Images of Lebanon Valley, PA
By Dan Markham

Rails-to-Trails on the Right Track

     In 2004, the Lebanon Valley Rails-to-Trails program will cross an important bridge-literally.
     With the completion of a 1.5 mile Cornwall section that will include a 130-foot iron bridge, the existing route will be contiuous for 12.5 miles. The bridge will become a focal point of the trail system, says John Wengert, president of the Lebanon Valley Rails-to-Trails.
     Before Phase III of the project was launched, the trails were broken into two segments - one from the Lancaster / Lebanon County line going north and another from Lebanon city heading south.
     Even without a continiouse path, local residents have already made ample use of the trails sonce the first phase was completed in 2000. On an average warm-weather weekend, more than 1,000 people traveld the trails on foot, bicycle or horseback.
     But the trails aren't ignored when the weather in uncooperative. Winter sports enthusiasts use the trails for cross-country skiing.
     Each segment of the trail contains two paths - a 10 foot crushed limestone surface for bikers, runners, walkers, and a wood-chips or grass trail for horses.
     Still, even where nature provides the surface, the work that goes into the trail creation is substantial. The volunteer-based agency had to make drainage improvements, install railings for safety and re-deck any bridges, Wengert says.
     Despite the obstacles, the group is eager to do more. A side trail into Mount Gretna is scheduled for the fall, while plans for the coming years include extending the trail farther into Lebanon, and perhaps beyond.
     We don't own that piece [of railway] yet, so the timeline is less certain, Wengert says.
     In the meantime, the organization will celebrate the completion of the linked trails by adding an information kiosk near Cornwall. Lebanon Valley Rails-to-Trails is also in the process of refursishing the Root Beer Barrel, a Route 72 landmark concession stand shaped like a barrel, and relocating it to the trail head.
     Nest Architecture's Kip Kelly is designing the kiosk and is taking his task quite seriously.
     I wanted to make certain that whatever we did, it was a lasting reminder of all the hard work to turn the rails into trails, Kelly says.
     The architect will borrow from the surrounding railroad architecture for the kiosk's design. The two-sided, 11 foot-tall kiosk will feature a red sandstone base to match old buildings in the area, heavy timber and metal joinery to capture the feel of the trestle bridge, and a slate roof, another local staple.