Easton Planning Commission Supports Extension of Arts Trail

By Christina Georgiou


The yellow line represents the planned extension of the Karl Stirner
Arts Trail through College Hill in Easton.


Extending the Karl Stirner Arts Trail through Easton's College Hill neighborhood got one step closer to becoming a reality Thursday evening with a resolution by the city's planning commission to add the planned walking trail extension to the city's new comprehensive plan.

While the move is the first step toward extending the trail, it will take at least another couple of years to execute, said city planning director Becky Bradley.

The new city comprehensive plan won't be complete until 2014, but the trail plan needs to be on it for further approvals from other agencies for the extension to happen, she said.

"We need to have it on the plan so they can even get started," Bradley told the planning commission.

Other hurdles, such as approvals from PennDOT for places where the trail intersects or runs with state roads, as well as finding funding for construction and trail markers, will also need to be overcome for the extension to become a reality, too.

But the planning commission's approval means fundraising and further planning for the effort can begin, she said.

"We shouldn't focus on the money. This is about the plan," Bradley told commissioners. "You set your goals and then pursue funds."


An approximation of what thenew fountain will look like
when placed in Nevin Park, from the presentation project
coordinator Hubert Etchison gave to the Easton
Planning Commission Thursday evening.

The extension of the trail is part of the College Hill Neighborhood Association's plan to revitalize Nevin Park and replace the cast iron fountain that once graced the recreational area.

Volunteer project coordinator Hubert Etchison recently outlined the plan for both the fountain replacement and the group's hopes to extend the pedestrian trail to city council, and the project was promised financial support from the city after it was announced that the committee working on the years-long project had reached a significant fundraising goal, enabling it to be able to commit to purchasing a stylistically appropriate replacement cast-iron fountain.

The fountain will likely be installed in Nevin Park within a year, those connected with the project have estimated, but making the trail extension a reality will take much longer.

"There are massive permitting hurdles to make this happen," Bradley said. "But that's part of the job--what are the hurdles and how do we make it happen."

The trail extension is designed to connect walkers with a more sylvan connection with the rest of the city, as well as highlight Nevin Park and local history, Etchison said.

While the second segment of the project will take much more time--as well as money--to complete, the citizen's group is committed to making it a reality.

"We're not going to finish this fountain and then set up a hammock," he told the planning commission. "We're pretty pumped...We're trying to go beyond 'this is going to be a really cool fountain.' There are some really great opportunities to dial it up from that."

Trail markers highlighting area history, along with a narration of events and places that will be accessible via a smartphone, likely to be completed by local students and non-profit organizations, are to be incorporated into the path, Etchison said.

A full estimate of what adding the trail will cost is not yet complete, but the money to complete the project is expected to come from various state and federal grant sources, both Etchison and city officials have said.

"The historic significance of the things along the (Route) 611 part of this are amazing, and we haven't even started on the Cattell Street side of this," Etchison said.

The trail extension will connect with the existing Karl Stirner Arts Trail at the base of College Hill on North Third Street and form a loop, which would give walkers two ways to scale the steep slope--one directly up the hill, and the other, a longer route that is less strenous that veers toward the river. The trail would incorporated Nevin Park in the middle.

Whether the trail extension will still be named "Karl Stirner" is uncertain though, as Bradley and Etchison said it would be advantageous for fundraising purposes to leave naming possibilities undetermined for now.

"It could be 'give us the money guy' trail," Bradley said.

But whatever it's ultimately named, the plan will further enhance the city, she said.

"I think it's completely sound and smart and reasonable, what they're trying to do," Bradley said. "It's wonderful to have community members to come to the city with ideas of what they want."

The planning commission voted unanimously in favor of the resolution.

"I don't think there's any question but that we support it," said Easton Planning Commission Chairman Charles Elliot.

Nevin Park to Finally Get Fountain Restored

By Christina Georgiou


The fountain in Nevin Park, as it appeared about 100 years ago. It was
dismantled for maintenance in the 1920s, which never happened. The

iron fountain was later melted down for scrap during World War II.

A long-time plan to replace the pile of rocks that sits at the center of Nevin Park in Easton's College Hill neighborhood with a fountain reminiscent of the one that formerly graced the park is finally coming to fruition, and it will include the expansion of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail as well, it was announced at Wednesday evening's city council meeting.


The pile of rocks that sits today where the old fountain
used to be in
College Hill's Nevin Park.



