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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

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

Partnership will gather and analyze Community feedback < Back ECRT and UB invite Public input on trail plans Mary Brummer Sep 10, 2024 Partnership will gather and analyze Community feedback As part of its ongoing effort to develop a multiuse recreational trail in the Southtowns, ECRT is specifically targeting input from residents in Orchard Park and Colden for their viewpoints on trail development. “It has been some years since we sat down with residents and formally collected their thoughts on the project. As we consider developing the next sections of trail, we will be guided by the visions of each community”, said ECRT President Mary Brummer. State University of New York at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning has structured a fall semester graduate course around the process of community engagement. Two free workshop-style meetings will be facilitated by the UB Planning graduate students to gather ideas, dreams, visions, and concerns from residents. UB faculty, Dr. Kelly Gregg, advised, “Engaging community stakeholders will be a critical part of the design process and project development for the ECRT. The students are looking forward to meeting with residents and helping to understand all viewpoints and ultimately assist the ECRT in project development.“ Meetings will be held in two locations and will build on each other, so interested residents are asked to attend both sessions for the full duration. The first meeting will take place at the Orchard Park Community Activity Center on September 25 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm . The second meeting will take place at the Colden Fire Company on October 30 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm . Pre-registration is required and may be found below and at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094AA5A62CA5F9CE9-50690046-ecrt#/ . Following the two engagement meetings, the UB students will synthesize the community feedback into future visions for building the trail. These visions will be presented at a summary meeting and public celebration held on December 10 at 6:30 pm at the Orchard Park Community Activity Center . In addition to the community engagement sessions for Orchard Park and Colden a community wide survey is underway to better understand residents’ perspectives of existing and future use of the trail. The survey link is https://sunybuffalo.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6SDQzg4sOV2yB5I?Q_CHL=qr and the QR code is below. About State University of New York at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning: Embedded in our urban contexts here and around the world, we approach the study and practice of architecture, urban planning and real estate development hands on, full scale, and all in. The University at Buffalo's School of Architecture and Planning offers graduate and undergraduate paths of study in architecture, urban planning and real estate development, all within the most comprehensive public research university in the Northeast. Learn more about the life and programs of the school at https://archplan.buffalo.edu/ . Previous Next

Small but mighty crew clears debris on Rail Trail in Colden. < Back Colden Trail Cleaned Up Murray Covello Sep 21, 2023 Small but mighty crew clears debris on Rail Trail in Colden. Our volunteers used some serious elbow grease to clean up and clear out a section of the Rail Trail between Lower East Hill and Rt. 240 in Colden. They cut back brush, cleared deadfall, trimmed weeds and collected trash. We have the BEST volunteers and Board members. Thank you, Murray Covello, Kathleen McCrone, Tom Grogan, Dorothea Wattles and Dave Stahley! Dave Stahley Dorothea Wattles Previous Next

