Randy Cope, South Whitehall manager of parks and recreation, recently reported to the board the township received a check for $292,366 from the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study for the Jordan Creek Greenway project.

Board President Christina “Tori” Morgan commented on receiving the money at the April 6 meeting.

“This is a huge accomplishment for the township to get this,” she said.

Cope said South Whitehall applied for $550,000 to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, which awards the funds from the Transportation Alternatives Program.

He looks forward to receiving the remaining balance, $257,634, in the next few months.

“We’re hopeful we’ll have some more good news coming this summer,” Cope said adding the Greenway will provide trails along the Jordan Creek from the City of Allentown to the Trexler Game Preserve.

“Covered Bridge Park is the hub of the Greenway,” Cope explained.

Although the Greenway traverses 6.8 miles through South Whitehall from one edge of the township to the other, the first focus will be on a half-mile including Covered Bridge Park.

The initial undertaking will be construction of a 120-foot pedestrian bridge across the Jordan behind the township recreation hall.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has provided $250,000 and Lehigh County has given $260,000 for the start of the Greenway in South Whitehall and the pedestrian bridge.

“The bridge is the first thing to be built, probably in fall,” Cope said.

The trail will continue from the bridge to a 170-foot boardwalk over a small wetland area east of the Pa. Turnpike.

The new funds just received will pay for the boardwalk and the pathway to the Turnpike.

When the remaining funds are received, the Greenway will proceed under the Turnpike and out to Route 309.

Cope explained the project includes more than building a simple trail.

The work will involve erosion and sedimentation control, native plantings, rain gardens, landscaping and riparian buffers.

He said the Greenway will offer a chance for people to connect with nature.

Safety is another important goal for the project, he noted.

“We want to take cyclists off the roads,” Cope said. “This will provide safety for pedestrians and cyclists.”

He expects significant progress to take place on the Greenway over the next two to three years.

“This is a project of great magnitude,” Cope said.