Let's celebrate this latest trail opening together! < Back Grand Opening of New Trail Section in Aurora Communications Sep 20, 2025 Let's celebrate this latest trail opening together! ECRT will open the newest Aurora section to the public with a ribbon-cutting and a trail walk or ride. Join us to celebrate the completion of the latest section of the ECRT trail, from Ellicott Road to Old Glenwood Road. Saturday, September 20th, 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon. Our Opening Ceremony will be hosted by The Quarry, a wedding venue located adjacent to Ellicott Road in West Falls (Across the road from Five Star Equipment). Look for the ECRT volunteers wearing yellow vests at the Ellicott Road entrance to direct you to the parking area. There's plenty of parking and restrooms are available at the site. Previous Next

Explore the Rail Trail in East Concord < Back Spring Trail Walk in East Concord Mary Carol Dearing Apr 13, 2024 Explore the Rail Trail in East Concord Mary Carol Dearing, leader of the Springville-Concord Friends of the rail trail, will lead you on a southbound walk on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, an out and back walk of 3-4 miles, depending on the group's interests. Meet in the Shamel Milling parking lot on Genesee Rd in East Concord for a 9:30 am start. Rain or shine, so dress for the weather and wear sturdy boots/hiking footwear. Register at https://EastConcordTrailWalk.eventbrite.com . Previous Next

110 bushes planted to celebrate Earth Day < Back Scouts Plant Bushes in Orchard Park Kathleen McCrone Apr 23, 2023 110 bushes planted to celebrate Earth Day We're grateful to Boy Scout Troop 411, Elaine Mainier, Murray Covello and Dorothea Wattles for organizing a planting day on April 23rd. The group planted about 110 bushes along the trail between Deer Run and Curley Drive in Orchard Park. Everyone worked very hard and had a great time! Thank you! https://video.wixstatic.com/video/0373ea_703ab3a7e8854eedb50d7dcb20f54b2b/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Previous Next

Sign up today for EA2EVL Fondo 2025! < Back EA2EVL Fondo 2025 Deborah Stellrecht Oct 4, 2025 Sign up today for EA2EVL Fondo 2025! 42-mile charity ride supports ECRT Trail Join us on October 4th for the 5th annual EA2EVL Fondo, a 42-mile epic road ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville. The 42-mile route will venture down Route 240 through the fall foliage and rolling hills of Western New York and end with a celebration at the beautiful Holiday Valley. The best part: 100% of the proceeds benefit ECRT! Register today! This event has SOLD OUT for four years and raised $192,000 to support the ECRT trail. We've used those funds to remove rails and ties, improve drainage and resurface the first 1.3 miles of the trail starting at the Orchard Park Village Depot. In June of 2023 this beautiful section opened to the public, connecting to the 2 miles of natural surface trail open at Jewett Holmwood Road. EA2EVL 2024 funds will be used to expand and improve the trail further south. Here's how YOU can help! RIDE ON: If you are a biker, register today ! YOU are the secret to the success of this major source of funds needed to build the rail trail - so we ask you to FUNDRAISE as well! If you raise a minimum of $100 in donations , you get an event t-shirt and tickets for food and drinks at the finish line party. If you raise $500 or more , you also get an event jersey. The top fundraiser gets to wear the coveted yellow jersey. So sign up, ask your friends, family and coworkers to donate ( here ), and enjoy a great fall ride! Don't forget to register for the bus shuttle back if you and your bike need a lift back to East Aurora. (2:30 and 4:15 pm departures from Holiday Valley Resort.) REGISTER HERE . VOLUNTEER: We will need volunteers for the start line at 42 North Brewing Company in East Aurora, three water stops (Colden, Concord and West Valley), course pointers and traffic control on the route, and at the finish line party at Holiday Valley. Volunteers sign up HERE . We’ll be in touch with more specific instructions for your role. DONATE: If you can't join us, you can still help by supporting one of the riders on our registration site here . SPREAD THE WORD! Invite others to join in the fun. Post this link to your social media: givesignup.org/Race/NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo , or share this QR code: https://www.givesignup.org/Race/NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo See you on October 4th! Previous Next

Volunteer spotlight on Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail neighbors and volunteers, Tim and Lisa Scheidel. Tim and Lisa Scheidel Tim and Lisa Scheidel have spent the past 38 years enjoying their beautiful Sharp Street home in the Town of Concord, in large part due to its proximity to what is now the ECRT trail. Their property features an expansive lawn with magnificent, mature trees. The backyard perimeter slopes about 5’ to meet the trail. Access is made easy, as the Scheidels installed and maintain a convenient stairway that they and their dog Torque use on a regular basis. “We were using the corridor even back when it was still an active railroad,” admits Lisa. “It’s a great place to see all kinds of wildlife. It’s like having a park in your own backyard.” Tim, a construction worker with Ingall’s Site Development, does extensive mowing on the trail, generally from Middle Road to Genesee, and often cleans up storm damage, such as felled branches and trees. Lisa, a school bus driver, enjoys long walks on the trail where she encounters all kinds of people–from horseback riders to joggers. Both keep an eye out for anything suspicious and report incidents promptly to the ECRT maintenance team. “We see all kinds of people using the trail. We see walkers and bikers of all ages. It’s the perfect place for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, when the weather allows, and a great place for kids to get outdoors and exercise year-round. And you can get from one place to another without using the roads,” notes Lisa. The couple looks forward to some surface improvements in places where the ballast is prominent, as then even more cyclists and walkers could then use and enjoy the trail. They also realize how important the trail is for local business. Tim, an avid snowmobiler, noted how his sport brings significant income to the area. For the Scheidels, every season brings a different kind of beauty to their section of the trail. Tim shared several fall and winter trailscapes with me, captured on his cell phone. The trail has become such an integral part of their daily lives and has clearly brought them great joy and pleasure. Thanks for all the support and trail work, Tim and Lisa, and keep enjoying “your trail!” More volunteers

