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So many ways that YOU can help! < Back Fondo Volunteers Needed Deborah Stellrecht Aug 24, 2023 So many ways that YOU can help! We n eed volunteers to help out with our EA2EVL FONDO 42-mile charity bike ride on September 30th. Volunteer tasks include: Start assistants: Help with registration and Start area of event at 42 North Brewery in East Aurora. Includes handing out registration packets, event giveaways, and associated items. Course Pointers: Help ensure participants remain on-course, particularly in potentially confusing intersections, sometimes calling out instructions in potentially confusing locations along the route. Water stops: Provide water and snacks to riders, answer questions and cheer them on! Finish line assistants: Help in handing out food, water, and Gatorade, answer rider questions and help with clean-up of finish area. As a small token of our appreciation for helping with the ride, you'll receive a ride t-shirt, as well as drink and food tickets to the after ride party at Holiday Valley. Past years' volunteers' tell us that it's also a great time! Please sign up at our website today to help us make the ride a safe and fun one for all riders! https://www.givesignup.org/.../NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo . Can't volunteer? Donate! Every little bit helps! Previous Next

Deb Fenn Larry and Gretel Laing For over 50 years, Larry and Gretel Laing have called West Falls home. They raised their four children there and welcomed seven grandchildren as well as nine great-grandchildren to their lovely spot adjacent to Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. For many years, Larry worked for Thruway Builders at both their Orchard Park and Cheektowaga locations. He later retired from Sorento Cheese (now Lactalis American). In addition to raising children, Gretel found time to work for physician’s offices in the Southtowns. When they first learned Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail had become managers of the former rail corridor located behind their home, and that plans were in the works to build a trail, they were apprehensive, to say the least. “Our property backs right up to the railroad, and we were against it. We thought the worst. What about our privacy? What about safety?” Like so many people on trails across the country, Larry and Gretel soon found they had nothing to fear and, in fact, they 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. It’s like having your own private nature path.” Larry, meanwhile, keeps busy mowing and maintaining the trail. “I keep the section behind us clear, and then I’ll mow all the way from Old Glenwood to the West Falls Depot. It’s a nice walk, and we meet such nice people on the trail. You see folks walking with their dogs and with their kids. It’s good for wildlife, too. It’s been wonderful.” The couple would like to see the surface improved in the future so even more people can enjoy walking and biking on the trail. Larry, meanwhile, could use our help. “My legs aren’t what they used to be, and so I’m looking to get ahold of a used golf cart for trail maintenance.” So, here’s a shout-out to our readers — let’s help Larry find that golf cart! October 1, 2023 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

Find answers to frequently asked questions regarding Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Frequent Questions Just the Facts Become a trail expert. More Info General Questions Learn more about the future trail, how it's anticipated to be built and maintained, and more. More Info Trail Users Discover which uses are anticipated for the trail at this time as well as details on when and how you can explore the trail in the future. More Info Trail Neighbors Specifically for our neighbors with property adjacent to the rail corridor, get answers to specific questions about privacy, safety/security, liability, home values, and more. More Info

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

Volunteers needed for Springville trail clean-up < Back Springville Trail Clean Up Deborah Stellrecht May 20, 2025 Volunteers needed for Springville trail clean-up Friends, let’s get our hands dirty! Bring a shovel, rake (preferably metal), clippers, garden gloves or whatever you have and come to the Springville Depot’s 1st annual Spring Rail Trail garbage and brush clean-up! We will be getting the trail summer-ready while helping to improve water flow in the ditch across from the Depot. Do as much or as little as you are able to, and no experience is needed! Please sign up here to let us know you're coming. We look forward to seeing you there! We'll gather at the Depot’s rear parking lot and barn at 10 am on Saturday, May 24th , and work until noon. We'll have water and snacks for you! Let's work together to keep our trail beautiful and safe! Thank you, Mary Brummer, President Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Previous Next