Grant awarded to assess the historic, high trestle Cascade Bridge spanning Cattaraugus Creek between the Towns of Concord and Ashford, and determine a cost estimate for a new decking design. < Back Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Awarded $278,800 EPF Grant through NYS Parks Deborah Stellrecht Dec 21, 2023 Grant awarded to assess the historic, high trestle Cascade Bridge spanning Cattaraugus Creek between the Towns of Concord and Ashford, and determine a cost estimate for a new decking design. (December 21, 2023) Orchard Park, N.Y.: In the latest round of the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Initiative awards, Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Inc. has been awarded an Environmental Protection Fund - Parks, Preservation and Heritage Grant of $278,800 through NYS Parks. These funds, along with a grant from the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation with support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation , as well as ECRT funds, will be used to assess the historic, high trestle Cascade Bridge spanning Cattaraugus Creek between the Towns of Concord and Ashford, and determine a cost estimate for a new decking design incorporating features based on public and stakeholder input. ECRT will also design and construct a trail approaching from the north to the bridge. This key bridge will be a highlight of the ECRT and future Southern Tier Trail. This award is the result of ECRT’s successful Cascade Bridge Planning and Trail Development Environmental Protection Fund grant application made to NYS through the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) . ECRT President Mary Brummer announced the award, stating, “This grant presents an exciting opportunity. The historic and architectural features of the Cascade Bridge provide a unique foundation on which to build. We look forward to working with the residents and elected officials in the Towns of Concord and Ashford to create a bridge design that our entire region will enjoy.” NYS Senator Partick M. Gallivan (R-C, Elma) announced , “This funding represents an investment in our regional assets and will enhance the experience for residents and visitors alike. I applaud the municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, and others for working in collaboration to identify these projects, which will promote growth, tourism and economic development.” “We are excited about the collaboration that has resulted in an amazing opportunity to reimagine the Cascade Bridge. We are thankful for the work of the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation to support this effort to create new opportunities for recreation, tourism, and economic development. This historic bridge and beautiful natural setting will provide an amazing connection between Erie and Cattaraugus Counties along the Southern Tier Trail,” said JJ Tighe, Director of Parks & Trails for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. From the 1850s through the 1870s, the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (BPRR) provided a direct route to and from the Pennsylvania coal mines. Passenger service began in the Buffalo division in 1883, and the railroad named some of its locomotives after the towns along its route; e.g. Ashford, Glenwood, Orchard Park, Springville, and West Valley. Passenger service became so popular, the railroad started offering multiple excursions to the Southern Tier. Cascade Park was known for its beautiful, natural setting. The bridge is 185 feet high and 780 feet long. Its 200-foot-high banks, caves, and waterfalls made it the perfect location for picnics and parties in the early 1900s. Passenger service came to an end on the division in 1955. Freight service continued into the 1960s. BPRR officially ceased service in 2008 and applied to the federal Surface Transportation Board for the ability to railbank 27 miles of the corridor from Orchard Park to Ashford. In 2018, ECRT acquired a long-term rail-banking lease which calls for the creation of a multiuse recreational trail along this former rail corridor. Previous Next

ECRT Members enjoy a special evening outing on the trail. < Back Members Full Moon Walk Mary Brummer Apr 17, 2025 ECRT Members enjoy a special evening outing on the trail. Our first ECRT Members event, a Sunset/Full Moon Walk on the Orchard Park trail section, was a success despite the cloudy skies. Walking eastward from the OP Train Depot, we looked back to marvel at the rosy sunset, and to appreciate the fiery torches placed along the trail. At the Jewett Holmwood end of the trail, Paul and Irene Ziarnowski had their telescopes set up and a moon chart available to view the rising moon and planets. Alas, the cloud cover obstructed our view of the night sky, but as we headed back in the dark, the tiki torches and red headlamps made the return trip more spectacular. The refreshments back at the Orchard Park Depot putting the finishing touch to a great evening with our trail supporters. Thank you! ECRT is grateful to Jeff Sweet for opening the Depot for us for this special event, and to Murray Covello for the photos! Not a Member yet? Check out all the benefits of membership at https://ecattrail.org/join . Previous Next

Orchard Park North trail section spruced up. < Back Volunteer Crew Clears Weeds Kathleen McCrone Aug 14, 2023 Orchard Park North trail section spruced up. An energetic group of ECRT volunteers spent an evening on the trail recently to cut back the weeds that were encroaching on the trail. A lot was accomplished in just one evening and we're very grateful that we have such hardworking volunteers. Trail users and adjacent homeowners appreciated the trail crew's clean up efforts, too. You can help build your trail in a variety of ways by becoming a volunteer! Learn more at ecattrail.org/volunteer . Previous Next

Deb Fenn Liz Birardi I met up with Liz on a Sunday afternoon at Comma Fine Art Gallery in East Aurora where she, a co-curator, is minding the store. The current “Known, Imagined, Experienced ” exhibit includes 38 local artists — among them Liz — and features an eclectic display of mediums and expressions. Liz first studied art at UB and continued later at Empire State College where she pursued a program that included natural sciences and art. Today, her paintings reflect an appreciation for the abstract, science and the natural world. Liz grew up on Long Island where her contact with nature was often limited to a trip to the beach. It wasn’t until she moved to Rochester in the 1980s and met her husband, Rob, that her relationship with the natural world really began to expand. Starting with a trip to Zoar Valley, during the course of their 37-year marriage, the couple explored, camped and canoed. With children Gina and Ian in tow, the family made annual trips to Heart Lake in the Adirondacks. Liz, now a “44 peaker”, is officially an outdoors person. “These experiences opened my eyes to the value of the natural world, which is now intrinsic to my art.” Today, Liz and Rob live in East Aurora. For several years, Liz was affiliated with The Western New York Land Conservancy. “In 2009, I did a hike at Kenneglenn, one of the Conservancy’s first acquisitions and their current headquarters. I liked their mission and subsequently worked to digitize their files. I became familiar with the conservancy’s history, land preservation and conservation from this experience and, from 2012 until 2022, was employed as their office manager.” Through mutual friendships, Liz became aware of Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. She has volunteered at tabling events, National Trails Day celebrations, donor thank-you hikes and at registration for the EA2EVL Fondo. She is also a current and valued member of the ECRT Development Team. “I really like the idea of the trail; that you can walk from town to town and find yourself surrounded by nature. It’s also great that you rarely have to cross a road. It’s also really great for the communities. This is such a wonderful project!” February 1, 2024 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

