Thursday, January 24, 2008

Cynwyd Trail and Cynwyd Train Station Public Meeting

January 30th Public Meeting to Focus on Cynwyd Trail, Station Renovation
7:30 p.m. Meeting to be Cablecast Live on Comcast Channel 7

Citizens interested in learning more about the plans for a trail along the R—6 line in Cynwyd and renovations to the historic Cynwyd Train Station are invited to attend an informational meeting on Wednesday, January 30th at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Township Administration Building.

Assistant Director of Building and Planning, Christopher Leswing, will present the vision for the Cynwyd Trail and Jerry Francis, President of the Lower Merion Historical Society, will outline what the Society has termed “its most exciting endeavor to date” - the renovation of the Cynwyd Station.

In December 2007, representatives from Lower Merion Township and the Lower Merion Historical Society signed the final paperwork sub-leasing the Cynwyd Train Station to the Historical Society. “This cleared the way for the Historical Society to begin the long-awaited first phase of renovation to this 1886 structure,” stated Bruce D. Reed, President of the Board of Commissioners. “A restored Cynwyd Station is the fulfillment of a long time dream for the Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd, for our outstanding Lower Merion Historical Society and for all who value the preservation of historical structures.”

In October 2007, the Montgomery County Commissioners took action to authorize $225,000 for improvements to the Cynwyd Station. Earlier in the year, the Township Board of Commissioners approved a matching grant for $225,000. The final executed lease agreement between the Township and SEPTA for the Cynwyd Station and the proposed Cynwyd Trail was signed by Township Manager Doug Cleland, giving lessee responsibilities to the Township. The “final piece of the puzzle” took place at the Monday, December 3rd sub-lease agreement signing.

All involved share excitement not only about the restored Station, but also about its location adjacent to the Township’s proposed two-mile recreational, multi-use, paved trail running from Cynwyd Station to the Manayunk viaduct along the unused portion of SEPTA’s R-6 tracks.

The Township Engineer has commenced a master planning study for the construction of the Cynwyd Trail. “The meeting on January 30th will provide foundational information regarding this proposed trail. Construction will be partially funded through the use of County Open Space Funds,” remarked Leswing. “In the coming weeks and months, a series of community workshops will be held to solicit input from residents as we pursue this exciting goal.”

Following the presentations by Leswing and Francis, a question and answer period will conclude the meeting, which will be cablecast live on Comcast Channel 7, with copies available at both the Bala Cynwyd and Ludington Libraries. It will be re-played throughout the week following the meeting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Noon and on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Assistant Director of Building and Planning, Christopher Leswing, at (610) 645-6116.

1 comments:

Unknown said...

Has the idea been explored to extend this trail across the Manayunk viaduct, through Manayunk on the abandoned Penn Central (R-6) right-of-way to link up with the trail to Valley Forge? This would be an alternate to the towpath and to the Umbria St. route that most bicylcists take from Manayunk to the trail. There could be access points from streets in Manayunk west of Green Lane.