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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.

42 North & Ellicottville Brewing Company collaborated to create a unique beer celebrating the EA2EVL Fondo. < Back EA2EVL Pale Ale is here! Beth Lasky Jul 12, 2023 42 North & Ellicottville Brewing Company collaborated to create a unique beer celebrating the EA2EVL Fondo. 42 North Brewing Company & Ellicottville Brewing Company have collaborated to create a unique beer celebrating the EA2EVL Fondo , the 42-mile bike ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville which benefits the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. each year. ECRT board members helped out with the packaging in mid-July at 42 North in East Aurora, and had a great time! Get yours today in the taproom and look for this collab at local bars and on shelves at craft beer retailers from EA2EVL! Sign up to ride, volunteer or donate at https://www.givesignup.org/Race/NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo ! Previous Next

Orchard Park Donor Recognition Day Major donors to the Orchard Park Trail Fundraiser were honored with a special celebration and their names inscribed on the commemorative Donor rock. Year: 2023 Previous Next

Small but mighty crew clears debris on Rail Trail in Colden. < Back Colden Trail Cleaned Up Murray Covello Sep 21, 2023 Small but mighty crew clears debris on Rail Trail in Colden. Our volunteers used some serious elbow grease to clean up and clear out a section of the Rail Trail between Lower East Hill and Rt. 240 in Colden. They cut back brush, cleared deadfall, trimmed weeds and collected trash. We have the BEST volunteers and Board members. Thank you, Murray Covello, Kathleen McCrone, Tom Grogan, Dorothea Wattles and Dave Stahley! Dave Stahley Dorothea Wattles 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

Accomplished engineer and manager of teams of engineers and project managers for major industrial gas company. Project management included interfacing with many agencies, local governments and stakeholders for routing and permitting of pipeline systems. Now enjoying using these skills for non profit work in Western New York. Gary is an avid skier in winter; sails, golfs and cycles in summer; and enjoys keeping up with 5+ grandchildren in addition to his non-profit work. < Back Gary Koeppel Accomplished engineer and manager of teams of engineers and project managers for major industrial gas company. Project management included interfacing with many agencies, local governments and stakeholders for routing and permitting of pipeline systems. Now enjoying using these skills for non profit work in Western New York. Gary is an avid skier in winter; sails, golfs and cycles in summer; and enjoys keeping up with 5+ grandchildren in addition to his non-profit work. Previous Next

September 10, 1948 - October 15, 2024 < Back Remembering Jim Slominski Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Oct 22, 2024 September 10, 1948 - October 15, 2024 Jim grew up near train tracks. “I was fascinated with anything that had to do with trains. When we lived on Liberty Drive off Taylor Road, I could watch trains come and go from our family room.” ECRT relied on Board member and volunteer Jim Slominski for his deep knowledge and dedication to preserving railroad history. As a trustee of the Western New York Railroad Historical Society and chair of the Orchard Park Depot Committee, Jim became involved with ECRT due to a primary interest in preserving the integrity of the former Buffalo-Pittsburg Railroad right-of-way. After joining the ECRT Board of Directors in 2012, Jim was pleased with the trail’s noticeable, significant progress in recent years, especially to see the newly completed section open up in June 2023, connecting the trail to the depot. “It will have an enormous, positive effect on the Village,” Jim declared then. “You’ll see people using the trail on a regular basis to come to the Village to visit the library, to shop or to attend events. I predict we’ll see a lot more interest in and activity around depot which, of course, we welcome!” Jim certainly will be remembered as a generous, supportive ECRT Board member and central figure with the WNYRHS. He was instrumental in getting the OP Depot renovated and opening it up to community groups, especially to ECRT. He was instrumental in getting the OP Depot renovated and opening it up to community groups, and greatly aided in the completion of the OP Village trail. Jim quietly made good things happen. Jim’s quiet presence and steadfast support will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him - at the Depot, on the trail and at ECRT events. https://www.lombardofuneralhome.com/tributes/James-Slominski Previous Next

Share your feedback by September 18th! < Back West Falls NY Forward Feedback Form Deb Fenn Sep 5, 2024 Share your feedback by September 18th! Thank you to each of you who were able to make it to the 2nd West Falls NY Forward Public Workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 4th. More than 50 attended! In addition to residents having the in-person opportunity to evaluate the 14 projects currently under consideration, there is an online project feedback form that residents can complete. The form will remain open until September 18th . Visit the project website at https://www.westfallsnyforward.com/ and select the Project Feedback button, or scan the QR code below. Previous Next