Rest in peace, Rick. We'll miss you around here! < Back Remembering Rick LeFeber Mary Brummer May 9, 2025 Rest in peace, Rick. We'll miss you around here! Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) has lost our good friend, Rick LeFeber, who was a past Board member of ECRT and a mentor to the Board members for many years. He died March 8th from complications of bone cancer. After his cancer diagnosis several years ago , he remained active on the Board during his initial cancer treatments, and is responsible for many key steps in ECRT's progress. He was a generous, funny, smart, and engaging person. He loved ECRT, and he showed it. Rick was instrumental in the creation and maintenance of the 12.2-mile Pat McGee Trail in Cattaraugus County, and generously shared his trail building experiences and knowledge with ECRT, eager to help us create a similar trail in Erie County. If you knew Rick when he was alive, it won't surprise you that he wrote his own obituary, which you can enjoy here . Rest in peace, Rick. We'll miss you around here! Previous Next

We are participating in GivingTuesday! < Back Show the trail some love on Giving Tuesday Deborah Stellrecht Nov 24, 2023 We are participating in GivingTuesday! Happy Thanksgiving, Friends! We are participating in GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that takes place November 28, right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday! We’ve heard how much you love the trail and you’re excited for us to improve and open more of it. Help us by sharing our cause on social media using the hashtag #ECRTGivingTuesday , and join millions of global givers on November 28 by donating at https://ecrailtrail.org/donate . Donate $50 or more and you’ll receive an ECRT Supporter car magnet! Bonus! If you’re a resident of Cattaraugus County, you can win prizes for donating to ECRT through our Cattaraugus Gives site. Donate $100 or more before noon EST on Giving Tuesday and your impact will be doubled through a matching gift by an anonymous donor (both through our website and Cattaraugus Gives). We’re grateful for you and all the ways you support the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! Follow our progress toward our GivingTuesday goals on Facebook or Instagram ! Gratefully yours, Mary Brummer President, Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Previous Next

Deb Fenn Karen Parysek Karen Parysek has been an active volunteer with ECRT for over 10 years and the author of several successful grant applications as exemplified in Concord’s redecked bridges, an accessible ramp to the historic Springville Trout Pond, and our efforts to connect an elementary school bike path to our trail in Colden. Raised on a farm in Eden, NY, Karen grew up with three siblings, as well as four children from Buffalo, fostered by her parents during her childhood years. She attended Eden Central School where she excelled in math and science. Karen was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Rochester, majoring in chemical and engineering. After graduating, she joined Linde-Praxair where she used her problem-solving skills in a wide variety of positions: energy systems engineering, market development for materials, procurement, Six Sigma, marketing and sales. She finished her career in R&D, where she developed collaborations for emerging clean energy technologies with universities, startups and national labs, learning about the grant-making ecosystem in the process. It was this experience that she has been able to directly transfer to the benefit of ECRT. Karen raised two sons, now in their 30s, both of whom found success following in their mother’s engineering footsteps. Back-country canoe camping and wildflowers are among her outdoor passions. Throughout her adult life, she has been a dedicated and active volunteer, supporting a number of worthy non-profits, most significantly Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program at Holiday Valley where she volunteers as an adaptive ski instructor. “My philosophy of life has always involved making the world a better place, and working with like-minded friends on projects we enjoy.” And that, gratefully, includes Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! September 1, 2023 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

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