Latest news with #Greenways
Irish Independent
12-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Farmers will oppose any severance of farms or compulsory purchase orders for SLNCR greenway
These were raised at a meeting with officials from Leitrim and Sligo County Councils as well as ARUP Project Consultants in Sligo last week. In a joint statement, the Chair of Sligo IFA Michael O'Dowd and Leitrim IFA Chair Liam Gilligan said the IFA made it very clear that Greenway projects like the SLNCR should maximise the use of public lands and minimise the impact on private lands, in line with the Government Strategy for the Future Development of Greenways and the Greenways Code of Best Practice. 'This is clearly not the case with the proposed Sligo/Leitrim Greenway as the vast majority of the lands on the emerging proposed route are not public or state-owned lands and is in fact farmland as confirmed to IFA by the Project Consultants. This is unacceptable and extremely challenging for the landowners.' The Sligo and Leitrim IFA County Chairs made it very clear to the project promoters that IFA is opposed to any severance of farms or compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for amenity projects like Greenways. Sligo IFA Chair Michael O'Dowd said 'The IFA pointed out to the County Councils that the proposed emerging preferred corridor for the Sligo/Leitrim Greenway will predominantly take private lands and have the potential to sever and divide a large number of the farms and this is totally unacceptable. Severance and division of farms will not work and must be reviewed by the Councils'. Leitrim IFA Chair Liam Gilligan said the proposed emerging corridor put forward by the Councils at the meeting is to follow the old railway route. However, in practice farmers now farm and use most of the land where the abandoned railway line was. The reality is this is no longer a rail line and is now part of active farms and may include houses and farmyards. Some farmers have registered their ownership of the land where the railway line previously ran. Liam Gilligan said, 'the old, abandoned railway line is long gone, and this land is now active farmland, with some in private ownership, making it unsuitable for a Greenway'. He encouraged all farmers along the proposed emerging route of the old railway to check out the ownership situation and if they need to register their ownership, they should take steps to do so. As part of the Code of Practice for Greenways, project promoters can contribute a sum of €750 plus Vat towards the vouched legal fees incurred by farmers in regularising their title to the standard required. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more IFA made a submission to the Councils previously on the Greenway highlighting a number of additional farmer concerns including privacy, safety and security, anti-social behaviour, litter, animal disease and wildlife, and other issues. Representatives from ARUP and both county councils updated the IFA on the project and the emerging preferred corridor, which is up to 200m wide. Over the next 18 months, the project promoters will be working to reduce the design of the corridor down to 8-10m wide. It is the intention to apply for planning permission in Q1/Q2 2027. Currently the project is on public consultation number three, which is set to close on May 27th. Over the next 12 to 18 months the project promoters have said they will engage closely with all landowners. The IFA said it is very important that farmers and landowners clearly outline their views, objections and concerns about the Greenway during the current consultation and also in direct contact with the project promoters. The web site for the project is Michael O' Dowd and Liam Gilligan said the meeting provided a good opportunity for the IFA to outline the serious concerns of farmers and also provided the project team with an in-depth understanding of the fears and concerns of farmers regarding the proposed Greenway and how it could impact very significantly on their property and businesses. Leitrim County Council, in partnership with Sligo County Council, Cavan County Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, under the auspices of transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Department for Infrastructure (Dfl) are developing the Sligo, Leitrim, Northern counties Railway (SLNCR) Greenway. The proposed project is to provide a Greenway from Sligo town to Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, passing through Ballysadare, Collooney, Ballintogher, Dromahair, Manorhamilton, Glenfarne, Blacklion, Belcoo and Letterbreen on the way.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What is the missing link in a walking and bike trail completely around OKC?
