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Recently retired, Murray spent his entire career at Praxair and its former parent company, Union Carbide. Following college in 1981, he joined Union Carbide Plastics and Chemicals in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada as a project engineer. After assignments in plant operations and new product production at that facility, he transferred to the gases division in Toronto. This eventually became Praxair Inc. and Murray held assignments in operations, maintenance, plant operations, facilities planning, and sales before becoming Managing Director for Canada in 1999. In 2002, he transferred to the Tonawanda, New York technical center to assume responsibility for North American industrial gas operations. His next assignment in 2005 was President of Praxair Asia, based in Shanghai, China with accountability for the South Korea, China, Thailand, and India regions. He returned to the United States in 2009, again based in Tonawanda, to lead the global operations and procurement groups and, subsequently, to lead the Global Supply Systems (GSS) group that was responsible for the development, design, project management, and construction of the non-hydrogen facilities for Praxair. Murray held this role from 2010 to 2015 until his retirement. Murray received a BASc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and an MBA from York University (Toronto). < Back Murray Covello Recently retired, Murray spent his entire career at Praxair and its former parent company, Union Carbide. Following college in 1981, he joined Union Carbide Plastics and Chemicals in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada as a project engineer. After assignments in plant operations and new product production at that facility, he transferred to the gases division in Toronto. This eventually became Praxair Inc. and Murray held assignments in operations, maintenance, plant operations, facilities planning, and sales before becoming Managing Director for Canada in 1999. In 2002, he transferred to the Tonawanda, New York technical center to assume responsibility for North American industrial gas operations. His next assignment in 2005 was President of Praxair Asia, based in Shanghai, China with accountability for the South Korea, China, Thailand, and India regions. He returned to the United States in 2009, again based in Tonawanda, to lead the global operations and procurement groups and, subsequently, to lead the Global Supply Systems (GSS) group that was responsible for the development, design, project management, and construction of the non-hydrogen facilities for Praxair. Murray held this role from 2010 to 2015 until his retirement. Murray received a BASc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and an MBA from York University (Toronto). Previous Next

ECRT 's NEW Membership Program starting August 1st! < Back ECRT Launches Membership Program Membership Committee Jul 31, 2024 ECRT 's NEW Membership Program starting August 1st! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6zxCzqTRMw ECRT is excited to announce a NEW Membership Program! As we continue to advance our fundraising efforts to meet our financial goals and complete the development of the trail for the benefit of all users, we have developed a new membership program that offers our contributing supporters tangible benefits in return for their financial support of the trail. These benefits will allow our members to be more actively engaged in ECRT progress and trail-related events. Below are the new Membership levels and their benefits. Individual: $30 Annually ECRT Car magnet - to show you are a supporter of the Trail. We hope that the additional benefits you’ll now receive for a contributing membership will be an incentive to click the button below and sign up for your New and improved! ECRT Membership. Limited Special Benefit: If you sign up during our initial Membership Drive, between now and October 5, 2024 , you will also receive a fun ECRT water bottle koozie to hold your beverage while you walk around on or off the trail . (1 per household) Individual participation in Member-exclusive trail activities such as walks, bike rides, Railroad history talks, etc. Early Access to ECRT's Email Newsletter Early Sign up for ECRT Events: EA2EVL FONDO ride, Trail walks, etc. "Trail Talk", a Winter Member meeting with light refreshments Family: $50 Annually (all must reside in same household) All the benefits of Individual membership, plus : Entire Family household can participate in Member-exclusive trail events Early Sign up for ECRT Family friendly events for children, etc. Patron: $100 Annually All the benefits of Family membership, plus : Recognition: Special recognition in the ECRT's Annual Report. (optional) Exclusive options to have a sneak peek at unopened sections of the trail Exclusive option for the 1st walking tour of newly opened sections of the trail Entry into a drawing to be Grand Marshal at the Fondo Entry into ECRT raffles for exciting prizes Benefactor: $250 Annually All the benefits of Patron membership, plus : Guided VIP tour of a specific trail section or points of interest, with reception to follow with ECRT Board Members Recognition: On special section of ECRT website (optional) Sponsor: $1000 Annually All the benefits of Benefactor membership, plus : Invitation to an exclusive Sponsor thank-you event with the ECRT's leadership Recognition: Your name at a prominent location along the trail - showing your support (optional) We hope that the additional benefits you’ll now receive for a contributing membership will be an incentive to click the Join Now button and sign up for your New and improved! ECRT Membership. With our gratitude for your support, Mary Brummer, President Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Or go to www.ecattrail.org/join to sign up online. Have questions? Email us at info@ecattrail.org . Previous Next

