Cumberland Valley A. T. Club

On June 4, 2011 the village of Boiling Springs (and the greater South Middleton Township) will be officially dedicated as an Appalachian Trail Community™. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club, South Middleton Supervisor Tom Faley, Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, the Boiling Springs Civic Association, local businesses, and local citizens will celebrate this dedication in conjunction with Foundry Day.

Foundry Day, one of the biggest juried arts and crafts festivals in Pennsylvania, has run in Boiling Springs for over 25 years and has long embraced the local trail clubs and ATC as participants in the festival.  Visit www.ybcrafts.org to learn more about the festival.

The Appalachian Trail Community™ designation is a new program of the ATC, the non-profit manager of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.). Launched in 2010, this program recognizes communities for their part in promoting awareness of the A.T. as an important national and local resource. Towns, counties and communities along the A.T. corridor are considered assets by A.T. hikers, and many of these towns act as good friends and neighbors to the Trail.

South Middleton’s supervisor Bryan Gembusia, commenting on the designation, said “South Middleton Township takes great pride in its natural landscape and vast amount of protected mountains and forest. The Appalachian Trail is not only a historic resource, but also a tourist attraction as well as a means to promote exercise and natural beauty. The South Middleton Township Supervisors take great pride in the designation of Boiling Springs as an Appalachian Trail Community™.”

“The A.T. is the most extensive trail within our township, and a huge asset for our residents,” notes Christine Lauriello, president of the non-profit Friends of South Middleton Parks, Trees and Trails. “Our group is excited to participate in the celebration.”

The Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club (CVATC) and ATC, along with partners, are hosting multiple activities throughout the day of June 4th, leading up to the dedication, including:

·         10 am- 2 pm / Art Contest:  Children (ages 2-18) will be given art supplies to create art that pays homage to the A.T.  The best art pieces will be given prizes and displayed in ATC’s kiosk for the Summer months.  This activity will occur at the ATC/ CVATC booths.

·         10 am-2:30 pm / Boiling Springs Trail and Town Raffle:  Pick up a free raffle ticket at the ATC/ CVATC booths for a chance to win one of many prizes, whether Appalachian Trail related or free goodies from Boiling Spring’s local businesses.  Winners will be announced after the designation ceremony.

·         11 am / Historic Walk along the A.T. in Boiling Springs:  Walk with historian Richard Tritt to learn about Boiling Spring’s layers of rich history from the original iron forge days to the Underground Railroad. Participants can sign up starting at 9 am at the CVATC booth.

·         11 am / Fielding Belt Trail Walk:  A representative of the Friends of South Middleton Parks, Trees and Trails will take you on a tour of the trail that connects the Spring Meadows Park and the South Middleton Municipal Park. The walk begins at Spring Meadows Park located at 640 W. First Street/Route 174. Meet at the pavilion closest to the road. Participants can sign up starting at 9 am at the Friends booth on Front Street.

·         2 pm / Wittlinger Preserve Trail Walk:  Walk along the historic Boiling Springs mill race and explore a small part of the 50-acre Donald Wittlinger Nature Preserve. You’ll be guided by a representative of the Friends of South Middleton Parks, Trees and Trails. Participants can sign up starting at 9 am at the Friends booth on Front Street.

·         3 pm / Boiling Springs Appalachian Trail Community™ Designation:  Celebrate the designation with local community leaders, organizations, ATC, and Trail Clubs.  Winners of the raffle will be announced right after a ribbon cutting.

Boiling Springs is celebrating its Appalachian Trail Community™designation by welcoming hikers, festival attendees and trail enthusiasts to the area.