For every beer sold between 6-10 pm, a donation will be made to ECRT. < Back ECRT Friendraiser @42 North Brewing Deborah Stellrecht Aug 13, 2023 For every beer sold between 6-10 pm, a donation will be made to ECRT. Plan to celebrate with us at 42 North Brewing Company in East Aurora on Thursday, August 24th at 6 pm ! It's a Friendraiser Community night for ECRT fans and supporters. For every beer purchased between 6-10 pm, 42 North will make a donation to ECRT , to help extend and improve the multiuse recreational trail from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY. Come out to meet other friends of the trail and enjoy the 2023 EA2EVL Pale Ale , brewed especially for this year's EA2EVL Fondo! You can sign up or volunteer for the Fondo, our scenic 42-mile fundraising bike ride happening on September 30th, purchase ECRT hats, water bottles, or car magnets, and buy raffle tickets for a chance to win one of two bikes! We hope you can make it! https://ECRTFriendRaiser2023.eventbrite.com Previous Next

Springville trail and art supporters celebrate new works in Sculpture Alley. < 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

< Back Dorothea Wattles Previous Next

Celebrate Trails Day is an annual spring celebration of America’s trails < Back Celebrate Trails Day Rails to Trails Conservancy Apr 26, 2025 Celebrate Trails Day is an annual spring celebration of America’s trails It's Celebrate Trails day! Although ECRT doesn't have an event today, trail enthusiast groups all over the country do! Visit https://www.railstotrails.org/celebratetrailsday/ to learn more about it. Previous Next

Join Us for Celebrate Trails Day! < Back Celebrate Trails Day Fun Run & Walk Deborah Stellrecht May 2, 2026 Join Us for Celebrate Trails Day! Celebrate Trails Day is an annual springtime celebration of America’s trails. Each year, on the fourth Saturday of April, Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) invites everyone to celebrate by getting outside to experience the joy and impact of the country’s trails through events and self-designed outings. Shake off the winter and step into spring with ECRT’s Fun Run & Walk in West Falls . Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a casual stroller, come experience how the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail connects our vibrant communities. The Fun Run & Walk will start at 10 am on Saturday, May 2nd behind the former St. George Church at 74 Old Glenwood Road in West Falls. It's an out-and-back course on the trail from the St. George Church parking lot northbound to the Ellicott Road trailhead, where you'll be directed to turn around and return to the start. You can run or walk as much or as little of the approximately 2.5 mile loop as you want to - this is just for fun! Join us back at the picnic shelter for refreshments when you're done. To avoid any traffic jams at the start, we will launch the runners first, followed by the walkers. The trail is paved with crushed and packed asphalt millings, so we urge you to wear sturdy running or trail shoes. This event is free , but even the smallest registration donation (optional) directly funds the development and maintenance of our 27-mile recreational trail, ensuring a safe, accessible path for everyone to enjoy. Sign up today! Help us build the next mile! Register here or scan this QR code: Previous Next

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

< Back Francis Hogenkamp Previous Next

Videos Daytime Buffalo: Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail 3rd annual event happening this weekend! Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Search videos Search video... All Categories All Categories Entertainment Events Fondo Fundraisers Nonprofits & Activism People & Blogs Now Playing 04:54 Play Video Daytime Buffalo: Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail 3rd annual event happening this weekend! Now Playing 01:54 Play Video EA2EVL Fondo Rider Safety Now Playing 02:13 Play Video Why We Ride Now Playing 02:07 Play Video EA2EVL Fondo 2022

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

Springville "Pop Warner" Trail The first 1.7 miles of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail are open in the Village of Springville, NY. T he trail head can be found across from the historic train depot at: 227 West Main Street, Springville, NY 14141 Click below to enlarge the trail map:

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

Orchard Park Donor Recognition Day Major donors to the Orchard Park Trail Fundraiser were honored with a special celebration and their names inscribed on the commemorative Donor rock. Year: 2023 Previous Next