Greenways Mini Grant Will Benefit Borough Property

At Borough Council's June 20 meeting, Hellertown Borough Manager Cathy Kichline had more information about

Kichline said the grant--from the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor--will be formally presented to the borough at a July 14 ceremony in .

The ceremony will be attended by local dignitaries and is scheduled to begin at 11am, with remarks, announcements, lunch and a walk on the to follow.

Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham and Northampton County Executive John Stoffa are expected to be in attendance, Kichline said.

The $15,000 grant will fund a new paved driveway and parking area, access to a storage building, asphalt and stone trails, the installation of a guide rail, signage and plantings, Kichline indicated in an email.

"We will pursue other grant opportunities in the future for the installation of a pedestrian timber bridge connecting the property to the Saucon Rail Trail," she added.

The Tumminello property is a rare piece of green space along the Route 412 corridor that was acquired by the borough from a private owner under an agreement that dated to the 1970s.

Once under consideration for sale, borough officials now plan to transform it into public recreation space and a conduit for Main Street pedestrians who wish to access the rail trail.

The trapezoidal 2.2 acre property is bordered by the Saucon Creek on the west and Polk Valley Run on the south.