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Your support of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is crucial to its progress. < Back Help build Your Trail Mary Brummer Jul 9, 2024 Your support of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is crucial to its progress. Dear Rail Trail Friends, Neighborhoods come to life during a Western New York summer. Kids are outside, their calls echoing all around. Everyone is actively enjoying the sunshine and fresh air, and many are using trails. When fully completed, Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail will serve as a 27-mile multiuse trail connecting many neighborhoods. Following the successful opening of the Orchard Park Village trail in June 2023, ECRT plans the next step: to resurface the trail “Depot to Depot” by improving another several miles of trail in Orchard Park and Aurora to the historic West Falls Train Depot. West Falls Historic Train Depot Imagine beginning a ride at the Orchard Park Train Depot, and enjoying six miles of level, comfortable trail surface all the way into West Falls, arriving at the historic Depot there. While in the neighborhood, you might visit the Blueberry Treehouse Farm for a beverage or take in an event at the West Falls Center for the Arts. Or - start your trip in West Falls and spend the day in Orchard Park at Green Lake Park, enjoying lunch, or celebrating Quaker Days. Orchard Park Historic Train Depot Meanwhile, at the southern end of the trail, several more sculptures are joining Springville’s unique “Sculpture Alley”, and plans are advancing to resurface two more miles of trail south of the Village of Springville. The trail connects neighborhoods throughout the Town of Concord, beckoning trail users through picturesque town and country settings. Sculpture artist J. Brian Pfeiffer and an assistant. Trails connect people and places, and trail use enhances physical and mental well-being. We are working passionately to develop our trail into the Southtowns jewel we envision. Your support of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is crucial to our progress. Please donate today and help propel this worthy effort. And may your neighborhood ring with the sounds of birds and children this summer. Happy trails, Mary Brummer, President Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Make your gift go further: Does your employer match employees’ charitable donations? You might be able to double your gift to ECRT! Prefer to send a check? Please write “ July Appeal ” in the memo area and mail it to ECRT, PO Box 584, Orchard Park, NY 14127. NYS Charitable Donation Disclosures Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization registered with New York State and dedicated to building and maintaining a 27-mile multi-use recreational trail from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY on the railbanked Buffalo & Pittsburgh rail corridor. The latest financial report from ECRT may be obtained by request from ECRT at www.ecrailtrail.org or from the Attorney General's Charities Bureau's Website - www.charitiesnys.com . Information about charities may be obtained from the Attorney General at (212) 416-8686. Previous Next

Fifth annual EA2EVL 42-mile ride benefits the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail < Back 2025 EA2EVL CHARITY BIKE RIDE OCTOBER 4 Deborah Stellrecht Jul 20, 2025 Fifth annual EA2EVL 42-mile ride benefits the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Register now for Western New York’s premier fall bike ride, the EA2EVL Fondo to be held on Saturday, October 4. This 42-mile non-competitive charity bike ride kicks off at 10 a.m. in East Aurora, winds south through rolling hills and fall foliage and ends in Ellicottville with a finish line party at Holiday Valley. All proceeds from EA2EVL support the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT), a 27-mile trail that runs along a former rail line from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY. Register to ride or volunteer here . “The popularity of the EA2EVL Fondo has surpassed all expectations in terms of attendance and support for the trail,” said event sponsor John Cimperman, Founder of 42 North Brewery. “In addition to supporting a great cause, this ride delivers beautiful views and camaraderie for riders of any skill level.” The bike event starts in East Aurora at 42 North Brewery and travels south down scenic Route 240, riding on the road parallel to the ECRT trail from West Falls into Concord. The course continues to Route 242 into the town of Ellicottville. The event ends at a finish line party at Holiday Valley which is open to the public, featuring food, drinks and live music. Transportation will be offered to bring riders back to East Aurora, or riders can get special rates for lodging at Holiday Valley. In addition to the registration fee, riders who fundraise an additional $100 for ECRT will receive a commemorative shirt and tickets for food and drinks at the post-event party. Participants who raise $500 or more receive an EA2EVL bike jersey. The top fundraiser is awarded the coveted EA2EVL “yellow jersey” and a $500 gift certificate from Tom’s Pro Bikes. “We celebrate more trail construction activity in 2025 with our fifth EA2EVL charity bike ride”, announced Mary Brummer, ECRT Board President. “The Fondo continues to be hugely helpful in making Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail the Southtowns jewel we envision, and we look forward to riding and partying together on October 4!” National Fuel, 42 North Brewing, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and The Small Law firm are sponsors of the 2025 event. John V. Ellmore P.C. and Excelsior Orthopedics are the road sign sponsors, and Tom’s Pro Bikes will provide tech support to riders on the course. Register for the ride at www.ea2evlfondo.com . A very special thank you to our Event Sponsors, without whom we could not host this event! 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

