HONESDALE, PA — Lovers of the outdoors gathered to discuss what they envision for Honesdale’s future during a Wednesday, September 16 Outdoor Towns community input meeting.

The Outdoor Towns initiative started as a result of a toolkit created by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. The toolkit, and the initiative, aims to help towns better use their outdoor spaces for economic development and overall growth.

The meeting was guided by consultants from Eastwick Solutions, who have held similar meetings in Hawley. 

Eastwick Solutions consultant Steven Nelson explained that after Wednesday's meeting, a survey would be conducted for residents that couldn’t attend in person, another meeting would be held, and then Eastwick Solutions would draft and finalize an action plan to present to the borough council “sometime in the late spring or summer next year.”

"Community support is a key thing,” Nelson commented.

Participants were then asked to answer three questions: What three words best describe Honesdale? What type of recreation do you enjoy and where do you go for it? What’s your vision for Honesdale in the next 10 years? 

Describing Honesdale

The room of over 20 split into two groups, and business owners, historians and residents voiced their thoughts on how they would describe Honesdale.

Of the many words popping up into participants' minds, “hidden gem” seemed to be one that everyone agreed with.

“I’ve lived here 65 years now. For the first time, I took a kayak down the Lackawaxen River,” participant Jeff Hiller, who works for the Delaware Lackawaxen & Stourbridge Railroad said about him taking Honesdale’s amenities for granted.

Attendee Gudrun Feigl, owner and founder of Mount Pleasant Herbary, agreed that Honesdale is a hidden gem, as she said there is not enough signage indicating pathways at Irving Cliff.

“There are signs there, but nobody sees them,” Hiller responded. “They [cliff-goers] don’t read,”

Other words drafted by the group included “historic” and “picturesque.”

Types of recreation

Facilitator Lisa Glover clarified that the group can jot down any type of recreation they enjoy, not just recreation available in Honesdale.

“I like drinking water from different springs. So I go to Saratoga Springs with a cup to fill up at the different springs.” she said, as an example.

Feigl mentioned that she really likes outdoor winter activities. She goes all the way to Vermont for one of her activities: “cross country skiing on a well-groomed trail.” Ice skating was also a winter activity she said she enjoyed.

Mike Fisch, board member of the Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP), said that he enjoys hiking—so, the group added "hiking" to the list. Feigl added that she also enjoys biking, and felt there weren’t enough biking trails in the area—so, the group added "biking" as well. .

Feigl said she wished there were more places to swim in the area, and was never sure if she could swim at Prompton State Park. 

“It’s illegal at Prompton,” Hiller said, adding that swimming is illegal at most state lakes. “Prompton had a beach and everything. That was the place to swim, but not anymore.”

The future of Honesdale

Kim Fisch, also a board member of the GHP, said that she wishes Honesdale had flat hiking loops.

“I’m dreaming that you walk up [Irving] cliff, you have a beautiful view of Honesdale, and then you go back and make a loop so you can come back,” Feigl said. 

Hiller said he wished the newly-installed river walk connecting the Main Street business district with the Sycamore Point Park river access on the Lackawaxen River would be extended.

“Bring it down, just before the courthouse, come out, bring them to Central Park so they see that, and then back down,” he said.

Feigl suggested having an ice rink in Central Park during the colder months.

“They had that.” Hiller responded. “The kids destroyed it.”

“Who destroyed it? What kids?” Feigl asked.

“They vandalized it a block from a police station,” he replied.

Feigl suggested Honesdale try again, installing a similar rink to the one in Hawley. Glover added that the fact that there are cameras near Central Park now may deter criminal activities.

Hiller suggested placing the rink in Apple Grove may make a fine alternative, although security would still be a worry.

Other ideas included a comprehensive list of activities in Honesdale, better trail signage and cross country trails.

The outdoor initiative will have another community assessment meeting—the "Walkshop"—on October 17. The Walkshop will talk about some ideas developed by Eastwick Solutions through survey suggestions and the September 16 meeting, according to Nelson. Anyone who visits Honesdale regularly, not just residents, can fill out the survey.