The PA Wilds Center is proud to be part of the Growing Outdoor Recreation for Pennsylvania (GORP) coalition, which kicked off last week in Harrisburg. GORP will help inform development of a new statewide Office of Outdoor Recreation.

PA has the 6th largest outdoor rec economy in the country. In addition to being a job and wealth creator, when done intentionally this sector can have huge multipliers across workforce, quality of life, health and wellness, the environment and climate. The PA Wilds Center is honored to join 50 other stakeholders (including several from the PA Wilds region – Jason Fink, Williamsport Lycoming Chamber of Commerce; Bob Kirchner, St. Marys Area Snowmobile Association; Jim Decker, Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry; Josh Helke, Organic Climbing; and Kim Wheeler, AICP SEDA-COG) to advance this important work for Pennsylvania, led by the state’s new Director of Outdoor Recreation, Nathan Reigner, Ph.D.!

Here were some of the representatives from organizations based throughout or serving our PA Wilds region.

 

TA ENOS
PA WILDS CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP – Russell, PA

What is your professional connection to outdoor recreation?

Ta Enos is the founder and CEO of the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, a regional nonprofit dedicated to marrying conservation and economic development to strengthen and inspire communities in the PA Wilds. The Center leads a regional strategy in coordination with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and other state and local partners to grow the outdoor recreation economy in the highly rural PA Wilds region to help diversify rural economies, attract investment, inspire stewardship and improve quality of life. A fourth-generation resident of the region, Ta is the author of an upcoming memoir about her experiences growing the outdoor rec economy in the PA Wilds.

How do you understand the power of outdoor recreation?

The effort to grow the outdoor rec economy in the PA Wilds has led to a lot of rural business start-ups and expansions and increased pride of place in an economically distressed part of the commonwealth. Also, my sister has an outfitting business and I worked with her during her start-up years and saw firsthand how her love for the outdoors and her ability to help others of all skill levels get out there safely inspired others.

How and where do you like to recreate outside?

Hunting, hiking, paddling, boating, running, mountain hikes in the PA Wilds.

 

ABBI PETERS
PA WILDS CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP – Kane, PA

What is your professional connection to outdoor recreation?

I am the COO of the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship. The Center’s mission is to marry conservation and economic development. With more than 2 million acres of public lands across our region, we work to activate our natural assets in a way that helps our rural communities thrive while stewarding our resources.

How do you understand the power of outdoor recreation?

Growing up in New Jersey, our summer getaways were day trips to state parks. A family of six on a tight budget, we’d pack picnic lunches and spend the day exploring the woods. Nothing else existed in those moments, playing amongst the tall trees and mossy rocks. Each of us was always content on the car ride home – a true rarity for all six of us to find a level of enjoyment in a group activity.

How and where do you like to recreate outside?

Tough question – I live and work in the PA Wilds!! I enjoy exploring trails via foot, bike, and kayak. I live on the edge of the Allegheny National Forest and the Clarion River runs through my town. There are spots on the Clarion and trails in the ANF that are so cozy and intimate, like being wrapped in a magical blanket. And there are new spots I’m finding every day across the region.

 

MEREDITH HILL
PA DEPT. OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES – Harrisburg, PA

What is your professional connection to outdoor recreation?

As DCNR’s Director of the Conservation Landscapes (CLs) Program and the lead for DCNR on the Pennsylvania Wilds Conservation Landscape effort, I find that outdoor recreation is a predominate aspect of my work in both of these realms. Each of the state’s eight CLs has a significant outdoor recreation component and in the PA Wilds CL it is a primary strategy for placemaking and rural community revitalization across 13 counties based on the fact that this region has the largest concentration of state forest land in the Commonwealth and offers rich and diverse opportunities for outdoor recreation adventures and experiences.

How do you understand the power of outdoor recreation?

I spent many years helping to re-establish a 20-mile emerald necklace of green space around the city of Harrisburg, a greenway based on the City Beautiful movement first brought to life by visionary leaders like Mira Lloyd Dock in the early 1900s. The greenway and trail run through many different communities and it has been gratifying to see it being embraced more and more each year for all types of close to home outdoor recreation and spurring other projects like development of a complementary, adjacent mountain biking trail system. Riding the Capital Area Greenbelt Association’s Tour de Belt fundraising bike ride every June and seeing people of all ages and walks of life me out to enjoy and support this historic recreation corridor has been a real delight for me.

How and where do you like to recreate outside?

It is hard to choose as there are many: Camping in our amazing PA state parks – CCC-era parks are favorites; X-country skiing wherever there might be snow; fly fishing in and/or bike riding along Pine Creek in the PA Wilds and “creek sitting” on the hottest summer days.

Note: Meredith Hill is the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Director of the Conservation Landscape Program and PA Wilds Conservation Landscape.

 

KIM WHEELER
SEDA-COG – Lewisburg, PA

What is your professional connection to outdoor recreation?

I am currently the Executive Director of SEDA-Council of Governments, an 11-county community and economic development organization in Central PA. I have worked at every level of government in PA and have always worked side-by-side with DCNR. Projects involving DCNR have always been some of my most favorite to work on because they enhance the quality of life in a very visible and positive way for Commonwealth residents. SEDA-COG was the genesis of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership and has supported many outdoor recreation projects and studies throughout the region over the years.

How do you understand the power of outdoor recreation?

