2020-2021 Annual Report

Greenway Map & Program Areas

Stretching over 500 miles in length, the Susquehanna Greenway is a corridor of open space, land trails, river accesses, and communities that borders the Susquehanna River. This past year, SGP worked across the corridor to advance programs and projects within our three program areas

1) Trails,

2) Education & Outreach, and 3) River Towns. The following map illustrates the locations and areas of work.

Trails

Assisted communities and partners to envision, build, and sustain land and water trails.

Education & Outreach

Provided programming and outreach to promote and increase the use of the Susquehanna Greenway.

River Towns

Worked with communities to develop strategies that increase their connections to the River and each other.

The Susquehanna Greenway

A network of connected land and water trails, parks, and towns that border the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania.

In 2021, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP) celebrated its 15th anniversary. That’s over a decade of work realizing the vision of the Susquehanna Greenway within Pennsylvania.

In that time, staff, board members, volunteers, and partners have built miles of trail, constructed new river accesses for recreational boating, hosted engaging events to connect the public to the river, produced and distributed thousands of maps and trail guides, designated sixteen communities as Susquehanna Greenway River Towns, and overall have supported the development of outdoor recreation and conservation along the Susquehanna River and within the Commonwealth.

It is simply an amazing portfolio of work!

This vital work continued in 2020 and 2021 with several key accomplishments and project advancements. Our Trails Program hosted engaging events focused on educating new and novice paddlers, as well as produced and distributed new maps and guides for the Susquehanna River Water Trail. Our Education & Outreach Program

hosted the 10th Annual Photo Contest and facilitated hands-on events to connect the public to the Greenway. Our River Towns Program engaged 418 volunteers in April 2021 to remove over 10,000 lbs. of litter from the Susquehanna Greenway and Susquehanna River.

In addition to the work noted within this report and in honor of our anniversary, the SGP and Susquehanna Greenway logos also underwent a much-needed update. As seen in this report, the 15-year-old designs transformed with organic elements and an active color palette that captures the landscape of our beloved corridor.

On behalf of the SGP staff and Board of Directors, I want to express our sincere thanks to all individuals and partners who have supported SGP over the course of the last 15 years. Without your partnership and support, the Susquehanna Greenway would not be where it is today. As we enter the latter half of our second decade of existence, SGP remains committed to upholding our vision for a Greenway that builds connections along the Susquehanna River, inspires people to engage with the outdoors, and transforms communities into place where people want to live, work, and explore.

See you out on the Greenway,

Corey Ellison, SGP Executive Director

SUSQUEHANNA GREENWAY

Photo by John Beatty

15 Years of Growing the Greenway

Trails

SGP’s Trails Program helps communities and partners envision, plan, and sustain trails within the Susquehanna Greenway. Our work begins at the local and regional level, making steps towards our ultimate vision to create a connected 500-mile system of parks, land trails, boat launches, and preserved open spaces that connects people to the Susquehanna River and to each other.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities on the Susquehanna Greenway

The paddling opportunities along the

River Water Trail are significant. With over 500 miles of trail lacing through the state of Pennsylvania, this flowing network of water trail destinations offers a catalog of active and passive outdoor opportunities for people of all ages, socioeconomic levels, and abilities.

In 2021, fueled by the pandemic and fair weather, visitors from across the state and beyond ventured to the water trail to enjoy a day immersed in its cool waters and to explore its unique landscapes. Tens of thousands floated, paddled, boated, and fished from April to September.

Overall, this influx was positive; however, it concurrently exposed a weakness. For while the Susquehanna River Water Trail is a paddler’s paradise, it is compromised by a lack of information and educational opportunities.

In 2021, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP) set out to address this challenge through creative communications and outreach strategies, as well as hands-on workshops that better connected the public to the water trail, provided engaging information to fuel exploration, and offered a platform for users to learn new skills.

The first of these projects was the creation of easy-tofollow paddling itineraries. From the remote stretches of the wild West Branch to the lush islands and bustling

Susquehanna

communities of the Middle Susquehanna, itineraries brought paddle routes to life with step-by-step route guides, access information, and vibrant maps.

Thanks to a unique partnership with two central Pennsylvania visitors bureaus, over 11,000 brochures were distributed to the public in a region where few resources previously existed.

“The water trail brochures produced by SGP were immensely popular, with locals and visitors alike,” remarked Shane Kiefer, Director of Marketing for the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau. “We fielded and fulfilled thousands of website requests for copies throughout the paddling season and they were one of the more popular brochures taken at our various racks and displays around the region. This demand alone demonstrates the desire and need people have for this kind of information that gets them outdoors and exploring the river.”

In addition to these printed resources, SGP—together with Pennsylvania Master Naturalist—hosted two Paddler’s Toolkit Workshops to connect new and novice paddlers to the Susquehanna River.

Thirty-four attendees from across the region learned proper gear selection, how to plan for a paddle excursion, where to locate route details, and tips on identifying local flora and fauna along their paddle.

