Politics & Government
Saucon Valley Recreation Partnership Discussed
The partnership represents an effort by Hellertown and Lower Saucon officials to create a single information source for local users of parks and other recreational facilities.
The Saucon Valley Recreation Partnership was one of a number of joint planning projects discussed by Hellertown Borough Manager Cathy Kichline and Lower Saucon Township Manager Jack Cahalan at a breakfast presentation to members of the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce Sept. 27.
The partnership represents an effort by local officials to better coordinate the use of Saucon Valley parks and recreational facilities that are enjoyed by residents of both Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township.
"There was no one cohesive place for people to go (for information)," Kichline said.
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In the near future, an online portal will be unveiled that will provide residents with all local recreation-related information in one spot.
A system for scheduling the use of athletic fields and coordinating the use of recreational facilities across both municipalities is also in the works.
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Cahalan told the chamber group that in addition to the recreation partnership portal, the Saucon Rail Trail Oversight Commission soon plans to launch an official website for the popular trail.
The Saucon Rail Trail opened in May 2011, and passes through Hellertown and Lower Saucon on its way to Upper Saucon Township.
Its website is expected to become the "go-to" spot for anyone who wants to know what's happening on the trail, he said, adding that it will also include information about the North Penn Railroad that once followed the same route.
Cahalan noted that in addition to historic sites, the trail passes by some "interesting geological features."
Some of those features will be highlighted with assistance from Lehigh University professor and local resident Frank Pazzaglia.
Kichline said interpretive signage about the Hellertown Marsh will also soon be installed near the trail.
The marsh--which is thousands of years old-- is located just to the west of the trail and south of Water Street.
"A lot of people are walking that trail and they don’t realize that there is a marsh in that area," she said.
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