Civil Municipal Magazine - Dec 2023

219 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 12 NORTH WHI TEHALL TOWNSHI P residents frequently use. Our trail systems are also very impactful to the surrounding community, not just our residents, offering them an opportunity to live a healthier lifestyle by recreating on our trails and in our parks.” A plan for preservation North Whitehall Township has a rich agricultural history, but over the past several years, more and more farmers have sold their farmland to developers and builders. In 2005, 56% of township land was vacant, or in use for agriculture or recreation; in 2020, that proportion had dropped to 36.5%. So, today, a major focus of the town’s administration, according to Cope, is increasing its farmland and open space preservation efforts. “We’ve been going through a lot of planning here at the township level,” he says. “And we’ve recently completed our Parks and Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan (PROSP).” The purpose of the PROSP is to improve the township’s quality of life by preserving the natural and cultural features of the community while A town’s amenities Open spaces and recreational opportunities are key amenities in North Whitehall. The township has seven parks and is home to the 1,108-acre Trexler Nature Preserve, owned by Lehigh County, which contains 18 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding; deer, bison, and elk habitats; a well-stocked fishing creek; and the 29-acre Lehigh Valley Zoo. In addition, the Ironton Rail Trail, built from tracks of the defunct Ironton Railroad, offers 9.2-miles of safe, year- round connections to surrounding towns, and the township is also a partner in the Jordan Creek Greenway, a regional conservation initiative that connects several communities via a 14-mile, multi-use trail. North Whitehall also has several privately-owned golf courses, shooting clubs and ranges, and youth athletic organizations. “We are very fortunate to have the Trexler Nature Preserve,” says Township Manager, Randy Cope. “That’s been a great thing for North Whitehall residents. And our parkland is very valuable. It’s something that our