HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County commissioners on Thursday took another step toward creating an authority to manage trail, park and recreational development.

During a public hearing at the Blair County Courthouse, commissioners heard supportive comments for the new governing body that will be tasked with positioning the county “to be part of a nationwide trail and recreation network.”

County solicitor Christopher Furman described Thursday’s hearing as one step in the process of forming a new authority.

The next step, based on the county’s advertisement, is for commissioners to consider an ordinance at their regular weekly meeting at 10 a.m. May 1.

“The surrounding counties are far ahead of us in what they’re doing with trails,” Commissioners Chairman Dave Kessling said Thursday in describing his support for creating an authority to consider undertaking and coordinating efforts inside and outside Blair County.

During a February 2024 public meeting, commissioners heard county residents speak of the need for coordinated rail trail development to enhance the trail development that has already occurred within their municipalities.

Commissioner Laura Burke recalled that request while speaking Thursday in favor of creating a county authority.

“We have some great assets currently doing their own thing … and it would be wonderful to harvest that energy and come together,” Burke said.

Commissioner Amy Webster also indicated that her support reflected an interest in future growth. She remembered hearing a state Department of Natural Resources report in 2022, indicating that the outdoor industry brought $17 billion into Pennsylvania.

“And I thought, ‘We’re missing out on that,'” Webster said.

Kessling and Burke also confirmed Thursday that it’s their intention, in creating the new authority, to dissolve the county’s parks and recreation advisory board and transfer responsibilities — including supervision of Valley View County Park and soccer grounds — to the newly formed trail, park and recreation authority.

Joe Keller, who currently chairs the county’s parks and recreation advisory board, is named as one of the nine people who will have a seat on the new authority. The other authority members are slated to be: Rob Crossman, Doug Brown, Ethan Imhoff, Rachel DiAndrea, Sherry Socie, Mark Ritchey, Mark Perry and Grant Wills.

While the ordinance to create the authority identifies no specific funding source for operations, commissioners will have the option of allocating county revenue to the authority, including revenue earmarked for recreational purposes.

Kessling also mentioned that the authority will have the power to apply for state and federal grants.

“Those are things that will have to be figured out after the authority gets rolling,” Furman said after the hearing.

Furman also suggested that the authority may want to write bylaws to govern their operations and Burke cautioned that efforts may take time.

“I don’t think we’re going to be building trails next month,” Burke quipped.

Steve McKnight, president and CEO of the Altoona Blair County Development Corp., was among those attending the public hearing who praised commissioners for taking another step toward creating the new authority.

“Trail and outdoor recreation is a cornerstone, at this point, in our economic development, not just here in Blair County, but in all our neighboring counties and how they’re leveraging these outdoor assets,” McKnight said.

Altoona resident Mike Savino praised the commissioners’ efforts toward trail development. He said he and his wife regularly hike local trails. He also suggested the formation of a volunteer group to help with efforts that lack money to pursue.

Frank Berry of Altoona, who lives beside Valley View County Park, also spoke of the need for more awareness of that park and its assets. He said the amphitheater built in 2023 has yet to be used for a concert and one of the park’s bridges has been broken for three years.

Furman also referenced six letters of support the county received in favor of the proposed trail, park and recreation authority. They include ones written by Curry Supply Holdings, the Blair County Airport Authority, Plamondon Hospitality Partners, Keystone Development, Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania and the Altoona Curve.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.