“The Paddler’s Toolkit Workshop helped give me confidence to kayak on the West Branch of the Susquehanna this summer in Renovo. Lessons on safely handling kayaks in the river were appreciated, [and] the lessons on flora and fauna helped to intensify our enjoyment kayaking on the West Branch,” said Jean of Trucksville, PA.

The water trail brochures and Paddler’s Toolkit workshops demonstrated that rather than feeling daunted by the existing challenges, SGP staff were energized and ready to step up to the plate to affect change along the Susquehanna River Water Trail.

The SGP is the state designated water trail manager for the 228-mile Susquehanna River Water Trail – West Branch and 35-miles of the Susquehanna River Water Trail – Lower North Branch. SGP works with state, regional, and local partners to grow the network of launches and introduce paddlers to the water trail in meaningful ways. In the coming years, SGP staff look forward to working alongside our partners to continue to celebrate the special places within the water trail and make them more accessible to all outdoor enthusiasts.

West Branch Paddle Club Welcomes New Members

Following the launch of the West Branch Paddle Club in early 2020, SGP was excited to welcome new members to this program in the 2020-2021 season. The West Branch Paddle Club (WBPC) is a program that celebrates the Susquehanna River Water Trail – West Branch and the recreational paddlers who explore it. The program splits the 228-mile water trail into four unique segments based on mileage & available boat launches. SGP would like to congratulate Bob Linn, Dave Decoteau, Sue Stackhouse, Mark Heller, John Laughlin, and James Wellington Jr. on their section paddles in 2020-2021! To learn more about the WBPC, visit susquehannagreenway.org/wbpc.

SGP Meets with Water Trail Stakeholders

Collaboration is key to maintaining user safety and experience on the Susquehanna River Water Trail. With this in mind, SGP convened our network of partners and stakeholders of the West Branch and Lower North Branch to provide a platform for sharing project updates, regional needs, and upcoming events along the water trail. Topics of discussion included managing the increase in water trail usage following the pandemic, marketing strategies for the water trail, identifying wayfinding and signage needs, highlighting regional assets, and facilitating new paddler education.

Susquehanna Pop-Up Paddles

During 2020, SGP held not one, but two Susquehanna Pop-Up Paddles on the West Branch to accommodate the surging interest in kayaking the Susquehanna River. The first trip was held on August 8, 2020, and led paddlers on a 11.5-mile excursion from Milton State Park to Shikellamy State Park with a lunch stop at The Fence Drive-In. The second trip took place on October 10, 2020 and took paddlers on a 7-mile loop from Linden to Susquehanna State Park outside of Williamsport, PA and back, with a picnic lunch and presentation by historian Thad Meckley. All in all, more than 100 paddlers were served by these events.

SGP Presents at PA Water Trails Managers Meeting

In October of 2021, water trail managers from across the state, including SGP, convened for the Statewide Water Trail Managers Meeting as part of the Pennsylvania Water Trail Program. In addition to participating in round table discussions, SGP hosted a presentation on “Making Connections all along the Susquehanna River Water Trail.” The presentation focused on the importance of working systemically with partners, unifying connected systems, and elevating users’ experience when addressing wayfinding.

Susquehanna Float & Films

On June 26, 2021, SGP hosted Susquehanna Float & Films—an opportunity for attendees to kayak the Susquehanna and watch the best of international paddling films. This unique event demonstrated how our local river matches paddling opportunities at a world-class level. The morning paddle led guests 8 miles downriver from Watsontown to Lewisburg with lunch at the Italian Terrace in Milton. Paddlers and the public then joined SGP at the Campus Theatre in downtown Lewisburg to enjoy films of the 2021 International Paddling Film Festival World Tour.

SGP Installs Fishing Line Collection Tubes

SGP sourced supplies to provide fishing line collection tubes to 10 locations along the West Branch Water Trail in support of our role as the state designated water trail manager. The tubes were funded through membership support from the West Branch Paddle Club, a program that recognizes paddlers for achieving sections of the West Branch. SGP hopes to provide more of these units to additional locations along the water trail in the years to come.

Water Trail Stewards

With over 263 miles of water trail along the West Branch and Lower North Branch of the Susquehanna River Water Trail, SGP relies on volunteers to help us monitor and report on this vast range of river accesses during the paddling season. In 2020-2021, SGP was assisted by 10 all-volunteer, Water Trail Stewards. Stewards assisted SGP through the adoption of boat launches near their homes. Three times during the season, Stewards visited their launch(s), checked the conditions of signage and infrastructure, took photos, and provided recommendations on any needed improvements. We would like to extend a big THANK YOU to these volunteers who help keep the boat launches in tip-top shape for paddlers!

