An archive of ECRT News articles prior to 2023. News Archive 2023 01.01.2023 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Welcomes New Board President 2022 10.18.2022 Riders in Charity Event Raise $50,000 for Rail Trail 06.16.2022 Town Issues Support for Rail to Trail Efforts in Aurora 06.16.2022 Volunteers Clean Rail Trail on National Trails Day 04.13.2022 ECRT Inc. Retains Local Design Firm for Rail Trail Plan: Nussbaumer & Clarke to Develop Plan for 3.5 mile Orchard Park Section 2021 11.01.2021 Newsletter 10.14.2021 Inaugural Bike Ride Raises $50,000 For Nonprofit 07.29.2021 Girl Scouts community Project Benefits Rail Trail in Orchard Park 06.17.2021 ECRT volunteers clean up trail on National Trails Day 06.05.2021 National Trails Day 05.13.2021 Fundraising Event to Benefit Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail 04.01.2021 Key Orchard Park benefactors of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Gather in Springville 2020 10.08.2020 Bike Raffle Winners Announced 08.27.2020 ECRT Fundraiser Set for Sept. 12 08.13.2020 OP Section Opening 2019 01.23.19 Rails to Trail Conservancy 01.15.19 Buffalo News Everybody's Column: Linear Park is Beneficial to Our Region 01.07.19 Buffalo News Editorial: Trails are Safer Than Abandoned Rail Beds 2018 12.20.18 Orchard Park Bee: Editorial 09.13.18 Springville Times: Rail Trail Development Gets Boost Following Agreement Signing 09.10.18 Springville Journal: Erie Catt Rail Trail Secures Agreement 09.06.18 Erie County Legislator John Mills Support Rail Banking Agreement 08.30.18 East Aurora Advertiser: Local Rail Trail Secures Agreement 08.26.18 Buffalo News Editorial: Rail-to-Trail Projects Benefit Communities 08.23.18 Orchard Park Bee: Rail Banking Agreement Paves Way for 27-mile Southtowns Trail 08.17.18 WBFO FM-88: Work to Begin On WNY'S Longest Rail Trail 08.17.18 Buffalo News: 27-mile Trail On Old Rail Line to Link Ashford, Orchard Park 08.06.18 ECRT, Inc., Secures Long-Term Rail Banking Agreement With Buffalo Pittsburgh Railroad 2017 01.15.17 WBFO FM 88.7 ECRT Co-Chair Interviewed Regarding Gov. Cuomo's Proposed NYS Trail Syste m 2016 11.25.16 The Buffalo News endorses the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail 09.14.16 Springville Section of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail to Open October 5 2015 07.09.15 Change of Leadership at ECRT Sees Group Rolling Ahead on Trail Development 2014 03.05.14 ECRT Awarded Mini-Grant from Parks and Trails New York 2013 11.09.13 ECRT is Featured on WGRZ Channel 2, Buffalo 02.15.13 ECRT Awarded grant from Parks & Trails New York 01.15.13 ECRT Awarded Mini-grant from Parks and Trails New York 2012 01.15.12 Annual Newsletter Released 2011  06.02.11 Is this Springville's Own Golden Tourism Opportunity? 05.30.11 Trail Use Benefits Even Harshest Critics 05.24.11 Trails Deserve Support Because of Many Public Benefits 02.06.11 Springville Winter Trail Walk to be Held Sat. Feb. 19, 2011 2010 02.18.10 ECRT Awarded Grants from Parks and Trails New York 2009 10.01.09 Famed Timpanist Shares Trail Success Story with ECRT 05.20.09 Orchard Park Residents Show Strong Trail Support 02.06.09 Orchard Park Press: OP Better Off with 'Official' Rail Trail 02.02.09 Village of Springville Passes Resolution in Favor of Trail

