The Latest News from PA Chapter of APA…
Countywide Trail Planning: From Concept to Implementation
January 7 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
This presentation will be an overview of the trail planning process from its earliest stages of initial concept through the preparation of feasibility studies, master plans, design documentation, construction and long-term maintenance. Specific areas of focus will include successful public engagement techniques, elements to look for and address when determining trail alignments and working with partners to secure funding for all trail development phases. Other elements to be addressed within the presentation include selecting the appropriate trail typology/design standard for the proposed use; preparing capital development plans; seeking/leveraging grant funds; and identifying and budgeting for the needs of long-term maintenance. The presentation will be based on recent work done by Chester County demonstrating how these principles translate into the real world. Over the last decade, Chester County completed a series of trail plans that built a foundation for investment in its public trail network. The presentation feature examples of how these plans, including The Chester Valley Trail – Extension to Downingtown Feasibility Study/Master Plan, The Chester Valley Trail West – Feasibility Study/Master Plan, the Southern Chester County Circuit Trail Feasibility Study, and the Chester County Trails Master Plan are paving the way toward advancing many miles of new public trails throughout the county.
Deadline to register is January 6.
Let’s Get Weird This New Year’s Eve in Pennsylvania Downtowns
By Bill Arrowood, PA Downtown Center
As the field services staff for a statewide organization that helps communities find their narrative as a tool for revitalization, I have the entire Commonwealth as my territory, and I get a unique window into so many quirky community events—including some real oddities like the brand new statue to Chef Boyardee in Milton or the Carbon-alien Festival in Carbondale—that make each place so special.
As we approach the end of a challenging year, it’s a good time to look on the lighter side at the bounty of wonderfully weird celebrations across the Commonwealth, distinguished by the often bizarre things that they drop, (or raise) to ring in the New Year. Why all the odd objects? Each reflects something distinctive about its town—whether its industry, local culture, or a historical nod. In fact, Pennsylvania holds the crown for the most varied set of New Year’s Eve drops of any U.S. state.
Some are historic, like the War of the Roses, where York and Lancaster drop illuminated White or Red Roses, and some are pretty on the nose, like Mechanicsburg’s wrench and Shippensburg’s anchor. We have a whole subcategory of candy-based drops, including Hershey (giant Kiss) and Bethlehem (giant marshmallow Peep). Rural Perry County has gone all-in with four different celebrations: New Bloomfield drops a huckleberry; Duncannon, a sled; Blain, a (wooden) cow from a silo; and Liverpool, on the Susquehanna, has dropped a canal boat.
But for my money, I love the truly bizarre ones with a story to tell. Here are my favorites for sheer weirdness:
- Carlisle– A giant ‘Hotchee’ Chili-cheese Dog.
- Dillsburg– what else.. not one but two giant pickles with drops at 7 p.m. and midnight.
- Kennett “Mushroom Capital of the World” Square– a glistening steel mushroom
- Lebanon– drops a 100lb bologna that is then carved up to share with attendees
- Lower Allen drops their ‘yellow breeches’ in honor of the namesake creek that runs through the town.
- A tip of the cap in Gettysburg– with the raising of Abe Lincoln’s Top Hat
- Like many folks will that night, Pottsville– home of the nation’s oldest brewery, raises a bottle of Yuengling
There are so many more, including lumps of coal, shoes, bags of potato chips, beavers and even ping pongs, so check your local calendars and start the New Year with your own local celebration and keep it weird—and authentic—all year long.
A Planner’s Reason to Celebrate Snow: Sneckdowns
By Betsy Logan, AICP
Looking for an inexpensive way to determine where traffic calming measures can be installed in your community? Sneckdowns may offer a solution. Combining the words snow and neckdowns, sneckdowns are the unused area of streets where snow accumulates along curbs, intersections, and travel lanes, revealing where travel movements are not occurring. These natural snow patterns illustrate excess road space, highlighting areas for infrastructure improvement.
These unused areas can serve as guidelines for future traffic calming measures and enhancements. Pedestrian refuge spaces can be created by adding medians. Narrowing automobile travel lanes provides space for bike lanes. Extended curbs can reduce pedestrian crossing distances or form small public plazas. Sneckdowns are nature’s planning tool, allowing communities to reimagine their streetscapes to prioritize safety, accessibility, and livability while saving costs for implementation instead of design.
Planning Webcast Series
Earn over 50 AICP CM credits each year online – at no cost to members of participating organizations that support the Planning Webcast Series. Check back often as we frequently add additional offerings.
- Webcasts take place live on Fridays from 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET and are worth 1.5 AICP CM credits (for live viewing only) unless otherwise noted
- On-demand webcasts are available for your convenience in the ‘On-Demand Webcasts‘ tab above
- Webcast recordings and slide decks are available in the ‘Past Webcasts’ tab below
- Please contact us for transcription assistance.
- More information is available online.
Opportunities for Giving
Each year the Chapter offers a scholarship to support individuals seeking funds for academic degree programs, internships, and professional development activities. If anyone would like to contribute to the Chapters Scholarship fund donations can be made online. We accept all major credit cards, and you can also send a check. Please make your check payable to “PA Chapter of APA Scholarship Fund” and mail it to P.O. Box 4680, Harrisburg, PA 17111.
Communication and Membership Committee
We are looking for volunteers to contribute articles for our monthly E-News. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact us.
Healthy Communities in PA’s Latest Geek Out Presentation
By Rebecca Wetzler
Healthy Communities in PA (HCIPA) would like to share our most recent geek out presentation, which was held on December 2nd. It featured Daniel Paschall, the Mid-Atlantic Manager of the East Coast Greenway Alliance. He spoke about the East Coast Greenway: a walking and biking trail linking cities and towns from Maine to Florida. The presentation is less than 15 minutes long. Check it out here.