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Ideas, suggestions and opinions exchanged for West Falls revitalization < Back Great turnout at West Falls NY Forward Public Workshop! Deborah Stellrecht May 22, 2024 Ideas, suggestions and opinions exchanged for West Falls revitalization On a balmy night in the Aurora Waldorf School's gymnasium, at least a hundred interested people visited during the first Public Workshop. They got to review example improvement projects intended to revitalize the visual appearance of the Hamlet of West Falls and encourage visitors traveling through to stop and stay awhile in this small but proud community. Each of the Example Project boards offered an opportunity for guests to respond to, "What I like:" and "What needs work?" with post-it notes and markers. Maps of the project area provided a great birds-eye view of the project's boundaries, and all were encouraged to add their ideas/remarks to the maps. If you or someone you know was unable to attend, but would like to offer feedback, visit https://www.westfallsnyforward.com/resources . Each of the proposed projects included in the NY Forward Grant application is described here . Be sure to complete the feedback form that the Local Planning Committee would like you to respond to. Share your ideas and suggestions - be a part of this transformation! Don't want to miss out on future gatherings? All future West Falls NY Forward events are listed here . Previous Next

42 North & Ellicottville Brewing Company collaborated to create a unique beer celebrating the EA2EVL Fondo. < Back EA2EVL Pale Ale is here! Beth Lasky Jul 12, 2023 42 North & Ellicottville Brewing Company collaborated to create a unique beer celebrating the EA2EVL Fondo. 42 North Brewing Company & Ellicottville Brewing Company have collaborated to create a unique beer celebrating the EA2EVL Fondo , the 42-mile bike ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville which benefits the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. each year. ECRT board members helped out with the packaging in mid-July at 42 North in East Aurora, and had a great time! Get yours today in the taproom and look for this collab at local bars and on shelves at craft beer retailers from EA2EVL! Sign up to ride, volunteer or donate at https://www.givesignup.org/Race/NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo ! Previous Next

September 10, 1948 - October 15, 2024 < Back Remembering Jim Slominski Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Oct 22, 2024 September 10, 1948 - October 15, 2024 Jim grew up near train tracks. “I was fascinated with anything that had to do with trains. When we lived on Liberty Drive off Taylor Road, I could watch trains come and go from our family room.” ECRT relied on Board member and volunteer Jim Slominski for his deep knowledge and dedication to preserving railroad history. As a trustee of the Western New York Railroad Historical Society and chair of the Orchard Park Depot Committee, Jim became involved with ECRT due to a primary interest in preserving the integrity of the former Buffalo-Pittsburg Railroad right-of-way. After joining the ECRT Board of Directors in 2012, Jim was pleased with the trail’s noticeable, significant progress in recent years, especially to see the newly completed section open up in June 2023, connecting the trail to the depot. “It will have an enormous, positive effect on the Village,” Jim declared then. “You’ll see people using the trail on a regular basis to come to the Village to visit the library, to shop or to attend events. I predict we’ll see a lot more interest in and activity around depot which, of course, we welcome!” Jim certainly will be remembered as a generous, supportive ECRT Board member and central figure with the WNYRHS. He was instrumental in getting the OP Depot renovated and opening it up to community groups, especially to ECRT. He was instrumental in getting the OP Depot renovated and opening it up to community groups, and greatly aided in the completion of the OP Village trail. Jim quietly made good things happen. Jim’s quiet presence and steadfast support will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him - at the Depot, on the trail and at ECRT events. https://www.lombardofuneralhome.com/tributes/James-Slominski Previous Next

Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is a railbanked 27-mile rail trail in Erie and Cattaraugus counties of New York. Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization of volunteers working to develop and maintain a multiuse recreational trail on the rail corridor. Events EA2EVL Fondo 2026 Save the Date for EA2EVL Fondo 2026! Read more News ECRT selected to present at 21st Century Fund Although ECRT didn't move on to the finalist round, we had a wonderful time at the 21st Century Fund Presentation Event! Read more 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 receive our ECRT newsletter as well as additional benefits, depending on the Membership level you choose. Learn more about Membership... Volunteer Spotlight: Laura Gunderson Since 2021, Laura has been actively involved with the ECRT organization. She is currently the Leader of the West Falls chapter of Friends of the Trail. 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 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