West Branch Water Trail Map & Guide

After 18 years of use, the Susquehanna River Water Trail – West Branch Map & Guide has finally been updated. Thanks to the work of Swisher Studios, volunteer paddlers, and the staff of SGP, this new resource offers paddlers of all ability levels information and insight into navigating the West Branch Water Trail. Stunning photos, detailed maps, and supporting access information bring the water trail to life for all those looking to get out and explore the West Branch. Grab your copy today! The guides are now available for sale on our website: susquehannagreenway.org/shop

MSATC Work Continues to Grow Bike+Ped Opportunities

SGP serves as the Vice Chair of the Middle Susquehanna Active Transportation Committee (MSATC)—a seven county coalition of partners whose mission is to improve bike and pedestrian safety and infrastructure in the Middle Susquehanna Region of Clinton, Lycoming, Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Columbia, and Montour counties. In 2020-2021, the Connections Work Group worked with communities to inspire bike-ped audits and re-inventoried all planned and ongoing projects within the 7-county region, the Safety Work Group produced a checklist to help communities with initiating bike ped audits, and the Outreach and Education Work Group began the development of a logo and brand to represent the MSATC. Other work included coordination with state agencies and researching conditions along a potential pilot bike route corridors within the region.

Education & Outreach

SGP’s Education and Outreach Program works to promote and educate the public about the Susquehanna Greenway, its ongoing projects, and the many outdoor opportunities and amenities within the corridor. We also aim to recognize and highlight the people who make the Greenway possible, inform and engage the public, and promote the responsible and safe use of the Susquehanna Greenway’s trails, parks, and River Towns.

Celebrating the 10 th Annual Photo Contest

Each year, the Susquehanna Greenway photo contest showcases the treasured towns and landscapes of the Susquehanna Greenway and celebrates the photographers who capture its singular beauty. The winning photos make up SGP’s travelling gallery, which is exhibited throughout the Susquehanna region within Pennsylvania over the following year.

With 768 entries, the 10th Annual Photo Contest set a new SGP record! It was our most competitive year yet, and our judges certainly had their work cut out for them. Winning photos were selected out of four categories: Landscapes, River Towns, Susquehanna Adventures, and Wildlife.

Since all qualifying photos were taken within the Greenway, the photo contest provides a unique window into the opportunities and landscapes along the Greenway. As the traveling gallery moves from place to place, so too do the scenes of the Susquehanna, encouraging viewers from across the Commonwealth to “Get out on the Greenway” and discover the beauty and resources of the Susquehanna River corridor.

1. First Place Adventures and

3 Grand Prize Winner – Nick Zell

2. First Place Wildlife – Scott Canouse

3. First Place Landscapes – Tony Ragusea

4. First Place River Towns – John Reitzel

5. Second Place River Towns – Michael Yatsko

6. Second Place Landscapes – David Walsh

7. Second Place Adventures – John Reitzel

8. Second Place Wildlife – Scott Canouse

9. Third Place Wildlife – James Cole

10. Third Place River Towns – William Anderson

11. Third Place Landscapes – Rita Kurtz

12. Third Place Adventures – Matthew Krupp

13. People’s Choice – Ed Boardman

13. Towanda PA

10. Millersburg PA

12. Harrisburg PA

3. Lewisburg PA

2. Berwick PA

7. Columbia PA

8. Berwick PA

5. Harrisburg PA

6. Wyalusing PA

9. Athens Township

11. Selinsgrove PA

4. Columbia PA

Recognizing 10 years of Susquehanna Photography

In 2010, SGP launched it’s very first Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest. That year, we received 155 entries in categories that included Treasured River Towns, Treasured Landscapes, and Youth. With each year, the contest has grown, now receiving more than 700 entries, and has included categories ranging from Smiling Faces and Bridges to Susquehanna Adventures & Wildlife. As we look back on 10 years of stunning Susquehanna Photography, please enjoy this selection of winners from the past.

4th Annual - Sarah Knellinger

3rd Annual - Rick Mason

1st Annual - Craig Douglas Gephart, Harrisburg PA

2nd Annual - Sabrina Barner, Williamsport PA

9th Annual - John Beatty, Marietta PA

9th Annual - Dustin Underkoffler, Pequea Township

9th Annual - Edward Boardman, Ulster Township

5th Annual - Devin DePamphilis

7th Annual - Ronald Metzger, Montgomery County

8th Annual - Mark Boyd, Holtwood PA

7th Annual - Emily Hontz

7th Annual - Robert E. Dawson Jr., Marietta PA

8th Annual - Terry Wild, Hyner PA

5th Annual - Jeanne Kenney, Wilkes-Barre PA

4th Annual - Paul Garrett, Jersey Shore PA

8th Annual - Phillip Mapstone, Lock Haven PA

6th Annual - Mark Nance, Williamsport PA

Susquehanna Scenes, Sips, & Scales

Each year, SGP hosts a showcase of the winners of the Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest with an evening photo reception. In 2021, we honored the 9th Annual Photo Contest winners at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Allenwood, PA for an evening of Susquehanna Scenes, Sips, and Scales— scenes of the winning photos, sips from three local wineries, and the scales of our reptilian friends at the zoo. The event attracted more than 100 guests and three area wineries.

National Trails Day

In honor of National Trails Day, SGP invited our partners to gather for an information fair at Shikellamy State Park Marina on June 5, 2021. This event was arranged as an opportunity for the local community to learn about the outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the region and also pick up free maps, guides, brochures, and more to help get them started on their next outdoor adventure.

