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ECRT Activity/Event Waiver and Release Agreement (Draft) In consideration of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. providing guided services and/or equipment and/or using my own equipment to enable me to participate in walking, hiking, cycling, running, skiing, snowshoeing and/or other related outdoor &/or secondary activities, I voluntarily agree to the following: 1. Activities and Risks I understand and acknowledge that outdoor recreational activities have inherent risks, dangers and hazards. Participation in such activities may result in injury or illness including, but not limited to: dehydration, heat stroke, frostbite, hypothermia, skin rashes, bee stings, diseases carried by ticks and mosquitos, mental anguish or trauma from experience or injury, sprained or broken bones and falls that may result in serious injury or death. 2. Assumption of Risk By my participation in these activities, I agree and acknowledge that I am a consenting party to these activities and that I am aware of the risks of these activities. I appreciate the nature of the risks and voluntarily assume those risks. 3. Release of Liability On behalf of myself and my successors or assigns, I hereby voluntarily agree to release, waive, discharge, hold harmless, defend and indemnify Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc., its owners, agents, officers, and employees from any and all claims, actions, or losses for bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, loss of services or otherwise that may arise out of my participation in walking, hiking, cycling, running, skiing, snowshoeing and/or other related outdoor &/or secondary activities. I specifically understand that I am releasing, discharging, and waiving any claims or actions that I may have presently or in the future for the negligent acts or other conduct by the owners, agents, officers or employees of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc., their successors and/or assigns. 4. Permission for Photography and Videography I may be photographed or videotaped, and I irrevocably grant to Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc., its successors, assigns, and licensees the exclusive right and authority to use, copyright and publish my voice, picture , and likeness for advertising, publicity, or promotional and other purposes in connection with Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. in any form, including and without limitation, social media outlets, newspapers, magazines, motion pictures, game programs, audio tapes, video tapes, television broadcasts and web pages. The right shall belong to Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. at all times and shall survive the termination of this document. No additional compensation shall be paid or payable to me for any right or use granted to Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. by me.

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< Back Jeff Sellers Previous Next

Tom lives with his wife in Orchard Park and has three grown children. He is a CPA and is a former partner with Brock, Schechter & Polakoff, LLP, with over 40 years experience. Tom serves on several local nonprofit organization boards. He is also an avid runner and biker. < Back Tom Grogan, CFA, CFP Tom lives with his wife in Orchard Park and has three grown children. He is a CPA and is a former partner with Brock, Schechter & Polakoff, LLP, with over 40 years experience. Tom serves on several local nonprofit organization boards. He is also an avid runner and biker. Previous Next

Parking for the trail just got a little easier. < Back Trail Parking Spots Designated in West Falls Trail Maintenance Oct 28, 2025 Parking for the trail just got a little easier. Great news, everyone! There are now 3 designated Trail head parking spots adjacent to Davis Rd (Rte 240) beside the old Inn Cahoots tavern in West Falls. Previous Next

Deb Fenn Jim Smolinksi 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!” May 1, 2023 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

Tim was born in Albany and grew up in Pendleton, NY. He graduated from University of Buffalo with a BS in Finance. After graduating Tim accepted a job with the National Security Agency in Maryland. He worked for 10 years as a Computer Programmer/Analyst with a Top Secret clearance including a tour of duty in Hawaii. He then returned to Western New York and worked 15 years as a Sales Representative in the Cellular industry, primarily with AT&T. Tim finished his career with the United States Post Office working as a City Carrier, delivering mail on foot in South Buffalo. He has been retired since 2020 and enjoys biking, hiking, photography and writing poetry. Tim is a creative problem solver and communicator, and skilled in technology. He is well organized with attention to detail and likes to think outside the box. < Back Tim Bienkowski Tim was born in Albany and grew up in Pendleton, NY. He graduated from University of Buffalo with a BS in Finance. After graduating Tim accepted a job with the National Security Agency in Maryland. He worked for 10 years as a Computer Programmer/Analyst with a Top Secret clearance including a tour of duty in Hawaii. He then returned to Western New York and worked 15 years as a Sales Representative in the Cellular industry, primarily with AT&T. Tim finished his career with the United States Post Office working as a City Carrier, delivering mail on foot in South Buffalo. He has been retired since 2020 and enjoys biking, hiking, photography and writing poetry. Tim is a creative problem solver and communicator, and skilled in technology. He is well organized with attention to detail and likes to think outside the box. Previous Next

< Back Antonio (Tony) Miceli Previous Next

< Back Rick LeFeber Previous Next