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News Jul 9, 2026 WKBW News Visits Trail with President Mary Brummer The trail is about more than walking or biking. It's about preserving history while creating something future generations can use every day. Read More May 13, 2026 ECRT Featured in PTNY Article Picture this: a 280-mile trail, connecting 21 communities from Buffalo to Pennsylvania. Read More Mar 6, 2026 ECRT selected to present at 21st Century Fund Although ECRT didn't move on to the finalist round, we had a wonderful time at the 21st Century Fund Presentation Event! Read More Dec 1, 2025 Gatherings During This Season of Gratitude Celebrating a year of meaningful community gatherings Read More Oct 27, 2025 Springville Concord Fall Walk ECRT fans enjoyed a beautiful day on the trail! Read More Jul 20, 2025 2025 EA2EVL CHARITY BIKE RIDE OCTOBER 4 Fifth annual EA2EVL 42-mile ride benefits the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Read More Jul 13, 2025 Volunteers Beautify Orchard Park Depot Grounds A small but keen group got together last week to spruce things up! Read More Jul 6, 2025 Orchard Park Trail Closure for Maintenance July 9th From Ellicott Road to the Orchard Park Depot Read More May 23, 2025 ECRT Project in West Falls Awarded NY Forward Funds Project will construct a 1.5-mile extension of the trail through West Falls hamlet center Read More May 9, 2025 Remembering Rick LeFeber Rest in peace, Rick. We'll miss you around here! Read More May 1, 2025 EA2EVL Fondo Rider Makes Comeback from Cardiac Arrest It took a village to save Patrick Raycraft's life Read More Apr 26, 2025 Celebrate Trails Day Celebrate Trails Day is an annual spring celebration of America’s trails Read More Load more...

This page features the volunteers who have been recognized for their contributionsto the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Meet our Volunteers Laura Gunderson Since 2021, Laura has been actively involved with the ECRT organization. She is currently the Leader of the West Falls chapter of Friends of the Trail. Read More Mary Carol Dearing ECRT's Springville-Concord Friends group leader is passionate about trail development. Read More Nicole Avitahl-Curtis As an active ECRT volunteer, Nicole has participated in numerous trail cleanups and promoted the trail at many public events. She also leads the ECRT Friends group of Orchard Park and has organized several community walks. Read More Ellen Januszkiewicz The love of railroads runs deep for Ellen Januszkiewicz, a regular, enthusiastic ECRT volunteer from Orchard Park. Her father, Leon, was a track maintenance mechanic whose career brought Ellen’s family from Scranton, PA to rail yards of Lackawanna, NY. Read More 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 Laura Lisitsky Laura Lisitsky is a life-long Western New Yorker and a dedicated lover of the outdoors. Through her travels, chosen lifestyle and profession, Laura truly understands the value of trails. Read More Liz Birardi Through mutual friendships, Liz became aware of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. She has volunteered at tabling events, National Trails Day celebrations, donor thank-you hikes and at registration for the EA2EVL Fondo. She is also a current and valued member of the ECRT Development Team. Read More Bernie Young In his spare time, Bernie is one of ECRT’s valued, hard-working volunteers. Using an ATV four-wheeler and a tow-behind mower, he does a meticulous job maintaining the trail from Genesee Road to Old Glenwood. He also walks the trail frequently. For Bernie, the trail is a much-loved place he gladly takes care of and truly cares for; a place where he can commune with nature very close to home. Read More Tim and Lisa Scheidel Tim and Lisa Scheidel have spent the past 38 years enjoying their beautiful Sharp Street home in the Town of Concord, in large part due to its proximity to what is now the ECRT trail. For the Scheidels, every season brings a different kind of beauty to their section of the trail. Read More Larry and Gretel Laing Once apprehensive, Larry and Gretel have become big trail supporters. “We walk the trail all the time,” notes Gretel. “It’s become such an asset to have a trail like this so close. Both the grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoy it. Read More Karen Parysek “My philosophy of life has always involved making the world a better place, and working with like-minded friends on projects we enjoy.” And that, gratefully, includes Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! Read More Jim and Cynthia Page Volunteers Jim and Cynthia Page clearly demonstrate you don’t have to live on or near Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail to appreciate it, use it and support efforts to complete it. Read More Howy Holmes Howy has been involved with Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail since its inception. “I mow, walk the trail in Orchard Park pretty frequently, take on maintenance jobs and participate in design and development. The new section [of the trail in Orchard Park] is so important. It links residents to the library, the depot and all the village has to offer. It’s such a great asset for the town and village. And this is just the beginning!” Read More Mary Brummer Mary feels called to talk and work with community members and elected officials in order to forge the best way to get things done and move forward with the Eire Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Read More Robin Frey "Rail corridors have played an important part in my development as a child. They were, and still are, places to explore, enjoy nature and spark creativity. I really want to see a safe, accessible trail for everyone to use and enjoy. This trail can make a huge difference in the quality of life for so many. The possibilities are endless!” Read More Harry James As far as the trail is concerned, Harry believes, “If you build it, they will come. There are lots of places to explore and enjoy here. It’s great when you see businesses interested and involved in the trial. I think you help communities grow by building and supporting cottage industries. You know, people will drive (or bike) to go to breakfast if the food is good!” Read More Jason Engel ECRT and the Springville Community Trout Pond partnered for the Springville Trout Pond Renovation project, guided by Jason, a leader in the Springville Field and Stream group. At the time, Jason explained, “We want to reclaim this popular and ecologically significant resource." Read More Bill Krebs The Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) has over 6,000 friends and supporters, but Springville Mayor Bill Krebs stands out from the rest! Read More Steve Williams Steve believes that joining the Orchard Park Friends of ECRT allows him to connect with nature and support his community. He wants to make his love for bike riding and the outdoors safer and better for everyone. Read More