This will be an interactive session to gather feedback and ideas from the general public. < Back West Falls NY Forward Public Workshop 2 Josh Greene of La Bella PC Aug 21, 2024 This will be an interactive session to gather feedback and ideas from the general public. The 2nd West Falls NYF Public Workshop will be held Wednesday, September 4th at the Aurora Waldorf School - 525 W Falls Rd, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. The workshop will be an open house format with boards displaying each of the 14 projects currently under consideration for funding. Be sure to stop by whenever you're free to share your insights and feedback on these potentially transformational projects! An online project feedback form will also be made available following the workshop on the West Falls New York Forward website ( https://www.westfallsnyforward.com/ ). Members of the public are encouraged to attend the workshop in-person on the 4th, however, those who cannot attend will be able to utilize this online feedback form. Stay tuned for more updates on how to complete the online form in the coming weeks. Previous Next

We're so grateful for your support, donations, and helping hands! < Back ECRT Thanks you Mary Brummer Nov 28, 2024 We're so grateful for your support, donations, and helping hands! Developing 27 miles of railbanked trail is a huge undertaking, but a joy to do when sharing it with friends and family. Each improved section is a thrill to behold and so satisfying when it functions as an asset to the community. Many thanks to you, our ECRT friends, as we make our trail dreams come true! Happy Thanksgiving to you, with our gratitude, Mary Brummer, President Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail 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

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

Volunteer spotlight on Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail neighbors and volunteers, Larry and Gretel Laing. 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! More volunteers

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

Small but enthusiastic group braves the damp, chilly weather! < Back Spring Trail Walk in East Concord Mary Carol Dearing, Tim Bienkowski Apr 13, 2024 Small but enthusiastic group braves the damp, chilly weather! Mary Carol Dearing, leader of ECRT's Springville-Concord Friends group, leads the way on a guided southbound walk on the trail from Genesee Rd to Sharp St. Along way, the walkers shared in friendly conversation and a little local history. Thanks to Tim Bienkowski and Mary Carol Dearing for the photographs of the day. You can view them all at https://photos.app.goo.gl/DAyA3xFbD33ZrU8T7 . Previous Next

Business Data and Analytics Manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP < Back John Landi Business Data and Analytics Manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP Previous Next

Our Board of Directors Future Trail

Multiuse trail now open from the Depot to Jewett-Holmwood Road. < Back New section of Rail Trail Opened in Orchard Park Village! Debbie Stellrecht Jun 17, 2023 Multiuse trail now open from the Depot to Jewett-Holmwood Road. Thank you to ECRT volunteers and supporters who made it possible to open another 1.3 miles of multiuse recreational trail in the Village of Orchard Park on June 17th! What a gratifying day with so many incredible, supportive, positive people who loved being able to enjoy a sunny walk or ride on a beautifully surfaced, safe trail! The trail is now open from dawn until dusk daily for pedestrians and bicycles. Let's keep the trail safe for everyone A reminder that the trail is off limits to motorized vehicles. Violators will be prosecuted. If you see a motorized vehicle on the trail, please contact your local non-emergency police or sheriff office and provide a description of the vehicle and driver, the location and the direction of travel. With your help, we can keep the trail safe and pleasant for everyone's use. Thank you! Report other trail issues to our maintenance volunteers using this online form . Previous Next

Deb has enjoyed a varied career, owing to a curiosity about everything! She served for 5 years in the Canadian Air Force as an Avionics Technician, then went on to do work in the fields of Technical writing, computer programming and web design. In 2013 she took a break from IT to manage the office end of her home parish of St. George in West Falls. Deb retired from the parish when it closed in 2024. She continues to work part-time as a medical receptionist in Orchard Park. Deb believes that time spent in nature is essential to our spiritual, mental and physical wellbeing, and she enjoys running the open portions of the trail whenever possible. Her goal is to do everything she can to increase financial support for trail improvements and community engagement with the ECRT organization. < Back Deb Stellrecht Deb has enjoyed a varied career, owing to a curiosity about everything! She served for 5 years in the Canadian Air Force as an Avionics Technician, then went on to do work in the fields of Technical writing, computer programming and web design. In 2013 she took a break from IT to manage the office end of her home parish of St. George in West Falls. Deb retired from the parish when it closed in 2024. She continues to work part-time as a medical receptionist in Orchard Park. Deb believes that time spent in nature is essential to our spiritual, mental and physical wellbeing, and she enjoys running the open portions of the trail whenever possible. Her goal is to do everything she can to increase financial support for trail improvements and community engagement with the ECRT organization. Previous Next