Rail Trails in Southern End and Lititz-Ephrata, Volunteers for city pro race, and Riders for Dream Ride
*In the wonders never cease department, municipal leaders who bristled and sued when the county commissioners tried to shove a rail-trail down their throats on the former Atglen freight line, are considering creating a public recreation trail on their own.
The New Era is reporting, http://www.lancasteronline.com/pages/paper/newera/, that state Sen. Gib Armstrong is convening a meeting with municipal officials from six southern end townships and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to discuss grants for a possible trail. Norfolk Southern is soon slated to turn over the land to the local governments.
The county, which tried to seize the rail cooridor in 2005 through eminent domain, is not involved. The county will only help with planning if asked, one Planning Commission official said.
Rail-trail proponents have wanted to create a recreation trail on the abandoned line for 17 years.
I’m not holding my breath.
*The Lititz-Record Express this week reported that Warwick Township officials are interested in a proposal for a rail-trail connecting Lititz to Akron and Ephrata, but that land ownership remains an issue.
An entity bought portions of the former freight line after it was abandoned in the 1970s. Now, that entity can’t be found and there is no clear title to the land.
*Organizers of Lancaster’s professional bicycle race, to be held Sunday, June 3, are looking for people who want to get up close to the cyclists — or at least to the edge of the race route.
Norristown-based Pro Cycling Tour, the organizers of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling, have issued a call for volunteers. They are seeking people to be course marshals, expo decorators and help with security, hospitality, marketing and communications. Hundreds of volunteers are needed for the Lancaster race, and those in Reading, June 7, and Philadelphia, June 10.
Anyone interested in more information about volunteer requirements and sign-up procedures can go to http://www.procyclingtour.com/volunteers.cfm or call 610.676.0390 ext. 106.
*And organizers of the Dream Ride for Lancaster, the annual bicycle ride for Lancaster County charities, want to remind everyone to begin training for their event.
The Dream Ride will be held July 28, with ride routes of 10, 20, 30, 62.5 and 100 miles in length. Riders are encouraged to solicit funds for their favorite local charities.
This years Dream Ride will the 11th. Last year, 400 riders participated.
Anyone wishing more information can visit the Dream Ride Projects’ Internet wed site, at www.dreamrideprojects.org, or e-mail questions to founder Mike Ridgeway, at mike@dreamrideprojects.org.