Register now for EA2EVL Fondo 2026! < Back EA2EVL Fondo 2026 Deborah Stellrecht Oct 3, 2026 Register now for EA2EVL Fondo 2026! 42-mile charity ride supports ECRT Trail Here we roll again! Register NOW for the sixth annual EA2EVL Fondo. The EA2EVL Fondo is a non-competitive charity ride for cyclists of all skill levels. The ride starts in East Aurora at 42 North Brewery and travels south down scenic Route 240, riding parallel to the ECRT trail from West Falls into Concord. With water stops along the way, the course continues south to the intersection of Route 242, where it heads west into the town of Ellicottville, culminating at a finish line party at the Holiday Valley, which is open to the public. Times: 10 AM: Fondo start at 42 North Brewing Company (25 Pine Street, East Aurora, NY) 1 – 4 PM: Aprés Bike Party with craft beer, food, vendors, and live music TBD. Paid bus transportation back to ride start is available. Thanks to our sponsors, and the funds raised by our riders, the past five years' rides have raised over $200,000 to help us open, build, improve and maintain the 27-mile ECRT Trail that runs from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY. We’re making so much progress because of YOUR SUPPORT! So REGISTER TODAY , and be sure to invite your friends! Watch this aerial tour video for a taste of the ride! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyOcwe1ypmg Here's how YOU can help! RIDE ON: If you are a bicyclist, register (starting May 13th)! YOU are the secret to the success of this major source of funds needed to build the rail trail - so we ask you to FUNDRAISE as well! NEW FOR 2026 - We are including a food and drink ticket with your entry fee! In addition to your registration fee, participants are encouraged to raise additional dollars to support ECRT and, by doing so, earn the following rewards: ● $100 - Commemorative event t-shirt. (T-shirts will be ordered September 23rd - riders meeting fundraising goal after this date may not receive T-shirt on ride day and they will be mailed.) ● $500- Above PLUS: EA2EVL bike jersey (Jerseys will be ordered September 13th - riders meeting fundraising goal after this date may not receive jersey on ride day and they will be mailed. The top fundraiser will be awarded the coveted EA2EVL Fondo yellow jersey! While fundraising is not mandatory to participate, we encourage you to raise some funds to help support the continued expansion and improvements to the Erie Cattaraugus rail to trail. So sign up, ask your friends, family and coworkers to donate ( here ), and enjoy a great fall ride! Don't forget to register for the bus shuttle back if you and your bike need a lift back to East Aurora. (2:30 and 4:15 pm departures from Holiday Valley Resort.) REGISTER HERE . VOLUNTEER: We will need volunteers for the start line at 42 North Brewing Company in East Aurora, three water stops (Colden, Concord and West Valley), course pointers and traffic control on the route, and at the finish line party at Holiday Valley. Volunteers sign up HERE . We’ll be in touch closer to the race date with more specific instructions for your role. DONATE: If you can't join us, you can still help by supporting one of the riders on our registration site here . SPREAD THE WORD! Invite others to join in the fun. Post this link to your social media: givesignup.org/Race/NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo , or share this QR code: https://www.givesignup.org/Race/NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo See you on October 3rd! 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

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

< Back Howy Holmes Previous Next

Friends of the Rail Trail Tour West Falls Section < Back Historic West Falls Train Depot Opened for Visit Deborah Stellrecht Nov 12, 2023 Friends of the Rail Trail Tour West Falls Section Mother Nature provided a gorgeous backdrop for trail supporters to enjoy a guided walk along the West Falls section of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail on Sunday, November 12th. A crowd of over 40 people participated, and they were treated to a visit to the historic West Falls Train Depot, welcomed by the new owner of the depot, Conor Schneider. Visitors enter the West Falls Historical Train Depot. Conor explained his long-standing interest in West Falls history, particularly since he’s lived there all his life, and his future hopes and plans for restoration and renovation of the train depot. He fielded numerous questions and expressed his desire to open the trail section adjacent to his property whenever the West Falls section is opened. Conor Schneider, owner of the Depot, talks about his vision for the future. Conor shared his pleasure with the turnout with the following statement on the West Falls Depot’s Facebook page : “A historic day at the West Falls Depot as its waiting room saw its largest crowd since the last passenger train in 1955. It was great to share my vision for this historic building and receive such encouraging support from so many during the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. ’s walk through its West Falls section. This is what saving the building is all about!” Photos and video from this incredible day are at https://photos.app.goo.gl/3F1bGZhyayH1b88J8 . 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