Welcome to MPMC
MPMC Core Values:
Healthy Communities--Family Activities-- Pedestrian & Cyclist Friendly Borough & Townships-- Connectivity of People--Contribution to Community MPMC Goal: To build community vibrancy and enhance public spaces by connecting people and places with safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists. MPMC is an initiative of MACWell (Mercersburg Area Council for Wellness). |
IMAGINE a community where . . .
. . . individuals walk on their daily errands, children walk to school, and families bike to parks and other recreational areas. Imagine a community where walkers, joggers, and bikers have easy access to safe routes, paths and trails, and recreation "starts" at your front door. Imagine a day when our townships and borough serve as a model of a healthy place to live and work and go to school.
The Montgomery Peters Mercersburg Connectivity (MPMC) project is working to make that day a reality.  Along McFarland Road |
Healthy Communities
It takes Partnership & Persistence
"This award really goes to all those who have given their time and energy to work on feasibility, planning and implementation of projects that support our environment and a walkable/ bikeable community. Getting outdoors and being physically active are key to our well being."- Dr. Liz George
Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth George for being recognized by The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians as the inaugural 2019 Public Health Award recipient! "She's very passionate about community and health and wellness, and is very deserving of this award!"
~ Chris Ardinger, TACC
"This award really goes to all those who have given their time and energy to work on feasibility, planning and implementation of projects that support our environment and a walkable/ bikeable community. Getting outdoors and being physically active are key to our well being."- Dr. Liz George
Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth George for being recognized by The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians as the inaugural 2019 Public Health Award recipient! "She's very passionate about community and health and wellness, and is very deserving of this award!"
~ Chris Ardinger, TACC
Enhancing Public Spaces
Trail Progress
With extensive engineering drawings of the Johnston Run Streamside Trail in hand, and environmental protectors in place DH Martin Excavating broke ground mid July. Government officials, business leaders, TACC joined MACWell Board in celebrated ground breaking at the TACC summer get together July 30th. The trail will be handicapped accessible and good for walking, cycling, trikes, and strollers!. The photos show the natural peacefulness of the area.
With extensive engineering drawings of the Johnston Run Streamside Trail in hand, and environmental protectors in place DH Martin Excavating broke ground mid July. Government officials, business leaders, TACC joined MACWell Board in celebrated ground breaking at the TACC summer get together July 30th. The trail will be handicapped accessible and good for walking, cycling, trikes, and strollers!. The photos show the natural peacefulness of the area.
Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski, FCADC's Mike Ross, Kathleen Gunnell from Senator Wards office, Dr. Liz George, Commissioner Bob Thomas, TACC Director Chris Ardinger, Borough Manager Derek Stoy
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Brett Cook and Katrina Gayman from Whitetail, Claudia Peet & Becky Wolf (Board), Joan Mccullough Historian of the area, Liz George MD, Robert Twine & Ingrid Ashley (Board), Derek Stoy, Annalisa Ambrisco (Orrstown)
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Photo shows great progress by Sept 9th - packed crushed stone path is installed; now for landscaping with wild flowers and safety railings.
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Oct 29th -Volunteers of all ages joined in to plant wildflowers/ferns and trees. many thanks to our volunteers and for coordination of the day by Derek Stoy, John Schwartzer (DCNR Forester) Robert Twine (MACWell Board - Trail Team lead), Becky Schubert (Native Niches)
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Thank you to so many people for dedication, hardwork, knowledge and persistence. Thank you MPMC volunteers, Borough Manager Manager Derek Stoy, Bourough Council, Water and Sewer Authorities, Grant Writer Bob Whitmore, DCNR, Franklin County Commissioners, ARRO engineers (special applause Scott Longstreth), and the Conservation District, and local business sponsors. Thank you to all the Trail and stream revitalizaion Supporters; we’ll be able to walk, look and listen for the wildlife and the stream.
Monitoring Johnston Run Stream Corridor
Waterway Monitoring in the LabA Dickinson Ecology major assists as volunteers Franklin Bell, Elizabeth Grant and Brent Gift learn Turbidity Testing.
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Water Conservation for AllCommunity volunteers trained with ALLARM (Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring) by Dickinson College to do monthly monitoring on our stream, which is currently impaired. Monitoring is part of learning what needs to be done to revitalize the stream.
