CHAMBERSBURG – An online survey is gathering public input about a possible expansion of the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail south into Chambersburg.
The Franklin County Metropolitan Planning Organization launched the five-question survey at https://arcg.is/Xv9. It includes an opportunity to pinpoint locations that would be beneficial for the multi-use trail to link.
Responses will be collected through Oct. 15. Additionally, a community listening session is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, in the Franklin County Administration Offices at 272 N. Second St., Chambersburg.
“The FCMPO is seeking to engage all users of active transportation: students, workers, seniors, business owners and tourists,” Franklin County Planning Department Director Steve Thomas said in a press release.
The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail now has six trailheads in the Carlisle and Shippensburg areas, with the main section spanning about 13 miles. The land forming the trail is owned by the Cumberland Valley Rails-to-Trails Council, a nonprofit, charitable organization.
Allen Dieterich-Ward, of Shippensburg, serves on the council’s board of directors. He is a history professor who helped to develop two museums along the rail trail. The visitors’ logs at those museums, which are housed in authentic rail cars, show people have come from all over the world.
“I am a historian, but for me, history needs to have a purpose,” he said, saying features on the rail trail tell a story and help newer residents feel a sense of belonging. FCMPO is partnering for the survey with the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail and consultant firm Michael Baker International Inc.
“It’ll be the best five minutes of your week if you want to improve your community,” Dieterich-Ward said.
Officials described wanting to have the trail extension highlight recreation, transportation, nature and agriculture. Long-term plans include connecting the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail to the existing Chambersburg Rail Trail and C&O Canal Towpath in Washington County, Md. The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail is already part of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail.
Dieterich-Ward said there is a limited number of abandoned rail corridors remaining in the United States.
“We want Pennsylvania to be a model for doing rails to trails,” he said.
