OUTREACH

Outreach for the Active Transportation Plan focused on gathering input from regional partners, municipalities, and the general public. This collaborative outreach effort included three (3) committees, key person/agency interviews, public meetings in each county, attendance at community events, a public opinion survey, a municipal survey, and an interactive map (wiki mapping) on which participants added suggestions for new and enhanced connectivity. Outreach was conducted over a 10-month period. 

An eleven-member Steering Committee met six times and helped guide the project team with information about local Active Transportation projects and trends, challenging connectivity locations, municipal projects and made valuable recommendations for the Active Transportation Plan.

The Steering Committee was composed of the following individuals and organizations.

Andrew Bomberger, Executive Director - TCRPC
Steve Deck, Former Executive Director - TCRPC
Karen Dixon, Planner - TCRPC
Jerry Duke, Dauphin County Planning Coordinator - TCRPC
Jason Finnerty, Perry County Planning Coordinator - TCRPC
Anthea Stebbins, Director - Dauphin County Parks and Recreation
Kirk Stoner, Director - Cumberland County Planning Commission
Stephanie Williams, Senior Planning Manager - Cumberland County Planning Commission
Michelle Jones, Executive Director - Perry County Economic Development Authority
Kenana Zejcirovic, Former Planner & Bike/Pedestrian Coordinator - PennDOT District 8-0
Matt Crea, Transportation Planning Specialist - PennDOT Central Office

REGIONAL PARTNERS

The Regional Partners committee consisted of a variety of advocates and organizations throughout the region. Input was gathered from this committee during individual Key Person/Agency Interviews and two (2) collaborative meetings – one held at the beginning of ATP development to gather initial input, and one held later in the process to review draft recommendations. This committee gave us the pulse of the walking and cycling community and inspired the plan recommendations with aspirational suggestions, pushing the plan boundaries.

The Regional Partners Committee consisted of the following individuals:  

Pam Auer – Center for Independent Living

Cynthia Gibbs Pratt – Center for Independent Living

Dave Juba – Susquehanna Regional Transit Authority

Darius Davenport – Tri-County Community Action

Lori Yeich & Trish Newdeck – PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Diane Kripas & Scott Shepler – Capital Area Greenbelt Association

Garret Stahlman, Board President – Cumberland Valley Rail Trail Council

Katie Hess – South Mountain Partnership

Julia Chain – Appalachian Trail Conservancy

David Maher – South Mountain Trolley Greenway

Marilyn Chastek – Bike South Central PA

Dick Norford – Bike South Central PA

Ross Willard – Recycle Bicycle

Jim Buckheit – Bike South Central PA

Luisa Lassova – Bike Camp Hill

Nick Loftus & Bob Johnston – SAMBA

Sam Pearson – WalkWorks, PA Downtown Center

Mary Lucas – Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch

Geoffrey Knight – City of Harrisburg

MUNICIPAL OUTREACH

A Municipal Survey was sent to all 103 municipalities in the three counties. Twenty-seven (27) responses were received that yielded a large amount of information including bicycle and pedestrian plans, recreational plans, data about existing trails, and other data that provides invaluable based information about existing active transportation facilities and plans in the region. The information collected through the survey provides a valuable resource for connectivity in the region and can be accessed here (need link).

Two (2) outreach meetings were held with the Municipal Committee, which was open to all 103 municipalities in the region. Attendance at these meetings varied and mostly consisted of municipal officials and professional staff. They advised the HATS team about on-going or upcoming connectivity projects and made connectivity suggestions based on their local knowledge of existing conditions.

In addition to the Municipal Committee meetings, the project team was in regular communication with municipalities throughout the region regarding details of community needs, existing plans or facilities.

PUBLIC OUTREACH

A Public Opinion Survey was completed by 119 respondents and gave the project team valuable information about use of existing trails, trail user preferences and opinions regarding Active Transportation. A few of the more interesting survey results included the following:

Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry County respondents were 52%, 37% and 10%, respectively.

Respondents were from 38 different municipalities.

89% use sidewalks and 71% bike.

56% are comfortable as pedestrians but only 28% are comfortable as cyclists.

Most want better bike/ped access to parks, other trails, neighborhood, and retail centers.

Respondents would walk more if there was more and better pedestrian infrastructure.

Similarly, cyclists also would bike more if there was more and better cycling infrastructure.

94% agreed that sidewalks and trails are very important or important to community well-being and quality of life.

As motorists, 81% would accept slightly longer travel times if it meant a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

The interactive Wiki-mapping received many helpful comments and suggestions ranging from identification of challenging intersections, suggested new or connecting routes and trails and essential information about existing conditions.

Members of the HATS Team attended six (6) community events in the fall of 2023 to spread public awareness about the Active Transportation Plan. TCRPC staff and consultants discussed various aspects of the ATP with event attendees. Interest in the plan was robust. These events were:

The Perry County Community Fair

Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Show

Fort Hunter Day

The Gratz Fair

The New Cumberland Apple Fest

The Pine Grove Furnace Fall Fest

Open House meetings were held in each of three (3) counties and participants had the opportunity to discuss all aspects of the ATP with the planning team. The Cumberland County Open House was held in Carlisle and 39 people attended; The Dauphin County meeting was conducted in Susquehanna Township and 18 attendees participated. The Perry County Open House was held in Bloomfield with 12 attendees.

As a method to continue and strengthen community involvement, this Active Transportation Plan recommends that an annual roundtable be held with State Agencies, MPOs, County Planning Agencies, municipalities, other stakeholders and interested community members to discuss and coordinate Active Transportation efforts in the region.