Moscow and North Pocono Trails Association officials hope to create a network of nature trails on state-owned land in Moscow, Roaring Brook Twp. and Covington Twp. over the next 15 years.
Councilman Marc Gaughan said the borough has begun researching grants to apply for next year to get the process started, but at this early stage, cost has not been determined.
The councilman said the proposed gravel and stone-dust trails would be ideal for hiking, biking and jogging.
Mr. Gaughan said fishermen currently have limited access to Roaring Brook, which the state Fish and Boat Commission lists as Class-A trout waters. The trails would improve access and draw more people to the borough.
Organizers plan for the first grant to focus on creating a trail to run from the Moscow sewer plant on Market Street, along Roaring Brook and North Main Street, through Roaring Brook Twp. and potentially Madison Twp. - to Elmhurst Reservoir.
Mr. Gaughan said the hope is to connect that trail with the Erie Railroad bed to join the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail for a total 2½-mile to 3-mile path.
In the more distant future, Mr. Gaughan said the plan is for a second trail to run from the sewer plant in Moscow along Van Brunt Creek to Langan Creek, up to Moffat Estate in Covington, then to Covington Park for a total distance of 1½ to 2 miles.
A third potential trail would also start at the sewer plant and run into Covington, following Roaring Brook to an area known as Hollisters Crossing near Center Street for a total distance of 3 to 4 miles.
Separately from the work with the North Pocono Trails Association, Mr. Gaughan said he hopes borough and school officials can eventually work together to create a trail that would connect Moscow Elementary School to the new North Pocono Public Library building on Church Street.
Mr. Gaughan said the nature trail proposal could be included in the borough's next long-range plan.
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