HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne & Pike Trails & Waterways Alliance (WPTWA) has established a feasibility study to look at the possibility of developing a trail along the Lackawaxen River that will run between Honesdale and Hawley. The study will examine land ordinances, river access possibilities, and potential routes and obstacles that may impact the project.

The Wayne County Commissioners issued a press release on November 15 that says, “As one of the first orders of business, the study committee and Woodland Design Associates of Honesdale, the planning consultant for the project, created a 10-question survey. The questionnaire wants to know what outdoor activities both residents and visitors regularly pursue, whether they might visit a multi-use trail along the Lackawaxen River, how they would rank the various uses of such a trail and what amenities they might expect to find there. The survey, which also has a section for comments, is available online at https://bit.ly/2QdCqCg.

The Wayne County Commissioners support the feasibility study and have applied for and received a  grant for it from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) is serving as the  agreed non-profit organization that collects funds that are used for the required match for the feasibility study. WTPWA with the help of WCCF raised the $40,000 match.

The WPTWA is made up of four  groups: The Stourbridge Rail and Trail group, along with the Honesdale River Project and HonesTrails and the Wallenpaupack Trails and Lock 31 Group. The groups are pursuing a trail system throughout the Honesdale-Hawley corridor connecting the area’s parks and woodlands.