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audio Concept Renderings Springville section of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Click to Enlarge. Orchard Park section of the future Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Jewett-Holmwood Intersection Rendering of trail-head. Adjacent to Deer Run & Curley Drive Ellicott Road conceived trail head Jewett-Holmwood Intersection Rendering of trail-head. 1/4 Current Conditions  T he two-mile section of right-of-way between Jewett Holmwood and Ellicott Road in Orchard Park is a small segment of the 27 mile section of the B&PR in Erie and Cattaraugus counties. In 2010, the corridor was cleared, graded and the rails and ties removed. The right-of-way is 125’ wide at Jewett Holmwood Road and 69’ wide at Ellicott Road. It is accessible from town owned property. It is adjacent to a town park and a Smokes Creek tributary. Today, residents trespass on the right-of-way and use it as an unofficial hiking and x-country ski trail, sharing it with deer and other wildlife. The corridor is also used for dumping, hunting and other activities. The following examples are intended to provide a picture of what the B&PR right-of-way might look like if developed as a rail trail. It is intended as a starting point for a community conversation. The visualization is not the only option or final word on trail development. It remains for the residents to decide what is best for their community. Orchard Park Rendering Click to Zoom Orchard Park Rendering Click to Zoom 1/1

Trail tours with Foothills Trail Club and Buffalo Ornithological Featured < 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

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

The Easter bunny is coming to visit the rail trail in West Falls on Saturday, March 23rd! < Back West Falls Easter Egg Hunt 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

Orchard Park Christmas at the Depot event was a treat for young and old! < Back ECRT at Christmas at the Depot Deborah Stellrecht Dec 7, 2024 Orchard Park Christmas at the Depot event was a treat for young and old! Previous Next

Debbie Stellrecht Mary Brummer Mary Brummer got involved with ECRT not long after her retirement in 2017 from 33 fulfilling years as a small animal veterinarian in Orchard Park. She finally had time to pursue her varied and numerous interests, but she carefully considered where she wanted to commit her newfound free time. Mary was aware that there was an effort underway to get the rail trail developed as a multi use recreational trail, but she could not find any news about the endeavor, so she approached the OP Recreation department, and discovered that a Rail Trail group was meeting every month in the basement of the Municipal building. Mary attended her first Board meeting there in January 2018 and she was impressed by the energy of that initial group of 10 people actively seeking ways to make the trail a reality. Everyone there had creative ideas, as well as the vision and attitude that they were going to “make this happen”, and Mary decided that she wanted to be a part of that. One of the Board members organized an overnight trip to the Pine Creek Rail Trai l near Coudersport, PA. Mary and then-president Anne Bergantz rode the trail for two and a half hours, talking about the organization and its history, and Anne really brought Mary “into the fold”. The group of 12 spent a day riding, visiting, eating and relaxing on the trail. Many small businesses had popped up along the trail’s path, especially in the village centers, and it made a huge impression upon her. The Pine Creek Rail Trail embodies for Mary what she envisions the ECRT Cattaraugus Rail Trail being someday. Mary was asked to be the group’s secretary. She also worked on the group’s Governance Team with the intent to firm up the Board’s structure, define best practices, develop standard operating procedures for a land trust, avoid conflicts of interest, improve record-keeping, and set parameters for elections and term limits of Board members. Mary grew up in Snyder, the “middle” daughter surrounded by five brothers. She attended Mount St. Joseph Academy and studied Biology at UB. No career path “lit her up” until she browsed through a catalog of careers in the school Guidance office and “Veterinarian” really appealed to her. She visited a veterinary hospital to learn more about the field, eventually working part-time at the Amherst Animal Hospital, where she learned to love the “small business family” way of operating. She graduated as a general veterinary practitioner from Cornell University, which is where she met her husband, David. David is more recently retired, too, from his career as a specialist in veterinary internal medicine. David and Mary have two grown children, and two grandchildren. Mary loves to garden and has been in the Orchard Park Garden Club for many years. She learned the intricacies of being a flower show judge, going on to become President of the Judges Council. This was a huge commitment of time that required her to combine her creativity, science and horticultural skills as well as a fair bit of engineering to not only design floral pieces, but Floral Design workshops as well. Active in her church for the past 30 years, she chairs the Worship team, with the goal of making services more creative and engaging. Mary played the flute during her school years but set it aside until an aunt’s passing, when she was encouraged to play the flute at her aunt’s funeral service. That special experience led her to resume taking lessons, and forming a flute quartet that plays in public several times a year. “A day that I can play just feels like it has more value,” Mary says. Mary shares her husband’s goal to be always curious about the world, feeling that it is a life force that provides us opportunities to grow, create and explore until life’s end. She feels called to talk and work with community members and elected officials in order to forge the best way to get things done and move forward. She’s inspired to make it a reality to one day take her grandchildren for a bike ride on the trail in Orchard Park, and perhaps enjoy a “sculpture alley” or a “pollinator garden” along the way. April 1, 2023 Written by: Debbie Stellrecht Previous Next < Back