Open to the Public for Questions and Commentary at the meeting's end. < Back West Falls NY Forward LPC Meeting Next Tuesday Deb Fenn Jul 16, 2024 Open to the Public for Questions and Commentary at the meeting's end. On Tuesday, July 23rd at 6 pm the West Falls NY Forward Local Planning Committee will hold its 3rd meeting at the West Falls Fire Company. Members of the public are encouraged to attend these meetings but, as a reminder, these are working meetings of the LPC, and the public will have the opportunity to make comments and ask questions at the end. https://www.westfallsnyforward.com/ Previous Next

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Bernie Young Bernie Young is a country guy, through and through. He has lived in East Concord with his wife, Jeanette, for the past 50 years. Apart from his 4 children, 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grands, what Bernie loves most in this world is his abiding connection to nature and ‘the great outdoors'. As Bernie welcomed me into his home, he invited me to have a seat in what is certainly his favorite room; a place that serves as both a dining area and his beloved trophy room. Proudly displayed on the walls above our heads as we chatted were beautifully mounted turkeys and deer. (One buck, he noted, boasted a rack listed in the New York State record books “with a score of 145!”) A carpenter by trade, Bernie was founder and sole owner of Young Construction for most of his working life. Generally working alone, he remodeled numerous interior spaces over the years and, with a hired hand or two, constructed several home additions. Now retired, Bernie spends much of his time outdoors. He continues to cut his own firewood and he built a small cabin on a parcel of wooded property he owns on Springville-Boston Road. There, he hunts and fishes and simply enjoys his time with nature. Bernie also proudly serves on the board of directors of Springville Field and Stream. The organization’s recent fundraiser, a “Golf and Shoot”, involved competing trap-shooting teams followed by a round of golf at Concord Crest , dinner and prizes. Proceeds benefitted the Springville Trout Pond project, an endeavor Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail has been affiliated with this past year, creating an ADA accessible connection from the pond to the trail. 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. More volunteers

Deb Fenn 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. Their property features an expansive lawn with magnificent, mature trees. The backyard perimeter slopes about 5’ to meet the trail. Access is made easy, as the Scheidels installed and maintain a convenient stairway that they and their dog Torque use on a regular basis. “We were using the corridor even back when it was still an active railroad,” admits Lisa. “It’s a great place to see all kinds of wildlife. It’s like having a park in your own backyard.” Tim, a construction worker with Ingall’s Site Development, does extensive mowing on the trail, generally from Middle Road to Genesee, and often cleans up storm damage, such as felled branches and trees. Lisa, a school bus driver, enjoys long walks on the trail where she encounters all kinds of people–from horseback riders to joggers. Both keep an eye out for anything suspicious and report incidents promptly to the ECRT maintenance team. “We see all kinds of people using the trail. We see walkers and bikers of all ages. It’s the perfect place for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, when the weather allows, and a great place for kids to get outdoors and exercise year-round. And you can get from one place to another without using the roads,” notes Lisa.T he couple looks forward to some surface improvements in places where the ballast is prominent, as then even more cyclists and walkers could then use and enjoy the trail. They also realize how important the trail is for local business. Tim, an avid snowmobiler, noted how his sport brings significant income to the area. For the Scheidels, every season brings a different kind of beauty to their section of the trail. Tim shared several fall and winter trailscapes with me, captured on his cell phone. The trail has become such an integral part of their daily lives and has clearly brought them great joy and pleasure. Thanks for all the support and trail work, Tim and Lisa, and keep enjoying “your trail!” November 1, 2023 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

Deb Fenn Liz Birardi I met up with Liz on a Sunday afternoon at Comma Fine Art Gallery in East Aurora where she, a co-curator, is minding the store. The current “Known, Imagined, Experienced ” exhibit includes 38 local artists — among them Liz — and features an eclectic display of mediums and expressions. Liz first studied art at UB and continued later at Empire State College where she pursued a program that included natural sciences and art. Today, her paintings reflect an appreciation for the abstract, science and the natural world. Liz grew up on Long Island where her contact with nature was often limited to a trip to the beach. It wasn’t until she moved to Rochester in the 1980s and met her husband, Rob, that her relationship with the natural world really began to expand. Starting with a trip to Zoar Valley, during the course of their 37-year marriage, the couple explored, camped and canoed. With children Gina and Ian in tow, the family made annual trips to Heart Lake in the Adirondacks. Liz, now a “44 peaker”, is officially an outdoors person. “These experiences opened my eyes to the value of the natural world, which is now intrinsic to my art.” Today, Liz and Rob live in East Aurora. For several years, Liz was affiliated with The Western New York Land Conservancy. “In 2009, I did a hike at Kenneglenn, one of the Conservancy’s first acquisitions and their current headquarters. I liked their mission and subsequently worked to digitize their files. I became familiar with the conservancy’s history, land preservation and conservation from this experience and, from 2012 until 2022, was employed as their office manager.” 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. “I really like the idea of the trail; that you can walk from town to town and find yourself surrounded by nature. It’s also great that you rarely have to cross a road. It’s also really great for the communities. This is such a wonderful project!” February 1, 2024 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

