|
On September 5, 1990 the York County Board of Commissioners
adopted an ordinance that officially recognized "a
need to
promote the use of the former Northern Central Railroad
line extending from the Maryland border to the City
of York for purposes of transportation and parks and
recreation grounds". This action led to the creation
of the York County Rail Trail Authority.
The York County Rail Trail Authority
was incorporated on September 27, 1990 by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
The Authority is comprised of ten volunteers
appointed for five-year terms by the Board of Commissioners
for the County of York. Officers include a chairman,
vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer. Meetings are
held on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM at various
York County locations. The public is welcome to attend.
The Authority's first project was the
construction of a 21-mile, non-motorized recreational
trail along the former rail lines of the Northern  Central
Railway. This trail, now known as the Heritage Rail
Trail County Park, extends from the Mason Dixon Line
south of New Freedom, PA to the city of York. The trail
was completed in August of 1999. The management of the
trail was transitioned to the York County Department
of Parks and Recreation, and is currently operated as
one of nine county parks.
Working in conjunction with the York
County Planning Commission, the Authority is currently
identifying additional opportunities throughout the
county for recreational trail development. These include:
the York Hanover Trolley Line, a northern extension
of the Heritage Rail Trail County Park, and the Hollow Creek Greenway. The Authority's
role in the development of these trails varies from
that of advisor to that of lead agency.
|