Boat ID Stickers Released

With the onset of paddling season in May 2021, SGP also released Vessel Identification Stickers (ID Stickers), a FREE resource for paddlers to utilize as they explore the Susquehanna River Water Trail. These water-resistant stickers include areas for name and contact information. After filling in the information sections with a waterproof pen or marker, it is recommended that boat owners place the sticker in a protected but visible location on their boat(s), such as the inside of the cockpit. If a boat should capsize and get swept downriver, the vessel has a better chance of being returned. Keep an eye out for our tabling events to snag your stickers this season!

Susquehanna Photo Cruise

In order to celebrate our 10th Annual Photo Contest winners, SGP hosted a sunset cruise on the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat located outside of Williamsport, PA. The boat took guests from Susquehanna State Park for a 2-hour cruise along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River on a late summer evening in August. We had perfect weather as guests enjoyed viewing the winning photos and scenery along the Susquehanna River.

New Video Features Released

SGP Shop Stocks Maps

In an effort to support paddlers of all sections of the Susquehanna River Water Trail, SGP expanded our online shop to include waterproof maps from all four sections of the water trail. Thanks to our partnering water trail managers, SGP acquired a stock of maps for the North Branch, Middle Susquehanna, and Lower Susquehanna sections of the Susquehanna River Water Trail. Now, the public can purchase multiple maps from a singular location helping to streamline multi-section and multi-day trips on the water trail. Maps for all four sections are now available on SGP’s website: susquehannagreenway.org/shop

New Website in the Works

SGP embarked on a project to redesign our aging website. After 9 years in operation, it was decided by the SGP Communications Committee and Board of Directors that the website was in need of updates to better reflect the refreshed mission & vision of SGP and to better serve our audience with a more user-friendly online platform. The new and improved website is now up and running and waiting to be explored!

River Towns

SGP’s River Towns Program works within communities throughout the Susquehanna Greenway to envision, prioritize, and implement community-led projects that reconnect residents back to the Susquehanna River, create trails and river accesses, and interpret the community’s natural and cultural assets. SGP’s vision is to connect these towns to the river and to each other through the Susquehanna Greenway.

Photo by Michael Rodo

Susquehanna Greenway River Towns Celebrate Earth Week

Susquehanna Greenway River Towns across the region were alive with volunteers in celebration of Earth Day and the inaugural 2021 Susquehanna Greenway River Towns Cleanup in April 2021.

Over the course of the week of April 18-25, 2021, six river towns organized events that attracted 418 volunteers and collectively removed 10,500+ pounds of trash from area parks, trails, and communities along the Susquehanna River.

Williamsport, Lewisburg, Bloomsburg, Danville, Sunbury, and Lock Haven made up the group of river towns with cleanups and programs led by local organizations, which included the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, Newberry Community Partnership, Lewisburg River Town Team & Lewisburg Neighborhoods, Art of PA, Montour Area Recreation

Commission, The Susquehanna River Cleanup Project of Sunbury’s Revitalization, Inc., and Downtown Lock Haven, Inc.

“For the past few years, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership has coordinated Earth Week cleanup efforts in the SGP River Town of Williamsport,” explains SGP Executive Director Corey Ellison. “This year, we really wanted to see this event expand to other river towns as a united effort to beautify the region and cleanup the Susquehanna Greenway. We are thrilled with the response and commend our partners, River Town Teams, and the many volunteers on a job well done.”

For the 2021 River Town Cleanup Week, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP) helped to organize efforts by convening interested parties, assisting with planning, and securing no-cost cleanup materials such as bags, gloves, and safety vests. These supplies were acquired through the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful initiative, which offers registered events free resources provided by support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

In Williamsport, SGP staff and board members were joined by 34 area volunteers, including a group from the West Branch Valley Association of Realtors, to clear the Williamsport River Walk of 577 pounds of trash in just over an hour and a half. Throughout the event, volunteers collected items such as discarded blankets, abandoned camping tents, several t-shirts, a child’s sandbox, a shopping cart, and even the broken bow of a canoe, among the typical bottles, wrappers, and cans.

Also in Williamsport, the Newberry Community Partnership led 35 volunteers on a cleanup in the Newberry neighborhood, collecting 225 pounds of trash and 70 pounds of recyclables.

In Lewisburg, the Lewisburg River Town Team & Lewisburg Neighborhoods cleaned up areas in their downtown district and along the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail attracting 90 volunteers who collected 45 bags of trash in total. On Earth Day, the group also planted 26 trees near the Lewisburg AYSO soccer fields, adding to their overall planting of 114 trees that spring!

In Bloomsburg, Art of PA arranged for an Earth Day Community Drum Circle where participants were invited to join in on a musical community gathering in celebration of the day. The event was postponed to May 4th, however, a craft session for homemade drums was held at the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum in anticipation of making this experience a COVIDfriendly event.