We're busy planning our next event. Check back soon! < Back Stay tuned! Deborah Stellrecht Apr 26, 2025 We're busy planning our next event. Check back soon! Previous Next

Orchard Park Friends of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) got together for a group walk of the open trail section from Ellicott Road to Jewett-Holmwood Road on Saturday, March 25th. < Back Orchard Park Friends Walk Deborah Stellrecht Mar 27, 2023 Orchard Park Friends of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) got together for a group walk of the open trail section from Ellicott Road to Jewett-Holmwood Road on Saturday, March 25th. Orchard Park Friends of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) got together for a group walk of the open trail section from Ellicott Road to Jewett-Holmwood Road on Saturday, March 25th. They met up with a good number of ECRT Board members, Railroad historians and other walkers and friends at the Orchard Park Train Depot for refreshments, a few trail etiquette reminders, and welcoming words by Mary Brummer, President of the ECRT organization. Local officials Matt Hartung, Deputy Mayor of Orchard Park Village, and Scott Honer, Orchard Park Town Councilman, were there to participate in the walk as well. Prior to heading out to the trail, Mary Brummer updated everyone with some highlights of ECRT’s recently finalized 3 year Strategic Plan for future development and enhancement of several sections of the rail corridor, particularly in the Orchard Park and West Falls neighborhoods, with much of the funding for the Orchard Park improvements coming from OP residents and supporters of the trail through a very successful fundraising drive throughout 2021-2022, culminating with the EA2EVL Fondo on October 1, 2022. Walkers were then loaded into volunteers’ cars and shuttled to the Ellicott Road trail entrance. The winds were gusting that morning, but the rains mercifully stopped for the duration of the hour-long outing! Everyone was by the stroll in nature and conversation with friends, old and new. Special thanks to the leader of the OP Friends of the Trail, Nicole Avitahl-Curtis, and her volunteer helpers for organizing this event. ECRT is grateful to all who support the trail by volunteering, donating, spreading the word to friends and supporting our efforts to improve outdoor recreational opportunities for everyone in our community. If you’re interested in becoming a friend of the trail, to be notified by email of future walks and events in your neighborhood, sign up at https://www.ecattrail.org/join . Previous Next

Celebrate Earth Day with a walk, bike or run on the trail today < Back Happy Earth Day! ECRT Apr 22, 2024 Celebrate Earth Day with a walk, bike or run on the trail today Share your earth day activity or simply what you love about the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! Email your photos or comments to info@ecattrail.org and you might see them shared on our website or social channels! Previous Next

Deb Fenn Howy Holmes Howy Holmes ( affectionately known as "Mr. Orchard Park") is a lifelong resident of Orchard Park. His home, built in 1861, was originally located along Quaker Field Stables and was owned by Harry Yates, who, among other accomplishments, was a principal with Buffalo & Pittsburgh RR and instrumental in the design and construction of the OP Depot. Howy’s parents bought about an acre or so of property from Yates and moved the historic house to its current location at Bridle Path and Freeman Rd. Howy and wife Dorothy later purchased the home from his mother in 1982 where they raised their family and continue to live today. “I went from sleeping in the kid’s bedroom to the master bedroom – about 30 feet down the hall,” he quipped. Howy attended OP HS and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in finance from Miami Florida. There he met his wife Dorothy, in the last few days of his college career and her master’s program. He then joined the Navy reserves and served from 1966 – 1968. He and Dorothy married in 1972. Together, they raised 2 children, now grown: a daughter Chandra who lives near St. Louis, and son Tyler, who lives nearby in Amherst. After college, Howy decided to join the family’s highway construction business, Holmes & Murphy, established in 1917 by his grandfather. His wealth of experience in design and construction has been invaluable to Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, and the board continues to rely on him and his considerable expertise. Throughout his adult life, Howy has been an active and avid community supporter. People often refer to Howy as ‘Mr. Orchard Park”, and rightly so! His affiliations and accolades include Orchard Park Citizen of the Year (2004), member and President of the Orchard Park Chamber of Commerce, Co-President of the Orchard Park Historical Society, President of the Quaker Friends Cemetery, board member of the Buffalo Ski Club and Hickory Hill Swim & Tennis Club, and a charter member of the Orchard Park Council of the Arts – the organization that built the Orchard Park Pavilion. “I was ‘Person of the Year’ in 2006 in Time Magazine,” he says, half-jokingly. “Just Google it.” [That was the year Time noted every citizen in that category!] Howy is also known to be a frequent attendee at Town board meetings. “I’m interested in what’s going on. You have to read the local paper and follow what’s happening in your hometown. It’s important. How else can you make good decisions? You need to support and sometimes question your local officials. That’s democracy.” Howy has been involved with Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail since its inception. “I mow, walk the trail in Orchard Park pretty frequently, take on maintenance jobs and participate in design and development. The new section [of the trail in Orchard Park] is so important. It links residents to the library, the depot and all the village has to offer. It’s such a great asset for the town and village. And this is just the beginning!” June 1, 2023 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

