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National Trails Day 2024 It was a spectacular day to celebrate National Trails Day Year: 2024 Previous Next

We are participating in GivingTuesday! < Back Show the trail some love on Giving Tuesday Deborah Stellrecht Nov 24, 2023 We are participating in GivingTuesday! Happy Thanksgiving, Friends! We are participating in GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that takes place November 28, right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday! We’ve heard how much you love the trail and you’re excited for us to improve and open more of it. Help us by sharing our cause on social media using the hashtag #ECRTGivingTuesday , and join millions of global givers on November 28 by donating at https://ecrailtrail.org/donate . Donate $50 or more and you’ll receive an ECRT Supporter car magnet! Bonus! If you’re a resident of Cattaraugus County, you can win prizes for donating to ECRT through our Cattaraugus Gives site. Donate $100 or more before noon EST on Giving Tuesday and your impact will be doubled through a matching gift by an anonymous donor (both through our website and Cattaraugus Gives). We’re grateful for you and all the ways you support the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! Follow our progress toward our GivingTuesday goals on Facebook or Instagram ! Gratefully yours, Mary Brummer President, Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Previous Next

Springville/Concord Friends group leader Mary Carol Dearing will lead this hike on a lovely but seldom explored section of trail. < Back Explore a Section of ECRT in Concord ECRT Oct 18, 2025 Springville/Concord Friends group leader Mary Carol Dearing will lead this hike on a lovely but seldom explored section of trail. We will meet at Kissing Bridge - Central parking lot and from there head south toward Genesee Road. The total distance we'll cover ( there and back) will depend upon the abilities of the walkers, but the total duration won't be longer than 2 hours. While enjoying our hike, we'll have the opportunity to identify a variety of plant species along the trail. Mary Carol will introduce you to several apps, including iNaturalist and iMapInvasives , that not only assist in identification but also serve as a tool for citizen science. While this section of the trail is sometimes a little overgrown, it will be mowed and tidied up beforehand. As the footing can be uneven at times, s turdy hiking shoes are recommended. Bring bug spray, water and a snack. Register here to let us know you're planning to attend. Hope to see you there! 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

Step out in nature to nurture your mental health < Back May is Mental Health Awareness Month Deborah Stellrecht May 1, 2024 Step out in nature to nurture your mental health More and more, research is uncovering the significant benefits of getting outside in nature for our mental health. This is especially vital for the 1 in 5 people who suffer from anxiety or depression. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) and Mental Health America have excellent resources for you to help yourself and the people you care about to enjoy better mental health. Take time this month to assess your mental health and take action to improve it. (Hint: Walking, running or riding on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is a great way to start!) Previous Next

Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the ECRT trail! < Back West Falls Easter Egg Hunt Laura Gunderson Apr 12, 2025 Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the ECRT trail! Free event! Learn more about it and please register at www.WestFallsEggHunt2025.eventbrite.com . We want to be sure we have enough candy & prizes for all the kids. Previous Next

ECRT to Share Results of Community Input at Celebration in Orchard Park on Dec. 10th < Back Learn the Results of ECRT Community Meetings Mary Brummer Nov 26, 2024 ECRT to Share Results of Community Input at Celebration in Orchard Park on Dec. 10th The Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) organization invited area Southtowns residents to share their ideas about the 27-mile multiuse recreational trail at two community meetings in Orchard Park and Colden during the fall of 2024. SUNY Buffalo graduate students and faculty from the Urban Planning program facilitated these meetings and recorded the residents’ visions and concerns about the trail project. The information collected at these two community engagement meetings is intended to inform the design process as the recreational trail project continues. The UB personnel will present their collected information in a program that includes a series of vision boards illustrating various aspects of the trail project. “We are delighted that residents dedicated time to meet with us and share their ideas about the trail. Hearing all points of view helps us design the best trail for the community, and these vision boards provide a foundation for that design process,” said ECRT President Mary Brummer. All are welcome to attend this free community presentation and celebration, at the Orchard Park Community Activity Center , 4520 California Road, Orchard Park on Tuesday, December 10 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm . All are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is recommended - click here or scan the QR code below. This SUNY Buffalo/ECRT collaboration was assisted by a grant from the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation . Previous Next

Support our EA2EVL riders – Learn more about the trail < Back ECRT Friendraiser at 42 North Brewing 2024 Fondo Team Sep 26, 2024 Support our EA2EVL riders – Learn more about the trail You are invited to 42 North Brewing in East Aurora on Thursday, September 26th to raise a glass of your favorite beverage in support of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! 42 North will donate a portion of all beverages purchased between 6-9 p.m. to ECRT to help extend and improve the multiuse recreational trail that runs from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY. Join in the fun: Take a chance to win our split club raffle! Register to ride in the EA2EVL Fondo 42-mile charity bike ride on October 5 Browse or buy new ECRT gear Join ECRT as a contributing member Grab a bite to eat from Fat Bob’s! PLUS : ECRT Board members can answer questions and share maps and plans for the trail. 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

OP Depot Clean-Up 2023 < Back Spring is Here! Kathleen McCrone May 19, 2023 OP Depot Clean-Up 2023 Steve Williams, a wonderful and enthusiastic ECRT volunteer, managed to get several volunteers out on the trail near the OP Depot. Many workers make for lighter work and these worker bees spread several yards of mulch and made the area ready for Train Day on Saturday. We are so lucky to have so many volunteers. Fran Hogenkamp even used his tractor to help spread the mulch. Enjoy some photos from the day! 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