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Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is a railbanked 27-mile rail trail in Erie and Cattaraugus counties of New York. Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization of volunteers working to develop and maintain a multiuse recreational trail on the rail corridor. News Holiday Sale Share the amazing things customers are saying about your business. Double click, or click Edit Text to make it yours. Read more Become a Member! Love the outdoors? Consider joining us. Your support helps our ongoing efforts to preserve the former rail corridor with the intent to develop it into a multi-use recreational trail. It also demonstrates community support to our local and state officials. All members receive our ECRT newsletter as well as additional benefits, depending on the Membership level you choose. Learn more about Membership... Events Holiday Sale Share the amazing things customers are saying about your business. Double click, or click Edit Text to make it yours. Read more Volunteer Spotlight: Volunteer Spotlight: John Landi Responsible fiscal management is critical to the success of any not-for-profit, and Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is no exception. We're grateful to our volunteer and Board Treasurer, John Landi, for his careful and caring financial oversight of ECRT's financial resources. Read more Become A Trail Expert Read Just the Facts! What sections are open today? What types of activities does the trail accommodate? Who owns the trail? Has it been abandoned? What does railbanking mean? Who has jurisdiction over the trail? What is the best way to build the trail? Who is responsible if someone is injured on the trail? Are adjacent landowners responsible? Has there been recent progress on trail design? What's next for the trail? Explore the Trail: Explore the future Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. More on exploring Learn More About ECRT: Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and trail manager for the railbanked portion of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Railway in Western NY. Over twenty-seven miles long, this railroad right-of-way connects the communities of Orchard Park, Aurora, West Falls, Colden, East Concord, Springville and West Valley, New York. More about ECRT Follow Us on Facebook: Sign the Petition to support the ECRT

Celebrating a year of meaningful community gatherings < Back Gatherings During This Season of Gratitude Mary Brummer Dec 1, 2025 Celebrating a year of meaningful community gatherings December 2025 Dear Friend, How fitting as we enter this season of gratitude that we at Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail celebrate a year of meaningful community gatherings. We gathered to walk, to share meals, to explore ideas, and to voice concerns. We gathered to ride bikes through the countryside, raising funds to develop the trail. Sometimes we ventured alone on the trail, gathering only our thoughts as we enjoyed nature. In whatever manner our gathering happens, important connections are forged. Memories are created, friendships deepened, and teamwork results. A happy consequence of all this gathering is this year’s progress on the trail: · ECRT generated a funding plan to resurface the trail in Orchard Park. · ECRT purchased a utility vehicle to enhance maintenance operations, so the trail may remain safe and clear for all to use. · ECRT opened a new section of trail in West Falls, utilizing millings from local road construction to install a smooth new surface. · ECRT was awarded a grant to resurface an additional section of trail in the Town of Aurora. · ECRT began evaluation and design work on the historic Cascade Bridge in the Town of Concord. You may “gather” from these results that Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail development has momentum, and you would be correct. We are advancing projects in each community along the trail, and we are making progress. The key to maintaining this forward movement is your support. Please give to ECRT today , to ensure that development of the only multi-use recreational trail in the Southtowns continues. Together, we are creating a wonderful community asset to benefit our region today and for generations to come! Many thanks for your gift. May your holiday gatherings bring you great joy! Happy trails! Mary Brummer President, Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Click here to Donate Prefer to send a check? Please write “ 2025 Holiday Appeal ” in the memo area and mail it to ECRT, PO Box 584, Orchard Park, NY 14127. Make your gift go further: Does your employer match employees’ charitable donations? You might be able to double your gift to ECRT! To find out if your company matches donations, check with your HR department, use an online matching gift search tool, or look for a "matching gift" or "employee benefits" section on your company's website . Each company has different rules, so the best way to know for sure is to check directly with them. Scan this code to Donate Previous Next

Rails no longer impede wheelchair access to the trail < Back Accessibility Improved at OP Depot tracks Debbie Stellrecht Jul 20, 2023 Rails no longer impede wheelchair access to the trail Our volunteers went to work to resolve the problem of wheelchairs being unable to get over the rails and onto the trail. We're so grateful to these people who work quietly and diligently to make the trail pleasant and accessible for all! Previous Next

Orchard Park North trail section spruced up. < Back Volunteer Crew Clears Weeds Kathleen McCrone Aug 14, 2023 Orchard Park North trail section spruced up. An energetic group of ECRT volunteers spent an evening on the trail recently to cut back the weeds that were encroaching on the trail. A lot was accomplished in just one evening and we're very grateful that we have such hardworking volunteers. Trail users and adjacent homeowners appreciated the trail crew's clean up efforts, too. You can help build your trail in a variety of ways by becoming a volunteer! Learn more at ecattrail.org/volunteer . Previous Next

