Sanctuary celebrates state, county grants

“I’m speechless,” says Hawk Mountain President Jerry Regan, as he chatted with a group of guests, which included the Lieutenant Governor, State Senators Dave Argall and Judy Schwank, Commissioners Leinbach and Kevin Barnhardt, and State Representative Jerry Knowles.

“Look at the representation we have here today,” he said, motioning to the legislators. “I’ve never been involved with an organization that attracted such broad support, and I couldn’t be more proud of what we’re going to accomplish with this investment.”

Regan said that while plans for the walkway initially stretched from the amphitheater to the trailhead entrance, the staff and board agreed to expand the vision, to stretch the walkway to the nearby South Lookout.

“This is what our visitors and members really want,” he explained. “To make sure that every person who visits Hawk Mountain can be inspired by the view of the mountain and the migration.”

Long-time member Cyrus Klingsburg, 88, was especially pleased with this news, as he always recalled how his late wife Vera could not make the walk to the nearby South Lookout, one of their favorite destinations. On their last visit, she was forced to sit inside the Visitor Center and wait for Cyrus to return.

“I'm sure that my wife was far from unique in her disappointment at being physically unable to enjoy the view from that vantage point,” Klinsburg said.

The cost to extend the trail adds an additional $400,000 to the total project price tag, but Lieutenant Governor Cawley explained that Hawk Mountain is an important facility in the Commonwealth and worthy of support.

“Places like Hawk Mountain are what defines us as Pennsylvanians and what defines our communities,” he said. “We realize your value. We realize your importance,” he added, noting that the Sanctuary, as a private non-profit organization, receives absolutely no budgeted line item in any state or federal budget.

“The Commonwealth is proud to step forward with grants and aid to allow the Sanctuary to continue its important work,” he explained.

The new walkway will use permeable pavers and other green-building designs, incorporate a buffer of thick native plantings to visually separate the parking areas, and better help first-time visitors to navigate by funneling them to the Visitor Center and other outdoor facilities.

While final plans for the extension to the closest scenic overlook are still underway, the short but steep trail will be made accessible by incorporating a series of switchbacks, and offer two routes—one that is longer but wheelchair accessible, or the existing shorter pathway. Bench seating along the way, interpretative signage, and ADA-compliant trailside restrooms will also be part of the plan.