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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

Mike enjoyed a thirty-year career in the community/economic development profession. He held senior-level positions in seven different non-profit organizations in four different states. He successfully nurtured the growth and development of the organizations he headed and positively impacted the communities he served. He brings this background to the ECRT Board to help secure funding for the growth of the organization and for the achievement of ECRT’s Mission. < Back Michael R. Conway Mike enjoyed a thirty-year career in the community/economic development profession. He held senior-level positions in seven different non-profit organizations in four different states. He successfully nurtured the growth and development of the organizations he headed and positively impacted the communities he served. He brings this background to the ECRT Board to help secure funding for the growth of the organization and for the achievement of ECRT’s Mission. Previous Next

Grant awarded to assess the historic, high trestle Cascade Bridge spanning Cattaraugus Creek between the Towns of Concord and Ashford, and determine a cost estimate for a new decking design. < Back Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Awarded $278,800 EPF Grant through NYS Parks Deborah Stellrecht Dec 21, 2023 Grant awarded to assess the historic, high trestle Cascade Bridge spanning Cattaraugus Creek between the Towns of Concord and Ashford, and determine a cost estimate for a new decking design. (December 21, 2023) Orchard Park, N.Y.: In the latest round of the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Initiative awards, Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Inc. has been awarded an Environmental Protection Fund - Parks, Preservation and Heritage Grant of $278,800 through NYS Parks. These funds, along with a grant from the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation with support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation , as well as ECRT funds, will be used to assess the historic, high trestle Cascade Bridge spanning Cattaraugus Creek between the Towns of Concord and Ashford, and determine a cost estimate for a new decking design incorporating features based on public and stakeholder input. ECRT will also design and construct a trail approaching from the north to the bridge. This key bridge will be a highlight of the ECRT and future Southern Tier Trail. This award is the result of ECRT’s successful Cascade Bridge Planning and Trail Development Environmental Protection Fund grant application made to NYS through the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) . ECRT President Mary Brummer announced the award, stating, “This grant presents an exciting opportunity. The historic and architectural features of the Cascade Bridge provide a unique foundation on which to build. We look forward to working with the residents and elected officials in the Towns of Concord and Ashford to create a bridge design that our entire region will enjoy.” NYS Senator Partick M. Gallivan (R-C, Elma) announced , “This funding represents an investment in our regional assets and will enhance the experience for residents and visitors alike. I applaud the municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, and others for working in collaboration to identify these projects, which will promote growth, tourism and economic development.” “We are excited about the collaboration that has resulted in an amazing opportunity to reimagine the Cascade Bridge. We are thankful for the work of the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation to support this effort to create new opportunities for recreation, tourism, and economic development. This historic bridge and beautiful natural setting will provide an amazing connection between Erie and Cattaraugus Counties along the Southern Tier Trail,” said JJ Tighe, Director of Parks & Trails for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. From the 1850s through the 1870s, the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (BPRR) provided a direct route to and from the Pennsylvania coal mines. Passenger service began in the Buffalo division in 1883, and the railroad named some of its locomotives after the towns along its route; e.g. Ashford, Glenwood, Orchard Park, Springville, and West Valley. Passenger service became so popular, the railroad started offering multiple excursions to the Southern Tier. Cascade Park was known for its beautiful, natural setting. The bridge is 185 feet high and 780 feet long. Its 200-foot-high banks, caves, and waterfalls made it the perfect location for picnics and parties in the early 1900s. Passenger service came to an end on the division in 1955. Freight service continued into the 1960s. BPRR officially ceased service in 2008 and applied to the federal Surface Transportation Board for the ability to railbank 27 miles of the corridor from Orchard Park to Ashford. In 2018, ECRT acquired a long-term rail-banking lease which calls for the creation of a multiuse recreational trail along this former rail corridor. Previous Next

Springville trail and art supporters celebrate new works in Sculpture Alley. < Back “Sculpture Alley” Debuts on Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in Springville Mary Brummer Aug 4, 2023 Springville trail and art supporters celebrate new works in Sculpture Alley. Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) is showing its artistic side in the Village of Springville. In partnership with Springville Center for the Arts, ECRT commissioned Bennington sculptor J. Brian Pfeiffer of A Sculptor’s Soul studio to create the inaugural two sculptures for “Sculpture Alley”, a section of ECRT just north of Franklin Street behind the Peerless Winsmith building. “Incorporating materials reflecting this area’s industrial past into art along this section of the trail is a creative way to enhance the outdoor experience here,” said Seth Wochensky, Executive Director of Springville Center for the Arts, and originator of the “Sculpture Alley” concept in Springville. “The goal of ‘Sculpture Alley’ is to bring interactive art into an outdoor environment that is accessible to all,” said Mary Brummer, President of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. ECRT is a multi-use recreational trail on the corridor of the former Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad. The trail is open to all free of charge 365 days per year from dawn until dusk. J. Brian Pfeiffer has created two sculptures using his favored medium of poured concrete over a rebar frame. The first sculpture is an abstract figure of a traveler sitting on a platform next to a suitcase which holds a spinnable sphere painted as a world map. The figure is positioned as if peering down the tracks awaiting the arrival of a train. The second sculpture is a tall form with a spherical base from which emerges a straight shaft topped by a colorful disc, echoing historic railroad signaling gear. The art pieces are mounted on either side of the trail some distance from each other, so they may be appreciated as the trail user approaches and passes each one. The art is meant to be engaging and interactive, as people are invited to linger with the works and to touch them. ECRT President Mary Brummer, Sculptor J. Brian Pfeiffer, and SCA Executive Director Seth Wochensky celebrate new art installed in 'Sculpture Alley' along Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in Springville." The two sculptures were installed at the “Sculpture Alley” site in late July and were celebrated on August 4 as members of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail and Springville Center for the Arts gathered to thank J. Brian Pfeiffer for the creativity and sparkle that these works bring to the trail. As children climbed on one of the sculptures, Brian Pfeiffer noted, “To have an adult contemplate my artwork is wonderful, but to have a child run up to one of my sculptures and make it part of their adventure in that moment - now that is the ultimate reward!” This project is made possible with funds from the Expanding Access to Arts Funding in WNY, a regrant program of 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 the Cullen Foundation. "Springville art supporters and members of Springville Center for the Arts gather around one of the newly installed sculptures along Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail’s “Sculpture Alley” in the Village of Springville on August 4." Previous Next

Retzlaffs lend muscle power to trail clean up near Springville Depot < Back Springville Depot owners help with Trail clean up Dorothea Wattles Apr 16, 2024 Retzlaffs lend muscle power to trail clean up near Springville Depot When ECRT Trail Maintenance volunteers Dorothea Wattles and Dave Stahley started clearing storm debris from the trail near the Springville Depot, it became clear that their wheelbarrow wasn't the ideal choice for the volume of limbs and twigs that needed to be cleared up. Matt and Valerie Retzlaff, proprietors of the Springville Depot, came out to lend their hands and some additional hauling power to the operation! We thank them for their help and their enthusiasm for the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! Matt Retzlaff helps haul the debris out with his tractor and trailer. @eriecattaraugusrailtrail #eriecattaraugusrailtrail @springvilledepot #springvilledepot Previous Next