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LEWISTOWN -- Connections have meant many things to Lewistown over the years.
The Mifflin County Kid Connection comes to mind. Possibly, connecting trains and buses or even various businesses with that word in their name.
Jim Zubler, executive director of Downtown Lewistown Inc., believes completing the connection of the Juniata River Trail system from Rec Park to Victory Park will enable Lewistown to reap the benefits for years.
"Looking at the amenities that young people want, outdoor recreation ranks very high on the list," Zubler said. "Getting this segment done, which incidentally, is part of the 911 National Memorial Trail, is a leaping off point for even more extensions of the trail system."
Plans have been in the works for the unfinished trail for decades -- at least spring 2000 -- before Zubler came to Mifflin County when DLI was established.
"The charter plan for DLI laid out a goal connecting Rec Park to Victory Park," he said. "From that point to where we are today, there had to be a plan for where the trail would be routed, and funding had to be secured to make those improvements come about."
Looking back over the many stages of the project, the first step was connecting Rec Park to South Main Street.
Montgomery Avenue Extended, a new street developed by Lewistown Borough, received federal funding for enhancements which would also double as a trailhead. The costs of these improvements could then be matched with state funding for this segment.
"The street simply did not exist before 1998," Zubler said. "The goal was to enhance that, establishing a parking lot at the intersection of Montgomery Avenue Extended and South Dorcas Street.
With a foothold established to connect Rec Park with Victory Park, the county and borough moved ahead on an extension of the existing walking path in Victory Park west to the Juniata Concrete plant -- the S.H. Rothermel Walking Trail, a 3/4-mile multi-purpose recreation trail extended from the end of Victory Park to Crystal Springs Avenue along the Juniata River over the area commonly known as the "Tow Path."
The Rothermel Trail opened in November 2018, supported by nearly $500,000 in state funding. Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin said that day, "This trail is going to be a great source of fun and exercise for Mifflin County residents and visitors."
The project included the construction of a 10-foot-wide walking path, signage, solar lighting in the parking area, benches, trash receptacles and ADA accessibility upgrades.
"Trails provide a close-to-home connection to nature and recreation that is always free and affordable," Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary Lauren Imgrund added. "The Juniata River Trail also provides public access to the river and a safer route to Victory Park."
Officials agreed with Zubler that the trail provided a boost for Lewistown's economy as well. Encouraging healthy recreation and providing access to the river attracts outside visitors and raises the quality of life for residents in the area.
The cost of the project for the trail segment from Montgomery Avenue Extended/Rec Park to South Main Street was $130,000 in state funding matched with the federal dollars and a contribution of land value along the segment. Lewistown Borough also contributed its own labor and materials to repair the formerly abandoned railroad bridge over Kish Creek.
The next step was connecting Victory Park to South Main Street. PENNDOT also aided with this connection providing a pedestrian crosswalk across Route 522/22 that now connects the two-block section of West Water Street to the Juniata River Trail.
The final piece that awaits completion is an extension from the cement plant to the Fire Academy property. County and public officials are looking at creative ways to finish this project using available local, state and federal funding. Once completed, the current and rebranded "Three Chiefs Trail" will total 3.1 miles.
Zubler believes the trail is vital to the future of the Juniata Valley, not just Lewistown Borough.
"We are now looking at further segments or extensions to other areas within the borough, neighboring towns and beyond," he said.