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

Register now for EA2EVL Fondo 2026! < Back EA2EVL Fondo 2026 Deborah Stellrecht Oct 3, 2026 Register now for EA2EVL Fondo 2026! 42-mile charity ride supports ECRT Trail Here we roll again! Register NOW for the sixth annual EA2EVL Fondo. The EA2EVL Fondo is a non-competitive charity ride for cyclists of all skill levels. The ride starts in East Aurora at 42 North Brewery and travels south down scenic Route 240, riding parallel to the ECRT trail from West Falls into Concord. With water stops along the way, the course continues south to the intersection of Route 242, where it heads west into the town of Ellicottville, culminating at a finish line party at the Holiday Valley, which is open to the public. Times: 10 AM: Fondo start at 42 North Brewing Company (25 Pine Street, East Aurora, NY) 1 – 4 PM: Aprés Bike Party with craft beer, food, vendors, and live music TBD. Paid bus transportation back to ride start is available. Thanks to our sponsors, and the funds raised by our riders, the past five years' rides have raised over $200,000 to help us open, build, improve and maintain the 27-mile ECRT Trail that runs from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY. We’re making so much progress because of YOUR SUPPORT! So REGISTER TODAY , and be sure to invite your friends! Watch this aerial tour video for a taste of the ride! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyOcwe1ypmg Here's how YOU can help! RIDE ON: If you are a bicyclist, register (starting May 13th)! YOU are the secret to the success of this major source of funds needed to build the rail trail - so we ask you to FUNDRAISE as well! NEW FOR 2026 - We are including a food and drink ticket with your entry fee! In addition to your registration fee, participants are encouraged to raise additional dollars to support ECRT and, by doing so, earn the following rewards: ● $100 - Commemorative event t-shirt. (T-shirts will be ordered September 23rd - riders meeting fundraising goal after this date may not receive T-shirt on ride day and they will be mailed.) ● $500- Above PLUS: EA2EVL bike jersey (Jerseys will be ordered September 13th - riders meeting fundraising goal after this date may not receive jersey on ride day and they will be mailed. The top fundraiser will be awarded the coveted EA2EVL Fondo yellow jersey! While fundraising is not mandatory to participate, we encourage you to raise some funds to help support the continued expansion and improvements to the Erie Cattaraugus rail to trail. So sign up, ask your friends, family and coworkers to donate ( here ), and enjoy a great fall ride! Don't forget to register for the bus shuttle back if you and your bike need a lift back to East Aurora. (2:30 and 4:15 pm departures from Holiday Valley Resort.) REGISTER HERE . VOLUNTEER: We will need volunteers for the start line at 42 North Brewing Company in East Aurora, three water stops (Colden, Concord and West Valley), course pointers and traffic control on the route, and at the finish line party at Holiday Valley. Volunteers sign up HERE . We’ll be in touch closer to the race date with more specific instructions for your role. DONATE: If you can't join us, you can still help by supporting one of the riders on our registration site here . SPREAD THE WORD! Invite others to join in the fun. Post this link to your social media: givesignup.org/Race/NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo , or share this QR code: https://www.givesignup.org/Race/NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo See you on October 3rd! Previous Next

Accomplished engineer and manager of teams of engineers and project managers for major industrial gas company. Project management included interfacing with many agencies, local governments and stakeholders for routing and permitting of pipeline systems. Now enjoying using these skills for non profit work in Western New York. Gary is an avid skier in winter; sails, golfs and cycles in summer; and enjoys keeping up with 5+ grandchildren in addition to his non-profit work. < Back Gary Koeppel Accomplished engineer and manager of teams of engineers and project managers for major industrial gas company. Project management included interfacing with many agencies, local governments and stakeholders for routing and permitting of pipeline systems. Now enjoying using these skills for non profit work in Western New York. Gary is an avid skier in winter; sails, golfs and cycles in summer; and enjoys keeping up with 5+ grandchildren in addition to his non-profit work. Previous Next

Deb Fenn 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.T he 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!” November 1, 2023 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

