Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community Committee meeting Monday, Sept. 17

The next Duncannon A.T. Community Advisory Committee meeting is planned for Monday, Sept. 17th at 6:30PM at the Borough Office.  On the agenda will be a presentation from the Mountain Club of Maryland Trail Supervisor, Mike Jenkins, and planning for the upcoming year.  A few things for Committee members to think about in advance of the planning meeting: 

What does Duncannon hope to get out of the A.T. Community program?  Answers may include: 

• Be part of the national designation network
• Gain recognition and visibility through signage, media, etc.
• Enhance partnerships with public land agencies
• Enhance partnerships with volunteers
• Increase community viability and economic health
• Increase community environmental stewardship
• Preserve Duncannon's sense of place
• Enhance recognition of Duncannon as an outdoor recreation area
• Increase visitation to Duncannon

What can Duncannon do for the Appalachian Trail?  Answers may include: 

• Provide volunteers to manage and maintain the A.T.
• Increase knowledge of the A.T. as an asset
• Increase community awareness of the A.T.
• Protect resources within the trail corridor through zoning, comprehensive planning, smart growth, etc.
• Include the A.T. in community marketing info (brochures, web sites, etc.)
• Increase proper use of the A.T.
• Increase education about responsible behavior in the outdoors
• Build membership for the local A.T. clubs and Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• Increase partnerships and dialogue among land managers, volunteers, and community leadership

How available are the following hiker services?

• Lodging
• Camping 
• Outfitter
• ATMs
• Restaurants
• Laundry
• Grocery/Re-supply
• Showers
• Pharmacy/Medical Services
• Library/Computer/Internet
• Post Office
• Public Restrooms
• Discounts for Hikers
• Storage for Hikers
• A.T. Souvenirs
• Signage about the A.T.
• Kiosks about the A.T.
• Information about how the A.T. relates to your Community

What is Duncannon's stage of action for the following?

• Our community has strong partnerships with public land agencies
• Our community offers clear communication about the A.T. to wider audiences
•  Volunteer leadership for the A.T. in our community is committed
• New A.T. volunteers have stepped up lately
• My community offers community-led hikes of the A.T.
• We have regular programs to protect the A.T.
• We regularly partner with the ATC on programs
• The A.T. is included in our community brochures
• Information about the A.T. is included on our web site
• Community events have a clear focus on trails and outdoor recreation

Does Duncannon have?

• Visitor or Community center
• Comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance
• Downtown beautification plan
• Strategic marketing plan
• Shuttle from A.T. to town
• Shuttle to points north and south on the A.T.
• Public transportation/shuttles to the airport
• Car rental/taxi services

Perry County Greenways, Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan

How do the efforts of Committee members representing various public, private and volunteer partners in Duncannon fit into Perry County's larger picture?

The Perry County Board of Commissioners officially adopted the Perry County Greenways, Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan (GPROSP) on July 18, 2011. The plan (to view, click here) recognizes greenways, provides an updated inventory of community parks and recreation together with recommendations, and offers direction for open space protection by way of sample ordinances.  In addition to supporting the Apple Tree AlleyWalk project, the following goals and action items are notable to the Duncannon Advisory Committee efforts:

• Identify Trail Towns – As defined in Trail Towns Capturing Trail-Based Tourism a “Trail Town” is a destination along a long-distance trail. Whether on a rail trail, towpath, water trail, or hiking trail-trail users can venture off the trail and to enjoy the scenery, services, and heritage of the nearby community. It is a safe place where both township residents and trail users can walk, find goods and services they need, and easily access both trail and town by foot or vehicle. In such a town, the trail is an integral and important part of the community. A Trail Town is a vibrant place where people come together. It may have a bike shop, an ice cream parlor, casual restaurants, a grocery store, and quaint local shops. It has wide sidewalks, clean streets, bike racks, and benches at convenient locations. It has places to rest for the night. Trail Towns are not stand-alone communities; they are linked by the trail corridor where trail users may be passing through a town on a day trip or long distance trek, or may drive to a community and park to access a river or trial.

• Promote and coordinate special events in Perry County. They are a top recreational interest among the citizens and have the potential to draw people to visit in Perry County. There is currently no centralized means for people to access information about events and programs in Perry County. Establishing a “go-to” place for people to go to in order to find out about recreation opportunities would increase awareness and stimulate participation in recreation. Consider using current providers of information as the “Goto” resource or mix of resources including Perry County, the Perry County Council of the Arts, the Dauphin County Visitors Bureau, municipal newsletters and others that may be in place.

• Pursue heritage and outdoor recreation tourism as a major industry of Perry County. Action:  Work aggressively with the Hershey – Harrisburg Visitors Bureau to position Perry County’s recreation and heritage assets for increased tourism.