A.T. Community Planning

Photo by Sean O'Shell of TrailVistas.com

Based on the strength of the application submitted and hard work of many dedicated volunteers, Duncannon has been officially  designated an Appalachian Trail Community!  The decision was made by ATC's Mid-Atlantic Partnership Committee in late October and Duncannon hosted its Appalachian Trail Community dedication ceremony and inaugural town-wide festival on June 2nd, 2012, coinciding with National Trails Day and themed "Saving Our Community from Nature Deficit Disorder.  The event was a great success and saw a large turn-out from the community and area outdoor recreation enthusiasts.  Special thanks to event coordinator Trailangel Mary and all of the volunteers that contributed to help make it such a special day.

Photo by Steve Fehr
Highlights of the day's events included a mini-A.T. race, live music from various local musicians and Randy "Windtalker" Motz playing Native American flutes, a hiker culture panel, presentations on map & compass use and landscaping for native plants, and the day culminated with the Appalachian Trail Community designation ceremony and presentation of awards to the Trail to Every Classroom Post Card Art Contest winners from Susquenita Middle School!


Duncannon fulfills the program criteria as follows:
    • Formation of an Advisory Committee 
    • Hosting a Trail-related event— Billville Hiker Feed is in its 7th year
    • Participation in the Trails to Every Classroom service-learning program, Susquenita Middle School
    • Local Boy Scouts (Troop 64) have developed A.T. maps & signage at community gateways
    • Language for protection of the A.T. in land use planning - Municipal Ordinance #385 pursuant to the Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail Act
    • Apple Tree AlleyWalk concept plans to develop an old railroad right-of-way into a pedestrian/bike-path and linear community park

A.T. Community Planning:

The Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community Advisory Committee (DATC) is organized as follows: 

Mary “trailangelmary” Parry, Co-Coordinator, Designation Event Coordinator
Paul Smith, A.T. Ambassador, Co-Coordinator
Robert Peiffer,  Sub-Committee Chamber of Commerce Representative
Susan Norris, Sub-Committee Event Chairperson Graphics
Linda Britcher, Sub-Committee Event Chairperson Business Participation
Fred Lauster, Duncannon Borough Council, Sub-Committee Event Chairperson Logistics
Paul Marth, Sub-Committee Event Chairperson Trail to Every Classroom
Kim McKee, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Advisor and Act 24 Coordinator


Appalachian Trail panel finalized for Susquehanna Greenway Driving Tour Kiosk, installation coming soon!

  • Mountain Club of Maryland rep Mike O'Connor has coordinated with SEDA-COG to finalize panel design and fabrication, funding was provided through MCM's Miles Fund Grants.
  • The panel should hopefully be in the ground by the end of July 2012!




Appalachian Trail Community Mural:

Hard at work.  Photo by Trailangel Mary
To coincide with the Saving Our Community from Nature Deficit Disorder and A.T. Community celebration, a Duncannon "Trails" mural was planned for the side of the Rt 11/15 retaining wall in Duncannon across the parking lot from Perry County Beer & Soda.  Muralist Carol Boyd and her son Alston worked hard, battling questionable weather, to finish up as much as possible before the June 2nd event.  So excited to see the finished product!  The mural project has been coordinated by Trailangel Mary and a special thanks to PNC Bank for financial support,PennDOT District 8 for allowing DATC to use the wall, and Duncannon resident Brian Barlup for lending scaffolding.


Almost complete.  Photo by Steve Fehr

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