Consultants outline Upper Providence greenway plan and launch online mapping for public input

Jeff Grace, the township irector of planning and zoning, opened a public meeting on a proposed Upper Providence Township bicycle and pedestrian greenway plan and introduced the consultant team hired to prepare the study.

"This is the 1st public meeting in this project, and the objective of this meeting is to get all of you talking about what you wanna do," Bob Thomas, the consultant leading the study, told attendees as he outlined project goals and schedule.

The consultants said the plan will review past regional studies and local inventories, identify potential corridors (including PennDOT, utility and railroad rights-of-way), estimate costs and recommend a phased sequence of projects so the township can build connections over time. Thomas cited historical planning maps and recent county bicycle-priority studies to show existing gaps and opportunities around Upper Providence.

Thomas highlighted design and safety issues the team will address. He said the plan will look at crossings of major roads, drainage and stormwater constraints in hilly areas, mature trees and adjacent private-property conditions, and the needs of different users, including people using assisted devices and e-bikes. "Wehave to look at it not only for trails and walkways but who are the users and what's the mix," he said.

The consultants emphasized coordination with outside agencies. They noted some roads remain under state control and will require discussion with PennDOT, and that the final program will reflect input from the school district, police and other partners.

Steve Spindler, the team's cartographer, demonstrated a public "wiki mapping" tool the township will use for outreach. He showed a QR code residents can scan to place anonymous pins marking origins, destinations, barriers or opportunities, upload photos, and import GPS routes from common apps. "If you get your camera, you can just, hold it up to the QR code, and then it will take you straight to the Upper Providence Wiki mapping project," Spindler said. The tool allows users to comment on others' pins so the team can see which parks or corridors receive the most local support.

Consultants said they will combine workshop maps and online submissions to produce prioritized recommendations for initial (about four) projects and later phases. No motions or votes were taken; the meeting closed with small-group mapping at tables and staff circulating to answer questions. The team encouraged residents to continue submitting pins and comments over the coming months, after which the consultants will return with draft priorities and potential designs.

The next procedural step, the consultants said, is to compile public input and coordination responses and present a draft plan for additional public review; no schedule for review or adoption was provided at the meeting.