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

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

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

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

Sign up today for EA2EVL Fondo 2024! 42-mile Charity Ride Supports ECRT Trail < Back Join us for the Fourth Annual EA2EVL Fondo Beth Lasky May 27, 2024 Sign up today for EA2EVL Fondo 2024! 42-mile Charity Ride Supports ECRT Trail Join us on October 5th for the 4th annual EA2EVL Fondo, a 42-mile epic road ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville. The ride will venture down Route 240 through the fall foliage and rolling hills of Western New York and end with a celebration at the beautiful Holiday Valley. The best part: 100% of the proceeds benefit ECRT! Register today! This event has SOLD OUT for three years and raised $150,000 to support the ECRT trail. We've used those funds to remove rails and ties, improve drainage and resurface the first 1.3 miles of the trail starting at the Orchard Park Village Depot. In June of 2023 this beautiful section opened to the public, connecting to the 2 miles of natural surface trail open at Jewett Holmwood Road. EA2EVL 2024 funds will be used to expand and improve the trail further south. Here's how YOU can help! RIDE ON: If you are a biker, register today ! YOU are the secret to the success of this major source of funds needed to build the rail trail - so we ask you to FUNDRAISE as well! If you raise a minimum of $100 in donations , you get an event t-shirt and tickets for food and drinks at the finish line party. If you raise $500 or more , you also get an event jersey. The top fundraiser gets to wear the coveted yellow jersey. So sign up, ask your friends, family and coworkers to donate ( here ), and enjoy a great fall ride! REGISTER HERE . VOLUNTEER: We will need volunteers for the start line at 42 North Brewing Company in East Aurora, three water stops (Colden, Concord and West Valley), course pointers and traffic control on the route, and at the finish line party at Holiday Valley. Volunteers sign up HERE . We’ll be in touch with more specific instructions for your role. DONATE: If you can't join us, you can still help by supporting one of the riders on our registration site here . SPREAD THE WORD! Invite others to join in the fun. Post this link to your social media: givesignup.org/Race/Volunteer/NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo or share this QR code: See you on October 5th! Previous Next

Deb Fenn John Landi John grew up in Putnam Valley, a rural, forested community several miles north of New York City where outdoor play, roughhousing and sledding were regular pastimes for John; later to be replaced by football, lacrosse and other organized sports in high school. Upon graduation, the campus and curriculum at Alfred University appeared “a perfect fit” for John where he undertook a 5-year MBA program in Finance and Economics, with an eye on a career in sports management. John’s first job as a data analyst with Greenwich Associates was an exceptional “learning experience” where he honed his skills and keyboard speed under the tutelage of a former Goldman Sachs employee. He then joined the Buffalo Bills organization as a customer relationship management system administrator (CRM), and was subsequently promoted to CRM Architect with Pegula Sports and Entertainment. In December of 2020, he joined his current firm, CTBK Accounting and Business Consulting, as a business data and analytics manager, “Since COVID, CTBK has offered a hybrid work experience, typically with three days working from home; two at the office,” he explains. “One of the company’s core values is Human Connection. Working cooperatively is really part of the company’s DNA, which I really like, and which adds real value to the work experience.” Today, John and wife Lindsey live in Orchard Park, where Lindsey grew up and where her parents and extended family still reside. “When I’m not puttering around the house and yard, we take time to travel, and we both enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors.” The couple recently returned from a trip to the Grand Canyon, and last year’s trip to the Hawaiian Islands included full days of long hikes and exploration. “I think the ECRT trail is truly important. It gives the community a place for walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and simply enjoying nature. It’s a great connector and a wonderful, potential economic stimulus. Case in point is the ‘Walk Over the Hudson’, close to where I grew up. It’s had a transformative, positive impact on communities on both sides of the bridge.” John also appreciates the trail’s historic aspects. Proud owner of his grandfather’s Lionel train set circa late-1940’s, Christmas finds the Landi living room transformed into an elaborate, impressive Christmas village. “Meanwhile, I look forward to the day when I can hike or ride the entire 27 miles of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail.” Yes, John. We’re with you! May 1, 2024 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

