Walkway, green space planned along Lackawaxen River in Honesdale

Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent
·5 min read

Revitalization plans in downtown Honesdale will allow more enjoyment of one of the borough's most scenic areas, where the Lackawaxen River flows alongside 12th Street towards its confluence with Dyberry Creek under the faithful gaze of Irving Cliff 300 feet above.

A kickoff presentation for the "12th Street Connector" was made Sept. 20 at Honesdale Golf Club, hosted by Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP). With borough support, GHP since 2019 has been pursuing an ambitious plan to rehabilitate the downtown commercial district, with funding already in place for the design phase.

A second component is 12th Street, from Main along the river, leading up to a county project located at what has been known for generations as Industrial Point at the river bend, now referred by the county as Sycamore Point.

Where factories once stood, a river access is to be improved, and a shady park atmosphere created along the river. There is also parking here for the county, available off-hours to the public to enjoy the view, picnic, go fishing or launch a canoe or kayak. Currently under permit review, construction is anticipated in the spring of 2024.

Twelfth Street, Honesdale, looking from the corner of the bridge at Main Street, shows the section in the foreground between Main and Church streets slated for pedestrian and green space improvements, which are to continue all the way down to the former Industrial Point where the County of Wayne is planning to create Sycamore Point, a riverside park with an improved river boating access and parking. In view is the Honesdale Community Church, and Irving Cliff in the distance.

Emily Wood of Woodland Design Associates gave an overview of the project. GHP chose the Honesdale firm as the design consultant for the revitalization project. Fortuitously, the Wayne County Commissioners had also hired Woodland Design for Sycamore Point. Wood said being the designer of both the borough and county projects is most advantageous, offering continuity.

Although the details are still being finalized, the plan is to increase pedestrian and vehicular safety while keeping aesthetics in mind. A walkway and green space are planned along the riverbank on 12th Street all the way from Main Street to Industrial Point, stretching two and a half blocks, with benches. 12th Street between Main and Church will be restored to one-way traffic, although the direction is pending review by PennDOT and local police and emergency services.

"This project is going to be a beautiful addition to downtown Honesdale," GHP Executive Director Sandi Levens said. "We're excited for the connection for Main Street and the citizens and community to be able to walk Main Street and down and have access to the river."

Levens said they obtained funding totaling $311,000 for both the design and construction of the 12th Street improvement plan. The funding sources are the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development and a Local Share Account state grant.

Woods commented, "This small, one-block space is really going to connect so many things, not just physically, not just Main Street to Church Street, but we are talking about the many-million-dollar enhancement of Main Street to Industrial Point/Sycamore Point Park."

The latter, she noted, connects to Lackawaxen River Trails, an ongoing effort by a nonprofit alliance of community and business members to link new and existing trail sections by water and land to Hawley and beyond.

Coming through Honesdale east on Route 6 past the hospital and turning over the bridge, the revitalization effort is seen as enhancing a "gateway" to downtown.

"We really have created what is a river walk," incoming GHP President Brian Wilken stated, leading all the way from Sycamore Point to the Park Street Complex (the former Stourbridge School) along the river. "We will have a real river walk in Honesdale; it is embracing the river. Both of these projects combined (GHP and the county) make it a real resource for town."

Brian Wilken, incoming GHP president, points out elements of the 12th Street connector project, part of the developing downtown Honesdale revitalization program being coordinated by GHP. At left is Emily Wood, representing Woodland Design, the design consultant contacted by GHP. The same firm is also designing the County of Wayne's planned Sycamore Point Park project at the former Industrial Park at the end of 12th Street where the Lackawaxen River bends. The presentation was at the Honesdale Golf Club on Sept. 20, 2023.

WiIken said it will become an attractive destination for people on a warm summer evening or a beautiful fall day to get some ice cream, a picnic, and have a nice stroll along the river. "It will be a great entry point down to a great place for family recreation," he said of the 12th street connector.

James Hamill, on borough council and representing Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, added that a huge influx of people is coming to this region, looking for trails, other outdoor amenities, and cultural experiences. People coming here will also be able to have better access to Gibbons Park on Irving Cliff, using improved access to the wooded trail from Riverside Drive. The borough is currently working with UGI for an easement to allow direct access to this trail.

"The potential for business growth in Honesdale because of these projects is going to be tremendous," said Debbie Gillette, executive director of the Chamber of the Northern Poconos. "People want healthy environments and recreation for their employees."

Mayor Derek Williams commented, "Partnerships that need to be in place to make these things happen is really exciting... You have the county, the borough, GHP, the Design Committee, citizens... that can only happen when you have this collaborative network and shared values."

Wayne County Community Foundation lists a fund for the Honesdale Revitalization Plan on its website for anyone wishing to donate, Executive Director Ryan Jennings said. These donations can help with the matches required for the grants.

Wilken stated that they have applied for a million-dollar state grant to begin constructing the Main Street renovations, from 12th to 11th Street. An application is being made for a $5 million federal grant to continue the Main Street work block by block.

Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP) held a kickoff presentation about the 12th Street revitalization project at the Honesdale Golf Club on Sept. 20. From left are Patti Bursis, GHP board; Emily Wood, Woodland Designs; Sandi Levens, GHP executive director. In back: Brian Wilken, GHP board.
Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP) held a kickoff presentation about the 12th Street revitalization project at the Honesdale Golf Club on Sept. 20. From left are Patti Bursis, GHP board; Emily Wood, Woodland Designs; Sandi Levens, GHP executive director. In back: Brian Wilken, GHP board.

Paul Meagher, GHP second vice president, mentioned a historical connection, when the beauty of the Lackawaxen River with the cliff as a backdrop was enhanced in the late 19th century with a pond created by a small river dam. Here there was a fountain in the middle of "Park Lake" and ice skating in the winter. There was a foot bridge and a gracious park atmosphere along Park Street with arching willow trees.

Meagher said that the present project "is a very positive thing for our community, our county and for Northeastern Pennsylvania."

Levens stated, "Our main priority on Main Street and even on 12th Street is pedestrian safety and traffic calming on top of making everything beautiful."

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: River walk in Honesdale will connect to new county park