Oklahoma City residents have much to be proud of — especially our expansive multiuse trail system developed over the past 40 years. These trails serve runners, walkers and cyclists alike, promoting health, connectivity and an enhanced quality of life. Each year, more than a million people of all ages enjoy the trails surrounding Lake Hefner. More: OKC's Deep Fork Trail future in question as nature preserve seeks to change its route In 1985 the city hired Charles Flink and his company, Greenways, to develop a comprehensive multiuse trail master plan. This vision was reaffirmed just a few years ago by Bike Walk OKC. Today, nearly all of that original plan has been completed—except for one crucial segment: the Deep Fork Trail in northeast Oklahoma City. This unfinished portion runs east of Bishop McGuinness High School and is designed to connect directly to the Katy Trail. The Deep Fork Trail is 60% complete. Phase 2 crosses the far north side of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund's land that they call the Red Ridge Nature Preserve. For over a year, the city has had no success in acquiring a 12-foot-wide permanent easement to build the trail. This narrow strip would only require about an acre of their 133 acres. For the many wanting this trail completed as designed by the trail master plan, it is hard to understand why the Kirkpatrick Family Fund would not allow access to this easement. Phase 2 is funded; however, an alternative route — requiring a river crossing — would cost taxpayers millions of dollars more and would lack funding. Red Ridge has stated their fear is that the trail would prevent wildlife from accessing the river. That fear is unfounded. Any one using our trails frequently encounter wildlife. Our miles of completed trails are compatible with wildlife. Unfortunately, the Deep Fork River has tons of garbage and bacteria that could be lethal to animals. Interstate 44 is just across the river along with a deer hunting camp. In short, the river contains multiple threats to wildlife. The Oklahoma City Trail Advisory Committee has been working for many years on our trails. Recently, at our March 14 meeting, all members unanimously supported the Deep Fork Trail completion according to the Trail Master Plan. My trail advocacy began in the early 1980s. I have been greatly inspired by two men: Dick Coyle, who founded the Oklahoma City Trail Advisory Committee, and Bert Cooper. Cooper primarily worked to build the trails around Lake Hefner. The city recognized his dedication by naming them the Bert Cooper Trails. Both men strongly supported the trail's master plan and its design. John Kirkpatrick was a family friend. He was a visionary and generously benefited our city. I sincerely believe if John were alive today, he would welcome the completion of the Deep Fork Trail across his land. Myself and many trail users desperately hope the Deep Fork Trail will soon be complete. We believe that if the Kirkpatrick Family Fund had a change of heart, it would be doing the Greater Good. Present and future generations would hold them in gratitude. Hal McKnight is an Oklahoma City resident who is a member of the Oklahoma City Trails Advisory Committee. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Only one gap remains in a 40-year-long OKC trail project | Opinion
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Archbald scales back mine relic restoration to meet budget
Archbald will scale back some of its restoration plans for a mine relic at the end of Laurel Street after construction bids came in well over budget. Borough officials met with members of the Gravity Slope Colliery Committee on Monday to go over plans for Archbald's Gravity Slope Oil House Renovation Project amid efforts to bring down construction costs to restore the former oil storage building, borough Manager Dan Markey said. In recent years, the borough and its colliery committee have explored restoring three buildings that were once part of the long-defunct Gravity Slope Colliery. Built in 1913, the colliery operated until 1955 when the Delaware and Hudson Coal Co. closed it due to excessive mine flooding, according to an Archbald Borough Historical Society infographic. Although coal miners have not used the facilities in 70 years, three brick buildings remain at the end of Laurel Street near the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail's Laurel Street Trailhead: a former oil storage building, a 'shifting shanty' where miners changed clothes and a 'fan house' that circulated air into the mines. * The former coal miners' shifting shanty on Laurel Street near the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in Archbald. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * The former coal miners' shifting shanty on Laurel Street near the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in Archbald. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * The Gravity Slope Colliery Oil House on Laurel Street in Archbald. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * The former coal miners' shifting shanty on Laurel Street near the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in Archbald. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Show Caption 1 of 4 The former coal miners' shifting shanty on Laurel Street near the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in Archbald. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand The borough eventually wants to restore all three buildings, with one building potentially housing adaptive bicycles as part of a partnership with the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, which gave Archbald an easement for a parking lot near the mine buildings. Last week, borough council voted to table a motion to award Archbald-based Stafursky Paving Co. Inc. with a $367,495 contract to restore the oil house, which exceeded Archbald's grant funding for the project, Markey said. However, the borough worked with Stafursky, which was the lowest responsible bidder, to bring down construction costs to $276,220, he said, explaining council is now expected to vote on the contract during its March meeting. Archbald has a $235,000 grant through the state's Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, which requires a 15% match from the borough, though the borough committed to about a 23% match, he said. The colliery committee also raised around $15,000, Markey said. The restoration project was initially supposed to include adding a metal roof, new windows, new doors, connecting water and sewer utilities, and constructing a small addition on a concrete pad behind the building that will house bathrooms and a wheelchair-accesible entrance, as well as adding a gravel parking lot with paved Americans with Disabilities Act parking spaces. The scaled-back work removes some minor foundation repairs, the roof replacement and the window replacement, Markey said. The borough will also restore the grass around the building on its own rather than using a contractor, Markey said, noting they could do additional work in later phases or if the town gets an in-kind donation. Markey credited Stafursky with essentially contributing an in-kind donation due to the low cost of the work compared to other bidders, whose bids ranged from $503,406 to $693,000. During Monday's meeting, council members sought clarity from the colliery committee on how they would like to use the restored oil house, Markey said. Previous ideas ranged from a coffee shop to bike rentals. The committee now wants to get the building up to code to get a certificate of occupancy, and then the borough will advertise the building for a lease, with whoever leases the building paying to build it to suit their needs, Markey said. 'So if it's going to be a coffee shop … then they can invest the money to put that stuff in,' he said. The addition of a business at the oil house will enhance the LHVA's trailhead, said Director of Operations Owen Worozbyt. Worozbyt hopes to use the Laurel Street Trailhead as a 'full service trailhead,' tying into the LHVA's nearby platform for events and ADA-accessible fishing pier along the Lackawanna River. To further improve accessibility, Worozbyt said the LHVA has spent the past eight years working with disability advocacy group Individual Abilities in Motion — or I Am for short — to provide trail users with adaptive hand cycles and recumbent bikes for free. Although it's mostly based in Scranton, they take the bikes to different locations, including Archbald, he said. Storing those bikes at one of the mine buildings would improve the logistics, Worozbyt said. If council does award the project to Stafursky Paving Co. Inc. next month, Markey anticipates construction wrapping up by late fall.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DCNR invites public comment to shape vision for outdoor recreation
