There is apparently a new rail trail group in UST/Northampton that is interested in converting the SEPTA Fox Chase-Newtown line into a trail. This is going to be a serious problem for both communities should this obtain any sort of approval and support. Luckily, both UST and Northampton Supervisors have signed resolutions over the past several years in support of retaining the railroad as just that. Both have stated that a trail would be of little benefit in an area with almost no public transportation.
Though the line is very scenic, it also very suburban. Residents whose property abuts the railroad (particularly on Old Jordan Road/East Holland Road/Cherry Lane/Carlin Drive) have loudly stated in the past that if they had to choose, would rather have a train (there are supposedly plans to utilize a portion of the line for occasional trolley service to Tamanend Park) than a trail in their back yard. The trail would be too close in proximity to adjacent properties and will become a playground at all times. It also gives criminals easy access to high value homes (I have seen this elsewhere in suburban areas with ill-conceived rail trails).
Also, this proposed trail cannot qualify for Rails to Trails Conservancy money (none of SEPTA’s rail trails can). You will notice that all SEPTA rail trails - Cynwyd Heritage Trail, Saucon Rail Trail, Pennypack Trail – are not part of the national Rails to Trails Conservancy. They cannot be because the real estate is owned by a government entity. This will mean we have to foot the bill for the construction in higher taxes.
It will do little to relieve the unbearable road congestion. SEPTA has preserved this crucial transportation corridor for future use as a railroad. Diverting a high-grade piece of infrastructure (railroad) to a relatively low-grade purpose (trail) is like taking over an expressway to use for someone's driveway. Between Tamanend Park, Churchville Park and Springfield Lake, we are doing just fine with trails. There is no need to pull up any more track.
I strongly advise this trail advocacy group to work in conjunction with the numerous pro rail groups for a joint project which will benefit all parties. There are no known instances of rail trails converting back to railroads. The rail trail idea coupled with the continued preservation of the railroad could be considered as a single valid political issue (see my attached photo of a successful rail with trail in York County, PA).
I vote against it and will be sure to make this clear at any UST meetings. I will urge my Northampton friends to do the same and create a STOP THE TRAIL group.
Amazing what NIMBYs will do to protect their fifedoms.
There is a yang: — http://www.stopthenewtowntrail.com/ Hang on folks. The pro-rail trail vs. no-rail trail battle has begun. UST locals may have noticed the graffifi emblazoned underneath the Street Road overpass near the cleared tracks. I can only imagine what a trail will bring.
i.e. Jeff Benson = Nia McHarg = Ian McHarg [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_McHarg] = Jordan Lauren? The plot thickens. Let me know who is who. I am lost.
http://uppersouthampton.going.com/users/nia-mcharg/comments?page=1
IF you think that the rail property is not already being used as a trail, then you are sadly mistaken. Take a short walk on the rail line, and you'll discover beer bottles, vandalism, and graffiti (as mentioned above). I honestly don't know where I fall in this debate but I believe that a trail will attract more people to the trail and therefore chase away the 'unsavory'. I think a trolly to some of the neighboring areas would be great, but as mentioned, doesn't seem like a reality any time soon. I could be WAY off base here and probably am, but these are my thoughts. BTW, I am a real person living on a real Cherry Ln.
The buildourtrail.org site mentions that Upper Southampton Township Comprehensive Plan Update/Northampton Township Open Space Plan Updates have discussed the rail trail idea on this line. However, nothing was ever approved or signed: only discussed. Both UST and Northampton have repeatedly signed resolutions to preserve the line as is. It would be politically unpopular for township supervisors to publically reverse this decision. Unless this “grassroots” idea (as the website declares on its main page) has significant support from pols, it will be very, very difficult to get this past the "idea" stage—unless the "grassroots" moniker is a front for a private entity (National City Lines) or government entity (Abington supervisor, Pennypack Trail) to advance an agenda.
