The new facilities for the Adams County Historical Society (ACHS) are approximately two-tenths of a mile north of the Borough of Gettysburg, and sidewalks along Carlisle Street end at the borough line. It is anticipated that many students from Gettysburg College and local residents will want to walk or ride a bicycle to the new facilities. Residents and visitors throughout Gettysburg may want to ride a bicycle to the facilities. However, there is no safe way to do this, and walking on the shoulder where the speed limit is 40 mph is not a viable option.
Consequently, Healthy Adams Bicycle/Pedestrian, Inc. (HABPI) has taken the lead in an effort to create a safe, multiuse biking and walking path from the Borough of Gettysburg to the new ACHS facilities on Route 34 (Biglerville Road). Andrew Dalton from the ACHS is working with HABPI on this effort. A feasibility study for the best location and design of the trail is being conducted by C.S. Davidson, Inc., the borough engineering firm. The study is underway, and numerous meetings with stakeholders and major landowners nearby have been conducted. The trail study is being funded by grants from the Robert C. Hoffman Endowment Trust and the South Mountain Partnership, along with funds from HABPI, which is a nonprofit organization based in Adams County whose mission is to develop safe, accessible walking and bicycling trails and paths in Adams County.
Once the feasibility study is completed, C.S. Davidson, Inc. will create a Trail Master Plan. This plan will analyze costs and considerations for at least two possible routes. The Master Plan will provide data that is needed to apply for grants to design and construct the trail.
A public meeting will be conducted on Wednesday, December 7, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Charlie Sterner Building at the Gettysburg Recreation park. The purpose of the meeting is to present the results of the feasibility study, discuss recommendations, and get public comment on the study and recommendations, especially from residents who live near the area for the proposed trail. Questions about the study and meeting can be emailed to – habpi2012@gmail.com.