The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has awarded Luzerne County $70,000 to update its open space, greenways and recreation master plan.
The current recreation plan was adopted in 2004 as the Luzerne-Lackawanna bi-county recreational plan, and the new plan will focus on Luzerne County’s specific needs regarding recreation, climate change and economic impact.
“This grant is a big step forward in improving recreational opportunities for county residents,” said County Manager Romilda Crocamo in a news release. “Over the past couple of decades, we have seen many more people take advantage of recreational spots in the county, now we want to take into consideration other factors that impact usage at those spots so we can make it a more enjoyable experience for all. The county is always planning for improvements at these spots.”
The update to the plan will evaluate the successes of the 2004 plan and examine the open space, trail and recreation needs in Luzerne County. It will determine the economic impact of all three.
Climate change impacts will be evaluated such as flooding, drought and changes in recreation seasons. Underutilized areas, such as vacant lots and brownfields, throughout Luzerne County will be identified for possible reuse as future recreation areas.
The planning process will also examine how the county’s vast trail network handles severe weather events, and the plan will identify ways to reduce the severity of current and future climate impacts through green and sustainable practices, including protecting and restoring ecosystems, wildlife habitat, climate resilience, pollution reduction and flood mitigation.
A series of public meetings will be held to update the public on key milestones during the planning process, and an advisory committee comprised of practitioners, municipal representatives and volunteers from the public will be formed to bring the project to successful completion.
