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The Lebanon Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) is a National Recreation Trail.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/10NRTapps.html )〕 The rail trail goes from the southwestern border of Lebanon County and goes through Colebrook, Mt. Gretna, Cornwall, and the city of Lebanon. At the southern border of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania the LVRT connects with the Conewago Trail and continues for another 5.5 miles. The trail is partly built on the old Cornwall-Lebanon Railroad created by Robert Coleman (industrialist) in the 1880s. The trail runs 14.5 miles currently, and there are many phases in development that would extended the trail to northern Lebanon County and Jonestown. The trail features a packed stone path and paved path at many parts that traverses "Pennsylvania Dutch Country" and other scenic routes. Trail users see untouched woodlands of state gamelands, forests, and views of area fields and farms. The trail is maintained by dedicated group of volunteers, and allows for running, walking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. == Historical development == Historical significance The Cornwall-Lebanon Railroad was built with $1.2 million in the 1880s by the rich socialite Robert H. Coleman. The railroad was used to carry passengers from the extremely popular resort community of the time, Mt. Gretna. Later the railroad was used to transport the Pennsylvania National Guard from their camp near Mt. Gretna. As time went on the railroad service stopped, which resulted in the rail being purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad. This group continued use of the rail up until the powerful Hurricane Agnes devastated Lebanon County. The hurricane destroyed sections of the track in 1972. But, until the purchase of the track in 1999 the rail was unused. The Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails, Inc., led by John Wengert Jr., purchased the rail line and began construction of the LVRT. Trail’s history and evolution 2009 marked the acquisition and development of a 2.5 mile extension to the City of Lebanon. The trail passes near Zinns Mill Road toward the Lebanon Expo Center, then to South Hill Park, and ending at the 8th Street trailhead. This section of the trail features a 10 foot wide paved surface, equestrian path, and an above ground bridge at Wilhelm Avenue. Construction cost $575,000 and was funded by personal donations and federal and state funds. The City of Lebanon extension was built upon the former Cornwall Industrial Track and acquired from the RJ Railroad Co which was used by Conrail to serve the local Alcoa plant in South Lebanon Township. Modern-day extensions are focused on the updating of the Cornwall trailhead, which was partially funded by a $25,000 gift from the Friends of the Rexmont Dams. Studies are in progress to develop an area outside Jonestown that will one day connect to a Union Canal trail and the City of Lebanon section of the LVRT. The Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails, Inc., works to improve the conditions, length, amenities, and land in order to improve the experience of visitors. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Lebanon Valley Rail Trail」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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