Trail Users Here are some frequently asked questions from enthusiasts who would like to use the trail. 01 What is the proposed Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail? The former trail line travers es two counties (Erie and Cattaraugus) and connects five communities, starting in the Village of Orchard Park, going through towns of Orchard Park, Aurora, Colden, Concord, the Village of Springville and ending in Ashford. The trail features historic rail depots, quaint villages, woodlands, marshes, farmlands, popular ski areas and a spectacular high-trestle bridge. ECRT’s 27-mile trail will be the first safe, off-road bicycling trail in the south towns. This trail is included in the NYS trail and greenway long range plan. 02 When will it open and who gets to use it? ECRT is just beginning the design effort, which could take up to a year to complete. We are estimating the entire trail could take anywhere from 5-10 years to complete. The Springville Pop Warner Trail is currently in use and is a model for our ECRT trail development vision. The remaining trail will be built in sections as community funding and planning is completed. Announcements will be made as soon as other sections are ready for public use. ECRT will partner with the communities along the trail to fulfill our mission to develop a multi-use trail. Surface design will be up to each community to determine what is most desirable for their population. Outdoor enthusiasts, including bikers, hikers, horseback riders, cross-country skiers, bird-watchers, and snowmobilers are envisioned to have access. However, every use may not be allowed on every segment of the trail. 03 Can I explore the current rail-line? No, please do not. The current right-of-way is still owned by the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Rail Road, and walki ng on the trail is considered trespassing.   04 Where will the proposed trail go? Visit our Future Trai l page to se e a map of the proposed trail. 05 Where can I visit a local trail? In addition to the Springville Pop Warner trail section of ECRT, you can walk or bicycle on the trail from the Orchard Park Railway Historical Society Depot at 395 S. Lincoln Ave through to Ellicott Road in Aurora. O ther regional trails you can visit include: Chautauqua Rails to Trails, the Allegheny River Valley Trail, the Cattaraugus Pat McGee Trail, the Genesee Valley Greenway, the Tonawanda Rail Trail, Clarence-Akron-Newstead Bike Path, and Lancaster’s Heritage Trail.

Links, Resources, and Presentations Below you will find a wealth of information related to rail and other mutli-use recreational trails. Use the below to find research related to rail-trails, explore other communities' trails, and even locate a trail to visit. ECRT Specific Download Presentation Download Sample Letter of Support Trail Studies and Reports Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Trail Benefits University of Nebraska at Omaha: Trail Neighbors Study Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Safety Study of 372 Trails Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Economic Impact Study National Park Service: Trail Development Resources and Studies Trail Analysis of PA Oil Heritage Region Trails Pennsylvania Allegheny Trail Alliance Trail User Study Points of Interest Along the Corridor. Author, Sean Williams, Orchard Park High School. 09.18. Links to Other Trails Parks and Trails NY: New York State Trail Finder Pat McGee Trail: Cattaraugus, NY Allegheny River Valley Trail: Allegany/Olean, NY Genesee Valley Greenway Chautauqua Rails to Trails National Rails-to-Trails Conservancy TrailLink American Trails Parks and Trails New York Adventure Cycling Association Useful Links Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Parks and Trails NY New! The Orchard Park Train Depot

Ideas, suggestions and opinions exchanged for West Falls revitalization < Back Great turnout at West Falls NY Forward Public Workshop! Deborah Stellrecht May 22, 2024 Ideas, suggestions and opinions exchanged for West Falls revitalization On a balmy night in the Aurora Waldorf School's gymnasium, at least a hundred interested people visited during the first Public Workshop. They got to review example improvement projects intended to revitalize the visual appearance of the Hamlet of West Falls and encourage visitors traveling through to stop and stay awhile in this small but proud community. Each of the Example Project boards offered an opportunity for guests to respond to, "What I like:" and "What needs work?" with post-it notes and markers. Maps of the project area provided a great birds-eye view of the project's boundaries, and all were encouraged to add their ideas/remarks to the maps. If you or someone you know was unable to attend, but would like to offer feedback, visit https://www.westfallsnyforward.com/resources . Each of the proposed projects included in the NY Forward Grant application is described here . Be sure to complete the feedback form that the Local Planning Committee would like you to respond to. Share your ideas and suggestions - be a part of this transformation! Don't want to miss out on future gatherings? All future West Falls NY Forward events are listed here . Previous Next