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

5 new works of art installed on the Pop Warner Trail in Springville. < Back New Additions to Sculpture Alley Deb Fenn Jul 18, 2024 5 new works of art installed on the Pop Warner Trail in Springville. Deb Fenn, immediate past president of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, represented the rail trail Board members, to our ECRT friends, and our supporters gathered for "Shake on the Lake", an outdoor theater presentation of Henry the 5th by SLAM , Students Love Arts and Music. She applauded the installation of these sculptures and introduced each of them with a brief description of each artist's vision for their creations to the audience. Here are her remarks: "Springville, as you may know, was the first municipality to support its section of the 27-mile rail banked corridor. They helped raise funds and secure the manpower needed to create your Pop Warner trail right here in the village. Seth Wochenski approached ECRT a few years ago about creating a “sculpture alley” along this previous industrial trail section we have all gathered around today. Sculpture Alley is a whimsical, creative asset to the trail, that ignites the imagination and invites your engagement as you walk, ride or snowshoe along the trail. So, what are these creations? J. Brian Pfeiffer offered two original concrete creations: one is a figure sitting by a suitcase looking down the tracks in anticipation of his train. His second piece recreates an imaginative tower signaling to trains coming by. Through angled metal pipes, Sarah Fonzi’s piece invites you to view scenery from various angles, as one might view passing vistas through a rail car window. Artist Sarah Fonzi shares her vision for this sculpture. One of Rich Federowicz's pieces features the tools used for train operation and maintenance, while the second piece topped with circular green glass pieces was inspired by railway water filling stations and evokes falling or running water. Artist Rich Federowicz describes how he envisioned his sculpture. At the North end of sculpture alley you'll find Matt Retzlaff's creations. He has imaginatively repurposed found metals to conjure visions of the moon and stars! Artist Artist Matt Retzlaff talks about the process behind his "Man in the Moon" sculpture. I encourage you to enjoy the evening here along Springville sculpture alley and I sincerely hope you will revisit this part of the trail often, and continue to delight in its artistic offerings for many years to come." “ This program is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the 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 Arts Services Inc.” See additional photos and video from this event in the ECRT Google Photo Album " Sculpture Alley Additions 2024 ". Previous Next

Rider registration fees and donations to this event help make incredible progress on the trail < Back Why We Ride Beth Lasky Sep 5, 2023 Rider registration fees and donations to this event help make incredible progress on the trail Beth Lasky, EA2EVL Fondo Chairperson, talks about why we ride the Fondo, primarily to raise funds for the improvement, expansion, and maintenance of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Donate, Ride or Volunteer: https://www.givesignup.org/Race/NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo . Previous Next

Our Board of Directors Future Trail

Former communications executive, history teacher and ECRT president, Deb has been an advocate for and board member of the trail since its inception. "When finished, this multi-use trail will be a safe, spectacularly beautiful place for south towns' residents to bike, hike and so much more. It also will bring welcome economic benefits to every town and village it traverses." < Back Deb Fenn Former communications executive, history teacher and ECRT president, Deb has been an advocate for and board member of the trail since its inception. "When finished, this multi-use trail will be a safe, spectacularly beautiful place for south towns' residents to bike, hike and so much more. It also will bring welcome economic benefits to every town and village it traverses." 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

Jim Slominski ECRT relies on board member Jim Slominski for his deep knowledge and dedication to preserving railroad history. A current trustee of the Western New York Railroad Historical Society and chair of the Orchard Park Depot Committee, Jim became involved with ECRT due to a primary interest in preserving the integrity of the former Buffalo-Pittsburg Railroad right-of-way. He recalls what happened in Hamburg when the Buffalo & Susquehanna line was discontinued: “The right-of-way was completely obliterated. Today, you’d be hard pressed to find any intact sections of original corridor.” A lifelong resident of Orchard Park, from a very early age, Jim grew up near train tracks. “I was fascinated with anything that had to do with trains. When we lived on Liberty Drive off Taylor Road, I could watch trains come and go from our family room.” The Orchard Park Depot Committee was formed by like-minded railroad buffs in 1980 with a common desire to restore the depot and its storied surroundings. Jim joined in 1981 and has been an active member ever since. The hard work of restoration began in the early 1980s when then depot owner, Ed Burke, expressed interest in donating the site to the organization. In the decades following, everything from new wiring and plumbing to exterior restoration projects were undertaken with support from generous individual donations and from the efforts of local legislators. Most recently, Scott Bieler, CEO of West Herr Automotive Group, provided funds enabling significant renovations to both the interior and exterior of the site. The depot is now dedicated to his family. One very large project remains: restoring and retiling the roof, a project that could cost up to $1,000,000. “We also need to find a company with the skills and the will to undertake this hands-on, labor-intensive project.” Jim graduated from Canisius College with a degree in accounting. Prior to graduation, he participated in a work-study cooperative program with the IRS. Upon graduation, he began a 34-year career with the IRS advancing from a revenue agent to that of an appeals officer and finally as a liaison to the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. During the course of his career, Jim was a member of the IRS instructor cadre, worked closely with the IRS litigation division, served on a number of task forces and authored various training books and procedural manuals. An ECRT board member since 2012, Jim is delighted with the trail’s noticeable, significant progress over the past four years or so. “I can’t wait for the new section to open up connecting the trail to the depot. It will have an enormous, positive effect on the Village. You’ll see people using the trail on a regular basis to come to the Village to visit the library, to shop or to attend events. I predict we’ll see a lot more interest in and activity around depot which, of course, we welcome!” The Orchard Park Depot Committee is always looking for people interested in volunteering. “My wish list would include new members willing to help with events and interact with visitors to the depot. And if you have a background in construction, maintenance or any of the trades, we’d welcome your time, skills and support!” More volunteers