Montgomery County, PA

Are you planning to build the trail in conformance to the Wissahickon Riparian Restoration Trail Link Master Plan that was done in 1998?

Yes.  The principals of that plan will be followed, including the installation of a paved path along Stenton Avenue between W. Valley Green Road and Joshua Road,  so that road bicyclists have a connection to the Cross County trail.

 

When is all of this work going to be done?

Please visit the New Trail Development section of this web site.

 

I’ve wondered why couldn’t the County just leave the segment of the Green Ribbon Trail between Stenton Avenue and Fort Washington the way it is with a grassy and dirt path?

The County is installing a solid cinder and gravel surface trail, which will replace the existing dirt path.   We know there will be a greater number of users once the trail is complete and makes a good connection to the State Park.  For this reason, we need a surface that is both sensitive to the environment but also will hold up to flood conditions AND will not be as easily degraded with heavy use.   For good maintenance and patrol access, the Trail will need to be strong enough to accept light maintenance, emergency, and patrol vehicles.  The 1999 Wissahickon Riparian Restoration Trail Link Master plan makes this recommendation.   The County also wants to discourage the use of road bicycles, which a cinder and stone surface will do.

 

I have a question about the need to pave parts of the Green Ribbon Trail.  Why do this?

The Trail will be macadam paved between the Morris Arboretum and West Valley Green Road at Stenton Avenu where it will connect to the macadam paved Cross County Trail.  Some of our trails are meant to be used by road bicycles, including the Cross County Trail.   This portion of the trail will be macadam paved to better serve all users and to make the trail more user friendly for road bicycles, especially since many people will want to connect to Fairmount park via the Green Ribbon Trail along Stenton Avenue.   Our trails are meant to serve not only the recreation needs of the County but the transportation needs, as well.  It is clear that our trails need to be available for bicyclists who wish to choose an alternate form of commuter transportation.

 

How can we be assured that the Trails will be patrolled and maintained properly?

The County has an excellent record of patrol and maintenance of our County facilities.  We intend to continue that record on the new facilities that we build.  The County is interested in providing a high standard of excellence for all of its park facilities, including trails.

 

I live on West Mill Road between the Fort Washington Park and Stenton Avenue.  Is any of that part of West Mill Road going to be directly affected by Trail construction?

No.  In that area, the trail will be on the other side of the creek, so anyone who lives between the Mill Road recreation area of the Park and Stenton Avenue will not be affected.

 

Will the County build a connection between the Wissahickon Creek and Bethlehem Pike on the old railroad corridor?

The County is still considering when and how best to make that connection.  For now, the trail will only make a connection to the Fort Washington recreation area parking lot area.

 

 

The County web site www.montcopa.org/parks/trails has extensive information regarding the County Trail plan and the individual trails with maps that are now in the development process.  Various phone numbers of key County contacts are listed on the web site.