Representatives from The Greater Cumberland Committee recently explored the greater Johnstown area’s natural amenities to enhance regional collaboration and promote outdoor recreation. The tour, organized by Michael Cook, TGCC member Brad Hindman, and TGCC Executive Director Jennifer Walsh, aimed to approach economic development through outdoor recreation from a regional perspective, according to The Tribune-Democrat.
The group, including tourism, economic, and business development specialists from Johnstown and Maryland, began at the Quemahoning Family Recreation Area. There, they met Clark Fisher, who has developed about 40 miles of biking trails around the lake. Fisher shared insights into building trails with volunteers and the positive impact on the local community.
At Greenhouse Park, Michael Cook discussed the annual whitewater festival showcasing the Stonycreek River’s recreational potential. Cook addressed ongoing environmental cleanup efforts, particularly the challenges of acid mine drainage in the waterway. The group learned about solutions to neutralize acidity and improve water quality. Cook noted during the tour, “We’ve got some progress to make, but we’re on the right path.”
Lisa Rager, executive director of Visit Johnstown, provided information about her organization’s efforts to rebrand the Cambria County area as a destination for outdoor activities. Rager emphasized the transformative potential of these projects for the local economy, stating, “We’re really at the tip of the iceberg on this. The best is really yet to come in terms of what these projects could do to transform the economy of our area.”
Nathan Reigner, Pennsylvania’s director of outdoor recreation, joined the tour and expressed his admiration for the regional approach. “I think it makes a lot of sense to think of it regionally,” he remarked, commending the economic and outdoor groups from both states for their collaborative efforts.
The tour continued to Coal Tubin’ in Ferndale Borough, where owner Chad Gontkovic shared his success in developing a destination business that capitalizes on the area’s natural offerings. Gontkovic’s company offers tubing experiences on the Stonycreek River. He also discussed his vision for leveraging existing industrial infrastructure to create unique outdoor destinations, including a project to connect his business to the Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail using old railroad bridge trusses.
Participants discussed the benefits of outdoor recreation, economic variables, and future development possibilities. They explored strategies to increase public engagement with these amenities and ways to introduce the region’s attractions to schools and families.
The tour highlighted the importance of cross-state communication and cooperation in fostering growth and development. Walsh emphasized this point, stating, “I think this is the work of TGCC. It’s important to understand who each other is and what we’re doing.”
Brad Hindman, who has offices in both Johnstown and Cumberland, Maryland, shared his vision of building a triangle of outdoor recreation connecting Cumberland, Johnstown, and Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County. This regional approach aims to create a more comprehensive and attractive outdoor recreation destination.
Participants left with a renewed sense of the potential for outdoor recreation to drive economic growth and community development in the greater Johnstown area. The collaboration between various stakeholders and the focus on leveraging natural assets promise a bright future for the region’s outdoor recreation industry.
