and a trail easement has
been established with the property owner. Within
the Preserve, most of the trail (~2,850 feet) will
meander through the meadows and woodland to the
Morris Road/Cathcart Road intersection. Trailhead
parking will be provided from Cathcart Road.
Funding to establish a future limestone surface for
this segment was committed to by Montgomery
County in 2012. The trail will be a minimum of 8
feet in width to be multi-use. The Core Connector
Trail Phase I will end at this intersection. The trail
will be continued across Morris Road to Phase II via
an existing pedestrian activated traffic light.
12
Phase II (Morris Road/Cathcart Road to Skippack Pike/Wentz Road)
Core Connector Trail Phase II will begin at the corner Montgomery County Community
College (MCCC) land and proceed southwest within and along the east and south edges of the
campus. Trailhead parking will be available in the large parking lot near the Morris Road/
Cathcart Road corner. The trail (~4,850 feet) will be hard surface (asphalt) and a minimum of 8
feet wide to be multi-use.
Although not part of the Core
Connector Trail, additional
spur and loop trails are
proposed for the campus.
Their purpose is to provide
ready access to the Core
Connector Trail and to other
areas of the campus with
special points of interest for
academic use and recreation.
These are indicated on the
campus trail plan in the
appendix of this document.
The trail will leave the MCCC campus and enter the adjacent neighborhood to the southwest.
There is insufficient road right-of-way to continue the trail beyond the road edge, and there are
no sidewalks. The cartways of these residential streets are wide (26 feet). As this
neighborhood has generally low traffic volume and limited to local travel with no “thru route”
options, the trail will be a share-the-road condition. The trail will use Crestline Road a short
distance and turn on Hunter Road and Parkwood Drive to Skippack Pike. The distance will be
approximately 2,670 feet, and the route will be marked by simple signage and pavement arrows.
Phase II will terminate at the Skippack Pike/Parkwood Drive corner and allow crossing via the
pedestrian controlled traffic light.
13
Phase III (Township Line Road South to Skippack Pike/Wentz Road)
From the south Township boundary, the
trail will follow the west side of Union
Meeting Road. It will be set back from the
road (~10-20 feet) for safety and a better
user experience and will follow land
owned by Copt (~675 feet). It will cross
onto Township land and continue (~1,040
feet) until it crosses back onto land owned
by Copt for a short distance (~370 feet).
Beyond the Copt property, the trail will
enter land owned by PECO Energy for
approximately 1,035 feet before linking to
sidewalk. The trail will use the 5-foot wide sidewalk (~470 feet) with a share-the-road
arrangement for bicycles where it will reach the signalized intersection of Union Meeting Road
and Jolly Road. Agreements have been established with the property owners (Copt and PECO).
On the north side of Jolly Road, the trail will continue on sidewalk with share-the-road
provision to the Reformation Church of Blue Bell, an historic site (~2,500 feet). A short spur
trail (~230 feet) will continue along the frontage of the church property to a point opposite
Hoover Road where a pedestrian crossing will be installed to provide access to that large
adjacent neighborhood.
At the church driveway, the trail will
also turn northwest through the
parking lot and enter the Union
Meeting Corporate Center (office
complex) where it will follow the
north property boundary to the rear of
the complex.
Along this length
(~1,800 feet), it will be within the
existing woodland buffered from the
office buildings and associated
parking lots to the south and the
residences to the north. The trail will
be a soft trail. An agreement has
been established with REIT for this
segment.
At the end of the office complex, the trail will split providing 1) a link trail to the office park, 2)
a spur trail, and 3) continuation of the Core Connector. The office park link along Harvest
Drive will provide ready access for office occupants to the Core Connector Trail using existing
sidewalks (~1,460 feet) and a short stretch of new trail (~490 feet). The short stretch requires
an easement from REIT which has been offered.
14
The spur trail (~2,900 feet) will be a natural/soft trail and provide access to some special areas
and features. Among those are a State champion Pignut Hickory tree and a PECO Energy
meadow in the right-of-way (r-o-w). Beyond (west of) the utility r-o-w, a loop trail (~1,400
feet) at the end of the spur trail will encircle the tree, and the PECO easement may be used to
provide a direct access to the regional trails noted above. The spur trail will require an
easement from REIT (~1,050 feet) and from PECO (~300 feet). These easements have been
offered to the Township. The remainder of the spur trail will be on Sewer Authority land on
which an easement has been secured.
The Core Connector will continue to the northeast to Wentz Run Park and the municipal
complex. It will be a natural/soft trail with some sections of low elevation boardwalk in wet
areas and permanent stepping stones across Stony Creek (East Branch). Prior to the park, the
trail divides offering two different routes allowing for more diverse experiences. The trail will
proceed informally through the park and municipal complex on a hard surface trail to the
intersection of Wentz Run Road and Skippack Pike. This point is the terminus of Phase III.