About Us Organization: Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in September 2008. Membership includes individuals from communities adjoining the railbanked trail who are interested in the development and operation of the multi-use trail on the rail corridor. Mission: The mission of ECRT is to preserve the 27-mile Buffalo-Pittsburgh rail corridor and transform it into a multi-use recreational trail between Orchard Park and Ashford, New York, enhancing the quality of life in the Western New York community. Purpose: Public recreation – Provide opportunities for walking, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and nature observation along the abandoned rail corridor. We wish to provide an important recreational resource for Western New Yorkers and visitors to our region. Health, Education, and Resource Protection: P rotect and maintain the rail corridor as a natural and cultural resource. Our objectives include a desire to increase community knowledge of rail-to-trail related natural history and to encourage school participation in restoring, maintaining, and using the corridor for educational, recreational, job training, and community service activities. Economic Development: Stimulate economic development through the promotion of tourism and trail-related businesses. Core Valu es Dedication: The ECRT Board is a group of hard-working volunteers that is passionately committed to realizing a fully operational 27-mile multi use trail between Orchard Park and Ashford. The project is a significant challenge that will take several years and substantial financial resources to complete. The ECRT Board recognizes trail construction as a mandate of the Federal Rail Banking Agreement with the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad in accordance with the National Trail Act. Compassion: We realize that some community members have concerns about a multi use trail in their backyard or neighborhood. We are committed to listening to those concerns, and will work to the best of our ability to find practical solutions to realistic concerns whenever possible. Integrity: Honesty and credibility form the foundation on which relationships are built. We pledge to operate with integrity and transparency. Safety: We use sound management practices to ensure that the ECRT remains safe for trail users. These practices include trail allowable use and trail etiquette rules, trail monitors and patrollers, risk management efforts, effective signs and warning systems, emergency response plans, and a maintenance plan that limits safety risks from maintenance issues. Accountability: We will be exemplary stewards of the financial resources provided to us and will operate with efficiency and effectiveness in accomplishing our mission. Community: We focus on creating a valued community asset that connects people, encourages healthy and active lifestyles, and fosters community enhancements. We pledge to continue engaging with youth, elderly, service groups, and those with mobility challenges, to foster appreciation of the natural environment and outdoor activity. Our community-minded efforts include economic development opportunities in trail-adjacent communities by creating or improving community connectivity, promoting existing services and amenities currently available, supporting improvements to services and amenities, and aligning with local and regional plans to amplify economic revitalization efforts already in motion. Collaboration: Understanding and addressing community needs and concerns is central to our mission. Working together results in greater benefits for the trail, its users, and the community. We engage with community voices through user survey programs and visioning meetings. Listening sessions with potential trail users, governmental entities, first responders and other community organizations advance collaborative efforts. Equitable and Inclusive: We will include, benefit, and empower people of different views, experiences, and identities. We believe that every person regardless of race, gender, geography, income, age, ability, sexual orientation or expression or other status, deserves access to a free, accessible, and safe place to walk, bike, and to be active. We believe the ECRT will have the power to positively transform the communities it connects, along with the entire surrounding WNY community, by creating a joyful, safe, and vibrant public space that is equitable and inclusive. Primary Objectives Provide a safe place for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy nature and outdoor recreation. Preserve the historic former railroad corridor through adaptive reuse. Encourage economic and community development through trail-related activities while building closer, stronger connections within and across towns, villages and counties. Improve health and well-being in WNY. Future Trail Our Board of Directors

Celebrate National Trails Day with a walk on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! < Back Orchard Park Trail Walk Deborah Stellrecht Jun 1, 2024 Celebrate National Trails Day with a walk on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! We will start at the historic Orchard Park Train depot and go as far as Ellicott Road in Aurora (a distance of 3 miles), then turn around and come back - for a total distance of 6 miles. Plan on 1.5 hours for the complete walk. For those who prefer a shorter walk , You can turn around at Jewett-Holmwood Rd instead, for a total distance of 2 miles. Be sure to wear sturdy footwear. Families with kids! There will be a little scavenger hunt available for the kids on a short stretch of the trail near the depot. Children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult. Upon your return to the depot, finish your celebration of the trail with an ice cream treat. We hope to see you there! (Rain or shine) Register by May 30th at https://NTDWalk2024.eventbrite.com ! Parking is available at the depot and at the ECRT Bank Street lot . After your Trail Walk and ice cream, you're all invited to Sprague Brook Park for the Brews Blues & BBQ party hosted by our friends at 42 North Brewing Company for some great food, drink and music! Previous Next