Feb. 8—Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn this week announced a series of webinars and an open opportunity for people to share their thoughts on ways to improve and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania. The public will be able to comment on a draft of the 2025-2029 Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) from Feb. 3 through March 3. An online public input form is available on DCNR's website, and webinars on the five priority areas for the 2025-2029 SCORP will be conducted during this period. "This plan is critical for the future of outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania, and I encourage those interested to share perspectives to help us design more people-focused initiatives for the future," Secretary Dunn said. "Outdoor recreation delivers huge benefits for all of us — from driving local economies, to helping us lead healthy, active lifestyles. We all need outdoor recreation in our lives, and this plan makes recommendations on how we can make it accessible to everyone." Priority areas in the five-year plan and their related webinar dates are: —Promoting Community and Economic Development, Feb. 3, 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m. —Advancing Health and Wellness, Feb. 5, 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m. Supporting Equity and Inclusion — February 10 — 12:00 PM — 12:30 PM — Register —Addressing Infrastructure and Maintenance, Feb. 12, 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m. —Progressing on Sustainability and Climate Change, Feb. 19. 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m. Every five years, states must develop a comprehensive outdoor recreation plan to guide policies, programs, and investments while remaining eligible for federal funding. SCORP enables Pennsylvania to remain eligible for federal grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has provided more than $216 million since 1965 to fund projects. Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation industry contributes $19 billion to the Commonwealth's economy, represents 2 percent of its GDP, and supports more than 68,000 jobs that provide $9 billion in wages and salaries. Lackawanna River Heritage Trail benefits from $37,051 state grant The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority recently was awarded a $37,051 grant by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, announced state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski. The authority will use the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program funds for construction and engineering costs to close a critical gap in the established Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, located in Dickson City Borough. The plan is to develop a new, multi-use 0.5-mile trail section in Dickson City. Activities include installing a wall system, fencing, and trees along the corridor to separate industrial areas from the trail, installing benches, trash/recycling stations, an asphalt path, and signage. "This project will create an important recreational and transportation corridor along the Lackawanna River starting at Railroad Street in Dickson City and continuing north to Eagle Lane," said Kosierowski, D-Waverly. "We were able to secure the funding by collaborating with Sen. Marty Flynn, and I would like to thank the CFA board for approving the grant." Natural gas drilling fees under the Marcellus Legacy Fund supply the CFA with funds for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects. PGC: Pheasants to be released next week Pheasant hunters, don't put away your gear just yet. The Pennsylvania Game Commission will be releasing approximately 8,400 pheasants, mostly hens, to provide additional hunting recreation in the last two weeks of pheasant season, which runs through Feb. 28. "The Game Commission purchases the pheasant chicks raised on our game farms from a private sector supplier," said Wildlife Operations Division