I stumbled here to get big picture perspective on rail-trails, and not to troll but it seems the counter points to the trails listed here is false. I live in Dayton, OH for many years and we have a extensive network of trails that run through downtown Dayton, the suburbs, and even other towns. There is even a major trail that runs from Cincinnati to Columbus. All of it is ran by the Miami Conservancy District (http://www.miamivalleytrails.org/). Everyday hundreds if not thousands of people use these trails in this region to commute, exercise, or just passing through. Along the trail various large community parks (Riverscape Metro Park in Dayton, and Cranes Run in Franklin) are connected and allow people access to the trail and connects others to parks outside of their community. However, to address the counter points here, these trails are not a money sink. Our road quality asphalt trails need no further maintenance other than somebody to come out and trim the trees and mow the grass. In some places the adjacent road has been repaved far more times than the trail itself.
Noise and pollution are non-existent too. Just about every person that uses the trails are continuously moving and listening to personal music players. The only noise you might here is the sound of a bicycle coasting by but even at a slow pace of 10mph, it will be gone before you notice it. However, my experience has shone me that people on the trails are either really nice and say hello to you as you pass by, or are too busy trying to be the fastest cyclist they can and just node. In addition, our region has seen a major economic uptick due to these trails. There are several bike shops that are bringing in customers, food stands popup, and popular festivals centered around the trail are thrown. Feel free to email me with other questions pbrian (at) alumni.nmt.edu -- Brian (3000 miles on the trail)
Propaganda. UST Says no and will always say no to rails-to-trails.
Correct, I do live in Dayton and I just happen to post here. My Google searches for rail to trails and other bikes paths brings this up on the first page or so. However, I'm not pushing propaganda, just some facts. Given my background in software development, I'm inclined to fix inaccuracies and provide correct information. I invite both opposers and supporters alike to come out to Dayton and experience our great trails. I only had to ride them once before I was hooked and I would be glad to do 30 miles with you. -- Brian
Nice try, though. Better luck next time trying to swallow your feet.
"Also, its spelled government." Quite childish, actually. Particularly since it is spelled "it's." There is no need for everyone one of your sentences to reveal your shortcomings. Please be respectful when having a public discussion. There is little question that recreational trails can be a great asset—if built in areas that lend themselves to them. In addition, rail trails can be a great way to reuse a rail corridor that has long since been abandoned by the railroad (who no longer sees value to it as a railroad corridor) and the land sold a government entity. The Chester Valley Trail (http://www.chesco.org/ccparks/cwp/view.asp?a=1552&q=621764) is a fine example of this. The corridor was abandoned by Conrail in the late 1980s and sold to MontCo/Chester County. The line was never discussed as a future freight or passenger corridor because Amtrak/SEPTA and Norfolk Southern have railroads within a stone’s throw from this line, so it was expendable. Both counties just recently finished building a trail on it. Good. And it will link to the famed Schuylkill Valley Trail, an added plus.
Most importantly, this rail trail will come at a cost. We are sacrificing a valuable resource — a railroad — that should be preserved for future generations. If this was an effort to reuse a long abandoned corridor that was now owned by a government township (see above), you have not sacrificed a railroad line that is still listed as “temporarily out of service.”
www.newtownfoundation.org
I am also a real person who backs up to the Churchville train station. I live on a dead end street and have longed for years to be able to ride my bike safely around this area. I can't as of now. I have a daughter and I can't even safely walk to the next neighborhood without taking our lives in my hands. I am also an avid bicyclist who has used trails all over Pennsylvania. Let me tell you what kinds of people I have found on those trails. Nice people out walking their dogs, other fellow bicyclists, people out for an evening stroll. I have wished these wasted railroad tracks were used for something beneficial for years. It is a pipe dream to think the rails are going to run again. I'd rather a few people walking enjoying the scenery, than a noisy train running in my back yard. By the way, I have lawn dumpings and a broken down platform to look at. And to the resident on East Holland road who dropped off a flyer saying to vote against this, sorry for your luck. It's a shame if you moved next to a railroad line and never imagined something would develop from it.
While that market matures, perhaps we could find better ways to spend taxpayer money - like creating real infrastructure and getting people back to work.
In the Bicycle Master Plan, see "Appendix B", pg 131 of 280 for "Survey and Public Involvement Findings" Hope this helps.