Bald Eagle Trail link coming soon to City of Lock Haven

LOCK HAVEN, PA – County officialdom is expecting state grant approval for funding to run the county’s Bald Eagle Valley Trail into Lock Haven and the nearby Chestnut Grove athletic complex in Castanea Township. County Planning Director Katherine de Silva provided an update on further trail development at the Monday Clinton County Commissioners’ work session.

She told the commissioners the county anticipates approval for up to a $250,000 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority Greenways Trails and Recreation Program. She said it is a spring application deadline with a fall award announcement and expressed optimism that Clinton County would be among the recipients.

She said the grant would cover design and construction costs, with a 15 percent match from the county. She said it is only a very short distance from the current trail end at the Clinton County Historical Society Train Station in Castanea Township; costs will include one needed ramp, signage and related costs.

The trail path would go by the Chestnut Grove facility to be developed along Bald Eagle Creek as it loops into Lock Haven by way of Hanna Street. The county planner said it was decided that linking to the city by way of Hanna Street was safer than tying into Paul Mack Boulevard.

de Silva said if the grant is awarded, full engineering would happen in 2023 with construction in 2024. She said the city and others involved in the new link have all been supportive.