In Danville, the Montour Area Recreation Commission led cleanups at the Montour Preserve, Hess Recreation Area, Hopewell Park, North Branch Canal Trail, and in Washingtonville Borough, attracting nearly 106 volunteers who donated 235 hours of their time to collect 25 cubic yards of trash and 21 tires.

In Sunbury, the Susquehanna River Cleanup Project of Sunbury’s Revitalization, Inc. led 110 volunteers on a cleanup along the shores of Sunbury’s Riverfront Park, collecting a whopping 9,500 pounds of trash, 3,500 pounds of which were tires alone.

Danville PA

Sunbury PA

In Lock Haven, Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. gathered a team of 43 volunteers to remove 200 pounds of trash from Triangle Park and the city’s downtown business district. Volunteers included the Lock Haven University ROTC Bald Eagle Battalion, two local Boy Scout Troops and their families, and individuals from the community just stepping up to do their part in keeping the city beautiful.

Of the six participating communities, Williamsport, Lewisburg, Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lock Haven are designated ‘Susquehanna Greenway River Towns.’ Communities received the designation after completing a two-year process, which included open space inventories, community outreach, and strategic planning.

As designated River Towns, each community has made a commitment to celebrate and connect to the resources of the Susquehanna River and Susquehanna Greenway. Hosting events such as the ones within the cleanup serve to uphold this pledge and promote a better quality of life for people living in and visiting the area.

The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership could not be more proud of this network of River Towns and would like to thank the partnering organizations and dedicated volunteers who helped make this initiative a success!

Williamsport PA

Lock Haven PA

Selinsgrove River Town Implements New Sign Project

In 2015, Selinsgrove was designated as a Susquehanna Greenway River Town. Since then, the River Town has proposed many new ideas and projects in order to continue their growth and connection to the Susquehanna River. One such project that Selinsgrove borough leaders have worked on in 2020-2021 is implementing visual components to street signs. The proposed components include kayak symbols for streets leading to the boat launch, and, the most recently installed, signs with Susquehanna University’s logo for those that lead to the college. These signs are a way to draw visiting individuals’ attention to what the town has to offer in a fun, visual way. The borough also hopes to include street signs with a symbol indicating the town is a Susquehanna Greenway River Town.

River Town Activity Spotlight: Lock Haven Floating Stage

The beautiful city of Lock Haven received designation as a Susquehanna Greenway River Town in 2014, and since then, the community has celebrated its connection to the Susquehanna River in many ways. Once of its most popular activities has included the Lock Haven Summer Concert Series hosted on Lock Haven’s Floating Stage. Located right on the river’s West Branch, the concerts can be enjoyed onshore from the J. Doyle Corman Amphitheater, or guests may anchor and watch ‘front row’, right from the Susquehanna River. Individuals in the community can take a walk or run along the William Clinger Riverwalk and Lock Haven Levee Trail, stop to enjoy live music, or simply just a beautiful view of the Susquehanna River.

Jersey Shore Received Grants to Improve Active Transportation

In April 2021, Jersey Shore Borough received funding to implement its Active Transportation Plan, which SGP assisted with producing. A grant from the PA Department of Community & Economic Development’s Greenways, Trails, and Recreation program will be used to connect an existing DCNR-funded rail trail to the Susquehanna River, including a connector to Allegheny Street, enhanced sidewalks, and curb ramps. The borough also received funds through the PA Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Transportation Fund to support a streetscape project, which will enhance sidewalks, bump-outs, signs, crosswalks, and curb ramps along Bank Alley and South Main Street, Fountain Street and Allegheny Street, and Staver and Allegheny Street. These projects are a big step towards improving bike safety and outdoor tourism in this Susquehanna Greenway River Town.

Photo by Melissa Smith

Partners

SGP is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the Susquehanna Greenway and its corridor of conserved lands, trails, and communities that run along the Susquehanna River within Pennsylvania. SGP could not, however, accomplish all of the great work within the Greenway without our valued network of partners and local community organizations. Here are some outstanding examples of partner work accomplished in the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

Endless Mountains Heritage Region

In partnership with SGP, the Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) has released an updated water trail map for the Susquehanna River Water Trail – North Branch. The EMHR, manager of the Upper North Branch, and the SGP, manager of the Lower North Branch, collaborated to make the updates to the water trail map. With an updated map, paddlers now have access to resources to paddle the North Branch. EMHR would also like to congratulate the new members of the 444 Club; a group of individuals who have paddled the entire 444 miles of the Susquehanna River Water Trail from Cooperstown, NY, to Havre de Grace, MD. As of the 2020-21 fiscal year, 67 individuals are members of the 444 Club.

Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association

In 2020-21, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association (MSRKA) launched the HERYN Program (Helping Engage our River’s Youth with Nature). This program was designed to help children, ages 10-13, within the community learn kayaking and fishing skills while also gaining a better appreciation for the outdoors. The first year saw an attendance of 73 young people. The MSRKA also launched its Songs of the Susquehanna project, which encourages musicians throughout the Middle Susquehanna watershed to write and share songs based on the Susquehanna River. The Association was pleasantly surprised to have received 46 songs from 36 different musicians/musical groups in the program’s first year.

UnPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley

The UnPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley gravel ride took place in October 2021, where 825 participants hopped on their bikes in the Susquehanna Greenway River Town of Lewisburg, PA and explored the trails and surrounding forests of the region through a 120-mile, 90-mile, 50-mile, 30-mile, and 20-mile course. Despite the mud and rain, riders gave many compliments on the event and its format, including aid stations that included food to fuel up and finish their ride strong. The end of the course was set with whoopie pies and a special beer for the event, brewed by The Rusty Rail Brewing Company. This unmatched experience is a draw to the Susquehanna River Valley year after year.

Susquehanna National Heritage Area

The Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA) recently procured a new vessel for their popular heritage tours of the Lower Susquehanna River—the 109-year-old electric-powered boat, The Chief Uncas. This unique and historic boat was built for beer baron Adolphus Busch to enjoy cruises right on the Susquehanna at his summer home in Cooperstown, NY. SNHA purchased the historic boat from the Busch family with hopes to begin public tours on the historic watercraft in 2022. Each year, the SNHA also offers guided heritage paddle tours where paddlers can explore different sights along the river while also learning about the history and ecology of the river. The kayaking excursion is led by kayak guides and SNHA staff and is suggested for intermediate paddlers.

Lancaster Conservancy

In 2020-2021, the Lancaster Conservancy had several big announcements regarding conserved lands in the Lower Susquehanna region. In 2020, the Conservancy acquired an exciting 70-acre addition in Marietta for the Hellam Hills Nature Preserve. In 2021, they received a generous gift from the Clark Foundation that allowed them to establish the Clark Nature Preserve (formerly three separate nature preserves known as House Rock, Reed Run, and Pequea South). This important philanthropic contribution will help support land acquisition efforts and stewardship of the nature preserves in the Lancaster River Hills, an area along the Susquehanna River between Safe Harbor and Holtwood Dam.

Montour Area Recreation Commission

The Montour Area Recreation Commission (MARC) was awarded funding for an extension of Riverfront Trail in Danville through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. The plan proposes the route for a riverfront trail system linking several biking, running, and walking areas within Danville to create a safer and interconnected community. The plan includes long-term and short-term goals including linking the F.Q. Hartman Recreation Area with the Danville Soccer Park and the North Branch Canal Trail. Another goal is to connect the growing Danville Primary School / Danville Area High School / Danville Area Community Center campus with Danville’s downtown and residential neighborhoods, as well as connections to the Danville Middle School and the Hess Recreation Area. The Montour Area Recreation Commission’s main long-term goal is to continue to advocate and take on opportunities for pedestrian and cyclist safety throughout Montour County.

Conodoguinet Greenway

In January 2021, the Conodoguinet Greenway was awarded funding in state grants to conduct a feasibility study. With grants and information received from the study, the Conodoguinet Greenway plans to create a trail of at least 20-miles along the Conodoguinet Creek in Cumberland County. Their vision is to create a continuous recreational path that connects communities along the Conodoguinet Greenway to the eastern Susquehanna Greenway with a terminus at the Susquehanna River. The corridor is envisioned as a multi-modal transportation pathway. This recreational trail will help work towards many partnership goals, including working towards the goal of connecting greenways all throughout Pennsylvania for one continuous greenway.

Lumber Heritage Region

In 2021, the Lumber Heritage Region (LHR) was excited to announce the completion of their Diversity Research Study which investigated the history of life in the Forest Products Industry. The study covered locations throughout LHR’s 15-counties over an 11-month period, and was conducted by historical researcher, Hilary Folwell Jebitsch, who was able to find information about the diverse population that lived and worked in the forests during the lumber boom. Prior to Hilary’s research, historic photos had shown individuals who lived and worked in the LHR, but information about who the individuals were and what they did was unknown. LHR plans to continue expanding their research in order to preserve the long-forgotten history and diversity in the lumber industry.

HuntFishPA: New Online Licensing Site

The PA Game Commission and PA Fish and Boat Commission were excited to announce the launch of HuntFishPA.gov, a new licensing platform for hunters and recreational boaters. The new platform allows convenient autorenewal for permits and licenses of both agencies, as well as the ability to purchase hunting or fishing licenses, launch permits, and boat registration renewals on any personal device. The new and improved system makes getting the required licenses and permits simple and getting out on the Greenway that much easier.

Wilkes-Barre Featured by National Park Service

Located on the North Branch Susquehanna River, the City of Wilkes-Barre was recently recognized by the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program for its re-envisioning of the Wilkes-Barre River Commons as a hub for community events, recreation, & economic growth. Home to a 750-seat amphitheater, paved walkways, gardens, a fishing pier, and two grand gateways connecting the city to the Susquehanna River, residents can enjoy the open green space or attend one of the many public events held onsite.

