By Diane Petryk
LEWISBURG — Members of the Lewisburg recreation staff are begging rail-trail enthusiasts for their patience for a little while longer. And, they are asking that they please stay off the trail until is finished next summer.
It’s a question of safety, said Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority Executive Director Kevin R. Drewencki.
Lewisburg and Mifflinburg residents, and people in the entire region, are going to have a wonderful hiking, biking and jogging trail that will provide space for family outings and safe riding area for trail bikers to just kids going to school, Drewencki said.
“But while it’s being designed, there are engineers out there in their pickup trucks and no one wants anybody to get hurt,” he said.
The engineering study is expected to be completed in the next three weeks, but the eight-mile stretch will be considered “under construction” and off-limits until it opens, he said.
In Lewisburg, it begins at about 11th Street, five or six blocks west of Route 15, behind the former Pennsylvania House factory site. The other end, or beginning, if heading east, will be at a Mifflinburg park.
Designers will follow the engineers, and then the construction phase will go out for bids.
The trail is expected to be made of a compacted limestone known as “cracker dust,” Drewencki said.
There will be drainage and crossings to design, as well as placement of restrooms at the beginning and half-way point, he added, and perhaps some picnic tables.
The primary amenity, however, he said, is the view of the marvelously picturesque land between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg.
“The terrain is beautiful farm coutry and I think people will really, really enjoy it,” Drewencki said. “It’s going to be a great family activity.”
Engineers are from Larson Design Group, Williamsport. Larson Project Manager Phil Hoffman said the vision includes, for the future, historical markers and notes of social and cultural significance to be placed along the path.
A target date for completion is mid-summer next year.
Until then, people should resist using the old rail-new trail space, Drewencki said.
Hoffman said there are points along the envisioned trail where protective fencing is needed and that fencing is obviously absent at this premature stage.
Drewencki said he is hopeful of residents’ cooperation in staying off the trail, but trespassers should know they could be subject to criminal prosecution under the Trespass Statute 18 PaCSA 3501. Persons with questions may call him at 524-4774.