Project will construct a 1.5-mile extension of the trail through West Falls hamlet center < Back ECRT Project in West Falls Awarded NY Forward Funds Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail May 23, 2025 Project will construct a 1.5-mile extension of the trail through West Falls hamlet center ECRT is thrilled to be among the 7 Aurora Projects awarded funding from the recently announced $4.5M NY Forward award!! The projects include: Expand Programming Capacity of the West Falls Center for the Arts ($1,245,000): Enhance the programming services provided through interior and exterior upgrades to the Center for the Arts along with the construction of an art trail and outdoor performance stage and pavilion. Expand Capacity at the Blueberry Treehouse Farm ($784,000): Adaptively reuse a historic general store by converting it into retail space and five apartment units, while improving parking and accessibility to the Blueberry Treehouse Farm. Transform Veterans Park, West Falls-Colden Library and West Falls Community Playground into Local Destinations ($758,000): Enhance three existing public spaces in the hamlet center that will establish new pedestrian connections, expand the total area of green space and create new family-friendly recreation. Reinvent the West Falls Depot ($725,000): Restore a historic 1917 train depot into a mixed-use development with trailside commercial space and short-term lodging. Building Access to West Falls by Converting a Rail Corridor into a Multi-Use Trail ($420,000): Construct a 1.5-mile extension of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail from Jewettville through the West Falls hamlet center. Artist's rendering of ECRT's NY Forward Project to develop the trail through West Falls to the West Falls Historical Train Depot. Preserve the Dog Bar ($392,000): Preserve and enhance the only existing dining establishment in West Falls with upgraded interior and exteriors along with new outdoor dining space. Celebrate Local Flavor at the Florence Market ($176,000): Transform a mixed-use building into a vibrant, go-to spot for fresh produce, artisan goods and daily essentials, featuring a stylish facelift with new siding, lighting and a mural. Full announcement at: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-22-transformational-projects-western-new-york-part-downtown-0 . Previous Next

Board of Directors Mary Brummer President Orchard Park mbrummer@ecattrail.org Veterinarian, Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center (Retired) Read more Gary Koeppel Vice-President Orchard Park gkoeppel@ecattrail.org Praxair, Associate Director of Pipeline Engineering (Retired) Read more Steve Musso Treasurer East Aurora smusso@ecattrail.org FinPro- COO (retired) Past Board Member and Treasurer of The Graycliff Conservancy (Retired) Read more Gerald F. Reger Secretary Hamburg jreger@ecattrail.org Sole Proprietor – Professional Accounting and Consulting Services Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo – Chief Financial Officer/ Chief Administrative Officer (Retired) Dopkins & Company, LLP – Partner (Retired) Read more Michael R. Conway Director Orchard Park mconway@ecattrail.org Past Executive Director: Mahoning Valley and Adirondack Economic Development Corporations Read more Dale Morris Director East Aurora dmorris@ecattrail.org Director of Geographic Information Services (Retired) Erie County Department of Environmental Planning Read more Murray Covello Director Orchard Park mcovello@ecattrail.org Praxair – Global Supply Systems Leader (Retired) Past Board Member and Board Chair of Greater Buffalo Chapter of American Red Cross (Retired) Read more Deb Stellrecht Director West Falls dstellrecht@ecattrail.org Website content, Communications/IT Support Read more Lisa Rood Director Boston lrood@ecattrail.org Former Town of Boston Supervisor Current Chair of Boston Zoning Board Consultant for Older Adult Programs – Hamburg United Methodist Church Read more Howy Holmes Director Orchard Park hholmes@ecattrail.org President, Friends of Birdsong Highway Contractor (Retired) 716-983-3605 Read more Kathleen McCrone Director Orchard Park kmccrone@ecattrail.org Marketing and Account Management (Retired) Read more Dorothea Wattles Director Colden dwattles@ecattrail.org Educator – Orchard Park Schools (Retired) Read more John Landi Director Orchard Park jlandi@ecattrail.org Business Data and Analytics Manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP Read more Lauren Weber Director Orchard Park lweber@ecattrail.org Attorney, Phillips Lytle, LLP Read more Marc Romanowski Director Orchard Park mromanowski@ecattrail.org Partner, Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC Environmental/Brownfields, Land/Use Zoning, Energy, Municipal, Administrative and Litigation Attorney Read more Francis Hogenkamp Director Orchard Park fhogenkamp@ecattrail.org Optician, Owner & Administrator of Hogenkamp Optics in Orchard Park Orchard Park Village Board member for 20+ years Major fundraiser for restoration of the Orchard Park BR & P Train Depot Read more Dan Barone Director West Seneca dbarone@ecattrail.org Computer/Data Analysis Read more Nicole Avitahl-Curtis Director Orchard Park navitahl-curtis@ecattrail.org Microbiology, Community Engagement Read more Michael Bowen Director Hamburg, NY mbowen@ecattrail.org Retired Senior VP, Enterprise Data & Analytics Operations, M& T Bank Read more Deb Fenn Past President, Director Emeritus Aurora dfenn@ecattrail.org Former communications executive, history teacher and ECRT president. Read more

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