New Park unveiled in Susquehanna County

The Ira-Reynolds Riverfront Park, named after the longest living Boy Scout in history, was unveiled in September 2021 in Susquehanna Depot, PA on the upper North Branch. This 14-acre community park was historically part of the former Erie Railyard and slowly became overgrown. Gannon Furness, a member of Boy Scout Troop 81, designed and brought this memorial back to life. By installing pavers and planting shrubs, the park was restored and made into a space for the whole community to enjoy. The borough is already planning a 1.5-acre expansion of the park, which will be focused on access to camping and kayaking along the Susquehanna River.

85-mile Trail Corridor Designated as a Statewide Greenway

The Schuylkill to Susquehanna Greenway was designated as a major statewide greenway in September 2020 by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. This status is reserved for trail corridors that are at least 50 miles long, that pass through two or more counties, and are recognized in official planning documents. The greenway, which runs through Chester, Montgomery, and Lancaster counties, enables people to travel between the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Rivers. It will combine existing trails, connecting Falmouth in Lancaster County to Norristown in Montgomery County.

Plastic Purge in the Lower Susquehanna

The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association and partners hosted the 1st Annual Plastic Purge of the Lower Susquehanna on October 31st and November 7th of 2020. During this large-scale cleanup, volunteers took kayaks and boats out to islands in the middle of the river to pick up plastics that had washed up there, while others stayed on shore to gather waste. Many thanks to all those who helped make our mighty Susquehanna cleaner!

Boat launch Dedication in Pine Creek Township

In June 2021, Jersey Shore / Avis saw the dedication of the Phelps Mills Canoe Launch on Susquehanna tributary of Pine Creek. While the launch officially opened in 2019, local partners saw the opportunity for improvement, and with a generous donation and several grants, the improvements were completed by August 2020. In 2021, a dedication event and re-opening of the launch allowed project partners to come together and celebrate the achievement. The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pine Creek Township, and Tiadaghton State Forest hope the improvements to this launch will create recreational opportunities and allow local residents to continue to travel by the creek and river.

Cove Mountain Preserve Extension

The Pennsylvania and Delaware chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) closed a deal in March of 2021 to expand their preservation of the Cove Mountain Preserve in the Middle Susquehanna near Marysville. In the deal, TNC acquired approximately 650 acres of Cove Mountain, expanding their preserve from 353 acres to 1,411 total acres. The Pennsylvania Game Commission acquired about 213 additional acres. Moving forward, TNC is creating a forest management plan that will provide quality habitat for wildlife, and it also plans to add additional hiking trails over the next several years.

Meet Our Team

Photo by Joe Hainey

SGP Staff (current)

SGP Board (2020-2021)

SGP Advisors

Corey Ellison Executive Director

Sara Maul Administrative & Operations Assistant

Alana Jajko Director of Communications & Outreach

Jerry Walls Erica Shames Richard Koch

Poppy Breining Program Manager Trails & Recreation

Bob Rolley, Chair Jason Fitzgerald, Treasurer

Furst, Vice Chair & Secretary

Photo by Rita Kurtz

Financials

Photo by Dustin Underkoffler

Thank You!

Corporate Donors

Citizens’ Electric Company

Mirabito Brothers Properties

Susquehanna Life

Civic Organizations

Jersey Shore Area Lioness Club

Donors

Eric and Kristin Adams

Patrick Anderson

Charles And Yvonne Arnold

Kathryn Bartizek

Elizabeth Belotti

Gail BeVier

Deborah Books

Jeff Bowen

James And Cynthia Mengel Bower

Kevin and Debra Boyd

Victor Boyd

Juliana Brafa

Stephen and Laura Brown

Susan Browning

Michelle Brummer

Holly and Adam Buchanan

Irene Buonopane

Pamela Burns

Jonathan Butterfield

Patrick and Maureen Carey

Patricia Carothers

David and Sarah Craig

Kay Cramer

Michael And Marsha Cunningham

Debbie And Steve Dagle

Walton Dahlander

Jean Dalton

Kimberly Daubman

John Davis

Barbara Diehl

Linda Dietrichson

Tucker Dona

Pete and Mary DuBois

Thomas Edinger

Corey and Jae Ellison

Victor and Mary Engel

Vincent Fayock

Shawn Felty

Kelly Finley

Reed And Dody Fisher

William and Constance Foresman

Glen and Patricia Foster

Scott Frost

Louise Fulmer

Robert Garrett

Frank Garrigan

Steven Miller And Ellen Gauthier

Tom and Sarah Gehret

John George

William Gibson Jr.

