A pilot bike path to Shaw Place Park and possible connection to Brandon Park and the Susquehanna Riverwalk might be able to be funded in the City of Williamsport with Community Development Block Grant resources.

The bicycle pedestrian advisory committee discussed the program and the matter was addressed by the finance committee. The bike committee is part of the Williamsport Area Transportation Study Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Rob Cooley, a bicyclist and committee member, said he has been exploring with city officials a rectangular loop connecting to the neighborhoods.

He also has spoken with Loyalsock Township Recreation Director Shannon Lukowsky about the concept of possibly linking a path to what is happening at Millers Run, as it is planned to cross East Third Street by a bridge and connect to the riverwalk.

He said he would need to get together with Scott Livermore, director of city public works, and Bill Scott, city engineer, to go over the possible route and start to put together a budget for it.

Councilwoman Liz Miele, chair of the finance committee and supporter of expanding the bike routes in the city and region, said she and Cooley discussed the bike path concept.

Miele introduced a proposal during the 2025 budget discussion to add $20,000 but it was not approved.

Instead, the bike path pilot program was considered more feasible if there could be funding found through the city department of community and economic development, perhaps a CDBG.

The city recently hired Scott Williams, the former county transportation planner, who is a city resident and who said he would favor continuing talks about the bike path concept expansion. Williams is assistant director of the city department of community and economic development.