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Be seen and heard on the trail during your walk or ride < Back Trail Safety During Hunting Season Kathleen McCrone Nov 17, 2023 Be seen and heard on the trail during your walk or ride Trail friends, be aware - hunting season is underway! If you're heading out on the trail, ensure you, your kids, & your pets wear blaze orange and reflective gear and announce your presence loudly on the trail. Be safe! More safety tips available here: https://americanhiking.org/families-on-foot/hike-safely-hunting-season/ #ericattaraugusrailtrail #ECRT #hikingsafety #trailsafety Previous Next

Project will construct a 1.5-mile extension of the trail through West Falls hamlet center < Back ECRT Project in West Falls Awarded NY Forward Funds Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail May 23, 2025 Project will construct a 1.5-mile extension of the trail through West Falls hamlet center ECRT is thrilled to be among the 7 Aurora Projects awarded funding from the recently announced $4.5M NY Forward award!! The projects include: Expand Programming Capacity of the West Falls Center for the Arts ($1,245,000): Enhance the programming services provided through interior and exterior upgrades to the Center for the Arts along with the construction of an art trail and outdoor performance stage and pavilion. Expand Capacity at the Blueberry Treehouse Farm ($784,000): Adaptively reuse a historic general store by converting it into retail space and five apartment units, while improving parking and accessibility to the Blueberry Treehouse Farm. Transform Veterans Park, West Falls-Colden Library and West Falls Community Playground into Local Destinations ($758,000): Enhance three existing public spaces in the hamlet center that will establish new pedestrian connections, expand the total area of green space and create new family-friendly recreation. Reinvent the West Falls Depot ($725,000): Restore a historic 1917 train depot into a mixed-use development with trailside commercial space and short-term lodging. Building Access to West Falls by Converting a Rail Corridor into a Multi-Use Trail ($420,000): Construct a 1.5-mile extension of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail from Jewettville through the West Falls hamlet center. Artist's rendering of ECRT's NY Forward Project to develop the trail through West Falls to the West Falls Historical Train Depot. Preserve the Dog Bar ($392,000): Preserve and enhance the only existing dining establishment in West Falls with upgraded interior and exteriors along with new outdoor dining space. Celebrate Local Flavor at the Florence Market ($176,000): Transform a mixed-use building into a vibrant, go-to spot for fresh produce, artisan goods and daily essentials, featuring a stylish facelift with new siding, lighting and a mural. Full announcement at: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-22-transformational-projects-western-new-york-part-downtown-0 . 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

Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Events Events Mar 15, 2026 West Falls Easter Egg Hunt 2026 Here comes Peter Cottontail! Read More Feb 21, 2026 Join us on the trail with snowshoes or skis Let's get out and play in the snow! Read More Oct 18, 2025 Explore a Section of ECRT in Concord Springville/Concord Friends group leader Mary Carol Dearing will lead this hike on a lovely but seldom explored section of trail. Read More Oct 4, 2025 EA2EVL Fondo 2025 Sign up today for EA2EVL Fondo 2025! Read More Sep 23, 2025 EA2EVL Fondo Friendraiser 2025 Join us for a friendraiser at 42 North Brewing Company! Read More Sep 20, 2025 Grand Opening of New Trail Section in Aurora Let's celebrate this latest trail opening together! Read More Jul 20, 2025 Come see us at Skyride 190 We'd love to see you - stop by the ECRT table at the after party! Read More May 20, 2025 Springville Trail Clean Up Volunteers needed for Springville trail clean-up Read More Apr 26, 2025 Stay tuned! We're busy planning our next event. Check back soon! Read More Apr 13, 2025 Members Sunset/Full Moon Trail Walk Join fellow ECRT Members for a walk on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in Orchard Park as the sun sets and the full moon rises. Read More Apr 12, 2025 West Falls Easter Egg Hunt 2025 Walk the Trail! Prizes & Candy! Photo-Op with the Easter Bunny Read More Oct 5, 2024 EA2EVL Fondo 2024! Sign up today for EA2EVL Fondo 2024! Read More Sep 26, 2024 ECRT Friendraiser at 42 North Brewing Support our EA2EVL riders – Learn more about the trail Read More Jun 1, 2024 Orchard Park Trail Walk Celebrate National Trails Day with a walk on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! Read More Apr 13, 2024 Spring Trail Walk in East Concord Explore the Rail Trail in East Concord Read More Mar 23, 2024 West Falls Easter Egg Hunt 2024 The Easter bunny is coming to visit the rail trail in West Falls on Saturday, March 23rd! Read More Mar 16, 2024 Come and see us at WNY Equifest 2024! Meet other riders and learn more about the equestrian-friendly parts of the trail. Read More Mar 5, 2024 Visit us at IF4 2024 in Springville ECRT will have an information table at the International Fly Fishing Film Festival in Springville, NY on Tuesday, March 5th. Read More

