Bethlehem Steel-Woodlawn Beach Shoreline Trail Master Plan Project Wins WNY American Planning Association’s Best Practice – Gold Award!

Last week, LaBella’s Planning team joined the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA), the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, and the Erie County Parks to receive a 2023 Outstanding Planning Award in the Best Practice – Gold category at the Western New York American Planning Association (WNY APA) Annual Award event for the Bethlehem Steel-Woodlawn Beach Shoreline Trail Master Plan.

ECIDA selected LaBella to head a multi-disciplinary team tasked with creating a Master Plan for the extension of the Erie County Shoreline Trail. Following extensive information gathering and data review, trail alternatives and community needs were identified to provide improved direction, data, and a narrative for future grant funding. A major focus of this process was to define a strategy that would serve as a catalyst for revitalization along the corridor and an improved quality of life for residents.

“Congratulations to ECIDA and Erie County for receiving WNY APA’s Best Practice Gold Award for the Bethlehem Steel-Woodlawn Beach Shoreline Trail Master Plan. The LaBella team enjoyed collaborating with ECIDA, Erie County, the City of Lackawanna, the Town of Hamburg, and property owners on the project. The project is an innovative strategy to extend the Erie County Shoreline Trail between the City of Lackawanna and Woodlawn Beach State Park. Access to and views of the Lake Erie waterfront will also be enhanced, providing a recreational amenity that will be enjoyed by local and regional residents, as well as employees in the emerging Renaissance Commerce Park.” says LaBella Project Manager, Edward Flynn, AICP

LaBella is honored to have been recognized for our role on this exciting project!