Chief Ian Gregg. "During the 2024 production season, we requested our supplier to raise additional pheasants to be held through the fall and early winter as an 'insurance policy' against any disease issues that might arise in the supplier's primary breeder flocks. Although highly pathogenic avian influenza is known to be present on the Pennsylvania landscape, and it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of a future disease outbreak that could impact 2025 production, the primary breeder flocks have remained healthy to date and it is not feasible for the 'backup' birds to also be held into the upcoming breeding season. Therefore, these surplus pheasants will be released a few weeks before the end of the pheasant season to provide late-winter hunting opportunities." Releases are planned to occur during a two-day window next week, on Wednesday, Feb. 12 and Thursday, Feb. 13, at select locations in each of the Game Commission's six regions. Hunters should be aware, however, that logistical issues could result in last-minute changes to the planned schedule. Northeast Region —SGL 40 and Beltzville area (Carbon County) —SGLs 58, 226, and 329 (Columbia County) —SGLs 119 and 187; Butler Enterprises Hunter Access property; Frances Slocum and Nescopeck State Parks (Luzerne County) —SGLs 84 and 165 (Northumberland County) The Game Commission's regular pheasant stocking schedule extends from early October to early January, with more than 240,000 pheasants released during that period in 2024-25 and similar numbers planned for 2025-26. "This year's February stockings should be considered experimental, and may or may not be repeated in future years depending on 2025 results, annual evaluation of disease risks, and agency budget constraints," Gregg said.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
EBT awarded $80,885 for Turtle Creek Park project
Jan. 31—LEWISBURG — East Buffalo Township received more than $80,000 toward the first phase of the township's Turtle Creek Park development plan. The $80,885 was awarded to the township through the Commonwealth Financing Authority's (CFA) Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program. The grant has a required 15 percent match. kAm"%96 AC@;64E :D 4@>:?8 E@86E96C[" $FA6CG:D@C r92:C y:> z?:89E D2:5] "xE'D AC@323=J 8@:?8 E@ 36 2 D:I\ E@ 6:89E\>@?E9 AC@46DD E@ 86E E9C@F89 E96 56D:8? 2?5 A6C>:EE:?8 AC@46DD]"k^Am kAm%96 %FCE=6 rC66A=2? :?4=F56D C64C62E:?8 2?5 6?=2C8:?8 2 AC6G:@FD=J 6I:DE:?8 5@8 A2CAC@G:?8 E96 A2C2E:@? 2?5 65F42E:@?2= D:8?286 H:== 2=D@ 36 :?DE2==65]k^Am kAm!2CE @7 E96 7:CDE A92D6 92D 2=C625J 366? 4@>A=6E65] (@C:?4=F565 EC66 A=2?E:?8[ 4@?DECF4E:@? @7 2 82K63@ 2?5 A2CAC@G6>6?ED[ z?:89E D2:5]k^Am kAm%96 E@H?D9:A AFC492D65 E96 AC@A6CEJ 7C@> {6H:D3FC8 p==:2?46 r9FC49 @? }@G] c[ a_aa[ 7@C Shdc[fd_ H:E9 8C2?E 7F?5:?8 AC@G:565 3J E96 !p s6A2CE>6?E @7 r@?D6CG2E:@? 2?5 }2EFC2= #6D@FC46D 2?5 %96 'hhc r92C=6D q] s686?DE6:? u@F?52E:@?] %96 AC@A6CEJ :D =@42E65 2=@?8 $FAA=66 |:== 2?5 uFC?246 C@25D ;FDE H6DE @7 #@FE6 'd :? t2DE qF772=@ %@H?D9:A] %96 =2?5 :?4=F56D 2 >:I @7 @A6? 7:6=5D[ H6E=2?5D[ H@@5=2?5D 2?5 DEC62>D]k^Am kAm{2DE J62C[ E96 E@H?D9:A 2=D@ C646:G65 S'cf[b__ 7@C E96 4@?E:?F65 56G6=@A>6?E @7 E96 A2C7C@> E96 DE2E6 s6A2CE>6?E @7 r@?D6CG2E:@? 2?5 }2EFC2= #6D@FC46D' r@>>F?:EJ r@?D6CG2E:@? !2CE?6CD9:A !C@8C2>] xE C6BF:C65 2 E@H?D9:A >2E49 @7 S'cf[b__]k^Am kAm$E2E6 $6?] v6?6 *2H[ #\ab[ 2?5 DE2E6 #6A] s2G:5 #@H6[ #\gd[ >256 4@>>6?ED E9C@F89 2 AC6A2C65 >65:2 C6=62D6 62C=:6C E9:D H66A24E @? C64C62E:@?2= @AA@CEF?:E:6D[" *2H D2:5] "x 2> A=62D65 E@ D66 E9:D :>A@CE2?E :?G6DE>6?E :? &?:@? r@F?EJ 2?5 x'> 8C2E67F= E@ #6A] #@H6 7@C 9:D 4@==23@C2E:@?]"k^Am kAm#@H6 D2:5[ "%9:D 8C2?E :D 2? 6I4:E:?8 @AA@CEF?:EJ E@ 6?92?46 @FC =@42= A2C2:=:6D[ 49:=5C6?[ 2?5 C6D:56?ED E@ 6?;@J] xE :D 2 AC:G:=686 E@ H@CH:E9 $6?] *2H :? @FC D92C65 677@CED E@ :>AC@G6 E96 BF2=:EJ @7 =:76 7@C @FC 4@?DE:EF6?ED]"k^Am kAm%96 rup H2D 6DE23=:D965 :? a__c 2D 2? :?56A6?56?E 286?4J @7 E96 s6A2CE>6?E @7 r@>>F?:EJ 2?5 t4@?@>:4 s6G6=@A>6?E WsrtsX E@ 25>:?:DE6C !6??DJ=G2?:2'D 64@?@>:4 DE:>F=FD AC@8C2>D] x? a_'a[ E96 |2C46==FD {6824J uF?5 H2D 4C62E65 2?5 5:C64E65 ?2EFC2= 82D 5C:==:?8 >@?:6D E@ E96 rup 7@C A=2??:?8[ 24BF:D:E:@?[ 56G6=@A>6?E[ C6923:=:E2E:@? 2?5 C6A2:C @7 8C66?H2JD[ C64C62E:@?2= EC2:=D[ @A6? DA246[ A2C Wv%#!X]k^Am