The trail will cross at the pedestrian activated traffic light and connect with Phase II described
above. It is noted that the park and municipal complex will provide trailhead parking for users
to use the Core Connector Trail either direction.
15
The total trail length of the Core Connector excluding the spur trail and office park link is
approximately 25,530 linear feet (4.8 miles). The spur trail to the State champion tree will add
2,950 linear feet (0.5 mile). The additional trails at the Community College and the link to the
Union Meeting Corporate Center (Harvest Drive) will contribute additional length connected to
the Core Connector Trail. The trail lengths based on type, width, and surface are summarized
below.
Hard Surface
(asphalt, stone, boardwalk)
17,950 linear feet (70%)
Sidewalk
3,200 linear feet (13%)
Soft Trail
4,380 linear feet (17%)
16
Overall Map
17
North
18
South
19
Section 4: Implementation
Phased Development
Implementation will require a number of steps. Final design, engineering and cost estimates
will be required for sections of the trail not in place today. That is most of the length except
where sidewalks and shoulders will be utilized. Funding will need to be secured for
construction and will likely come from a variety of sources including grants, donations, and
municipal budgeting. Estimates of the cost based on length and surface types are noted below.
Prior to construction, some permitting will be required where the trail will cross sensitive areas
such as wetlands and floodplain. As most of the trail will not be located in sensitive areas, the
permitting should not be extensive.
Formal agreements for trail easements and public access over private lands will need to be
formalized with the various property owners where that has not previously been accomplished.
The goal for easements will be donations, but there may be some fees required for such rights.
It is expected that the trail network will be completed in a number of phases over many years.
For planning and budgeting purposes, it is assumed to be in three phases and as shown of the
map that follows. At this time, it is not clear which sections will be undertaken first. As
County funds have been identified for what is called Phase I above and on the phasing map, it is
likely that this segment will be first and possibly within the next 1-3 years. If the Community
College can secure funding, the trail through the College would be a logical next step as its
completion to the Parkwood/Crestline Drive neighborhood would complete Phase II to the
municipal complex. This segment may also be completed in 1-3 years. It is also possible that
portions of Phase III could be undertaken within a similar timeframe, in particular, the soft trails
beyond Wentz Park and the hard trail link from the municipal complex to Skippack Pike which
are on public land. These sections may be completed by Township labor and/or volunteers.
The remainder of Phase III connecting the office park and Township Line Road South will
likely follow.
20
Phasing Map
21
Partners
Building and maintaining the trail will require longterm partnerships. Whitpain Township will assume a
lead role in implementing the plan and maintaining
the network. Implementation responsibility will
include fundraising, budgeting, design/engineering,
and bidding. Trail segments on public land and
rights-of-way will likely be maintained by the
Township and volunteers under Township direction.
Except for sidewalk sections, trails are generally not
expected to be plowed to remove snow. Snow
covered trails offer winter recreational opportunities
(e.g., cross-country skiing). It is recommended that a
“Friends of the Trail Network” be established with
members and replacement members over time.
Where the trail will cross private properties, implementation may also be shared by the property
owners and possibly some funding or match funding. With private lands, easement agreements
should address maintenance obligations which may be with the owner or shared with the
Township and volunteers. These owners are and will continue to be key partners. Partners with
the Township will include: Montgomery County Community College, Wissahickon Valley
Watershed Association, Municipal Joint Sewer Authority, PECO Energy, Lower Gwynedd
Township, Copt, Union Meeting Corporate Center, Township Park & Open Space Board/Trail
Subcommittee, Friends Group, among others.
Security on the trails will be achieved largely by use and users and to a lesser degree some
police patrolling on bicycles. Among the most effective means of security and policing is “eyes
on the trail” provided by regular use. Trail identification and location signage will allow
emergency calls to be made for help.
Signage
Signage will be used for trail identification, including
locations for emergency aid, and for way finding.
Trail heads and parking will be marked where
offered such as the municipal complex and the
Community College.
All signage should be
consistent in image and design as the sign package
used in the Township today (e.g., Narcissa Road
Trail, Prophecy Creek Park). Signage locations will
be determined at the design stage.
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Estimated Construction Costs
The following costs are preliminary numbers (2013 dollars) and based on the lengths and
assumed surface types for the proposed Core Connector Trail, Phases I, II, and III.
Hard Trail
$ 275,000*
Bridge/Boardwalk
$ 45,000
Soft/Natural Trail
$ 14,000
Stone Trail
$ 22,000
Pavement Paint
$ 12,000
Signage
$ 10,000
Total Estimate
$ 380,000
* Includes the “thru” trail on the MCCC campus; other trails in the campus system are
additional costs.
Trail maintenance by Whitpain Township is estimated to be $10,250 per year, including
municipal labor, materials, and contracted services, plus volunteer assistance. Portions of the
trail not on public land will be maintained by the property owner at their cost and with
volunteers.
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