Bloomsburg, PA – On Monday, October 22, the town of Bloomsburg saw a multi-year effort come to fruition when it received its official designation as a Susquehanna Greenway River Town at a ceremony held during the town council’s meeting.
Executive Director of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP), Tali MacArthur, presented Mayor William Kreisher and Town Administrator Lauren Martz with the achievement.
“SGP is so happy to welcome Bloomsburg into the River Town Program,” lauds MacArthur. “This designation recognizes Bloomsburg’s long history with the Susquehanna River, and complements its efforts to continue to grow and celebrate its connections to the river, as well as take advantage of the many economic development opportunities that the river fosters.”
The Susquehanna Greenway River Towns program provides technical assistance to communities throughout
the Susquehanna Greenway to envision, prioritize, and implement community-led projects that reconnect residents back to the Susquehanna River, create trails and river accesses, and interpret the community’s natural and cultural assets.
As part of the designation, each community is asked to adhere to four principles: 1) Respect and work with the nature of the river; 2) Strengthen connections with the River; 3) Involve a broad base of people with the River and their River Town; 4) Foster sustainable economic development. With this designation, Bloomsburg joins its neighboring towns of Lewisburg and Danville, as well as many others up and down the Susquehanna.
Aside from holding the distinction as the only official “town” in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg is also a “melting pot of people from all walks of life, ages, races, and cultures” brought together by a sense of “community and natural beauty of the river and the surrounding hills,” according to its River Town Application.
The town is also home to Bloomsburg Town Park, the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, Bloomsburg University, and several venues that showcase Arts and Cultures, as well as a vibrant Downtown and Historic District. Bloomsburg’s tree-lined streets invite visitors and locals alike to enjoy the full range of opportunities to be had at the local businesses—shopping, dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities included.
While Bloomsburg’s use of the Susquehanna River has shifted with the course of history, the riverside remains a focal point for recreation; Bloomsburg Town Park is located adjacent to the river, a bicycle route follows the river’s contours, boat launch access is available, as well as many other opportunities to enjoy the Susquehanna from the riverbanks.
To read more about what makes Bloomsburg a unique River Town of the Greenway please visit susquehannagreenway.org/bloomsburg.