Council approves $150,000 DCNR grant application to relocate part of Capital Area Greenbelt in South Harrisburg

Harrisburg City Council approved Resolution 15 of 2025 on March 24, authorizing submission of a grant application to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Community Conservation Partnership Program Non-Motorized Trail Grant Program for up to $150,000. The application, submitted in partnership with the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA), seeks funds to relocate a portion of the Capital Area Greenbelt in South Harrisburg; the council vote was 7-0.

Douglas Hill, president of the Capital Area Greenbelt Association, told the council the relocation is prompted by recent and planned private development on the Greenbelt's historic route, including the VOPA site, Tunnels to Towers and the Eden Village site. Hill said the association completed an engineering feasibility study and proposed a new route that crosses Front Street above Sycamore, travels along Sycamore with a widened sidewalk, crosses behind a railroad overpass and then connects through property owned by Pennsy Supply or Cumulus Towers to city property near Shenoy Street.

"This is part of a much larger project for relocation and reconnection of the green belt in South Harrisburg," Hill said. He described two phases: phase 1 from Front Street to the Pennsy driveway and phase 2 to complete whichever alternate connection is negotiated with private landowners. Hill said the overall estimated cost for phase 1 is about $1.2 million; the $150,000 DCNR grant would augment a previously pursued DCED LSA grant of about $1 million and other funds raised by CAGA and foundations.

Design details discussed included widening the sidewalk along Sycamore Street from approximately 5 feet to about 10 feet to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists, and running the trail along widened sidewalks in portions where right-of-way limits apply. The applicants and city staff said easement and property negotiations with landowners including Pennsy Supply are ongoing; Hill said the grant application includes a community-participation provision and that the association planned outreach to adjacent residents, businesses and neighborhood groups.

Director David Baker and project manager Deborah Rehort joined Hill in answering council questions about outreach and property-owner support. Hill said he had secured an endorsement letter from the Dauphin County General Authority that day and anticipated a letter of support from the Shypoke neighborhood. Council members asked whether affected businesses and residents would be contacted; Hill said they would and that the grant application requires community participation documentation.

Council placed the measure on the legislative agenda in the work session and later approved Resolution 15 by roll call, 7-0, during the legislative session. The council vote authorizes staff to submit the DCNR grant application in conjunction with CAGA; if awarded, the funds would be used toward the first phase of relocation and associated trail and sidewalk construction.

The project remains subject to final engineering, property agreements with landowners and the standard grant review and contracting processes.