It's been about 90 years since Nevin Park's fountain, originally erected in Downtown Easton's Centre Square in the 1860s as a celebration of clean water and moved to the park in 1899 to make way for the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil War monument, disappeared. Historic record says it was dismantled for maintenance in the 1920s, but the repairs never happened. Instead, it was melted down for scrap during World War II.

Residents have long lamented the antique fountain's loss, but a similar fountain of the same style will soon grace the park, thanks to the efforts of a committee of dedicated citizens.



CHNA president Hubert
Etchison outlines the
Nevin Park fountain
plan to Easton City Council
members Wednesday
evening.

 Hubert Etchison, president of the College Hill Neighborhood Association, which spearheaded the effort, presented a plan to Easton City Council Wednesday evening outlining the plan.

The group considered both a custom-made restoration of the original fountain and the purchase of a ready-made piece. A low bid for a recreation of the original fountain came in for $367,500, which was far beyond the amount the group budgeted for the project.

"It would take a lot of yard sales to get there," Etchison said. "Unless someone wants to write us a check..."

However, the committee chanced upon an opportunity to buy a ready-made fountain, identical to one currently erected in Marietta, Georgia, for $37,500, Etchison said.

"The restoration of the fountain area in Nevin Park will provide a focal point for activity along the Karl Stirner Arts Trail, provide an adult-friendly vista, and aid in enhancing the economic growth of College Hill through increased traffic to its key business corridor" he said. "This vision and plan will highlight key historical aspects of Nevin Park and College Hill that might otherwise be lost."

The fountain the CHNA committee intends to purchase, as seen in its current
location in Marietta, Georgia.

The expansion of the trail will include new historic markers outlining the stories of key events in Easton's history. The marker project may include an audio project that could be completed by local middle- and high school students and would be playable on smartphones, Etchison said.

The graceful beauty of the fountain will add aesthetic appeal to the park, and also provide photographic opportunities at the park for things like weddings, Etchison said.

The walking trail would be extended from the base of College Hill on North Third Street up the hill and have two paths, one for "strong walkers" and another, longer route that would accomodate more leisurely paces.

The group has raised nearly $22,000 toward the effort, which in its entirety is expected to cost about $205,000

The city earmarked $75,000 in its capital improvements fund two years ago, Mayor Sal Panto said, with an agreement that the city would match citizens' fundraising efforts 2 to 1 and release the funds when the goal was realized.

About $31,000 in demolition, site prep work, and the preliminary utility installation work has been secured as in-kind donations, Etchison said.

The group hopes to secure $90,000 in grant funding, and will cover the estimated remaining $18,300 through further fundraising efforts, he added.


A map of the proposed extension through College Hill of the Karl Stirner
Arts Trail.



As part of the plan, the group also intends to create a refurbishment fund to cover the costs of future maintenance, expected to be needed about 25 years after the fountain's installation, to ensure it is properly kept in good working order for future generations.

The funds raised and pledged so far are enough for the CHNA committee to commit to buying the Marietta fountain and get the ball rolling, hopefully by July 1 of this year, Etchison said.

Getting to the point of seeing the fountain completely installed will likely take about a year. New piping and electrical lines need to be run in the area, and the pad needs to be replaced, he noted.

Marietta has been helpful too in providing advice for the future preservation of the fountain, Etchison said. Unlike the installation in Georgia, in Easton it will likely have a granite pool rim, which will help keep the fountain's iron in good condition, he said.

The extension plans for the Karl Stirner Arts Trail will likely take at least two years, said Easton Planning Director Becky Bradley.

To effect that change, the city's comprehensive plan, currently undergoing an update, will need to be modified, and the regional greenway plan will need to be updated as well, both processes that take time.

Additionally, some funds will likely need to be raised in addition to those already budgeted for, she said.

"Their vision is great," she said, enthusiastic about the plan.

Other officials were also very upbeat about the park upgrade and citizen involvement in extending the walking trail through the city.

"(The fountain) is one of the few things we can do for College Hill because they're not eligible for grant dollars," Panto said. "We're 100 percent on board at the administration."

Councilman Jeff Warren also praised the plan.

"This is truly a visionary project for College Hill," he said, noting that the pile of rocks currently in the fountain's place is one of his first memories of the city. "Believe me, I'll be happy to see it go, but it does hold some fond memories for me."

Etchison credited committee members for their persistance and dedication to the effort.

"There's no way we would have gotten here without our volunteers," he said.



An old photo of the original fountain, as seen in Easton's Centre Square, before it was moved to Nevin Park in 1899 to make way for the Soldiers' and Sailors' monument, which still stands in its place today.