Sherry Gregory tells council Lindsay Pettis Greenway has 3 miles of trail, seeks funds for $3.5M extension

Sherry Gregory, representing the Lindsay Pettis Greenway, told the Lancaster County Council the group has built about 3 miles of hard-surface trail and raised $12,500,000 since its founding in 2015. "We now have about 3 miles of hard surface trail for our residents and visitors to the community to enjoy," Gregory said, and noted the first segment opened in 2020 following a 2018 recreation bond that provided roughly $2.5 million toward the initial construction.

Gregory and Flip Hutt outlined recent improvements and near-term plans, including a completed Main Street underpass and a 0.25-mile extension to Marion Sims Drive near MUSC Lancaster that opened last fall. Gregory said the Greenway's next priority is an extension to the Melvin Stills Soccer Complex that will pass under Meeting Street, cross Bear Creek and connect to the Springdale rec center; she estimated that segment would cost about $3,500,000. "This entire project has been planned, engineered, and permitted," Gregory said; "it's a construction ready project." The group reported roughly $1,100,000 in local capital project sales tax funds available and said it has applied for a $3,000,000 special appropriation from the state. Flip Hutt noted the state appropriation is uncertain amid the state budget: "that is now up in the air with the state budget."

Gregory emphasized local support for the trail and community usage: she said counters at one location record more than 20,000 visits annually and that the Greenway's holiday lighting event drew about 3,000 attendees over three nights. Speakers during council comment credited the trail with improving quality of life and helping recruit industry to the county. Gregory asked the council to continue to consider funding partnerships so the construction-ready Melvin Stills segment can proceed when state and local funds are secured.