Sylvia Gleason

Duane and Anne Griffin

Harry and Sue Hefty

Tim Heimbach

Dan and Mary Herzog

Darlene Hoffman

Sally Holbert

Cindi Hron

Michael and Carol Hubler

Ron & Diane Jajko

David and Theodora Jansky

Eric Jeschke

Page Barker and Alex Johnson

Erik Johnson

Matt Kehr

John Kelchner

Shane and Alana Jajko Kiefer

Richard and Toni Koch

Mike and Jill Komar

Paul Kusko

John And Debra Latsha

Martha Lawrenz

Martha Lawrenz

Holly Lehman

Cynthia Lehman

Shaun Levi

James and Connie Lewis

Robert Lucas

Paula Majhan

Steve And Deb Martin

Frederick And Josephine Maue

Keith Kocher and Joan McCarty

Martin And Wendy McCormick

Jennifer and Sean McElwee

Eric Meyer

Connie Moore

Stephen Motyka

Timm and Kristen Moyer

Mike Ochs

Sue ODonnell

Lou Ann Pacocha

John And Marilyn Palmer

Carrie Pauling

Caroline Payne

Samantha Pearson

Judy And John Peeler

Carlos And Harriett Perez

Gayle Peters-Coates

Michael Philbin

Andree Phillips

Michele Phillips

Pat and Mick Piper-Smyer

Michael DeMarco and Elaine

Pongratz

David Post

Betsy Quant

Alfred and Ann Reeves

Joyce Rhodes

Barry And Hope Ridge

Douglas Ritter

Jerome And Alice Rizzo

Bob And Pamela Rolley

Kim Sabins

Jan Schaefer

Ray And Barb Scheetz

Paul Schmeck

Jack Smith

Jan Smith

David And Betty Jean Staebler

Curt And Jodie Stauffer

Linda Stein

Karen Stepanik

David And Louisa Stone

John Sweeney

John And Leah Tewksbury

Alice And Rich Trowbridge

Gary Tuma

Priscilla Waggoner

Robert And Rose Ann Wallace

Jerry and Joy Walls

Marty and Cindy Walzer

Bob Whitmore

Mike And Ashley Wiley

David DeFebo and Mary Woods

Linda Woodward

Alan and Tana Zeigler

Thomas and Beverly Zorn

Anonymous Donor in Honor of Allen Quant

West Branch Paddle Club

Members (2020-2021)

Eric Bergesen

Sherry Bogle

Tim Dougherty

Daniel Flickinger

John George

Joseph Hage

Mark Heller

Rick Houseknecht

Jacqueline Kelly

Keith Kocher

John Laughlin

Bob Linn

Joseph Maitre

Paul Skill

Gerry Lynn Shipe

Sue Stackhouse

James Wellington Jr.

David Wright

Performance Kayak

Riverside Adventure Company

In-Kind Donations

Campus Theatre

Montour Area Recreation Commission

PennDOT

Riverside Adventure Company

SEDA-COG

Susquehanna River Valley

Visitors Bureau

The Lock Haven Express

The Swisher Studio

UPMC Susquehanna

Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Volunteers

Eve Adrian

Brett Arnold

Avery Bischoff

John Booth

Hope Byers

Pam Burns

Amy Cotner

Jeneice Cooper

Dave Decoteau

Jae Ellison

Brady Fisher

Jason Fitzgerald

Scott Frost

Sid Furst

John George

Luke Griffith

Joe Hainey

Lucy Heggenstaller

Oren Helbok

Rick Hiduk

Vicki Hospes

Kelly Howell

Alex Johnson

Anna Jordan

Sam Keller

Shane Kiefer

Mark Kissinger

Richard Koch

John Lavelle

Alexis Martina

Timm Moyer

John Oast

Kitty Patterson

Carrie Pauling

Samantha Pearson

Michele Richards

Bob Rolley

Scott Sagar

Erica Shames

Jordan Sheffer

Brian Swisher

Christine Tamburri

Alice Trowbridge

Jerry Walls

Joy Walls

Mallory Weymer

Mike Wiley

Linda Woodward

This project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, using Environmental Stewardship Funds, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

Volunteer Highlight

Volunteers lie at the heart of SGP’s efforts. Their generosity and dedication allow us to monitor trails and river accesses, host engaging events, and spread awareness of the outdoor opportunities the Greenway has to offer. Each volunteer brings a different background and skillset to the table, and our work would not be possible without them.

Mark Kissinger reached out to SGP in 2020 with an interest in contributing his experience in photography to the work of the Susquehanna Greenway. Recently retired in Lancaster County, Mark’s location allowed SGP to establish new feet on the ground in the region of the Greenway that we don’t often have the capacity to visit. Thanks to Mark’s photography, SGP now has a new stock of images to promote the parks and trails of the Lower Susquehanna region.

“I feel as though I may be playing a small part in informing people of the beauty that is the Susquehanna

River and the surrounding area,” Mark explains. “I have an opportunity to combine my love of photography with my love for the outdoors.”

Since volunteering with SGP, Mark has photographed locations including Columbia River Park, Mill Creek Falls, the Conestoga Trail, Chestnut Grove Natural Area, Clark Nature Preserve, the White Cliffs of Conoy, and the recently opened Safe Harbor Trestle Bridge.

SGP is so grateful to volunteers like Mark, and to all those who value the Susquehanna River and dedicate their time to strengthening connections along the Greenway.

Want to Get Involved? There are so many great ways to support the Greenway!

• Become a Volunteer Ambassador

• Become a Water Trail Steward

• Visit the SGP Shop online

• Shop with Amazon Smile

• Donate Directly to the Greenway

To learn more about these opportunities, visit susquehannagreenway.org or email info@susquehannagreenway.org.