A new venture aims to bridge the gap between urban living and natural landscapes in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The Pinchot State Forest, located just across Interstate 81 from Connell Park, could soon be more accessible to local residents, thanks to efforts by a community improvement group.
Valley in Motion, led by President Gus Fahey, is championing this initiative, which seeks to connect Connell Park and the Pinchot State Forest via a trail that would also traverse three nearby public housing developments. “How rare is it that you have urban populations that are that close to a state forest,” Fahey noted, emphasizing the potential for residents to enjoy outdoor activities and their associated benefits.
The proposed pathway, known as the South Scranton Connector Trail, would span between half a mile to three-quarters of a mile, providing easy access to the forest’s extensive resources. Fahey highlighted, “There’s just half a mile, three-quarters of a mile, of a path that can take you right to this amazing public resource that’s in their backyard.”
A Unique Suburban Forest Experience
The Pinchot State Forest, managed by Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), extends across Northeast Pennsylvania, covering multiple counties including Lackawanna. In a move that enlarged the forest’s urban reach, the Conservation Fund acquired 436 acres in Scranton in 2023, subsequently adding it to the forest.
Assistant district forester Timothy Lantz describes the Pinchot State Forest as a “suburban state forest,” offering diverse recreational opportunities like hiking, mountain biking, and bird watching on its many unofficial trails. According to Lantz, the forest allows visitors to explore “kind of like on your terms” but lacks the concentrated recreational facilities found in state parks.
The Montage Tract, part of the forest within Scranton, currently has no marked trails, though the DCNR is evaluating existing roads and trails for potential upgrades as part of its forest management planning.
Trail Development Efforts
The idea for the trail was bolstered by the recent land acquisition and Valley in Motion’s ongoing community engagement. The group has been running a Saturday morning walking club at Connell Park and is collaborating with the city on park trail upgrades. “This project was one of three that we identified at a strategic planning session last year,” Fahey stated, highlighting the collaborative nature of the endeavor.
Valley in Motion is working with various stakeholders, including housing authorities and local residents, to gather input for the trail. Roxy Brown, the group’s recreation access specialist, has been instrumental in connecting residents with Connell Park and gathering their insights on the trail’s design. The feedback ranged from requests for picnic areas to more challenging biking trails.
While trail developments can sometimes lead to gentrification, Fahey pointed out that the affordable housing developments involved in this project help mitigate such concerns. “Driving out people who were intended to benefit in the first place. But since these are affordable housing developments … those are residents that are not going to be gentrified out,” he said, calling it a unique aspect of the project.
Local community leaders, like Patti Mitchell of the South Scranton Neighborhood Association, are hopeful that the trail will include safety features such as lighting to ensure it remains a free and enjoyable resource for all. “Anything they do to make an improvement for people to get out and enjoy outdoor recreation, I think that is wonderful,” Mitchell said.
