Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
CONNECTING RIVER COMMUNITIES
Private outfitter is being sought to establish recreation ‘ hubs’ along Schuylkill River
“We’re looking for a partner who shares our vision of what can happen on the river over the next five years– with the capacity and drive tomake it happen. This is not just about providing the amenities; we’re trying to propel the growth of the recreation industry on the river.” — Elaine Schaefer, executive director, Schuylkill River Greenways Heritage Area
POTTSTOWN » Wanted: A private outfitter to establish a recreational hub system connecting various river towns along the Schuylkill River via the water and bike trails.
The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area ( which was formerly known as the Schuylkill River Heritage Area), is seeking a partner to work with the organization to provide what Executive Director Elaine Schaefer calls the “trifecta” — access to bike and kayak rentals, a place to enjoy refreshments and consistent, reliable transportation between access points.
Letters of interest are being accepted by the organization, and are due by Dec. 8.
“We’re looking for a partner who shares our vision of what can happen on the river over the next five years — with the capacity and drive to make it happen,” Schaefer said. “This is not just about providing the amenities; we’re trying to propel the growth of the recreation industry on the river.”
Schaefer said that growth is happening organically already.
“We want to see the growth happen in an organized way,” she said. “Rather than to passively wait for themarket to respond to a growing interest in outdoor recreation, we determined that we should provide catalytic support to attract the right entrepreneur.”
Schaefer said getting an outfitter in place will help all of the communities along the river.
“Our mission is to bring about a connected community. We want people to get on the river, to fall in love with
the river and become ambassadors and protectors of the river,” she said, adding that the effort is designed to make it easier for people to enjoy the river, and will broaden the audience and fan base of the river.
“There are hearty enthusiasts that use it regularly — but that is a small portion of the population. Not everyone owns kayaks and bikes. There is a whole other group which could come and rent.”
Founded in 1974, the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area has been committed to preserving and conserving the greenway along the
Schuylkill River, including the creation and building of the regional Schuylkill River Trail. To date, 65 of the expected 130 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail have been completed. And according to the request for letters of interest from outfitters, within the next five years, the Schuylkill River Trail will be completed — from Center City Philadelphia to Reading.
The organization estimates that more than one million people use the Schuylkill River Trail each year.
According to the request for letters of interest, the organization is looking to achieve connected recreational hubs, “from which a resident or tourist can easily and consistently rent a kayak, canoe or bicycle
and have reasonable access to food and refreshments and can travel between various locations on the river conveniently and predictably.”
To help support the efforts of the selected outfitter, Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area will invest at least $ 66,000 in resources. The funding includes $ 30,000 for a business plan; a $ 10,000 contract to administer an existing bike share program; $ 10,000 to provide outfitting support for the 2018 Schuylkill River Sojourn; $ 10,000 to establish transportation service between sites; and $ 6,000 to run the Pedal and Paddle program for the year.
Schaefer stressed that transportation needs to be part of any plan that is
implemented, adding a big part of any excursion in addition to our existing is getting back to your car. programs,” she said.
This investment is in accordance Schaefer added that potential with Schuylkill candidates are welcome River Greenways National to reach out to her Heritage Area strategic with questions. In fact, she plan, ( Re) Turn to the has already heard from a River, which seeks to promote few — “some local, some connections between regional and some national.” the Schuylkill River and adjoining river communities. Schaefer said the organization has been getting
Outfitters are asked to good feedback about submit a letter outlining the plan, and that she is their qualifications. Schaefer very excited about what’s said a group will then to come. be selected to have more “It has happened on Lehigh in depth conversations and the Delaware — with Schuylkill River Greenways there is no reason it won’t National Heritage happen here,” she added. Area. The request for letters
“We would like to engage of interest goes into specifics someone over the about expectations winter and get started on for the selected outfitter. a business plan. We look to The Schuylkill River Greenways start with some pilot programming that next summer National Heritage
Area anticipates efforts for the first year to concentrate on one central location — to be determined — with the possibility of expanding to other temporary pop- up locations that first year.
“Preferred location will be one in close proximity to the Schuylkill river trail, a developed launch site on the river, and reasonable proximity to a place to eat and/ or drink,” the announcement stated.
For more information about the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area and the search for an outfitter visit www. schuylkillriver. org.