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The York County Rail Trail Authority has expanded a portion of dormant rail lines into a multi-use trail that authorities say will net York County $200 for every $1 invested.
The Hanover Trolley Trail expansion in Spring Grove Borough officially opened Thursday.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, held at Thoman Field, East Railroad Street, Spring Grove, marks the completion of the first phase of an ambitious trail expansion program to convert 8.5 miles of dormant rail line into a multi-use trail.
Located east and west of Spring Grove, the rail corridor was purchased by the York County Rail Trail Authority in 2020, specifically to advance development of the Hanover Trolley Trail.
Between 2008 and 2013, two sections of the Hanover Trolley Trail were completed in the Spring Grove and Hanover areas along a Met-Ed utility corridor known as the York Hanover Trolley Line.
“Continued development of the Hanover Trolley Trail will have significant economic benefits for Spring Grove and Hanover, as trail users venture off the trail to patronize trail-friendly businesses and visit our York County Trail Towns,” said Silas Chamberlin, vice-president of the York County Economic Alliance and a member of the Authority.
“Study after study has consistently revealed the return on investments in trails, which attract businesses and residents to communities and spur revitalization,’ he said. “As a result, every dollar our county invests in trails returns over $200 to our regional economy.”
The trail is used by residents for walking, cycling, and other forms of outdoor recreation. The recently constructed section adds 0.3 miles to the Spring Grove trail section and creates walking and cycling links to the borough’s parks and downtown district.
The project is funded through grants from Explore York, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the County of York’s allocation of federal American Rescue Act Plan funds.
“Through this generous financial support, the Rail Trail Authority is able to convert this first section of dormant rail line for public use as a recreational trail,” said Frank Kempf, York County Rail Trial Authority chairman. “But this is just the beginning. As additional funding becomes available, future phases will be constructed.”
He added, “The Hanover Trolley Trail is a prime project to spur this type of local redevelopment in this part of York County.”
Additional sections of the dormant rail line are currently under design for conversion to a trail, as the York County Rail Trail Authority continues efforts to expand the Hanover Trolley Trail.