Berks Alliance Community Forum: Greenway

Spotlight on Berks County Parks & Greenway Strategic Plan

In 2022, Berks County released an updated Greenway, Parks and Recreation Plan, which evaluated the progress that had been made over the previous decade as well as outlined ambitions for future growth and changes.
 
Berks County owns and manages over 1,000 acres of open space, including parks, greenways and trails, in addition to several historic and heritage sites.  The county collaborates with a number of community and municipal organizations to support enhanced outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the region.  One of the ambitions identified in the updated plan was to provide these resources for all Berks County residents, regardless of where they lived or their financial status. 
 
The 2022 update identified improvements that could be made to the parks and greenways.  For example, it suggested 10 Greenway expansion projects that would add over 10,000 acres to the existing trail system.
 
The plan is guided by five core values:

• Enhancing Health and Wellness;
• Promoting Inclusivity;
• Encouraging Conservation, Sustainability and Stewardship;
• Fostering Economic Development; and
• Supporting Innovation and Technology.