From the Editor
It has been many years since the Capital Area Greenbelt Association has published a newsletter. I recently volunteered to create a new quarterly publication in an effort to bring news about CAGA activities directly to your inbox. We’ll try to keep it interesting and welcome your suggestions on how to make it more meaningful to you.
It appears CAGA has many members who don’t regularly check CAGA’s website: www.caga.org
or blog: https://caga.org/greenbelt-gazette-2
or follow the group on Facebook, and are therefore unaware of recent developments, like the progress of the “Buckle the Belt” campaign, the detour necessitated by the improvements on the Paxtang Parkway, and upcoming events. All that info is here. In addition to news updates, each issue will include a profile of a CAGA Board Member or other Greenbelt volunteer, as well as an appreciative note about Greenbelt supporters in the community. You can also expect to find calls for volunteers to help the organization fulfill its mission as well as information about recent and upcoming events that may be of interest to you.
Bill Cologie
City Gets $900,000 in Grant Funds to Help “Buckle the Belt”
In mid-January the City of Harrisburg received a $750,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development in support of the initial phase of a project to relocate the Greenbelt in south Harrisburg. Then, in late January, the City was informed of another $150,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund for the same project.
Both grant applications were submitted by the City in support of the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA). The City will serve as the grant recipient and work closely with CAGA on the administration and implementation of both grants.
The project aims to get Greenbelt users off the current detour that uses heavily travelled Cameron and Sycamore Streets and onto private property, shielded from traffic, onto a safe, attractive, and environmentally sound off-road trail. The plan tentatively calls for the trail to be rerouted onto a widened sidewalk on the north side of Sycamore Street, then make a hairpin turn onto property currently owned by Pennsy Supply, going under the Sycamore Street bridge and onto a trail to be developed on what used to be South 9th Street, then joining the Greenbelt at Shanois Street near the old Lochiel Hotel.
The project is still in the design process and Phase 1 includes the completion of the design and the widening of the sidewalk on Sycamore Street. Phase 2, calls for the acquisition of the property needed and the completion of the trail including engineering, paving, and landscaping.
CAGA President Doug Hill was delighted to hear of the grants being approved and voiced appreciation for the cooperation of Mayor Williams and City Council in their work with CAGA to bring the grants to fruition. He also thanked State Senator Patty Kim, and State Representatives Nate Davidson, Tom Mehaffie, and Justin Fleming for their advocacy for the grant’s approval.
CAGA members and Greenbelt users are reminded the money from the grants will only cover part of the cost of this project. CAGA has launched a campaign to “Buckle the Belt” with a goal of $300,000 to bring the project to completion. You can make contributions by visiting the “Buckle the Belt” link on CAGA’s website, www.caga.org.
Save the Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026 Tour de Belt
Paxtang Parkway Work Continues
At the end of the year “Trail to be Closed” signs went up on both ends of the Paxtang Parkway section of the Greenbelt as the multi-year project to improve the trail continues. Through 2025 Greenbelt users saw dramatic improvements to the landscape along the Parkway including replacing top soil, new plants and trees planted to control erosion, and improvements to Spring Creek, including reinforcing some of the stream’s banks. Now underway are improvements to the trail itself, with the milling of the existing pavement, creation of four-foot grass shoulders, the paving of a 12-foot surface for .4 mile of the Parkway’s length, and the replacement of culverts and sewers under the trail.
It is expected all of the work on this section of the Greenbelt will be completed before people mount their bikes for the 2026 Tour de Belt on June 7. During the project, the Parkway will be closed in the construction zones, but the rest of the Parkway will be open. CAGA has created an unofficial detour for cyclists to bypass the Parkway. Click here for directions:
Saluting Faulkner Subaru Harrisburg for Supporting the Greenbelt
The Greenbelt is truly fortunate of have the support of Faulkner Subaru Harrisburg. Not only have they been a major sponsor of the Tour de Belt since 2019, their Paxton Street showroom includes prominently displayed signs promoting the Greenbelt and their employees regularly pick up the litter along the trail between the Five Senses Garden and their showroom. It is reported they often suggest that customers who bring their cars in for maintenance take a walk on the trail, weather permitting.