Wind Gap AT Community Application

Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Ms. Kelly McGinley
Appalachian Trail Conservancy,
Mid Atlantic Office, 4 E. First St.
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
Dear Ms. McGinley, Attached is the A.T. Community application for the Borough of Wind Gap, in partnership with the Slate Belt Community Partnership regional Main Street Program.
Our application includes letters of support and pictures of Wind Gap scenes.
We are looking forward to the mutual benefit that A.T. C. designation will bestow upon our visions to sustain the Trail and revitalize our Community.
Thank you for your ongoing support throughout this application process. Sincerely,
Sharon J. Davis
Sharon J. Davis, Manager
Slate Belt Community Partnership
610-­390-­6692
sharond@tottsgap.org Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Appalachian Trail Community Application 1.Name of Town: Wind Gap, Pennsylvania 2. Contact Information of Town Representative: George Hinton President, Wind Gap Borough Council 545 E. West Street Wind Gap, PA 18091 610-­‐‑863-­‐‑7288 windgapboro@yahoo.com 3. Contact Information for Lead Volunteer: Sharon J. Davis, Manager-­‐‑Slate Belt Community Partnership (SBCP) 1494 Totts Gap Road Bangor, PA 18013 610-­‐‑390-­‐‑6692, email: sharond@tottsgap.org 4: Criteria Selected for consideration. (Please select at least two criteria and add descriptions as requested). A.)Advisory Committee: (Please list members, members’ emails & affiliation) Our Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from Wind Gap Borough, Northampton County, Slate Belt Community Partnership (SBCP) regional Main Street Program, Wind Gap business owners and a representative of the Batona Hiking Club and Appalachian Mountain Club/Delaware Valley Chapter. These individuals have joined forces to develop and implement ideas to strengthen and sustain our A.T. Community designation. George Hinton, President of Wind Gap Council geohinton@gmail.com Sharon Davis, Manager, Slate Belt Community Partnership sharond@tottsgap.org Dave Valley, Wind Gap Council member dvalley@gmail.com Bryan Cope, Northampton County Open Space Coordinator bcope@northamptoncounty.org Michael Ortoski, Publisher/Blue Valley Times weekly newspaper & member of the SBCP Board Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
bvtimes@rcn.com Michelle Rowe, Realtor, Realty Executives/Wind Gap, & Chair of the SBCP Promotions/Community Marketing Committee Ajna_13@yahoo.com Janell Connelly, Owner of local yoga studio & Chair of the SBCP Design Committee Williamsonjanell@gmail.com Susan Charkes, Batona Hiking Club and Appalachian Mountain Club/Del.Valley Chapter, susan@susancharkes.com Lucy Flinn, Owner, State Farm Insurance, Wind Gap Office lucy.flinn.bv31@statefarm.com Joyce McGarry, Owner, Café on Broadway, Wind Gap cafeonbroadway@rcn.com B.) Annual Project or Celebration: (Describe event and list the lead volunteer liaison with email & contact information) We intend to hold an annual Jamboree in Wind Gap Park. The event will include an overnight campout for the community to interact with hikers who can recount life on the trail. Other events would include talks on native plants, trees and birds, stargazing nights and regularly scheduled informational films and presentations held at the vintage Gap Theater. We have already forged collaboration with the owner of the Gap Theater to host these events. The SBCP will coordinate participation with local businesses, such as pubs, cafes, and specialty retail (hardware store, bike shop) to remain open after hours(if applicable) on event days, and offer specials related to the events. Café on Broadway, State Farm Insurance and The Beer Stein have already committed to participating. This will also enable us to get out the word that a portion of Wind Gap Community Park will be set aside for thru hikers to sleep. The event is coordinated by Wind Gap lead volunteer liaison -­‐‑ Council President George Hinton) with the assistance of the Slate Belt Community Partnership’s Promotions/Community Marketing Committee. This committee plans and promotes special events, and develops the branding for the Slate Belt under the direction of the SBCP manager. Note: Council has approved use of the Park for this event. We will attempt to get the first jamboree up and running in 2015, with expectations that it will grow over the years. We already have a local Girl Scout troop scheduled to experience “winter camping” in Wind Gap Park in March, 2015. (See below under A.T. Educational). We will feature the Girl Scout camping experience in conventional and social media as an A.T. related community event. A.T.C. steering committee member and SBCP Board member, Mike Ortoski owns the local weekly newspaper, Blue Valley Times. Mike will communicate all A.T. C. news through regular articles and advertising. The Blue Valley Times already runs the regular (bi-­‐‑monthly) SBCP column “Commerce & Conversation”, featuring happenings and personalities in Slate Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Belt Revitalization. Note: The March 3 issue will feature the owner of the Gap Theater, discussing his commitment to partner with us to host our events. C.)A.T. Educational or service-­‐‑learning project: (Describe the event and list lead volunteer liaison with email & contact information) Two Pen Argyl School District teachers, David Reagan (6th grade/Wind Gap Middle School) and Elizabeth Wiemann (Librarian/Wind Gap Middle School) have completed the “Trails to Every Classroom” professional development program and incorporate it into their curriculum. Educate students, scout groups (The Girl Scouts have scheduled to have a winter campout