Rationale

Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

River Town Committee

2010-11 FY “DRAFT” Work Plan

Rationale:

The Susquehanna River has numerous towns located along and near its shores. Each has a unique story to reveal to its citizens and visitors about its past, and often, its future. From Native American legacies to early Canal Boat history and a wealth of architectural and industrial history, the Susquehanna Greenway is the connection to a living museum of some of Pennsylvania’s natural and culture treasures. Seventy (70) “River Towns” and more than 100 communities can benefit from embracing the river in a way that promotes healthy living and utilizes the great asset that the river offers by reframing their association with it; and recognizing the river as a recreational, cultural and tourism resource. In short, the Susquehanna Greenway can be a powerful driver for economic development and environmental quality for towns and communities along the Susquehanna River in the network corridor defined by the by the Susquehanna Greenway.

Purpose of the Committee:

The purpose of the committee is to develop the Susquehanna Greenway as a framework to address River Town related goals within the network corridor. The committee will help identify appropriate system-wide programs that assist in making River Towns attractive/desirable places to live, work, play and visit; and that connect them to the larger vision for the Susquehanna Greenway.

System-wide programs will focus on engaging and assisting local leaders in making improvements to their communities that protect the river as resource for sustainable economic development. Programs will address improvements to river front parks, trails, and bicycle and pedestrian friendly environments; connections between the downtown and the river, that provide parking and public rest rooms for visitors; and programs that promote environmental stewardship and sustainability. The committee will articulate an implementation plan that will identify the priority actions to address, who will assist with their implementation, and agree on an implementation approach and timeline for key goals to be met.

Objectives & Tasks for FY 2010-11:

1. 
   Build collaborative working relationships (between and among River Towns) to define and achieve the River Town concept, e.g. municipalities, downtown organizations, tourism promotion agencies, universities, state and federal agencies, chambers of commerce, and other interested groups and individuals.
   

2. 
   The Committee will help articulate an implementation plan that will identify the priority actions to address, who will assist with their implementation, and agree on an implementation approach and timeline for key goals to be met. It will do this through the review and evaluation of existing plans and strategies recommended but not limited to the following documents: Revitalizing River Towns of the Middle Susquehanna Region Plan, Susquehanna River Water Trail & Susquehanna Greenway Interpretive Master Plan, Rivertownes PA USA Development Strategy, Susquehanna Greenway Strategic Action Plan, PEC’s Allegheny County River Towns program, Great Allegheny Passage Trail Town Program, Schuylkill River Heritage Town and Tours program and the EPA Water Quality Scorecard.
   

1. 
   Identify early achievable actions and timeframes from implementation strategies identified in existing plans and utilize the diversity of the River Towns Committee to engage in a variety of communities and different types of projects.
   

2. 
   Develop and recommend polices and objectives to SGP BOD for officially designating Susquehanna Greenway River Towns and Communities.
   

3. 
   Review & recommend guidelines and standards for uniform river town signage
   

3. 
   Develop the River Town concept and heritage development strategy including recommendations for improving the physical and economic conditions of River Towns in ways that capitalize on their strong historical character and their association with the river, e.g. ‘place-making’ and ‘civic tourism’ model.
   

1. 
   Use the diversity of the River Towns committee to engage in further stakeholder outreach and education about the initiatives underway.
   

2. 
   Develop a River Town Self Assessment tool.
   

4. 
   Through the proposed River Town concept help develop and implement the Susquehanna Greenway by supporting projects and polices that advance the SG Strategic Initiatives; and help raise the public awareness of the River Towns concept and the building of the “regional community.”
   

1. 
   Enhance the SGP website to include recognition of the River Towns effort and efforts celebrating the “regional community”, i.e. connected River Town Communities.
   

2. 
   Assist in the planning for a third Susquehanna Greenway Symposium in 2011 on the theme of Treasured Towns and Landscapes of the Susquehanna.