Debbie Stellrecht Mary Brummer Mary Brummer got involved with ECRT not long after her retirement in 2017 from 33 fulfilling years as a small animal veterinarian in Orchard Park. She finally had time to pursue her varied and numerous interests, but she carefully considered where she wanted to commit her newfound free time. Mary was aware that there was an effort underway to get the rail trail developed as a multi use recreational trail, but she could not find any news about the endeavor, so she approached the OP Recreation department, and discovered that a Rail Trail group was meeting every month in the basement of the Municipal building. Mary attended her first Board meeting there in January 2018 and she was impressed by the energy of that initial group of 10 people actively seeking ways to make the trail a reality. Everyone there had creative ideas, as well as the vision and attitude that they were going to “make this happen”, and Mary decided that she wanted to be a part of that. One of the Board members organized an overnight trip to the Pine Creek Rail Trai l near Coudersport, PA. Mary and then-president Anne Bergantz rode the trail for two and a half hours, talking about the organization and its history, and Anne really brought Mary “into the fold”. The group of 12 spent a day riding, visiting, eating and relaxing on the trail. Many small businesses had popped up along the trail’s path, especially in the village centers, and it made a huge impression upon her. The Pine Creek Rail Trail embodies for Mary what she envisions the ECRT Cattaraugus Rail Trail being someday. Mary was asked to be the group’s secretary. She also worked on the group’s Governance Team with the intent to firm up the Board’s structure, define best practices, develop standard operating procedures for a land trust, avoid conflicts of interest, improve record-keeping, and set parameters for elections and term limits of Board members. Mary grew up in Snyder, the “middle” daughter surrounded by five brothers. She attended Mount St. Joseph Academy and studied Biology at UB. No career path “lit her up” until she browsed through a catalog of careers in the school Guidance office and “Veterinarian” really appealed to her. She visited a veterinary hospital to learn more about the field, eventually working part-time at the Amherst Animal Hospital, where she learned to love the “small business family” way of operating. She graduated as a general veterinary practitioner from Cornell University, which is where she met her husband, David. David is more recently retired, too, from his career as a specialist in veterinary internal medicine. David and Mary have two grown children, and two grandchildren. Mary loves to garden and has been in the Orchard Park Garden Club for many years. She learned the intricacies of being a flower show judge, going on to become President of the Judges Council. This was a huge commitment of time that required her to combine her creativity, science and horticultural skills as well as a fair bit of engineering to not only design floral pieces, but Floral Design workshops as well. Active in her church for the past 30 years, she chairs the Worship team, with the goal of making services more creative and engaging. Mary played the flute during her school years but set it aside until an aunt’s passing, when she was encouraged to play the flute at her aunt’s funeral service. That special experience led her to resume taking lessons, and forming a flute quartet that plays in public several times a year. “A day that I can play just feels like it has more value,” Mary says. Mary shares her husband’s goal to be always curious about the world, feeling that it is a life force that provides us opportunities to grow, create and explore until life’s end. She 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. She’s inspired to make it a reality to one day take her grandchildren for a bike ride on the trail in Orchard Park, and perhaps enjoy a “sculpture alley” or a “pollinator garden” along the way. April 1, 2023 Written by: Debbie Stellrecht Previous Next < Back

Former communications executive, history teacher and ECRT president, Deb has been an advocate for and board member of the trail since its inception. "When finished, this multi-use trail will be a safe, spectacularly beautiful place for south towns' residents to bike, hike and so much more. It also will bring welcome economic benefits to every town and village it traverses." < Back Deb Fenn Former communications executive, history teacher and ECRT president, Deb has been an advocate for and board member of the trail since its inception. "When finished, this multi-use trail will be a safe, spectacularly beautiful place for south towns' residents to bike, hike and so much more. It also will bring welcome economic benefits to every town and village it traverses." 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, st urdy 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

Browse more than 150 new products and save 15% on your purchases until August 21st. < Back New Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Merchandise Deborah Stellrecht Aug 15, 2024 Browse more than 150 new products and save 15% on your purchases until August 21st. We're excited to announce our NEW online store today - the ECRT Shop. There you'll find ECRT branded clothing items to suit anyone's style, mugs, stickers, water bottles and more. When you buy, you'll also be giving to the trail, because ECRT receives a percentage of each purchase! ecrt-shop.myspreadshop.com Previous Next

Beth Lasky Bill Krebs Bill Krebs, Mayor of Springville, advocates for the ECRT Trail The Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) has over 6,000 friends and supporters, but Springville Mayor Bill Krebs stands out from the rest! Bill first heard about the trail in 2008 when he read a news story that the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad was considering railbanking its 27-mile inactive rail line that runs from Orchard Park to Ashford, crossing right through the middle of Springville, NY. Seeing potential When Bill became the Mayor of Springville in 2006, the railroad had started to remove the ties and ballast on that line, but they never finished. “What they left was an industrial parking lot—an eye sore right in the middle of town.” Bill reported. “When I learned there was potential to turn that mess into a multi-use trail, I was definitely interested.” Advocating for the trail A retired schoolteacher and former Boy Scout leader, Bill knew to do his research. First, he checked out trails in other communities to see how a ‘rails to trails’ could benefit Springville. Then he investigated railbanking, and learned it was a program Congress enacted to keep rail corridors ready for future rail use, allowing them to be opened for interim use as trails. That same year, Ann Bergantz approached Bill about joining a new non-profit she was forming called ECRT to bring all 27-miles of this local trail to life. Bill became a huge advocate for trail development. He formed a committee of residents to explore the possibility of transforming the unused rail line into a multi-use trail. The Village Trustees participated in the trail design and its vision in their community. However, they became frustrated at the length of time it was taking for New York State Parks to secure a contract from the railroad. Because NYS Parks was busy developing the Genesee Valley Greenway, they turned the project over to Ann and the ECRT Board of Directors, which was a real turning point. “While the 49-year lease for all 27-miles took a few more years, ECRT helped us secure a simple ‘Right of Entry’ agreement for our 1.8 mile section, which we named The Pop Warner Trail after a local football hero ,” Bill stated. “That contract was signed in 2015, and then the real fun began.” Bringing the trail to life The Pop Warner Committee worked with ECRT to support the design of the trail. The Village Department of Public Works constructed the trail using millings as the surface. The project really took off when the committee secured a $12,000 grant from the Springville Griffith Institute Community Foundation, which they used to buy benches, tables, and signs. To add more amenities, local residents donated a kiosk, a library and trees, and Erie County funded signage at the intersection of the WNY Scenic Byway. At a Grand Opening Ceremony In 2016, Bill proudly cut the ribbon to the 1.8 mile Pop Warner section of the ECRT trail. In 2019, the open section was extended another three miles to Genesee Road. And while there is always more work to do improving the surface and signage, Bill could not be prouder. “I’m thrilled to see so many people on the trail hiking, dog-walking and biking year-round, with snowshoers, skiers and snowmobilers taking the trail into town in the winter ,” Bill said. “It’s a legacy trail, with so much potential for the future, linking to the Senior Center, the high school, Springville Field and the Stream Trout Pond. ” July 1, 2021 Written by: Beth Lasky Previous Next < Back

