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Harrisburg City Council adopts Trails Master Plan to guide trail projects and federal grant applications
Summary
The Harrisburg City Council unanimously approved Resolution 2025-11 adopting a Trails Master Plan that summarizes nearly 500 public contacts, prioritizes 27 projects and positions the city to seek federal Transportation Alternatives funding.
Harrisburg City Council voted to adopt the city’s Trails Master Plan (Resolution 2025-11) after a presentation from planning staff and a consultant on public engagement, goals and project priorities.
The plan, presented by Sean Murphy Lopez of Toole Design and summarized by Chad Heavey of Planning and Building Services, lays out a network the consultant said will “be a safer, connected, accessible, and paved network for people of all ages and abilities throughout Harrisburg.” The presentation noted nearly 500 public contacts and about 350 completed surveys were used to shape the plan.
The plan defines “trail” as any paved facility at least 8 feet wide and organizes the network into 27 projects prioritized as high, medium or low. The council and advisory committee elevated the Pleasant View Cemetery Trail — a connection from Pennant Trail to the new Liberty Elementary — from medium to high priority after input from the school district, the presentation said.
Consultant remarks included implementation pathways: federal Transportation Alternatives Program grants are a common funding source, the presentation said, noting the program distributes about $8,000,000 annually and generally requires an 18% local match; project awards commonly range from about $600,000 up to $700,000–$800,000. The consultant also noted letters of intent are due July 15 and full applications typically are due in October.
City staff said the adopted plan will be posted on the city website and then transmitted to Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) committees for their review; the MPO process includes two advisory committees and one committee that will recommend approval and acceptance for the regional planning record.
The council approved the resolution and directed staff to publish the plan and proceed with the MPO submittal and next steps for project programming and grant pursuit.
