• LHV's non-profit partner to support development efforts and to increase public awareness of the mission and goals of Lackawanna Heritage Valley.

Management Plans

Since LHV's inception in 1991, several plans have been prepared to guide the heritage area's development and plan of work. LHV's “Environmental Impact Study and Management Action Plan” of 2004, a requirement for federal designation, builds on several of these plans, and it includes both an Interpretive Plan and an Education Plan. LHV's Management Action Plan identifies important resources and the means to protect them. It also recommends the appropriate development and use of designated sites.
Strategic Plan (2021 - 2024)
LHV Environmental Impact Study and Management Action Plan (2004)
LHV Management Plan Update (2001)
Plan for the Lackawanna Heritage Valley (1991)

2016 Trail User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis

The 2016 Trail User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis shows that the total economic impact of the trail is $91.9 million in Pennsylvania and Lackawanna County. Of that, $72 million is generated in Lackawanna County.
Trail usage has significantly increased since the last survey was conducted in 2009. There were approximately 315,000 visits to the trail last year, with an estimated 8,370 weekly trail visits. This marks a 145 percent increase in trail usage since 2009.

Urban Partners, a community and economic development consulting firm based in Philadelphia, prepared the analysis. Results were based on a survey of 770 trail users conducted by Lackawanna Heritage Valley over a 7-month period in 2016.
2016 Trail User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis

2009 Economic Impact Study on the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail:
2009 Report     2009 Executive Summary     2009 Fact Sheet

LHV Invests in the Community

Lackawanna Heritage Valley (LHV) funds projects that fulfill its mission and goals. These projects stimulate the region's economic development, enhance tourism initiatives, strengthen the capacity of community organizations and increase the quality of life for area residents. In 2016, Lackawanna Heritage Valley expended $1,127,840 in total funding for new and ongoing initiatives. Of this, LHV awarded $18,327 through 17 grants to partner organizations. LHV allocated $1,109,514 to support Heritage Area projects. Of this, $1,083,626 funded the planning, development, improvement and maintenance of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. The total cost for all projects, including matching funds by partners, was $1,503,437. To learn more about LHV and the projects it supports, please review our Community Update.