When I retired from a delightful 33-year career in veterinary medicine, I yearned to direct my energy toward a project that would enhance our Western NY community. Developing this rail corridor which travels through such spectacular landscapes seems like a perfect fit. The task requires both art and science backgrounds to complete. It also helps to truly enjoy working with and for people. Fortunately, veterinary medicine required similar types of skills, and I feel well-prepared to lead this rail trail effort. < Back Mary Brummer When I retired from a delightful 33-year career in veterinary medicine, I yearned to direct my energy toward a project that would enhance our Western NY community. Developing this rail corridor which travels through such spectacular landscapes seems like a perfect fit. The task requires both art and science backgrounds to complete. It also helps to truly enjoy working with and for people. Fortunately, veterinary medicine required similar types of skills, and I feel well-prepared to lead this rail trail effort. 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

A portion of the Award will be used for trail improvements in West Falls. < Back Aurora Receives $4.5 Million NY Forward Award Deborah Fenn Jan 26, 2024 A portion of the Award will be used for trail improvements in West Falls. We are thrilled to share with you the great news that Aurora has been awarded a $4.5 Million NY Forward Award, a portion of which will be used for improvements to the multiuse trail in West Falls/Aurora. We also thank everyone who contributed their time and expertise to produce this successful Award Application. Read the press release at https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-highlights-budget-investments-western-new-york . View the Application at https://www.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/WestFalls_NYF_2_Application.pdf . Previous Next

Meet other riders and learn more about the equestrian-friendly parts of the trail. < Back Come and see us at WNY Equifest 2024! Mar 16, 2024 Meet other riders and learn more about the equestrian-friendly parts of the trail. ECRT Board Member and Equestrian liaison, Lisa Rood, and other ECRT volunteers would love to see you! Be sure to purchase one of the great reusable bags that Lisa makes from repurposed feed bags - super durable and unique! https://www.the-fairgrounds.com/p/calendar/wny-equifest Previous Next

Deb Fenn 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! October 1, 2023 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

Deb Fenn Steve Williams As we turn our thoughts to ones of gratitude during the holiday season, ECRT feels especially grateful for the hard work and positive energy that so many of our volunteers have contributed this past year. And Steve Williams, a resident of Orchard Park, is one of them. You may have seen or spoken with him at the Orchard Fresh Farmer’s Markets last summer, enthusiastically engaging with the public on behalf of ECRT. “This past summer volunteering at the Orchard Park farmers market was a great experience to reach out to neighbors and share our mission to make ECRT a reality,” Steve reports. “The response was overwhelmingly positive with great anticipation by all.” Steve believes that joining the Orchard Park Friends of ECRT allows him to connect with nature and support his community. He wants to make his love for bike riding and the outdoors safer and better for everyone. Connecting with nature Steve boasts a lifelong enjoyment of the outdoors. As a young boy on Long Island, he would ride his bike to meet friends, play in the woods, travel to baseball games and deliver newspapers. And he’s still riding locally and in Florida, Boston and everywhere in between. Today every member of his family always had a bike—and they still do! Supporting the community Steve’s career in banking allowed him to work in NYC, Wilmington DE, and Buffalo. In 1988, he moved to Orchard Park, with his wife Theresa, and their two sons, Chris and Dan. While raising their family, Steve was also an Odyssey of the Mind coach and a Quaker Marching Band dad. Now that Steve is retired, he has more time to spend with family and friends. “As time flies by, my childhood, school, career, marriage, parenting, and now growing older, I want to be outside and enjoy nature even more,” says Steve. “OP is a beautiful place to raise a family and enjoy the outdoors. As a grandparent, I look forward to one day riding/walking the trail with my grandson, Lucas!” Thanks, Steve, for all you do for your family, the community, and for ECRT! December 1, 2019 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back