The Promise of Swatara State Park Begins to Unfold
Environmental Assessment Shapes Master Plan
The natural resource inventory information is playing a major role in the decision-making process both for the location of facilities and types of activities that might be developed in Swatara State Park. The environmental assessment process began with mapping the location and sensitivity of the natural features in the park. These natural features were then analyzed to determine the most suitable locations for park facilities, i.e., where lands were compatible for park facility development without adversely affecting the park’s natural resources.
The natural features were first ranked within the park based on their sensitivity to disturbance from human activity. The results from the biological survey conducted in 1999 and 2000 for the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) identifying species of special concern and their habitats were incorporated into the environmental assessment. The lands in close proximity to sensitive resources were identified as buffer zones. Buffers, particularly those associated with the water-related features, are an integral part of the ecological system and will be managed to sustain the park’s natural areas.
The decision by park planners to include extensive buffer areas around sensitive park resources is a major statement about the critical importance of protecting Swatara’s natural resources, and follows guidance received by the user preference surveys which clearly ranked access and enjoyment of the park’s natural resources as a high priority.
The environmental analysis integrated the ecological sensitivity rankings with features normally considered for facility development, such as slopes, soils characteristics, depth to bedrock and proximity to floodplains. The areas of Swatara State Park that are most compatible with facility development and multiple recreational uses exhibit relatively flat slopes and well-drained soils, outside the limits of floodplains and sensitive ecological areas. Approximately 570 acres (16%) of the park’s 3,515 acres have features most compatible for facilities and infrastructure development potential. Limited facilities such as low-impact trails, small interpretive sites, and other selected uses may be carefully located in the areas that are less compatible with park facility development.
The environmental assessment identified a range of locations and landscape settings that can both accommodate active recreational uses and built park facilities, and present opportunities for the preservation and interpretation of the park’s natural systems.
“Survey Says…”
The results are in from a random telephone survey of 400 area households and from a mail survey sent to more than 2,800 park “stakeholders.” The results of these surveys will help guide the planning for Swatara State Park.
The Surveys were conducted by Reed Haldy McIntosh Associates over a period of several months. Telephone surveys were completely at random while “stakeholder” surveys were taken from a known cadre of individuals who have expressed interest in Swatara Park over its many years of planning. These surveys revealed similar priorities for activities to be included in the development of Swatara State Park.
The desire to be able to enjoy Swatara’s natural resources was a high priority among all those surveyed. Picnicking, Wildlife Protection, and Nature/Wildlife Viewing led the preference list for the general public. Many of the stakeholders gave top priority to fishing in Swatara State Park.
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Survey Findings on Preferred Activities
In the telephone survey, about half of those interviewed felt it was extremely important or very important to include overnight facilities in the development of the park, with highest interest in campgrounds and rental cabins. Both visitor’s center and an environmental education center were given the highest priority for facility development in both the telephone survey and written survey groups. Among activities that might be offered in a developed Swatara State Park, interest was highest in an environmental education program and in historical site and cultural history programs.
Park Plans Include Community Ideas
Many inspired ideas and passionate opinions have been expressed during the first four months of the park planning process. The planning team has received a wealth of information and input from committee meetings, open houses, park activities, telephone and written surveys, and other communications for the concept development for Swatara State Park. Suggestions included specific recreational activities, potential pedestrian bridges across the creek, handicapped access to specific trail locations, the interpretation of the park’s cultural heritage, and the preservation of its ecological features. This broad range of public input is being combined with the assessment of the park’s physical and ecological characteristics and the market analysis to generate a draft park concept master plan to be presented to the public in June.
Bike and Trail Workshop
The landscape architects at Simone Jaffe Collins of Berwyn, PA, conducted a bike and trail facilities workshop last October at Swatara State Park. Representatives from local and regional biking and cycling clubs shared their thoughts and ideas on potential uses and improvements to Swatara State Park. The discussions centered on providing trail facilities for all potential users: walkers, cyclists, hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.
According to Tim Cusick, the Pennsylvania representative of the International Mountain Biking Association, "Trails should be designed to accommodate everyone. A multi-use trail system can foster a sense of community among trail users. Shared use trails provide the most recreational use for the most users."
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“A Trail of Two Cities”
All the park concepts being considered for Swatara’s development include an extensive system of non-vehicular trails. Trails through the park could form a substantial part of a non-motorized trail link between the Borough of Pine Grove and the Village of Lickdale. Eventually, these trails could extend even farther to both the north and south. Creation of area and regional trail systems and greenways has become a priority in the Commonwealth through the recently adopted State Greenways Plan. Swatara State Park will play a pivotal role in the Greenway Plan due to its central location in both Schuylkill and Lebanon Counties. A portion of the Appalachian Trail is located in the park. Adjacent public lands may provide additional connections to regional trail systems.
Swatara’s existing former railroad bed alignment and a portion of Old State Road could form the main “spine” of an extensive multi-use trail system. This main trail could connect the proposed facilities in the park, providing easy access to both natural and cultural features. The main trail could also link to secondary special-use trails designed for equestrians, mountain bikers, hikers, and cross-country skiers.
Park Concept Evolving
The concept for Swatara's recreational development starts first with the assessment of its natural resources and recommendations for preservation, conservation, protection, and buffering of the specific environmental features that are unique and sensitive to disturbance. The environmental assessment was followed by the identification of lands that are suitable as locations for park facilities and future recreational improvements. The existing road network and considerations for future vehicular access were important factors in locating primary facilities. This has led the planning team to suggest that the main use area be located directly off Route 443 on the high, well-drained lands.
The evolving concept for the park is now exploring the range of potential facility development. The market analysis will test the economic viability of the different facility options to help direct and determine the draft and final park concept.
Market Analysis
The character of Swatara’s market area, the behavior of other state parks’ markets, and potential facilities for Swatara State Park are being studied by Hammer Siler George Associates. The market analysis will be combined with the surveyed preferences of the park’s prospective users to target visitors and to project the park's potential annual attendance. Most of Swatara State Park’s target market population lives within twenty five to seventy-five miles from the site.
A study of selected parks outside Pennsylvania indicates that attendance is generally increased by:
- Filling gaps in existing state park facilities and activities.
- Developing facilities that are responsive to multiple market sectors.
- Promoting unique features already located in the park.
- Linking history and recreation opportunities.
- Providing major facilities that attract visitors to the park.
Public-private partnerships have been shown to accelerate implementation of state park plans. Results of this preliminary analysis include a prospective park development scenario emphasizing outdoor recreation opportunities. Potential facilities must be selected, sized, and located on the park property, consistent with development objectives formulated by the planning process that has been underway for the past four months.
The Next Steps
The information gathered from the extensive inventory, analysis, assessment and input is being compiled and formulated into a master plan for park improvements. A draft of this plan for Swatara State Park will be presented at a public meeting scheduled for June 20, 2002 from 7-9 pm at the Community Center at Fort Indiantown Gap Military Reservation.