Northumberland wheeling park town council meeting..

Come out and show support for the new park..

Tuesday the 27th at the Shamokin Area High School Auditorium, Coal Township.

Starts at 6:30pm.

Press Release:
Issued Northumberland County
Commissioners Frank J. Sawicki, Vinny Clausi and Kurt Masser



Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Ms. Kathy Jeremiah, Project Coordinator
Northumberland County Planning Department
399 S. Fifth Street
Sunbury, PA 17801
570-988-4295

REGARDING: Northumberland County Off Highway Vehicle Park Master Plan

Northumberland County will host a Public Input Session on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 - 6:30 pm, at the Shamokin Area Junior Senior High School Auditorium, 2000 W. State Street, Coal Township, PA 17866. The County has commissioned a study to develop over 6,000 acres of County owned property to create an Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreational facility. This meeting is being held to gather public input relative to the development of the facility.

Pat Mack, Director of the Northumberland County Planning Department, said “We want to obtain input from residents of the County regarding the proposed park. We want their thoughts and ideas on how we can develop a world class off highway vehicle park in the County. With the development of this park there will be opportunities to create jobs and provide those who come to visit the park with the goods and services they desire. The economic potential related to the development of the park is unlike anything the County has experienced in recent years.” Mack goes on to say “We have an opportunity to provide a facility to meet a demand that is not very well met in Pennsylvania. If we do this right Northumberland County can be regionally and nationally known as the home of one of the best parks and best places in the United States for motorized and non-motorized recreation.”

Kathy Jeremiah, project coordinator for the Northumberland County Planning Department, stated “The park area, which is over 6,000 acres in size, can accommodate a variety of motorized and non-motorized uses, including full size 4x4’s, rock crawling, MX, ATV, and UTV use, mountain biking, equestrian trail riding, hiking, hunting, camping, and environmental interpretation, to name a few. It is important that the public come to the meeting and share with us their wishes for the park.”

This is the first of two public input sessions being held during the master planning process for the park. A second follow-up meeting will be held in the Fall.

Commissioner Kurt Masser said “There is a lot of enthusiasm behind this effort and it has the potential to have a significant positive financial impact to the County and its business community. There are a lot of issues to address, and a lot of planning that needs to take place. We’ve started that process and this is your opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas. We encourage you to participate in this process by attending this important meeting.”

The master plan is being funded with grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The plan is being prepared by Pashek Associates, a Landscape Architecture and Community Planning Firm located in Pittsburgh in conjunction with Pennoni Associates of Mechanicsburg.

I'm really thinking about trying to make this but it's a lot of driving. I was talking to Rob this morning about it. I love that area, I used to wheel up there a lot.

Yeah I would love to go to that as well. I miss wheeling up that way. Yeah the good ol days.

We will all be going to this up this way the more people we can get the better it looks for us. Chris and I were at a meeting the other night as kind of a pre meeting for Tuesday night. It looks like there will be some locals that are going to fight this park but it seems as if they are just miss informed on what it is all about and what it will do for them. They are only looking at the things they will not be able to do out there any more not what they will gain for themselves and for the area. Some don't care and you wont change there mind that it is a good idea. We as the people that will help turn this into the best OHV park on the east coast just need to be the good people in this and keep our cool and hear them out. That is why they need as many people as possible to come out on Tuesday night the more the better if they see you will come 2 hours or more just for a meeting they know you will come when it is a for "for real park" with "for real bathrooms" as Barry says.

Guys we are talking 6000 acres that's right three "0's" miles and miles of trails and more just waiting to be built. Support where you can e-mails to county , forum word of mouth , go to meetings what ever you can do cause it will be for all of us not just the ones putting in all the time to make it happen.

send some e-mails showing your support

http://www.northumberlandco.org/default.asp?iId=HILHG

OHV park web site ( this will grow as things move on)

http://www.ohv.norrycopa.net/

Any recommended email contacts? I've been searching for good ones with no results other than:

Northumberland County Planning Department

Patrick A. Mack - Director pat.mack@norrycopa.net
Kathy Jeremiah - OHV Park Coordinator kathy.jeremiah@norrycopa.net


Would it be beneficial to contact the firm who plans to design the place to show interest? Or would they be a good source to ask who we should contact to show our support?

Which reps would be best to contact, etc etc?

I'm ready for emailing and am also willing to try and lay out some "form" letters and directions on where everything should be sent. Once we have a good idea of what/where to send we can post a clear and concise thread on pirate and get the help of the almighty pbb!

I'm ridiculously excited to gain access to this land LEGALLY. It's beautiful up there and a shame to keep it away from true enthusiasts for this long. It will clean up the area and bring in much needed income to a nearly bankrupt area.

What about this page and select Commissioners? That seems like a simple enough place for people to enter feedback for their support of the park. I just want to make sure it would be going to the right people. The commissioners seem to be the best choice, although Adult Daycare may be good too. We get into trouble if we don't have a place to play and keep us occupied hahahahha.



http://www.northumberlandco.org/default.asp?iId=JHGLD

The meeting tonight went very well in my opinion. There was a lot of positive people there with very good ideas. There were also some people with concerns but they were not completely opposed to the idea just wanted some answers and plans. It is sounding very good but it is a process. They were asking for ideas in what the park should have or what people would like to see the park grow into any suggestions can be sent to

Kathy Jeremiah - OHV Park Coordinator kathy.jeremiah@norrycopa.net


They are open to any and all ideas at this point. Don'T be afraid to give your ideas on what makes a good OHV park. This is our chance to have input.

Sign the petition

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/northumberlandohvpark/