Walkable and bikeable communities appeal to visitors–all ages and fitness levels, so the Franklin County Visitors Bureau appreciates efforts to connect to trails and expand the walkability and bikeability of its county seat, Chambersburg. The Chambersburg Borough is poised to share plans to make Chambersburg more walkable and bikeable at a Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements Plan Public Workshop on Wednesday, October 5, from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Eugene C. Clarke Jr. Community Center, 235 South Third Street in Chambersburg.
In 2014, Summit Health approached the Chambersburg Borough with the idea of forming a partnership to improve bicycle and pedestrian access by enhancing the connections to trails and existing sidewalks within the Borough. A stakeholders group of Summit Health and Chambersburg Borough representatives plus local bicycle enthusiasts was formed. The group identified a list of priorities:
- Highlight a list of new sidewalk installations
- Develop a network of bicycle routes, including extension of the Rail Trail
- Identify connections between the bicycle network and public areas , like parks and the downtown
- Create a public education campaign to encourage walking and bicycling as alternative modes of transportation.
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. was hired as the consultant for the undertaking. At the October 5 workshop, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. will provide an update of the effort and seek feedback to create vision, goals and strategies for the Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements Plan. Thoughts and ideas from the public are essential to ensure that the project gives the best return to the community.