How is our Membership Drive progressing? < Back Membership Drive Status Deborah Stellrecht Sep 5, 2024 How is our Membership Drive progressing? https://video.wixstatic.com/video/0373ea_cf115ce3536844b08bc6a201d958aacb/720p/mp4/file.mp4 Previous Next

A small but keen group got together last week to spruce things up! < Back Volunteers Beautify Orchard Park Depot Grounds Kathleen McCrone Jul 13, 2025 A small but keen group got together last week to spruce things up! A small but keen group got together last week to refresh the mulch around the evergreen trees at the OP Depot. ECRT thanks the volunteers for their labor and the OP Village Department of Public Works for the mulch. We're told that fun was had by all! Previous Next

Partner, Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC Environmental/Brownfields, Land/Use Zoning, Energy, Municipal, Administrative and Litigation Attorney < Back Marc Romanowski Partner, Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC Environmental/Brownfields, Land/Use Zoning, Energy, Municipal, Administrative and Litigation Attorney Previous Next

Join us for a friendraiser at 42 North Brewing Company! < Back EA2EVL Fondo Friendraiser 2025 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Sep 23, 2025 Join us for a friendraiser at 42 North Brewing Company! Join us at 42 North Brewing Company for some pre-Fondo festivities, and enjoy some food and a beer with friends and family. 42 North is donating $1 to ECRT for every beer sold between 6-8 pm! We'll have raffles, register more riders for the Fondo, hand out trail info, and share our excitement for the upcoming ride! Location: 42 North Brewing Company: 25 Pine St., East Aurora, NY 14052 Previous Next

Walk the Trail! Prizes & Candy! Photo-Op with the Easter Bunny < Back West Falls Easter Egg Hunt 2025 Lisa Rood Apr 12, 2025 Walk the Trail! Prizes & Candy! Photo-Op with the Easter Bunny Register your little ones to have fun on the trail, collect Easter eggs, and have their photo taken with the Easter bunny! Egg supplies are limited, so please sign up at https://westfallsegghunt2025.eventbrite.com/ . Previous Next

We would love to work with you!  < Back ECRT Needs YOU! Mary Brummer, ECRT President Mar 10, 2024 We would love to work with you! Photo by Amer Mughawish on Unsplash ECRT is a vibrant, energetic group of volunteers on a mission to build a Southtowns recreational trail for all to enjoy. Do you see yourself in a leadership role as this project proceeds? We would love to work with you! We're especially interested in people who want to volunteer their skills in these areas: Communications: Photography, especially at events. Social media and newsletter content creation. Community Engagement: Hold m eetings to update the public and to receive feedback. Development Director: Seek funding to build the trail. Event Planner: Plan and prepare fundraising events. Grant Writer: We have a great team in place, but we're happy to have helping hands. Membership/CRM Assistant: A newer initiative for ECRT - help us build and engage our membership and maintain a Membership management program. Construction Project Manager: Segments of the trail are built as funding is acquired. If any one of these roles appeals to you and you have the skills to offer, please contact us at 716-771-2453 or email info@ecattrail.org and let's discuss it in more detail. We'll provide you with excellent mentorship. Come join us on Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! Previous Next