The Ephrata Mountain stands as both a defining feature of our community and an untapped opportunity. Through the proposed Mountain Springs Recreational Preserve, Mainspring is exploring how this natural asset could support downtown economic revitalization while addressing ecological improvements and creating new recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
From September through October 2025, we asked the community to weigh in through a comprehensive survey. The purpose was clear: gather the input needed to inform a professional Master Plan scheduled to begin in 2026.
Why Your Input Matters
The survey asked about more than just support or opposition. Participants shared:
All of the insights collected will be provided to the firm producing the Master Plan (kicking off in the next few weeks). Their job will be to design a recreational destination that enables people to enjoy our natural assets and addresses community concerns through thoughtful design.
Survey Results: What participants told us
Who Participated:
Support Levels Across All Respondents:
Strongly support 55%
Somewhat support 15%
Neutral 5%
Somewhat oppose 4%
Strongly oppose 15%
Unsure/Need more information 6%
What the Numbers Show:
Across all respondents, support for the preserve initiative runs approximately 4.75 to 1 (those who strongly or somewhat support versus those who strongly or somewhat oppose). Among Ephrata Borough residents specifically, support runs approximately 4 to 1 in favor, and among Ephrata Township residents, support runs approximately 3 to 1 in favor.
Across all geographic areas, more people see value in exploring this opportunity than oppose it. The data shows broad community interest, with participants consistently citing economic opportunity, recreation access, and ecological preservation as priorities and support moving forward thoughtfully with continued opportunities for input and refinement.
The Downtown Connection
The survey revealed varying levels of understanding about how the mountain preserve connects to Main Street economic development efforts. When asked about connecting the preserve to the Rail Trail and Central Business District, responses were nearly evenly split: 28% felt it was “not important” while 26% felt it was “extremely important.”
This tells us the Master Plan needs to clearly demonstrate how connectivity works economically – how trail users become downtown customers, how recreation destinations support local businesses, and how this investment could benefit the Ephrata are
Trail users need:
These are exactly the customers our downtown businesses need – people who appreciate locally-owned establishments over chain stores and become advocates for downtown vitality.
Our Facade Improvement Grant program has helped transform building fronts throughout the downtown, making our streets more inviting. Physical improvements work best when paired with strategies that bring people here. The Mountain Springs Recreational Preserve represents that complementary strategy – leveraging a natural asset we already own to benefit the local businesses we support.
The preserve would connect downtown through wayfinding, marketing, and strategic trail access placement. This authentic experience creates destination appeal that draws people specifically to the Borough, and quality of life amenities that attract residents who value downtown living.
Rooted in Strategic Planning
This initiative grows directly from community-driven planning documents:
Beyond recreation, the preserve would also address critical ecological improvements including invasive plant management and stormwater runoff mitigation. Conservation efforts would protect portions of the mountain in perpetuity through partnership with organizations like the Lancaster Conservancy.
Funding
Mainspring has received a $20,000 Opportunity Grant from the High Foundation to partially fund the Master Plan. High Foundation builds bridges to opportunity for organizations like Mainspring to improve communities where High companies operate. Mainspring will explore additional funding options through various channels. Our Main Street Matters designation opens the doors to grants and partnerships not available to organizations outside of the program. Mainspring will explore collaboration opportunities with Penn State Extension, Lancaster Conservancy, SAMBA, Sierra Club, and area corporations; Grant opportunities and community contribution programs; and, Volunteer engagement strategies.
The next step is to complete a Master Plan that will explore the possibilities of the preserve. A landscape architect company has been secured and the Master Plan activities will launch within the next several weeks. All findings will be presented to Borough Council for their review and direction. The process also ensures continued opportunities for input and refinement. Those who have concerns will have multiple chances to share them and see how the planning process addresses those concerns through design considerations. Borough Council will make the final decision on how to proceed.
Thank You for Participating
Whether you strongly support this initiative, strongly oppose it, or fall somewhere in between, your participation in this survey matters. Community input guides how we ensure that any project we pursue serves the people who live here.
We’ll continue sharing updates as the Master Plan process develops. Have questions? Want to stay informed? Visit mainspringofephrata.org or reach out to our team directly.
This is your community, your mountain, and your future. Let’s shape it together.