Volunteers are Always Welcomed and Needed Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) is gaining momentum in our mission to create "A scenic Southtowns Rail-Trail for enjoying nature and connecting communities." Through months of pandemic and beyond, hundreds of people have walked, run, skied and snowshoed the beautiful tree-lined natural surface trail on the 2-mile Orchard Park town section as well as the newly completed and opened 1.3-mile section from the Orchard Park Depot to Jewett-Holmwood Road in the Orchard Park Village. Another 8 mil es of trail are open to the public in Springville and Concord NY, allowing hundreds access to picturesque land for winter sports and summer walks, runs and bike rides. Development of this scenic 27-mile recreational trail is well underway. To make the leap into major improvements, requires strategic planning, financing and qualified, dedicated individuals to join our energetic, creative, and talented team. Let us pool our talents to create the Southtowns community treasure we envision. Could this be your moment? If you are passionate about developing the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, and want to help build a legacy for years to come, we have several exciting opportunities to get involved with our volunteer organization: Development Leadership: Work to identify and cultivate relationships with institutional benefactors, corporate sponsors, and individual philanthropists Grants Writer: Identify and apply to relevant public and private funders Fundraising Leadership: Formulate community fundraising activities and annual campaign Event Planner: Assist in planning, logistics, and execution of local ECRT events Paralegal/Contracts Attorney: Assist in preparing contracts and formal correspondence to ECRT stakeholders Communication/Public Relations: Advocate for the trail, and keep our supporters informed through various media and events; p hotography, especially at events; Social media and newsletter content creation Community Engagement: Plan and execute meetings to update the public and to receive feedback Recruitment: Recruit enthusiastic trail supporters to join the team Trail Maintenance: Install signs, clean up fallen limbs, record/report trail maintenance problems, identify maintenance needs If you'd like to volunteer, we would like to meet you! Please fill out and complete our Volunteer Form below to start the conversation. Volunteer Sign-up First name Last name Email Phone Multi-line address Country/Region Address City Zip / Postal code Yes, I want to receive ECRT News and Updates via email. What volunteer areas would you like to assist with? Check all that apply: Multi choice Trail Maintenance Social Media Event Planner Event Volunteer Board Member Graphic Designer Marketing Public/Community Relations Grant Writer/Administrator Recruitment Communications Writer/Editor Legal/Paralegal Finance/Accounting Other Photographer/Videographer Please sign your name here to verify that you are 18 years of age or older. Drawing mode selected. Drawing requires a mouse or touchpad. For keyboard accessibility, select Type or Upload. Submit Meet Our Volunteers

Many are getting outside to walk, bike or run for their mental wellbeing < Back Practice Self-care for Your Mental Health National Alliance on Mental Health Jul 11, 2024 Many are getting outside to walk, bike or run for their mental wellbeing Self-care for your mental health, from the National Alliance on Mental Illness ( https://www.nami.org/ ). Summer has officially arrived. It’s supposed to be fun and relaxing. But it can also be stressful. How you take care of yourself — and your mental health — matters. That’s why NAMI launched its NEW Summer of Self-Care project, and they asked their subscribers to upload selfies of themselves enjoying their favorite summer self-care activity. The photos are in, and NAMI’s Summer of Self-Care photo album just went live. Check it out at https://supportnami.org/selfcarealbum/ ! It’s striking how many photos are of folks getting outside to walk, bike or run for their mental wellbeing, many of them on recreational trails near their homes. Practice some self-care for YOU today! #mentalhealthawareness Previous Next

Temporary Trail Closure for Maintenance < Back OP North Temporary Trail closure Mary Brummer Mar 31, 2026 Temporary Trail Closure for Maintenance Beginning Wednesday, April 1st at 7:30 am the Orchard Park North section of the trail - from the OP Depot to Jewett-Holmwood Road - will be closed for maintenance work. We will advise you here and on our website as soon as this section is reopened for use. Thank you for your patience and cooperation! Previous Next

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