By Spring 2020 we will have 2 years of data and ALLARM will help look for patterns and causes of our stream's excessive nutrients and dissolved solids. |
Waterway Monitoring in the FieldAshley Carbaugh completed in-stream temperature and conductivity testing (measures salts etc from road run off), and collects a sample for Nitrate, Phosphate, sediment measurement.
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Connectivity of People
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Winner of the 2016 Not for Profit of the Year award from Tuscarora Area Chamber of Commerce!
Pictured - from the Left - Patti Nitterhouse HEA Host, developer Penn National Golf Community; Kenn Speaks HEA Coach, Speaks DJ; Chris Mayer HEA Host at Wilson College, director CSA; Laura Puckett, Board member; Claudia Peet Board member, Director of Medical Library Summit Health,staff education coordinator; Shelby Miller HEA coordinator; Elizabeth Grant - Board member, Franklin Cty Planning Commission; Elizabeth George, MD MACWell President; Jim Butler Everyday Chef educator, Dining Service Director at Mercersburg Academy; Mayor Jim Zeger - MPMC team. |
Pedestrian & Cyclist Friendly Borough & Townships
Working Toward Complete Streets
Our Feasibility Study identified a "seamless network" for safe walking and cycling on errands and to work or school. Now MPMC is working toward a "Master Plan" for implementation that will identify, plan and prioritize projects that enhance our community with complete streets. These are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists of all ages and abilities. Complete Streets make it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, and bicycle to work and school, and enjoy our area. Read More
What's a COMPLETE STREET?
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Check out this article to learn more about how roadways designed for the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians is an important part of a vibrant community!
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Contribution to Community
Thank you to JBHS Honor Society Students for their amazing energy and team work on the community trail!
Here's what students say about working outdoors:
“Working on the trail gave me a new perspective; it was so neat to see the before and after of the trail and just how far it came along when we all worked on it together. It got me excited to have the trail in Mercersburg. The trail will give many people the opportunity to take time to enjoy the local beauty and nature of this area.” ~ Maggie Plessinger |
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Nature along Johnston Run - Look closely for the camouflaged American Woodcock!
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Johnston Run Scenic Streamside Trail with possible connections to the ball park and Lions Club Park
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Join this community effort, today! Click above to contact us!
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Did you know that Mercersburg has a beautiful stream running through it?
Support Johnson Run Revitalization . . .
Check out this stainless steel water bottle and help build a beautiful streamside trail!
Available at Modnur Pharmacy in Mercersburg for $20 Donation
MACWell Board Members and our Partners in Wellness meet to share goals.
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Many thanks to our Partners in Wellness
for their generous contribution and commitment to supporting Individual Wellness, Community Vitality and Environmental Sustainability Summit Health, First National Bank of Mercersburg, Atlas Copco, Whitetail Resort Making a stand for Wellness in their Businesses and in the Community! |
Updates!
Curious about our progress? Check out our new "How's it Going?" pages under each of our major projects: Walkability/Bikeability and Waterway Revitalization and see fun photos and updates!
Other Resources
Why Walk?
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Click on the map pictured right for walking routes and fitness fun in Mercersburg! |
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Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Focusing on the connection between health and outdoor activities, Pennsylvania residents want access to close to home recreation, walkable and bikable communities, protection of lands and waters and well-maintained park facilities. MACWell's projects and events are completed in conjunction with these goals of the PA DCNR to create safe and effective enjoyment of the outdoors. Visit their site for more information and see their 5 year plan!
Focusing on the connection between health and outdoor activities, Pennsylvania residents want access to close to home recreation, walkable and bikable communities, protection of lands and waters and well-maintained park facilities. MACWell's projects and events are completed in conjunction with these goals of the PA DCNR to create safe and effective enjoyment of the outdoors. Visit their site for more information and see their 5 year plan!
Links of Interest:
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Getting Started - Newsletter Archives
February 2013 Update - Moving Forward to Implementation
Moving Forward to Implementation
January 2012 Update - Feasibility Study Progress January 2012 Update - Feasibility Study Progress
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Summer 2011 Update - About the Feasibility Study MPMC Summer 2011 Update - About the Feasibility Study
January 2011 - Starting MPMC MPMC January 2011 - Starting MPMC
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Many thanks to our Sponsors and Partners
for their continued support:
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