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Greenways Planning: A Priority for Pennsylvania

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) established the County Greenways and Open Space Network Planning Program to provide funding and technical assistance to counties to plan for greenway corridors. Working in cooperation with their municipalities, each county is encouraged to develop a vision for their county greenway network and update their county land use planning documents accordingly. Greenways are an important strategy for achieving land use management, recreation, open space protection and community revitalization goals. Some examples of completed County Greenway and Open Space Network Plans are available for viewing online or downloading in the Greenways Toolbox!

County Greenway and Open Space Network Plans contribute to Pennsylvania’s statewide greenways network by:

1. Identifying the county’s overall greenways network and setting a framework for municipal greenways planning.
2. Establishing an inventory of natural resources and open space to be protected, a critical component of the greenways network.

As a prerequisite to a county greenways and open space network plan, Counties are encouraged to complete County Natural Area Inventories (CNAI), which help to identify areas that support rare and unique plant and animal communities. The Western PA Conservancy (WPC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) conduct County Natural Area Inventories. This map shows the status of Natural Area Inventories by county:

• MAP - Status of County Natural Area Inventories in PA (425 KB PDF)
• Fact Sheet About County Natural Area Inventories in PA (250 KB PDF)

Progress Toward the Goal!

DCNR has provided $780,000 for greenways planning between 2001 and 2003 through the County Greenways and Open Space Network Planning Program.

County Greenway Plan Tally:

Completed Plans: 22
In Process: 30
% Towards Goal: 78%

For More Information:

• Toolbox/Establishing the Greenways and Open Space Network
• PA County Planning Contacts
• DCNR, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation