Greenway trail system through Blair County
Altoona Area Government Officials'
This is a call to Action. As EarthCare Stewards we see the everyday importance of deep connections within an Ecosystem. Hand in hand we see the importance of a deeper Connection within our Local Community. With Altoona Area's infrastructure being almost solely focused on Automobiles getting from point A to point B, our connection with people and nature has suffered. Of course vehicles have their substantial role in hauling heavy loads and traveling great distances, but when over utilized they block us from having healthy interactions with people in our community, the waterways, the trees, birds and bees, and the fresh oxygen we like to breathe. With the development of GreenWays Trail system through Blair County, an alternate way of commuting through town can exist. Navigating the trails along waterways, secondary alley ways, and designated bike lanes supports the potential to get a cyclist and especially those on an E-Bike to the destination just as quickly as a car can. And for those that like to stop and smell the Roses, Edible Forest Parks/Community Gardens can be grounded in every neighborhood as hubs for the GreenWays. To help Ecology and Economy compliment one another, we would also like to direct the GreenWays through local businesses, promoting an alternative commerce experience to the busy vehicle strip of franchised big box stores. From the personal benefits of nurturing physical and mental health, to the local economic benefits of attracting cycling tourism as desirable hub for the National 9/11 trail that connects Pittsburgh with New York City, making Altoona Area a bikeable and walkable place has more benefits than I can list in detail on this petition.
To:
Altoona Area Government Officials'
From:
[Your Name]
We the people of Blair County sign in interest for the establishment of a Greenway Trail system that will connect Local Businesses, Edible Forest Parks/Community Gardens, Overlooks/Natural Wonders, Historic Sites and Third Places together as a web of hubs commutable by bicycle and walking along waterways, through woodland corridors, and on designated street bicycle lanes with median strips of Wildflowers. With Grants available for this cause, we are asking for the local government officials' support in working towards the trails connecting Bellwood to Juniata to Altoona to Ducansville and Holidaysburg outreaching to the well established Lower Trail beyond Chimney Rocks and Canoe Creek, eventually all of Blair County.