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If the commissioners approve the agreement, construction of the 8-foot-wide, 1.3-mile-long asphalt trail along the Conestoga River can begin in the next few months, according to Jim Hackett, director of the county's parks department.
The trail, stretching from South Duke Street to Betz Road in Lancaster Township, is expected to open by next summer.
The agreement assigns responsibilities to each of the four parties involved in development and maintenance of the trail — the county, the city, Lancaster Township and Lancaster County Conservancy.
The county has secured the land easements for the trail and will maintain it as part of its parks system.
"This will be our ninth county park — our third urban park," Hackett said. "It will provide a direct linkage from the inner city right into Central Park, which is the focal point of our parks system."
Lancaster city will assist with the policing of the trail, along with county park rangers.
The city also will maintain a trail access area, including a parking lot, off Chesapeake Street.
Lancaster Township will maintain two access areas — one each at Betz Road and South Duke Street — and also will assist in policing the trail.
Lancaster County Conservancy is the project manager for developing the trail and will oversee its construction.
The $432,000 project is being funded by a series of state and county grants.
The commissioners meet at 9:15 a.m. today on the seventh floor of the county administration building at 150 N. Queen St.
