CULTURAL RESOURCES

Abandoned railroad beds provide a unique opportunity for communities and environmental groups to develop recreational trails. The National Pike Trail serves residents in the upper watershed.  Additionally, there are over 12 miles of inactive railroads in the upper watershed that could be developed into rails-to-trails facilities, including a five mile segment that could connect to the Montour Trail. The Montour Trail and the Panhandle Trail actively serve residents in the lower watershed, and there are several sections of trail currently under construction.  When completed, these trails will provide an exciting opportunity for a unique recreation choice.  

Blueway & Greenway Trails

Recreational opportunities present one of the best assets with greatest potential in the watershed.  Community park and recreational facilities can be linked by the network of streams throughout the watershed via a "blueway" and adjacent greenways and open space.  A feasibility study has been conducted on the proposed Chartiers Creek Trail and McLaughlin Run Trail in the lower watershed.  Currently, several local trails exist on conserved lands in the lower watershed, including extensive trails in Boyce-Mayview Park, Kane Woods and Neville Woods. There are currently seven golf courses and twenty-six community and county owned parks in the upper watershed and 64 in the lower watershed whose facilities can also be linked by a watershed wide trails system.  

Connecting the watershed at a human-scale, as opposed to the current automobile-scale would provide multiple benefits to the watershed communities involved.  If adjoining municipalities work together, the feeling of community could be enlarged to encompass the natural, watershed boundaries rather than the rigid political boundaries associated with municipal governments.  Items as simple as sidewalks from township to township create better connectivity and interaction, possible alleviation of automobile traffic, safer streets and better quality of life.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism is not being promoted and is therefore an opportunity. Marketing of the area's ecological treasures and cultural highlights is needed along with development of a watershed activity that connects the Allegheny and Washington County portions of the watershed.  To assist in economic development of ecotourism, the local chamber of commerce, municipal officials, small business owners and facility operators need to work together to assist in spawning this type of economic activity.

Land Purchase 
for Conservation

A vehicle for encouraging conservation in strategically identified areas is the outright purchase of the properties by a land trust, conservation organization or municipality.  When land is purchased for conservation purposes, parcels can then be used for open greenspaces, prevention of development on fragile lands and the treatment of degraded water.  Municipal acquisition can be facilitated by adoption of a municipal map.

Historic Property Preservation

The preservation of historic properties in a community helps to give the community its character.  People like to be located near historic properties.  The preservation of historic properties helps attract business, restore economic health, improve the quality of life and bind communities together.  By completing historical preservation work to properties, these buildings remain an integral part of the community, thus attracting people and business. 

Community Education & Public Relations

The media is an important resource that can be more effectively used to educate the general public about our watershed.  We need to promote the  watershed's community events. Press coverage on planned environmental and recreational activities will also spur the public interest in creating new conservation opportunities in our watershed.