Schuylkill Heritage Area seeks public input

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is inviting the public to assist in planning the future of the Schuylkill River National Heritage Area.

A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 12, at the Reading Public Museum, 500 Museum Road, West Reading, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Participants will discuss the priorities the Heritage Area will focus on over the next five to 10 years. Feedback from the community will be used to shape the new management plan, which is currently under development.

Two other meetings are also planned in other communities including one for June 30 at the Walk In Art Center in Schuylkill Haven from 10:30 a.m. to noon and one for July 6 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Manayunk Brewery.

“This is a unique opportunity for our partners and members of the public to help shape the direction of our organization which has, for many years, worked to improve the quality of life and create new economic opportunities throughout the Schuylkill River region,” said Schuylkill River Heritage Area Executive Director Silas Chamberlain.

Over the past six months, a committee of Heritage Area board members has been working with consultants Schultz & Williams to develop the plan, which will update the organization’s mission, vision, goals and priority areas. It includes goals for developing the Schuylkill River Trail, restoring the quality of Schuylkill River, promoting economic development in riverside communities and connecting residents and visitors to the historic and natural resources of the region.

The meetings will include an overview of the plan from consultant Jill Macauley, of Schultz & Williams. Afterwards, participants will have an opportunity to provide input and offer ideas as part of a facilitated discussion.

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area encompasses the Schuylkill River watershed through Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery, Berks and Schuylkill counties. It is one of only 49 national heritage areas in the country. These heritages work to revitalize and restore the region through natural and cultural resource preservation, education, recreation, community revitalization and heritage tourism.

For more information call the Heritage Area at 484-945-0200.