Capital Area Greenbelt
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Capital Area Greenbelt
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| Location | TrailLink map |
| Length | 20 miles |
| Trailhead | Five Senses Garden HACC Wildwood Lake Sanctuary |
| Uses | Hiking, biking, cross country skiing and fishing. |
| Difficulty | Easy, level, ADA accessible |
| Surface | Asphalt, concrete, crushed stone |
| Hours | Dawn to dusk, year-round |
| Amenities | Picnic facilities at parks |
| Bathrooms | Several at public places around the trail |
The Capital Area Greenbelt is a trail located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This 20-mile loop around Pennsylvania's capital city provides its visitors with opportunities to hike, ride bicycles, skate, jog, fish, walk their dogs, enjoy native flora and fauna, and appreciate nature. One stretch of the Greenbelt is located on the Susquehanna River, giving the trail some of the most beautiful and enjoyable natural surroundings that the area has to offer. Some places along the trail include Reservoir Park, Riverfront Park, Five Senses Garden, and Wildwood Park and Nature Center. In addition to beautiful parks, the Greenbelt showcases some historical attractions including the grave site of John Harris Sr. (the namesake of the city of Harrisburg), the Governor's Mansion, and the National Civil War Museum.
Contents
Historical development
Historical significance
In the early 1900s, Mira Lloyd Dock had just returned from Europe with a new vision for how Harrisburg could be improved. To implement her vision, she hired landscape architect Warren Manning to develop the city's parks. Manning then recommended creating a ring boulevard encircling the city to connect its parks, which were the beginnings of what would become the Greenbelt. In the first two decades after the project was started, there was immense support and progress. However, by the 1920s, the project was abandoned. The plan was never fully realized, partly because of the migration of city residents to the suburbs, which devastated the city budget[citation needed]. Although most of the parkway was closed, causing it to fall into disuse and disrepair, some sections became parkways for cars. Another part of the trail, constituting less than one mile, was occupied by railroad tracks for the South Harrisburg Steel Mill.
Trail's history and evolution
The Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA) was founded in 1990 to restore completed sections of the green-way. The city of Harrisburg, four surrounding townships and boroughs worked with CAGA to develop and enhance the trail. Significant grants obtained throughout the 1990s allowed the 20-mile loop to be essentially completed. Today, the association continues to work on improving the trail through new safety measures and improved maintenance. Donation money and dedicated volunteers keep the association going.
Trail development
Design and construction
About 60% of the originally designed parkway was constructed according to the primary plan. When CAGA reclaimed the trail, unfinished sections in South Harrisburg were first constructed by volunteers as a dirt trail. Other portions were constructed using grass and woodchips, but have recently been converted to a surface of crushed limestone. The Greenbelt has several bridges over creeks and streams. The trail is ADA accessible with the exception of a few pedestrian crossings that lack curb cuts.
Trail amenities
Many amenities are available on and just off the trail. There is access to the trail at several popular spots, where ample parking is available. These spots include City Island, the Five Senses Garden and Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) campus. Restroom facilities are available in many locations just off the trail at local business' and restaurants. Picnic areas are available at many parks along the trail including the Five Senses Garden and the Wildwood Lake Sanctuary. There are approximately 10 kiosks located throughout the trail that provide current and historical information to users. Water fountains are conveniently located along the riverfront area. Garbage is generally "carry-in, carry-out," however there are limited receptacles along the trail. Most of the trail has mile markers.
Community
Trail supporters
The trail is supported by the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA). CAGA is an all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. It was created to act as a liaison between all concerned parties, and to organize and plan the continued stewardship of the Capital Area Greenbelt trail. The trail is not owned by CAGA, but rather by five municipalities and Dauphin County. The five municipalities include: the city of Harrisburg, Swatara township, Paxtang borough, Penbrook borough, and Susquehanna township. The trail also passes through three parcels of land in South Harrisburg that are privately owned. In addition, the following local and community organizations are also supporters of the trail:
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- Pennsylvania Game Commission
- Pennsylvania Department of General Services
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Harrisburg Area Community College
Special events
Every summer, the Capital Area Greenbelt Association hosts their main event, the "Tour de Belt." The event consists of a 20-mile bike tour with pleasant sites of the Harrisburg area. It is the largest fundraiser for the Greenbelt. CAGA also organizes a Butterfly Release each year, in conjunction with the Hospice of Central Pennsylvania.
See also
References
- "About the Capital Area Greenbelt". Capital Area Greenbelt Association. 2006. [1] Retrieved 2006-12-28.
External links
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