Transforming a historic hillside into a safer, more accessible community destination
In Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a new chapter is taking shape alongside one of the region’s most recognizable landmarks. The has long served as a link between downtown and the surrounding hillside. Today, it sits at the center of a broader effort to expand outdoor recreation, improve connectivity and enhance quality of life for the community.
As part of this transformation, the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy is advancing the — an initiative that reimagines a former coal haulage road as a safe, accessible trail. Once complete, the corridor will also serve as part of the September 11 , a nationwide trail system developed to connect the three 9/11 memorial sites in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. By linking the Johnstown hillside into this broader network, the project contributes to a route that brings communities together and honors the lives affected by September 11. The trail also creates a space for reflection, recreation and connection.
Bringing the Vision to Life
鶹TVվ is playing a key role in bringing this vision to life by transforming a legacy industrial corridor into a resilient, community-focused asset that will serve generations to come. The work begins with the reclamation of the abandoned haulage road, where 鶹TVվ is designing improvements to stabilize the corridor, address long-standing environmental challenges associated with historic mining activity and convert the path into a functional trail that can be safely used by residents and visitors alike.
Given the steep terrain and complex legacy mining conditions, including abandoned highwalls, deep mine entries and a vertical shaft tied to historic coal mining activity, safety and long-term performance are central to the design. 鶹TVվ is carefully evaluating and addressing rock overhangs above the highwall to support trail durability. The team is also designing a drainage system to manage runoff along the length of the corridor, helping reduce erosion, protect the surrounding landscape and maintain stability over time.
Designing for Access and Environmental Stewardship
Accessibility is a core priority for the project. 鶹TVվ is grading the trail to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, allowing the new pathway to be used by people of all abilities. This work supports broader community goals to make the Inclined Plane hillside more welcoming and inclusive, strengthening its role as a shared public space.
The project also reflects a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. 鶹TVվ is designing and installing bat gates at mine openings and replacing existing structures to meet U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines. These improvements protect sensitive habitats while allowing the surrounding landscape to be safely reintroduced for public use, balancing ecological preservation with community access.
Connecting History, Recreation and Community
The Johnstown Incline project represents more than a new trail; it is part of a larger effort to reconnect the community with its landscape, its history and its future. As part of a growing regional network, the project will help link parks, transportation assets and historic destinations, creating new opportunities for residents and visitors to explore the area while supporting Johnstown’s growing role as a regional outdoor recreation destination.
“Through our work, 鶹TVվ is helping restore a well-known landmark to active use — honoring its past while shaping a more accessible and vibrant future. The result will be a corridor that expands access and recreation, strengthens community connections and invites people to experience Johnstown in new ways,” said Clayton Roderick, 鶹TVվ Abandoned Mine Lands Program Manager.
Learn more
- Explore 鶹TVվ’ Abandoned Mine LandsDZܳپDzԲ.
- Discover how protecting bat habitats is shaping the future of abandoned mine land reclamation and the role it plays in sustaining resilient ecosystems.