5 new works of art installed on the Pop Warner Trail in Springville. < Back New Additions to Sculpture Alley Deb Fenn Jul 18, 2024 5 new works of art installed on the Pop Warner Trail in Springville. Deb Fenn, immediate past president of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, represented the rail trail Board members, to our ECRT friends, and our supporters gathered for "Shake on the Lake", an outdoor theater presentation of Henry the 5th by SLAM , Students Love Arts and Music. She applauded the installation of these sculptures and introduced each of them with a brief description of each artist's vision for their creations to the audience. Here are her remarks: "Springville, as you may know, was the first municipality to support its section of the 27-mile rail banked corridor. They helped raise funds and secure the manpower needed to create your Pop Warner trail right here in the village. Seth Wochenski approached ECRT a few years ago about creating a “sculpture alley” along this previous industrial trail section we have all gathered around today. Sculpture Alley is a whimsical, creative asset to the trail, that ignites the imagination and invites your engagement as you walk, ride or snowshoe along the trail. So, what are these creations? J. Brian Pfeiffer offered two original concrete creations: one is a figure sitting by a suitcase looking down the tracks in anticipation of his train. His second piece recreates an imaginative tower signaling to trains coming by. Through angled metal pipes, Sarah Fonzi’s piece invites you to view scenery from various angles, as one might view passing vistas through a rail car window. Artist Sarah Fonzi shares her vision for this sculpture. One of Rich Federowicz's pieces features the tools used for train operation and maintenance, while the second piece topped with circular green glass pieces was inspired by railway water filling stations and evokes falling or running water. Artist Rich Federowicz describes how he envisioned his sculpture. At the North end of sculpture alley you'll find Matt Retzlaff's creations. He has imaginatively repurposed found metals to conjure visions of the moon and stars! Artist Artist Matt Retzlaff talks about the process behind his "Man in the Moon" sculpture. I encourage you to enjoy the evening here along Springville sculpture alley and I sincerely hope you will revisit this part of the trail often, and continue to delight in its artistic offerings for many years to come." “ This program is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Services Inc.” See additional photos and video from this event in the ECRT Google Photo Album " Sculpture Alley Additions 2024 ". Previous Next

Nicole has lived in NYS for almost 20 years - first for 10 years during undergraduate studies, then graduate studies in microbiology, followed later by 10 years in Orchard Park. She then lived in the Boston/Cambridge area for 20 years, pursuing postdoctoral training at Harvard and then working in research in various biotechnology companies in Cambridge. There Nicole met her husband Rory, and they started a family. The family moved to Orchard Park at the end of 2015, where Nicole became active in PTO, daughter Zoë’s science projects, Girls on the Run, and the High School Marching Band. She learned about ECRT in the fall of 2018 and began to take an active interest in developing the trail. Nicole’s passion for outdoor activities, such as walking, running and biking, led her to coach the girls running program, Girls on the Run, for 8 years at 2 different elementary schools and at the Orchard Park Middle School. She feels strongly that walking and hiking together gives families opportunities to talk, bond, form memories and grow closer, in addition to getting some exercise. Nicole’s trail experiences have instilled in her a desire to share these resources with people. She believes they made a positive difference in her life, and she wants contribute to making them accessible for others. She’s been impressed by the progress the ECRT has made since she first began supporting it, and she is honored to be able to contribute to its continued progress. < Back Nicole Avitahl-Curtis Nicole has lived in NYS for almost 20 years - first for 10 years during undergraduate studies, then graduate studies in microbiology, followed later by 10 years in Orchard Park. She then lived in the Boston/Cambridge area for 20 years, pursuing postdoctoral training at Harvard and then working in research in various biotechnology companies in Cambridge. There Nicole met her husband Rory, and they started a family. The family moved to Orchard Park at the end of 2015, where Nicole became active in PTO, daughter Zoë’s science projects, Girls on the Run, and the High School Marching Band. She learned about ECRT in the fall of 2018 and began to take an active interest in developing the trail. Nicole’s passion for outdoor activities, such as walking, running and biking, led her to coach the girls running program, Girls on the Run, for 8 years at 2 different elementary schools and at the Orchard Park Middle School. She feels strongly that walking and hiking together gives families opportunities to talk, bond, form memories and grow closer, in addition to getting some exercise. Nicole’s trail experiences have instilled in her a desire to share these resources with people. She believes they made a positive difference in her life, and she wants contribute to making them accessible for others. She’s been impressed by the progress the ECRT has made since she first began supporting it, and she is honored to be able to contribute to its continued progress. Previous Next