Let's go for a walk! < Back Upcoming Fall Trail Events Friends of the Trail Sep 12, 2023 Let's go for a walk! We’ve planned several Fall walks to highlight the diverse sections of our 27-mile trail. Our three Friends groups are hosting events in Concord, Orchard Park and Aurora. Members from all groups are welcome to attend each event, so plan to enjoy a stroll and get to know parts of the trail you haven’t yet explored! September 23rd Concord 9:30 am (Rain or shine) We’ll start at Shamel Milling, 9384 Genesee Rd. in the Town of Concord, and walk for 3-4 miles round trip. Meet us on the west side of the parking lot at 9:30 a.m. Register today until September 17th at https://ConcordTrailWalk.eventbrite.com ! October 21st Orchard Park 10:00 am (Rain or shine) We’ve partnered with the Runners Roost for a seasonal Trail Trot on the recently resurfaced section of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in the Orchard Park Village. We hope you’ll join us for this fun walk, trot, or run from the Orchard Park Depot to Jewett Holmwood Road and back. Wear your Halloween costume for the event and you might just see yourself (with permission) in subsequent ECRT and Runners Roost social media posts. Runners Roost is generously chipping in with athletic footwear and clothing for prize drawings at the event, to raise more funds for the improvement, expansion, and maintenance of the trail. Children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult. Parking is available at the ECRT Bank Street lot . Discount coupons for the Byrd House restaurant will be available to all participants. Register by October 17th at https://OrchardParktrailtrot.eventbrite.com November 12th Aurora Stay tuned for more information! Happy Trails from your ECRT Friends Leaders, Mary Carol Dearing - Concord/Springville Nicole Avitahl-Curtis - Orchard Park Laura Gunderson - Colden/West Falls Previous Next

Rest in peace, Rick. We'll miss you around here! < Back Remembering Rick LeFeber Mary Brummer May 9, 2025 Rest in peace, Rick. We'll miss you around here! Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) has lost our good friend, Rick LeFeber, who was a past Board member of ECRT and a mentor to the Board members for many years. He died March 8th from complications of bone cancer. After his cancer diagnosis several years ago , he remained active on the Board during his initial cancer treatments, and is responsible for many key steps in ECRT's progress. He was a generous, funny, smart, and engaging person. He loved ECRT, and he showed it. Rick was instrumental in the creation and maintenance of the 12.2-mile Pat McGee Trail in Cattaraugus County, and generously shared his trail building experiences and knowledge with ECRT, eager to help us create a similar trail in Erie County. If you knew Rick when he was alive, it won't surprise you that he wrote his own obituary, which you can enjoy here . Rest in peace, Rick. We'll miss you around here! Previous Next

Ride safely on or off road with your bike this riding season < Back EA2EVL Safety Sponsor offers safe cycling tips Deborah Stellrecht Jun 16, 2023 Ride safely on or off road with your bike this riding season Craig Small, of the Small Law Firm, is our 2023 EA2EVL Safety Sponsor. Watch this video for tips to ride safely this season. ( https://video.wixstatic.com/video/0373ea_042d58a6b0194336a974626f8ab6979e/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 ) Start with a tune up. Take care of your bike; your bike will take care of you. Maximize your roll. Tire inflation to the correct pressure can make a huge difference in the energy you'll expend riding. It's all about the fit. Make sure your helmet fits, using the 2 x 2 x 2 rule. Replace old or damaged helmets. Fuel your ride. Pack snacks and water, and electrolyte tablets or powdersadded to your water can reduce muscle cramping and fatigue. Light it up. Bike lights make you more visible to drivers, even in daylight hours. Bright & reflective clothing helps you to be seen, too. Don't forget the sunscreen and sunglasses: protect your eyes and your skin rom the sun's rays. Previous Next

Did you know ECRT is an important part of the initial NY Forward grant proposal to uplift and stimulate community growth in West Falls? Please consider attending the West Falls NYF Public Workshop #1 on May 20th. The Workshop will be held in the Aurora Waldorf School (525 W Falls Rd, West Falls, NY, 14170) from 6 – 8 pm. < Back NY Forward Grant Committee Invitation for YOU! Deborah Fenn May 13, 2024 Did you know ECRT is an important part of the initial NY Forward grant proposal to uplift and stimulate community growth in West Falls? Please consider attending the West Falls NYF Public Workshop #1 on May 20th. The Workshop will be held in the Aurora Waldorf School (525 W Falls Rd, West Falls, NY, 14170) from 6 – 8 pm. The West Falls NY Forward (NYF) Local Planning Committee (LPC) wants to know your thoughts on how you would like to see the NYF program help revitalize the Hamlet. The LPC will hold an Open Call for Projects from June 12th to July 17th, 2024. However, prior to that call, the LPC will be hosting a Public Workshop to gather insights and feedback from the community on what types of projects you would like to see submitted and how those projects can impact West Falls. We would love for you to see what's being planned and to lend your voice to the conversation , please consider attending the West Falls NYF Public Workshop #1 on May 20th. The Workshop will be held in the Aurora Waldorf School (525 W Falls Rd, West Falls, NY, 14170) from 6 – 8 pm. This workshop is an open house format with various engagement boards and planning exercises, so feel free to stop by at any time during those hours that work for you. If you are unable to attend this event, there will be an online feedback form available as well as a public survey for residents to provide feedback. Until the official website is operational, stay up-to-date with the plans and meetings via the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WestFallsNYForward . Previous Next

We're so grateful for your support, donations, and helping hands! < Back ECRT Thanks you Mary Brummer Nov 28, 2024 We're so grateful for your support, donations, and helping hands! Developing 27 miles of railbanked trail is a huge undertaking, but a joy to do when sharing it with friends and family. Each improved section is a thrill to behold and so satisfying when it functions as an asset to the community. Many thanks to you, our ECRT friends, as we make our trail dreams come true! Happy Thanksgiving to you, with our gratitude, Mary Brummer, President Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Previous Next

It took a village to save Patrick Raycraft's life < Back EA2EVL Fondo Rider Makes Comeback from Cardiac Arrest Deborah Stellrecht May 1, 2025 It took a village to save Patrick Raycraft's life Patrick Raycraft (Above center, in the red & white jersey) was an experienced rider enjoying ECRT’s EA2EVL Fondo charity bike ride on October 5, 2024, when, near the 32-mile mark, he knew he was experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. As luck would have it, he spotted a spectator and his pickup truck parked at the side of the road, and he asked to be driven back to the previous water stop, the Ashford Community Center in West Valley. Once there, emergency responders were called, while Fondo volunteers found some aspirin for Patrick, and a cardiac nurse who was also riding the Fondo tended to him until the ambulance arrived. Patrick was unconscious at this point and he now says, “The next thing I recall is waking up in a helicopter, banking to the left.” After he was stabilized at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital in Springville, Patrick was flown by Mercy Flight to Buffalo General Medical Center / Gates Vascular Institute , where he then received critical cardiac care. He had suffered a massive heart attack and cardiac arrest. Only 10% of patients survive heart events such as his. The Impella heart pump The world’s smallest heart pump, the Impella , was implanted. This tiny pump, developed by Abiomed (Johnson & Johnson), allows the heart to rest and recover by temporarily assisting the pumping function of the heart to efficiently deliver blood and oxygen to the entire body. Patrick spent 16 days in BGMC/GVI, before being transferred to a Hartford, CT, hospital near his home where he spent an additional 10 days. His health today is the result of countless hours of nursing care, physical therapy, yoga, acupuncture, mental health therapy and other therapies, and he’s extremely grateful to everyone who helped him, from the day of his health crisis to today. Patrick displays what's left of his riding jersey from that fateful day. 6 months later, on April 4th 2025, Patrick returned to the BGMC/GVI to be reunited with and thank many of the people of his care team, including Dr. Vijay Iyer and nursing staff; plus support teams from West Valley Volunteer Hose Company, Mercy Flight, Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home , and Johnson & Johnson MedTech Heart Recovery , the maker of his implanted heart pump. Patrick reunited with his care team All of us at ECRT are so thankful and thrilled that Patrick survived this medical crisis and has fully recovered. He is already planning to ride in the 2025 EA2EVL Fondo on October 4, 2025! Enjoy more photos of the reunion at BGMC/GVI on Flickr at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC7MYp . (Photos by Kaleida Health) Previous Next

Orchard Park Christmas at the Depot event was a treat for young and old! < Back ECRT at Christmas at the Depot Deborah Stellrecht Dec 7, 2024 Orchard Park Christmas at the Depot event was a treat for young and old! Previous Next

ECRT Members enjoy a special evening outing on the trail. < Back Members Full Moon Walk Mary Brummer Apr 17, 2025 ECRT Members enjoy a special evening outing on the trail. Our first ECRT Members event, a Sunset/Full Moon Walk on the Orchard Park trail section, was a success despite the cloudy skies. Walking eastward from the OP Train Depot, we looked back to marvel at the rosy sunset, and to appreciate the fiery torches placed along the trail. At the Jewett Holmwood end of the trail, Paul and Irene Ziarnowski had their telescopes set up and a moon chart available to view the rising moon and planets. Alas, the cloud cover obstructed our view of the night sky, but as we headed back in the dark, the tiki torches and red headlamps made the return trip more spectacular. The refreshments back at the Orchard Park Depot putting the finishing touch to a great evening with our trail supporters. Thank you! ECRT is grateful to Jeff Sweet for opening the Depot for us for this special event, and to Murray Covello for the photos! Not a Member yet? Check out all the benefits of membership at https://ecattrail.org/join . Previous Next