Commissioners outline trail development, recreation grant plans and local partnerships to boost outdoor tourism

Commissioner Zucal told the board Sept. 12 that county leaders have been meeting with trail organizations and developers, attended a Trail Summit in Clarion and celebrated a long-running Trail of the Year project. He said the county will pursue a Recreation Grant aimed at building out the county's Recreation Plan and is exploring opportunities to draw gravel‑bike riders through marketing partnerships with PA Wilds and PAGO; he also suggested forming a local trail club to help maintain trails and plan events.

Zucal credited county maintenance staff for work at the tower site and noted discussions with PEC about gravel-bike riding-ground experiences. Commissioner Moate said he attended a LEC meeting and plans to form a committee for the PA 250 'Bells Across America' initiative; he also participates in Core Connect meetings and noted forthcoming BIP information.

Commissioner Herzing said she will attend the Radically Rural Conference as an elected official to gather ideas on land management, Main Street development and entrepreneurship. She also reported meetings with businesses exploring locating in the county and discussions with ADAS about using a building to house a walk-in recovery center and youth-treatment programming. Herzing noted library grant awards that will fund new public computers and enhanced fall programming.

The board discussed these initiatives during commissioners' reports; no formal action was taken on the trail or ADAS items during the meeting.