From staff reports
Jenks Township will receive $1.2 million from the state to construct additional six miles of walking and bicycling trail.
The announcement was made by Gov. Tom Wolf and PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards on Tuesday, May 8.
Jenks Township will receive $1,196,169 through the Surface Transportation Block Grant program Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside.
The grant will be used as a continuation of the trail project to construct an additional six-mile segment of trail, ADA parking lots, and a pavilion.
An Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant for $67,000 will be used to update the recreational hub that will provide ADA restrooms and information for recreational activities to include hiking, cycling, ATV, snowmobile, cross country skiing and equestrian use.
The trail project will provide a link to several trails, including the North Country Trail, the Allegheny National Forest trail system and the Knox to Kane Trail. Jenks Township and the Allegheny National Forest are also working to provide a connector trail for ATV’s.
Recreation has always been a large part of the local economy and with the addition of this trail hub, the Supervisors hope to give entrepreneurs the opportunities to develop new businesses or expand existing business.
The township has worked to expand infrastructure to accommodate growth in Marienville for both business and housing development. There are opportunities for rental shops, overnight accommodations, food sources and recreational outfitters.
The Jenks Township Supervisors would like to thank Local Foods, Local Places; Janie French, Headwaters Charitable Trust; Meridith Hill, DCNR; Sue Smith, Northwest Commission; Rob Fallon, ANF; The EADS Group; Terry Heeter; the Forest County Commissioners and local businesses.
They also thanked community volunteers that have helped make this possible.