Changes are coming to Kinzua Beach and the Kinzua Point Information Center.

We don’t know when those changes are coming, especially in our current federal funding climate. But the U.S. Forest Service is taking initial steps toward improvements at sites located on the Allegheny Reservoir along Route 50 in Warren County. USDA officials said both locations typically have few visitors and there are no current partnerships to support long-term maintenance and upkeep.

So, what suggestions do Warren County residents have to increase use of the areas for both visitors and locals? Those with ideas should take a few minutes to visit www.fs.usda.gov/r09/allegheny/recreation/kinzua-beach-and-kinzua-point-information-center-reimagined and make their thoughts known. Comments are due by Sept. 30.

We often think of these projects as geared toward visitors. It’s a pattern we should break. Yes, improvements to the Allegheny National Forest will make visitors’ stays more pleasant, and that does help the local economy. But improvements to the forest should also benefit local residents by bringing amenities to the people of Warren County so they don’t have to travel elsewhere.

Some of these improvements will be rather mundane. New parking lots are needed, ground needs to be smoothed to improve handicapped accessibility and things like the bathhouse and information center need a refresh. But those needs bring the opportunity to add something to the area to boost use of the beach area.

It will be interesting to see what people have to say, and just as interesting to see what the federal government and its partners come up with for Kinzua Beach.