Here comes Peter Cottontail! < Back West Falls Easter Egg Hunt 2026 ECRT Mar 15, 2026 Here comes Peter Cottontail! Join us for an Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 28th at 10:30 am in West Falls. There'll be prizes and candy for the kiddos, and a chance to have your picture taken with the Easter bunny! The hunt takes place o n the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in West Falls, behind St. George Church. Preregister today at https://www.zeffy.com/en-us/ticketing/easter-egg-hunt--2026-4 or scan the code below. Scan to register for the Easter Egg Hunt 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

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

Let's get out and play in the snow! < Back Join us on the trail with snowshoes or skis Nicole Avitahl-Curtis Feb 21, 2026 Let's get out and play in the snow! Hello ECRT Friends! Welcome to 2026! The year has begun with a lot of snow, so we thought it would be fun to embrace the weather and explore the trail in winter fashion with this special FREE event! We invite you to join us with snowshoes or cross-country skis for a winter hike on the trail! If you've been interested in trying snowshoeing, now is your chance. Snowshoes can be borrowed for free from the Buffalo & Erie County Library system. You can also rent equipment from shops like Mud Sweat n' Gears in East Aurora and Colden Ski & Board Shop . When: Saturday, February 21, 10 AM - 12 PM Where:        Orchard Park Train Depot , 395 S Lincoln Ave, Orchard Park, NY. (Park at the Depot, on street or in the OP Library Parking lot) We will meet at the Orchard Park Train Depot and hike a loop to Jewett Holmwood and back, for a total distance of 2.4 miles. When we return to the Train Depot, we'll enjoy hot chocolate and bagels! RSVP:          Please pre-register here by February 20th and include the number of people attending. Or simply scan this QR code: If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email, call or text me. I look forward to seeing you and your families for our winter hike! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email, call or text me. I look forward to seeing you and your families for our winter hike! Happy Trails! Nicole Avitahl-Curtis Orchard Park Friends of ECRT 617-877-1103 navitahl-curtis@ecattrail.org Previous Next

Join fellow ECRT Members for a walk on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in Orchard Park as the sun sets and the full moon rises. < Back Members Sunset/Full Moon Trail Walk Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Apr 13, 2025 Join fellow ECRT Members for a walk on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in Orchard Park as the sun sets and the full moon rises. As a benefit of ECRT membership, you are invited to enjoy new sensations on the trail in a totally different nighttime setting, and to celebrate at the Orchard Park Depot afterward with complimentary refreshments! Listen to the unusual sounds of the night, smell the crisp night air, see the shadows of the trail caused by the full moon and enjoy the trail in a totally different setting! Peer through our telescope for a closer look at the night sky. ECRT members: Check your inbox - you have already received a personal email invitation to this member event. Cost: This is a Free Event for registered ECRT Members Location: Starts and ends at Orchard Park Train Depot Check-in Time: 7:30pm - Orchard Park Train Depot Trail Talk: 7:40pm Walk Start Time: 8pm Light refreshments to follow: Approximately 8:45pm Walk distance: 2.6 miles – from Orchard Park train depot to Jewett Holmwood Rd and back Parking: Available on-street parking and in the Orchard Park Library parking lot adjacent to the OP Train Depot. Previous Next

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

The Easter bunny is coming to visit the rail trail in West Falls on Saturday, March 23rd! < Back West Falls Easter Egg Hunt 2024 Lisa Rood Mar 23, 2024 The Easter bunny is coming to visit the rail trail in West Falls on Saturday, March 23rd! 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://www.eventbrite.com/e/easter-egg-hunt-tickets-842837679187 . 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