session in Wind Gap Borough Park in March to learn about all season camping. This event will be the first to link the Park with the A.T. camping experience. This summer, the Boy Scout Troops will begin guided tours promoting the historic district of Downtown Bangor as part of a “Heritage Badge”. These tours will expand to include the other SBCP boroughs, including Wind Gap, where the tours will focus on the value of conservation of our natural resources. All will be coordinated within “theslatebelt.org” informational website. By engaging our young people we hope to build a future generation of community leaders committed to sustaining our natural, architectural and cultural heritage. Other coordinated Eagle Scout/Girl Scout Silver Award or overall troop projects: o Development of a “Farm Tour” with unique signage and online links to coordinating information through the promotional website. This will promote an appreciation of the local farming community. o Create a “living trail” of native plant landscaping to guide people to & from the trailhead. This living trail fulfills the SBCP’s overall strategy to promote our surrounding natural environment, and raise awareness of the role native plants play in sustaining habitats for wildlife and the pollinators essential to the sustainment of our Slate Belt farms. Note: We have applied to Lehigh Gap Nature Center (LGNC) for funds to create a native plant landscape at the entrance to the Wind Gap Trailhead/parking lot. This will be Phase One in the planned “living trail”. o Build on the native landscaping trail in Wind Gap, by developing additional wild and native plant, pollinator and heirloom gardens, in the other SBCP boroughs of Pen Argyl, Bangor and Portland. 5. Why We Should Be Selected: (Describe why your town should be selected as an Appalachian Trail Community. What can this program do for your community? What can your town do for the Appalachian Trail? ) Situated adjacent to Rt. 33, just miles from Rtes. 22/78 and 80, Wind Gap is the western gateway to the Slate Belt region. With over 25,000 cars driving through Wind Gap and several hundred thousand passing by on Rt. 33 daily, Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Wind Gap is an easy access point to the AT from the Pocono region to the north and the Greater Lehigh Valley to the south. There is a dedicated parking area adjacent to the trailhead. Wind Gap will utilize this natural asset as branding/identification within the Slate Belt Community Partnership (SBCP) regional Main Street Program. The SBCP works to foster an improved image of our traditional downtown business districts in the 4 Slate Belt boroughs of Wind Gap, Pen Argyl, Bangor and Portland. Each borough maintains its own unique sense of place using its physical, cultural and natural assets while working together to promote the Slate Belt region as a whole. Wind Gap and its A.T.Community designation will be included in all promotional materials produced by the SBCP. These materials, including conventional (print media and brochures/handouts) and online (social media, websites), will be shared with regional tourism and economic development organizations. o The Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce. SBCC is our local business advocacy organization. o Discover Lehigh Valley – The Lehigh Valley’s Convention & Visitors Bureau dedicated to attracting visitors to the 2 county (Lehigh & Northampton) Lehigh Valley region. o The Slate Belt.org. In partnership with Totts Gap Arts Institute (TGAI), the SBCP’s 501c3 sponsor organization, the Appalachian Trail and other notable historic, cultural and natural resources, will be featured on the online “Discover the Slate Belt” digital mapping, information and promotional website. o Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC). LVEDC is the regional economic development/business recruitment organization. They have committed to creating a Slate Belt specific marketing brochure, which they will utilize at national and regional business recruitment events, to attract new investment. We plan to partner with nearby A.T. towns such as Delaware Water Gap to the N.E., and Palmerton to the S.W. to facilitate day or weekend trail segment hiking, offering detailed information on trailhead locations, amenities available and mileage. We have already reached out to Delaware Water Gap folks and to nearby Kirkridge Retreat, in Upper Mt. Bethel Township/Bangor, approximately 10 miles from Wind Gap. The A.T. runs through Kirkridge. There is a trailhead on Rt. 191 at Kirkridge. Kirkridge has lodging facilities for groups and individuals. We are in the initial stage of working with them to serve as our lodging partner for A.T. events and other heritage events in the SBCP boroughs. As with all Slate Belt Community Partnership initiatives, achieving A.T.Community designation will not be the end, but rather it will be the beginning -­‐‑ the foundation to build towards our community’s brightest future. Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
