Montgomery County presents Schuylkill River trailhead plans; Norristown directs staff to draft agreement

Montgomery County planners presented conceptual designs and community outreach results for two Schuylkill River Trail access points at Hawes Avenue and Chain Street and asked Norristown to authorize staff to develop an agreement with the county and amend PECO easements where needed.

Bill Hartman, Trails and Open Space Planning Manager for Montgomery County, said the county received a $90,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation to cover design services and has been working with NV5 and local consultants on community engagement. Ellen Maramontes (county principal planner) described two conceptual plans that include wayfinding, pavement art, shade trees, one bench to start, protective fencing where there is a steep drop-off, sidewalk extensions, and temporary road closures during construction.

Planners explained that some parcels are owned by PECO and that work will proceed under a combination of PECO easement amendments and a memorandum-style agreement with Norristown rather than a permanent easement in the public right-of-way. They proposed moving into construction documents in the first quarter of the coming year, bidding in late spring/summer and constructing in the fall, contingent on securing final agreements and funding.

Council discussed details, asked for clarity on differences between easements and agreements, and confirmed the agreement must return to council once drafted. Council then moved, seconded and unanimously directed staff to develop the county‑municipal agreement authorizing temporary closures and work in Norristown right-of-way at the two trailhead sites.

County staff said the design team will continue community engagement and return with more detailed documentation and a final agreement for council approval.