South Bethlehem Greenway
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This rails-to-trails project has been in the
planning process for three years, with the initial planning
carried out from 2005 to 2006. Last year the City finalized
purchase of the 60’ wide swath of old railbed from Union
Station on the north to Saucon Park on the south. That enabled
us to kick planning into high gear, with actual construction
of the Greenway projected to start in the summer of 2009.
The first section to be built will be from
New Street eastward to Fillmore Street, which will include
five street crossings (please see this link for rendering).
The City, along with our consultant Simone Collins Landscape
Architects, has drawn up plans for Phase 1, along with a conceptual
rendering of the entire Greenway. A Skate Plaza, near the
intersection of East 4th Street and Daly Avenue, will be built
in multiple phases. The Skate Plaza is envisioned to be a
regional draw, with planning still under way.
On November 20 and 22, 2008, DESIGN
CHARRETTES were held to present the conceptual plans
and gather public comment and input. Those comments were then
incorporated into a “final” plan draft and a Public
Meeting was held at the Forte Building on December
4, 2008. We think many comments and concerns have been incorporated
into the Greenway planning process, and the current plan for
Phase 1 was well received. The City, mainly through grants
and support from the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources (DCNR) and PennDOT, will be able to build the “hardscape”,
including a 12’ wide pervious pavement path, street
crossings, lighting and basic landscaping. There will be many
other improvements—in planning, volunteering and construction--which
will need private and public financing and coordination. This
is YOUR greenway . . . please take a moment to look
at the sketches, and send us your thoughts about the physical
features and cultural opportunities which are available in
this Greenway construction project.
Please
share your ideas.
SkatePark
The sport of skateboarding, BMX and inline skating
has become an established recreational activity in the City
of Bethlehem. These extreme sports enthusiasts deserve to
have a place for their sport of choice just the same as basketball
players need hoops and swimmers need pools.
The City of Bethlehem is fortunate to be able
to offer the community a wide variety of sports facilities.
The creation of a skatepark would provide skaters a safe haven
to perform the sport they enjoy as well as eliminating the
need for them to use public and private property to skate,
which could land them into trouble.
The City of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation Department
is requesting your support in their grant application for
a proposed skate park on the South Bethlehem Greenway development.
It is estimated that approximately $200,000 will be needed
to fund this project. For more information, contact the Bethlehem
Parks Department Office at 610-865-7081 Send letters of support
to:
City of Bethlehem
Parks and Recreation
10 East Church St.
Bethlehem, PA 18018-6025
Download
letter of support
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