The Buffalo Valley Rail Trail in Union County. Since that trail has been constructed it has been a lifeline for so many people in the Lewisburg- Mifflinburg area. Some use it regularly for transportation, many use it for pure recreation, and some people use it as an emotional support system. If it was not for that trail, when I had babies and toddlers growing up, I often felt like I was going to lose my mind but instead, I could strap them into a bike cart and leave from my house for a few hours of fresh air, socialization on the trail, and exercise all at once!

How and where do you like to recreate outside?

Gravel biking, hiking, and camping, state parks and forests in general, Pine Creek Gorge, PA Wilds, World’s End State Park, Jake’s Rocks in Warren, Rickett’s Glen.

Note: SEDA-COG serves three counties in the Pennsylvania Wilds (Centre, Clinton and Lycoming).

 

JASON FINK
WILLIAMSPORT/LYCOMING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – Williamsport, PA

What is your professional connection to outdoor recreation?

Currently president/ceo of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce which is also the designated tourist promotion agency for Lycoming County operating at the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau. During my 26+ years at the Chamber, I’ve had the opportunity to be the executive director (or president/ceo) of the Visitors Bureau for 21 of them. Outdoor recreation is a key attraction to Lycoming County for not only the travel and tourism sector, but also for the quality of life and industry and employee recruitment efforts of our organization.

How do you understand the power of outdoor recreation?

Several years ago, during the Little League World Series there was a team from Kentucky that was in the tournament. One of the player’s mothers reached out to us for assistance in getting her son an opportunity get in some fishing. She had heard about how great the waters were here for it and wanted to get her son a chance to fish since that was his passion and he had missed out on it because of their success in making it to Williamsport. We were able to get donated a fishing pole and bait for him and a couple of teammates to go out on their off-day. They had a great time and his mom reached out after the following day to thank us and let us know that he had hit a home run in the game that day which she attributed to his time fishing the day before.

How and where do you like to recreate outside?

Biking, hiking and running are my favorite recreation activities. Favorite locations: In Lycoming County – the remnants of the small town of Alvira which are now gamelands. In the PA Wilds – PA Grand Canyon. Outside PA – Maine.

 

JIM DECKER
WARREN COUNTY CHAMBER OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY – Warren, PA

What is your professional connection to outdoor recreation?

I serve as both the President/CEO of the Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry (WCCBI) as well as the Executive Director of our affiliate 501c3 entity, Warren County Development Association (WCDA). My involvement in the expansion of outdoor recreation here in Warren County is shared through both of these entities. The WCCBI has been directly involved with promotion of outdoor recreation opportunities here through the development and administration of events such as the United States Canoe Association National Championships having hosted this annual event 7 times over the past 20 years, administration of Cabela’s 3D Archery and Walleye Championships, hosting of International Bowhunters Organization tournaments, administering several road cycling events and hosting of the Jakes Rocks Trail Fest event annually. Through the WCDA I serve as the administrator and contract manager/fund raiser for the ongoing development of the Trails at Jakes Rocks mountain bike system. We are currently administering the Kinzua Marketing Initiative which is an assessment of the potential expansion of visitor facilities and services within the Allegheny National Forest, specifically at the Kinzua Point Information Center and Kinzua Swimming area locations.

How do you understand the power of outdoor recreation?

As we were contemplating and developing the Trails at Jakes Rocks (TAJR) system we utilized data provided by the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) in our marketing materials provided to potential funders and supporters of the project. This data indicated the potential for the system to attract 20,000 users annually to the system. While we were hopeful this would be the true result we were somewhat skeptical and uncertain. Not only have we met and exceeded this level of usage on the system, we continue to see users from further and further away traveling to our area specifically because of the systems existence.

How and where do you like to recreate outside?

During the summer months our focus is on cycling….both road and mountain biking and maintenance activities on the TAJR including leaf blowing in the spring and fall, downed tree removal, vegetation trimming and general trail tread maintenance. We also enjoy kayaking on the Allegheny River several times during the summer and participate in the Allegheny River Cleanup event annually. Winter months we focus on hiking throughout the Allegheny National Forest.

 

BOB KIRCHNER
ST. MARYS AREA SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION – Saint Marys, PA

What is your professional connection to outdoor recreation?

I am a (mostly) retired industrial safety consultant though I still contract safety service to the wood products industry about one week per month. I have spent a lifetime volunteering in the outdoor recreation area. Positions held were: President, American Council of Snowmobile Associations; President, Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association; President (and Recreation Chair) Allegheny Forest Alliance; and President, Pigeon Hills Snowmobile Club. I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council for DCNR and am a current (as well as founding) Board Member of the West Creek Recreational Trail Association and belong to multiple snowmobile clubs in Pennsylvania and New York.

How do you understand the power of outdoor recreation?

As a founding Board Member of the West Creek Recreational Trail Association I had the privilege of working with local Elk and Cameron County community leaders in developing a 17 mile railbanked right of way into a four-season, multi-use community asset. As with many such projects, initially there were folks who were skeptical of, or down right opposed to, the development but the trail is now beloved by our communities. Many trail neighbors have spent their own money and sweat equity to develop trail enhancements such as pavilions, benches and other accoutrements. They enjoy this recreational opportunity and want to make it better for others.

How and where do you like to recreate outside?

My main outdoor interest, as may be evident, is snowmobiling. (Back in the day I thought skiing was too expensive to pursue….geez). That said I also fish, work on trail maintenance, and have a good deal of past experience with trailer camping when my family was young. My favorite snowmobiling location is riding out of my garage in the heart of the PA Wilds to the Elk and Susquehannock State Forests or the Allegheny National Forest. I have ridden (as well as oval and cross country raced snowmobiles) in New York, Michigan, Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario, and Quebec.