PA - Land Use Oppertunity - 2009 DCNR Recreation Plan

[ddechri]

This article from the DCNR May 20 Resource Newsletter:

Share your ideas on outdoor recreation at public meetings in June

Pennsylvania residents are invited to share their ideas on how to improve outdoor recreation opportunities at three public meetings being held throughout the state in June.

“Part of DCNR’s mission to create healthy and livable communities includes successfully serving the recreation needs of those who live, work and play in them,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary John Quigley said. “We want the public to play a part in setting the priorities for state recreation planning and funding for the next five years and beyond.”

Pennsylvania produces a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) every five years that provides citizens, policymakers and recreation professionals with a snapshot of current trends and issues in outdoor recreation. The plan helps set the agenda for state recreation policy, planning, funding and implementation for the future.

The meetings will be held at the following locations from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.:

June 1, Four Points by Sheraton, Pittsburgh North, 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars
June 2, Ramada Conference Center, 1450 S. Atherton St., State College
June 3, DeSales University, University Center Gerald White Pavilion, 2755 State Ave., Center Valley

Over the past 18 months, DCNR has identified four major themes for its draft recommendations in the plan:

- Align planning efforts to provide more integrated outdoor recreation opportunities;
- Connect outdoor recreation and conservation to Pennsylvania’s economy and the health and quality of life of its residents;
- Reconnect people to the natural environment and develop an environmental stewardship ethic in all segments of the population; and
- Develop a statewide trail network including addressing priority trail gaps.

Attendees will hear presentations from Penn State University faculty who have conducted four statewide recreation surveys to provide the data on which the plan recommendations are drawn.

The surveys include a statewide resident survey on recreation needs and preferences; a targeted state park survey to identify recreation participation trends and facility needs; a trail gap analysis sent to trail-user groups; and a series of facilitated discussion sessions with minority youth and baby boomers across Pennsylvania.

For more information or to review the draft plan, visit www.paoutdoorrecplan.com.

While the links to the individual sections of the document aren't live yet, they should be soon since the meetings are less than two weeks away. We need to get some 4x4ers at these meetings!

If you need more information, or just want to let me know you are going to attend, drop me an email: ddechri@yahoo.com.

Thanks,
Dave

Dave DeChristopher_____PA Jeeps, MAFWDA, UFWDA
'79 CJ-7 Trail rig /Daily Driver
'60 Willys PU restification (hybernating)
'98 Dodge Ram 2500 12V CTD QC LWB
"Where ever I go, there's I AM"

[drcj5jr]

Is this pertaining to any specific project by DCNR or is it entailing everything as a whole that DCNR has in the planning to go forward with?

[k5king]

I believe it's an overall meeting to see where they put money in the following year's to come. If anyone can attend i recommend doing so because the biker's, hiker's and bird watcher's will definitely be there giving their input as to why we shouldn't have anything but walking trail's...........