The Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway™ is a 320-mile corridor that follows the historic path of the Main Line Canal System. It intends to serve as a physical connector that improves opportunities for public access, linkage to important destinations, and economic development. It is not a single, long-distance trail for unimpeded travel.

Its core directive: facilitate a continuous land-and water-based recreation system that serves as a connectivity and unification tool for local governments and organizations wishing to create recreation, heritage, environmental, educational, and economic development projects that maximize the quality of life for Pennsylvania residents.

A Millenium Legacy Trail

Allegheny Ridge Corporation partners determined the need for the Greenway project as a compliment to the existing transportation heritage interpretation that is a major component of the Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area. Partners also agreed the Greenway would fulfill the need for economic stimulus and community connectivity throughout the financially struggling corridor. This large-scale effort minimized the inevitable challenges through solid partnerships and grassroots governance that has driven the project from an ambitious concept to a viable network designated "Pennsylvania's Millennium Legacy Trail." Since the Greenway project's proposal, local organizations began the on-ground work of developing initiatives and participating in the planning process. Today, this designation helps secure federal funding to implement projects along the corridor. The Greenway now has a Master Plan, with content chosen by partners and residents through public open houses and comment periods.

A Chesapeake Bay Gateway

National Park Service designation of the Juniata River Water Trail as a Chesapeake Bay Gateway has enhanced the implementation of the Greenway by connecting it to other Gateways and recreational systems, fulfilling a need for interpretation and educational opportunities and providing a needed tourism boost. Excursions on the Juniata River, GPS technology, data collection and information gathering, and collective input from public meetings and an advisory committee produced a map and guide for the Upper and Lower Sections of the water trail. The maps are available by request from the Allegheny Ridge Corporation (ARCorp) and a variety of distribution locations between Hollidaysburg and Lewistown, including local chambers of commerce, visitors' bureaus, outfitters, and parks and recreation authorities.