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NY Forward Grant Committee Invitation for YOU! Did you know ECRT is an important part of the initial NY Forward grant proposal to uplift and stimulate community growth in West Falls? Please consider attending the West Falls NYF Public Workshop #1 on May 20th. The Workshop will be held in the Aurora Waldorf School (525 W Falls Rd, West Falls, NY, 14170) from 6 – 8 pm. Read More Volunteer Spotlight: John Landi Responsible fiscal management is critical to the success of any not-for-profit, and Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is no exception. We're grateful to our volunteer and Board Treasurer, John Landi, for his careful and caring financial oversight of ECRT's financial resources. Read more Become A Trail Expert Read Just the Facts! What sections are open today? What types of activities does the trail accommodate? Who owns the trail? Has it been abandoned? What does railbanking mean? Who has jurisdiction over the trail? What is the best way to build the trail? Who is responsible if someone is injured on the trail? Are adjacent landowners responsible? Has there been recent progress on trail design? What's next for the trail? Explore the Trail: Explore the future Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. More on exploring Become a Member: ​Love the outdoors? Consider joining us. Your support helps our ongoing efforts to preserve the former rail corridor with the intent to develop it into a multi-use recreational trail. It also demonstrates community support to our local and state officials. All members will receive our newsletter as well as exclusive invitations to ECRT events. When you register, you'll also have the opportunity to indicate if you would like to further assist us by volunteering. More on memberships Learn More About ECRT: Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and trail manager for the railbanked portion of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Railway in Western NY. Over twenty-seven miles long, this railroad right-of-way connects the communities of Orchard Park, Aurora, West Falls, Colden, East Concord, Springville and West Valley, New York. More about ECRT Follow Us on Facebook: Sign the Petition to support the ECRT Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

< 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 Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

< 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 Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

Latest News May 13, 2024 NY Forward Grant Committee Invitation for YOU! Did you know ECRT is an important part of the initial NY Forward grant proposal to uplift and stimulate community growth in West Falls? Please consider attending the West Falls NYF Public Workshop #1 on May 20th. The Workshop will be held in the Aurora Waldorf School (525 W Falls Rd, West Falls, NY, 14170) from 6 – 8 pm. Read More May 1, 2024 May is Mental Health Awareness Month Step out in nature to nurture your mental health Read More Apr 22, 2024 Happy Earth Day! Celebrate Earth Day with a walk, bike or run on the trail today Read More Apr 16, 2024 Springville Depot owners help with Trail clean up Retzlaffs lend muscle power to trail clean up near Springville Depot Read More Apr 13, 2024 Spring Trail Walk in East Concord Small but enthusiastic group braves the damp, chilly weather! Read More Mar 10, 2024 ECRT Needs YOU! We would love to work with you! Read More Jan 26, 2024 Aurora Receives $4.5 Million NY Forward Award A portion of the Award will be used for trail improvements in West Falls. Read More Dec 21, 2023 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Awarded $278,800 EPF Grant through NYS Parks Grant awarded to assess the historic, high trestle Cascade Bridge spanning Cattaraugus Creek between the Towns of Concord and Ashford, and determine a cost estimate for a new decking design. Read More Nov 24, 2023 Show the trail some love on Giving Tuesday We are participating in GivingTuesday! Read More Nov 17, 2023 Trail Safety During Hunting Season Be seen and heard on the trail during your walk or ride Read More Nov 12, 2023 Historic West Falls Train Depot Opened for Visit Friends of the Rail Trail Tour West Falls Section Read More Oct 23, 2023 OP Trail Trot a success despite the drizzle! A little rain couldn't keep the ghouls and goblins away Read More Oct 2, 2023 2023 EA2EVL FONDO IS ANOTHER SELL OUT EVENT 400+ riders pedal 42 miles to support the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Read More Sep 21, 2023 Colden Trail Cleaned Up Small but mighty crew clears debris on Rail Trail in Colden. Read More Sep 12, 2023 Upcoming Fall Trail Events Let's go for a walk! Read More Sep 5, 2023 Why We Ride Rider registration fees and donations to this event help make incredible progress on the trail Read More Aug 24, 2023 Fondo Volunteers Needed So many ways that YOU can help! Read More Aug 14, 2023 Volunteer Crew Clears Weeds Orchard Park North trail section spruced up. Read More Aug 13, 2023 ECRT Friendraiser @42 North Brewing For every beer sold between 6-10 pm, a donation will be made to ECRT. Read More Aug 4, 2023 “Sculpture Alley” Debuts on Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in Springville Springville trail and art supporters celebrate new works in Sculpture Alley. Read More Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

< Back Junior Scouts Break Ground Deb Fenn May 7, 2023 Memorial garden to be dedicated to former troop leaders Junior Scouts from Troop 34218, working on their Bronze Award, broke ground today on a memorial wild flower garden at ECRT's Jewett Holmwood Road trail entrance. The garden will be dedicated to the memory of 2 former troop leaders who recently passed. Thank you for beautifying our trail! #GirlScoutStrong #eriecattaraugusrailtrail Previous Next Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

< 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 Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

< Back May is Mental Health Awareness Month Deborah Stellrecht May 1, 2024 Step out in nature to nurture your mental health More and more, research is uncovering the significant benefits of getting outside in nature for our mental health. This is especially vital for the 1 in 5 people who suffer from anxiety or depression. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) and Mental Health America have excellent resources for you to help yourself and the people you care about to enjoy better mental health. Take time this month to assess your mental health and take action to improve it. (Hint: Walking, running or riding on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is a great way to start!) Previous Next Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

< 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 Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