We'd love to see you - stop by the ECRT table at the after party! < Back Come see us at Skyride 190 Deborah Stellrecht Jul 20, 2025 We'd love to see you - stop by the ECRT table at the after party! Riding or volunteering for GOBike's 2025 Skyride 190 ride this Sunday, July 20th? We'll be there, too, and we'd love to see you! Look for us at the Lakeside Bash 9am-12 pm. Previous Next

About Us Organization: Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in September 2008. Membership includes individuals from communities adjoining the railbanked trail who are interested in the development and operation of the multi-use trail on the rail corridor. Mission: The mission of ECRT is to preserve the 27-mile Buffalo-Pittsburgh rail corridor and transform it into a multi-use recreational trail between Orchard Park and Ashford, New York, enhancing the quality of life in the Western New York community. Purpose: Public recreation – Provide opportunities for walking, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and nature observation along the abandoned rail corridor. We wish to provide an important recreational resource for Western New Yorkers and visitors to our region. Health, Education, and Resource Protection: P rotect and maintain the rail corridor as a natural and cultural resource. Our objectives include a desire to increase community knowledge of rail-to-trail related natural history and to encourage school participation in restoring, maintaining, and using the corridor for educational, recreational, job training, and community service activities. Economic Development: Stimulate economic development through the promotion of tourism and trail-related businesses. Core Valu es Dedication: The ECRT Board is a group of hard-working volunteers that is passionately committed to realizing a fully operational 27-mile multi use trail between Orchard Park and Ashford. The project is a significant challenge that will take several years and substantial financial resources to complete. The ECRT Board recognizes trail construction as a mandate of the Federal Rail Banking Agreement with the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad in accordance with the National Trail Act. Compassion: We realize that some community members have concerns about a multi use trail in their backyard or neighborhood. We are committed to listening to those concerns, and will work to the best of our ability to find practical solutions to realistic concerns whenever possible. Integrity: Honesty and credibility form the foundation on which relationships are built. We pledge to operate with integrity and transparency. Safety: We use sound management practices to ensure that the ECRT remains safe for trail users. These practices include trail allowable use and trail etiquette rules, trail monitors and patrollers, risk management efforts, effective signs and warning systems, emergency response plans, and a maintenance plan that limits safety risks from maintenance issues. Accountability: We will be exemplary stewards of the financial resources provided to us and will operate with efficiency and effectiveness in accomplishing our mission. Community: We focus on creating a valued community asset that connects people, encourages healthy and active lifestyles, and fosters community enhancements. We pledge to continue engaging with youth, elderly, service groups, and those with mobility challenges, to foster appreciation of the natural environment and outdoor activity. Our community-minded efforts include economic development opportunities in trail-adjacent communities by creating or improving community connectivity, promoting existing services and amenities currently available, supporting improvements to services and amenities, and aligning with local and regional plans to amplify economic revitalization efforts already in motion. Collaboration: Understanding and addressing community needs and concerns is central to our mission. Working together results in greater benefits for the trail, its users, and the community. We engage with community voices through user survey programs and visioning meetings. Listening sessions with potential trail users, governmental entities, first responders and other community organizations advance collaborative efforts. Equitable and Inclusive: We will include, benefit, and empower people of different views, experiences, and identities. We believe that every person regardless of race, gender, geography, income, age, ability, sexual orientation or expression or other status, deserves access to a free, accessible, and safe place to walk, bike, and to be active. We believe the ECRT will have the power to positively transform the communities it connects, along with the entire surrounding WNY community, by creating a joyful, safe, and vibrant public space that is equitable and inclusive. Primary Objectives Provide a safe place for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy nature and outdoor recreation. Preserve the historic former railroad corridor through adaptive reuse. Encourage economic and community development through trail-related activities while building closer, stronger connections within and across towns, villages and counties. Improve health and well-being in WNY. Future Trail Our Board of Directors