Heritage Trail

THE LEBANON COUNTY HERITAGE TRAIL
The Lebanon County Heritage Trail is a joint project of the Lebanon Valley Conservancy, the Lebanon County Historical Society, and the Lebanon County Preservation Trust. This Trail makes a 100 mile loop around Lebanon County. It follows existing roadways through 22 of the 24 municipalities within the County interconnecting historic villages. With 3,400 historic sites, Lebanon County has plenty to brag about. Stately farmhouses, barns, schools, and historic buildings spread across the Lebanon Valley, giving the area a unique character and a sense of place.

The small town main streets from Annville to Schaefferstown not only provide a window to the past, but as renowned urban planner Edward T. McMahon states in his book, Better Models for Development in Pennsylvania, it creates a "powerful tool for economic revitalization that generates jobs and attracts tourists and investors." McMahon also states "these resources...physically and emotionally connect us to the past. They provide a special sense of identity.

They provide a rich resource for education and they provide an inviting, appealing attraction to visitors from around the world."

Lebanon County's recently adopted Comprehensive Plan emphasizes the importance of "safeguarding and promoting historical resources and the heritage of Lebanon County." The Lebanon County Heritage Trail is the ideal vehicle for bringing recognition to these precious resources and also meets other important goals of the Plan with respect to recreation, transportation, the economy, and intergovernmental cooperation.

This bicycle friendly Trail will be clearly marked and signage will be installed along the route identifying
historical properties. Those traveling the Heritage Trail by car will be encouraged to park and then explore on foot.

Maps, sponsored by businesses within the village, will be made available to encourage patronage of local business and promote revitalization. The Comprehensive Plan establishes specific transportation priorities. The top priorities are to provide a safe, efficient, interconnected and accessible transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users. The Heritage
Trail is envisioned as a route which will create a backbone for a county-wide network of hiking and biking trails that connect neighborhoods with schools and commercial districts.

The Heritage Trail project will be financed from local, state, and federal governments as well as private sources. The magnificent historic properties of Lebanon County are an untapped resource. The Lebanon County Heritage Trail will create wonderful historical, educational , recreational and economic opportunities which will attract heritage tourism and new industry to the Lebanon Valley.
Kip Kelly, AIA
Chairman, Historic Resources Committee

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Heritage Trail
• Lebanon PA
• CLA
• LV Conservancy
• LC Historical Society
• Jo Ellen Litz
• www.joellenlitz.com

[chaps4]

What a great initiative!

Has a map of the trail been posted online?

--Paul Fullmer

[chaps4]

What a great initiative!

Has a map of the trail been posted online?

--Paul Fullmer