Raystown Lake in central Pennsylvania was honored as the 2014 US Army Corps of Engineers Project of the Year for its management efficiencies, ability to attract meaningful partnerships that enhance the project’s recreation and environmental stewardship programs, and its creative and thoughtful planning of new recreation facilities. The award is based on prior-year (2013) accomplishments.

One of Raystown Lake’s signature projects in 2013 was the construction of the Greenside Pathway. Project staff, concerned about visitors walking the busy park roadways, submitted a grant request to the Federal Transit Administration’s Alternative Transportation in Public Parks and Lands Program. This resulted in an award of more than $854,000 for the construction of a 2.5 mile pedestrian corridor that connects 19 recreation areas and is made with over 38,000 recycled tires. The ribbon cutting ceremony in June 2013 was attended by Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy and other Army dignitaries.

The project’s popular Allegrippis Trail System, operated by the Friends of Raystown Lake and maintained by the Raystown Mountain Biking Association, is one of the project’s biggest draws. In 2013, the group held its annual trail advocacy event called “Dirt Fest” which drew over 1,600 cyclists from 40 states. This event raised over $8,000 for continuing trail maintenance activities.

Raystown was recognized for its balanced approach to using both recreation and environmental stewardship partnerships to obtain funding and leverage existing operational funds. In 2013 Raystown ranked 8th in the nation in partnership value with a total contributed value of $1.7 million. Partners were involved in recreation facility upgrades, presenting environmental education, providing funding for habitat restoration and were involved in promoting safety.

The staff at Raystown placed a laser beam focus on water safety efforts in 2013. Some of the noteworthy efforts included the first ever after dark “Glow Swim”, the second annual Chalk the Walk competition and ranger vehicles were outfitted with large window decals promoting water safety messages. The ranger staff worked behind the scenes to support the fundraising efforts of the Marklesburg Fire Department as they raised over $ 100,000 to purchase an underwater camera with sonar, GPS, and other features to assist with underwater search and recoveries.

Raystown’s active forest management program, which generated $ 75,000 in 2013, provided habitat management to 169 acres. The revenues collected from timber harvesting provided direct benefits to other stewardship programs. The revenues were also leveraged with other resource partners such as the National Wild Turkey Federation which contributed nearly $50,000 for habitat management, new tree seedlings and other natural resource management services. Other partners contributing financially included Shenandoah Telephone, PA Game Commission, the Ruffled Grouse Society, Pheasants Forever and the Hardwood Forestry Institute.

The project also served as a pilot for the Corps Energy Engineering Analysis Program. In 2013 project staff managed $ 46,000 in sustainability funding to upgrade to more efficient heat pumps and replace garage doors, building windows and project lighting for additional energy saving improvements.

Other noteworthy achievements included the preventive maintenance activities on the dam structures, handicapped accessibility improvements, addressing invasive species and nuisance wildlife, correcting shoreline erosion issues and the management of the American chestnut orchards.