< Back Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Celebrates Earth Day Deborah Fenn Apr 14, 2023 Trail tours with Foothills Trail Club and Buffalo Ornithological Featured In observance of Earth Day on Saturday, April 22nd, Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail’s Springville-Concord Friends group is hosting three trail tours on the railbanked rail corridor. Each tour will depart from the Moose Lodge Pavilion, 13080 Buffalo Road in Springville. A 10:30 a.m. tour will be hosted by ECRT Friends leader Mary Carol Dearing; at 11:45 a.m. Chuck Mitchell, member of the Buffalo Ornithological Society will lead a group, and at 1:00 p.m. Chuck Feldman, incoming president of the Foothills Trail Club will depart with a third group of trail hikers. The length and duration of each guided hike will be determined by the leadership of each tour, depending on the desires of participants. Advance registration is not necessary. Come enjoy the sights and sounds of nature through the eyes of and ears of local experts as you learn more about current and future plans for ECRT’s 27-mile multi-use recreational trail. Previous Next Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

< Back “Sculpture Alley” Debuts on Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in Springville Mary Brummer Aug 4, 2023 Springville trail and art supporters celebrate new works in Sculpture Alley. Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) is showing its artistic side in the Village of Springville. In partnership with Springville Center for the Arts, ECRT commissioned Bennington sculptor J. Brian Pfeiffer of A Sculptor’s Soul studio to create the inaugural two sculptures for “Sculpture Alley”, a section of ECRT just north of Franklin Street behind the Peerless Winsmith building. “Incorporating materials reflecting this area’s industrial past into art along this section of the trail is a creative way to enhance the outdoor experience here,” said Seth Wochensky, Executive Director of Springville Center for the Arts, and originator of the “Sculpture Alley” concept in Springville. “The goal of ‘Sculpture Alley’ is to bring interactive art into an outdoor environment that is accessible to all,” said Mary Brummer, President of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. ECRT is a multi-use recreational trail on the corridor of the former Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad. The trail is open to all free of charge 365 days per year from dawn until dusk. J. Brian Pfeiffer has created two sculptures using his favored medium of poured concrete over a rebar frame. The first sculpture is an abstract figure of a traveler sitting on a platform next to a suitcase which holds a spinnable sphere painted as a world map. The figure is positioned as if peering down the tracks awaiting the arrival of a train. The second sculpture is a tall form with a spherical base from which emerges a straight shaft topped by a colorful disc, echoing historic railroad signaling gear. The art pieces are mounted on either side of the trail some distance from each other, so they may be appreciated as the trail user approaches and passes each one. The art is meant to be engaging and interactive, as people are invited to linger with the works and to touch them. ECRT President Mary Brummer, Sculptor J. Brian Pfeiffer, and SCA Executive Director Seth Wochensky celebrate new art installed in 'Sculpture Alley' along Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in Springville." The two sculptures were installed at the “Sculpture Alley” site in late July and were celebrated on August 4 as members of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail and Springville Center for the Arts gathered to thank J. Brian Pfeiffer for the creativity and sparkle that these works bring to the trail. As children climbed on one of the sculptures, Brian Pfeiffer noted, “To have an adult contemplate my artwork is wonderful, but to have a child run up to one of my sculptures and make it part of their adventure in that moment - now that is the ultimate reward!” This project is made possible with funds from the Expanding Access to Arts Funding in WNY, a regrant program of New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Cullen Foundation. "Springville art supporters and members of Springville Center for the Arts gather around one of the newly installed sculptures along Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail’s “Sculpture Alley” in the Village of Springville on August 4." Previous Next Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

< Back EA2EVL Safety Sponsor offers safe cycling tips Deborah Stellrecht Jun 16, 2023 Ride safely on or off road with your bike this riding season Craig Small, of the Small Law Firm, is our 2023 EA2EVL Safety Sponsor. Watch this video for tips to ride safely this season. ( https://video.wixstatic.com/video/0373ea_042d58a6b0194336a974626f8ab6979e/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 ) Start with a tune up. Take care of your bike; your bike will take care of you. Maximize your roll. Tire inflation to the correct pressure can make a huge difference in the energy you'll expend riding. It's all about the fit. Make sure your helmet fits, using the 2 x 2 x 2 rule. Replace old or damaged helmets. Fuel your ride. Pack snacks and water, and electrolyte tablets or powdersadded to your water can reduce muscle cramping and fatigue. Light it up. Bike lights make you more visible to drivers, even in daylight hours. Bright & reflective clothing helps you to be seen, too. Don't forget the sunscreen and sunglasses: protect your eyes and your skin rom the sun's rays. Previous Next Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

< Back Show the trail some love on Giving Tuesday Deborah Stellrecht Nov 24, 2023 We are participating in GivingTuesday! Happy Thanksgiving, Friends! We are participating in GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that takes place November 28, right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday! We’ve heard how much you love the trail and you’re excited for us to improve and open more of it. Help us by sharing our cause on social media using the hashtag #ECRTGivingTuesday, and join millions of global givers on November 28 by donating at https://ecrailtrail.org/donate . Donate $50 or more and you’ll receive an ECRT Supporter car magnet! Bonus! If you’re a resident of Cattaraugus County, you can win prizes for donating to ECRT through our Cattaraugus Gives site. Donate $100 or more before noon EST on Giving Tuesday and your impact will be doubled through a matching gift by an anonymous donor (both through our website and Cattaraugus Gives). We’re grateful for you and all the ways you support the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! Follow our progress toward our GivingTuesday goals on Facebook or Instagram ! Gratefully yours, Mary Brummer President, Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Previous Next Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login