400+ riders pedal 42 miles to support the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail < Back 2023 EA2EVL FONDO IS ANOTHER SELL OUT EVENT Beth Lasky Oct 2, 2023 400+ riders pedal 42 miles to support the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail On Saturday, September 30, over 400 bikers gathered at the start line of the EA2EVL Fondo, a charity bike ride that kicked off at 42 North Brewing Company in East Aurora. Under clear blue skies, the riders followed a police escort through the Village of East Aurora, winding their way south along the rolling hills and fall foliage on Route 240 into the Village of Ellicottville. The event ended with a lively finish-line celebration at Holiday Valley. Launched in 2021, the EA2EVL Fondo—or non-competitive ride—raises awareness and funds to help open, build and maintain the 27-mile multi-use, recreational Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) that runs along a former rail line from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY. For three consecutive years, this event has reached maximum capacity, this year selling out at 400+ riders and netting close to $50,000 for the rail trail. “We keep raising the bar for this event,“ said Mary Brummer, ECRT Board President, “and we keep exceeding all expectations! I’d like to thank everyone who participated in this epic ride, including our loyal riders and sponsors, along with our dedicated volunteers. Your support of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail truly matters.” The 2021 and 2022 EA2EVL events raised over $100,000 in donations, which were used to clear and open the first 1.3 miles of the rail trail in Orchard Park. The funds raised from this year’s event will help to push the trail south, improving sections in the town of Aurora into West Falls. The 2023 event was sponsored by National Fuel, 42 North Brewing Company, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Phillips Lytle and Craig Small Law with tech support provided by Tom’s Pro Bikes. You can see all of the photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/pFM2fTKVLw9oC4bh7 . Image of bicycle riders emerging through the Start gate of the EA2EVL Fondo, a fundraising bicycle ride. Previous Next

Other ways you can give to Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. More Ways to Give Legacy Donations There are several ways that through your legacy you can help with ECRT’s vision to develop and connect a network of safe and accessible trails from Orchard Park to Ashford, for all families and visitors to the area. A Bequest in Your Will The simplest way to include the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in your planned giving is to write us into your will. The following is sample language that you can use: I give and bequeath to the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc., PO Box 584, Orchard Park, NY 14127, _____% of my estate (or the sum of $_____, a specific piece of property, or asset) to be used as advised by the board of directors. IRA, 401K, or Life Insurance Policy Do you have an IRA, 401(k), life insurance policy, or any other assets not included in your will? If so, these are called non-probate assets, and you must plan your beneficiaries for them separately. If you’d like to do this on your own, simply include our full name and address when filling out your beneficiaries: Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc., PO Box 584, Orchard Park, NY 14127. Donor-Advised Fund If you are using a donor-advised fund for your annual giving, consider directing your fund administrator to designate Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. as the beneficiary of any remainder. As a Contingent Beneficiary If you have family members or friends that you plan on leaving your assets to, consider including the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. as a contingent beneficiary. This ensures that, no matter what happens, your assets will end up protected and designated. Let Us Know! Have you already included a gift to us in your will or trust? We would love to thank you for your generosity! Please let us know by contacting us to ensure that we know your vision and goals. Thank you. Without supporters like you, our miles of trails would not be possible! Make your gift go further: Does your employer match employees’ charitable donations? You might be able to double your gift to ECRT! Prefer to send a check? Please mail it to ECRT, PO Box 584, Orchard Park, NY 14127. NYS Charitable Donation Disclosures ECRT is an all-volunteer charitable organization. All funds received are dedicated to promotion, design, and construction of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. The latest financial report from ECRT may be obtained from the NYS Attorney General's Charities Bureau website at www.charitiesnys.com , or by written request to Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, PO Box 584, Orchard Park, NY 14127. Information about charities may be obtained by calling the NYS Attorney General at (212) 416-8686.