6. Please attach any further letters of support and documentation to augment your application. A letter of support is required from the local A.T. Trail-­‐‑maintaining club. Attached are letters of support from: US Senator Pat Toomey Congressman Matt Cartwright State Senator Mario Scavello State Reps. Marcia Hahn and Joseph Emrick Northampton County Executive John Brown and Director of DCED Diane Donaher Northampton County Council Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce Note: the Batona Hiking Club & Appalachian Mountain Club sent letters of support directly to you. 7. What does your community hope to get out of the A.T. Community program? -­‐‑ See attached 8. What can your town do for the Appalachian Trail? -­‐‑ See attached 9. How available are the following services in your community? -­‐‑ See attached 10. Please describe any of the hiker services mentioned above. Include the types of signage/kiosks/information locally available about the A.T. and any other relevant information. Lodging -­‐‑ Travel Inn, Gateway Motel, Red Carpet Inn Camping – Will be available in a dedicated area of Wind Gap Park Outfitter – Some common items available at the local K-­‐‑Mart and Wind Gap Hardware Store include camping equipment, tools, clothing, etc. ATMs – Available at several banks and Turkey Hill convenience store Restaurants – Diverse selection from pubs, to cafe’s/diners, to fast food Laundry – Wind Gap Laundry Center Grocery/Re-­‐‑supply – Giant Supermarket, K-­‐‑Mart, Turkey Hill Showers – Currently available at the above motels Pharmacy/Medical Services – CVS, K-­‐‑Mart, Giant, also several urgent care/walk-­‐‑in medical clinics Library/computer/internet – Café on Broadway has free Wi-­‐‑Fi. We are working with other eateries to promote their free Wi-­‐‑Fi. Post Office – Wind Gap Post Office, zip code 18091. Thru-­‐‑hikers are already utilizing this post office to have mail and packages forwarded and held. Pubic Restrooms – Available in Giant, K-­‐‑Mart, Wind Gap Park and other businesses throughout town. Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Signage about the A.T. – Existing sign at the trailhead. Information about how the A.T. relates to your community – Currently available through SBCP social media and conventional press. Additional information will be developed through the online website “www.theslatebelt.org ”. We are also looking into various grants/funding opportunities to enable us to acquire informational kiosk(s), which will be placed throughout the borough. 11. What is your community’s state of action for each of the following? -­‐‑ See attached 12. Please describe your partnerships with public land agencies and with volunteers. Wind Gap Borough and the Slate Belt Community Partnership are working with Bryan Cope (member of our A.T. Community steering committee), Open Space Coordinator for Northampton County. Bryan has provided critical information about grants and liaison with public land agencies. We intend to strengthen our partnerships with them through long term strategic planning. As a Main Street Program, the SBCP follows a volunteer driven approach to community revitalization. All of our initiatives, including the A.T. Community designation in Wind Gap, rely on the commitment of volunteers. From donations of funds, professional expertise, sharing of ideas and time, to actual sweat labor, volunteers accomplish our projects, large and small. The SBCP Manager facilitates the iniatives and coordinates the volunteer effort. 13. What cultural and/or historical information is available about your community? The Slate Belt Heritage Center (in Bangor, approximately 5 miles from Wind Gap) is the local historical museum. The Heritage Center has a “Wind Gap” room as well as a wealth of archived material about the Slate industry. The Heritage Center holds monthly programs. A recent program was a presentation by Wind Gap residents Chris Minnich and Jamie Ratchford, who hiked the length of the Appalachian Trail in 2014. This presentation enabled us to speak about our A.T. Community application to a wider audience. Local social clubs and churches also offer “real life” cultural/ethnic experiences through fairs, socials, etc. 14. The ATC frequently hosts workshops and conferences. Please list facilities in your community that can host a group of 40 people or more. Wind Gap Borough Hall Wind Gap Municipal Park The Gap Theater Various Churches 15. What recreation opportunities, major ongoing festivals, and events does your community offer? Special Olympics – Wind Gap Park Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Annual Car Show – Wind Gap Park Firemens Picnic – Wind Gap Park Summer Sounds (series of free concerts) – Wind Gap Park Community Tree Lighting Ceremony – Wind Gap Park Various non-­‐‑profit 5k-­‐‑Runs, throughout the Borough 16. Please describe the locations AND state of the access points of the A.T. Where are the closest trailheads and what improvements might be needed? The trailheads are located on North Broadway (Rt. 115) at the northern boundary of the Borough, at the base of the Mountain. It is approximately ½ mile from the downtown business district. There is a dedicated parking lot and signage at the northern trailhead. Suggested parking lot improvements would include leveling and adding fresh crushed stone as well as improved signage. The lot is highly visible from Rt. 115, is regularly patrolled by our community police department and the PA State Police. Vandalism is not a major concern. 17. Does your community have: -­‐‑ see attached Note: Although we do not currently have a shuttle service from A.T. trailhead to town, some of our residents/businesses already offer rides to thru hikers. George Hinton, owner of Cozy Barn, will provide shuttle service to and from the A.T. and to in-­‐‑town businesses. Hikers may call 610-­‐‑863-­‐‑8182. The Cozy Barn is approximately 1 mile (2 minutes by vehicle) from the trailhead. We also plan to engage our churches in holding monthly potluck suppers to welcome thru hikers. Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Attach #11
Spring 2015 MA-RPC Meeting
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The vintage Gap Theatre
Sledding in Wind Gap Park
Americana at the Gap Diner
Wind Gap residents Chris Minnich & Jamie Ratchford talking about their thru-­hiking experience (Apr-­
Oct, 2014) at the Slate Belt Heri-­
tage Center