Connecting river communities
Private outfitter is being sought to establish recreation ‘hubs’ along Schuylkill River
Private outfitter sought to establish recreation ‘hubs’ along the Schuylkill’s water and bike trails.
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 the market 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,
“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. 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
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 that a big part of any excursion is getting back to your car.
This investment is in accordance with Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area strategic plan, (Re)Turn to the River, which seeks to promote connections between the Schuylkill River and adjoining river communities.
Outfitters are asked to submit a letter outlining their qualifications. Schaefer said a group will then be selected to have more in depth conversations with Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area.
“We would like to engage someone over the winter and get started on a business plan. We look to start with some pilot programming next summer in addition to our existing programs,” she said.
Schaefer added that potential candidates are welcome to reach out to her with questions. In fact, she has already heard from a few — “some local, some regional and some national.”
Schaefer said the organization has been getting good feedback about the plan, and that she is very excited about what’s to come.
“It has happened on Lehigh and the Delaware — there is no reason it won’t happen here,” she added.
The request for letters of interest goes into specifics about expectations for the selected outfitter. The Schuylkill River Greenways 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.