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News Dec 1, 2025 Gatherings During This Season of Gratitude Celebrating a year of meaningful community gatherings Read More Oct 27, 2025 Springville Concord Fall Walk ECRT fans enjoyed a beautiful day on the trail! Read More Jul 20, 2025 2025 EA2EVL CHARITY BIKE RIDE OCTOBER 4 Fifth annual EA2EVL 42-mile ride benefits the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Read More Jul 13, 2025 Volunteers Beautify Orchard Park Depot Grounds A small but keen group got together last week to spruce things up! Read More Jul 6, 2025 Orchard Park Trail Closure for Maintenance July 9th From Ellicott Road to the Orchard Park Depot Read More May 23, 2025 ECRT Project in West Falls Awarded NY Forward Funds Project will construct a 1.5-mile extension of the trail through West Falls hamlet center Read More May 9, 2025 Remembering Rick LeFeber Rest in peace, Rick. We'll miss you around here! Read More May 1, 2025 EA2EVL Fondo Rider Makes Comeback from Cardiac Arrest It took a village to save Patrick Raycraft's life Read More Apr 26, 2025 Celebrate Trails Day Celebrate Trails Day is an annual spring celebration of America’s trails Read More Apr 17, 2025 Members Full Moon Walk ECRT Members enjoy a special evening outing on the trail. Read More Apr 12, 2025 West Falls Easter Egg Hunt Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the ECRT trail! Read More Dec 13, 2024 Report Trail Issues Help keep the trail safe for everyone Read More Load more...

Board of Directors Mary Brummer President Orchard Park mbrummer@ecattrail.org Veterinarian, Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center (Retired) Read more Gary Koeppel Vice-President Orchard Park gkoeppel@ecattrail.org Praxair, Associate Director of Pipeline Engineering (Retired) Read more Steve Musso Treasurer East Aurora smusso@ecattrail.org FinPro- COO (retired) Past Board Member and Treasurer of The Graycliff Conservancy (Retired) Read more Gerald F. Reger Secretary Hamburg jreger@ecattrail.org Sole Proprietor – Professional Accounting and Consulting Services Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo – Chief Financial Officer/ Chief Administrative Officer (Retired) Dopkins & Company, LLP – Partner (Retired) Read more Michael R. Conway Director Orchard Park mconway@ecattrail.org Past Executive Director: Mahoning Valley and Adirondack Economic Development Corporations Read more Dale Morris Director East Aurora dmorris@ecattrail.org Director of Geographic Information Services (Retired) Erie County Department of Environmental Planning Read more Murray Covello Director Orchard Park mcovello@ecattrail.org Praxair – Global Supply Systems Leader (Retired) Past Board Member and Board Chair of Greater Buffalo Chapter of American Red Cross (Retired) Read more Deb Stellrecht Director West Falls dstellrecht@ecattrail.org Website content, Communications/IT Support Read more Lisa Rood Director Boston lrood@ecattrail.org Former Town of Boston Supervisor Current Chair of Boston Zoning Board Consultant for Older Adult Programs – Hamburg United Methodist Church Read more Howy Holmes Director Orchard Park hholmes@ecattrail.org President, Friends of Birdsong Highway Contractor (Retired) 716-983-3605 Read more Kathleen McCrone Director Orchard Park kmccrone@ecattrail.org Marketing and Account Management (Retired) Read more Dorothea Wattles Director Colden dwattles@ecattrail.org Educator – Orchard Park Schools (Retired) Read more John Landi Director Orchard Park jlandi@ecattrail.org Business Data and Analytics Manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP Read more Lauren Weber Director Orchard Park lweber@ecattrail.org Attorney, Phillips Lytle, LLP Read more Marc Romanowski Director Orchard Park mromanowski@ecattrail.org Partner, Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC Environmental/Brownfields, Land/Use Zoning, Energy, Municipal, Administrative and Litigation Attorney Read more Francis Hogenkamp Director Orchard Park fhogenkamp@ecattrail.org Optician, Owner & Administrator of Hogenkamp Optics in Orchard Park Orchard Park Village Board member for 20+ years Major fundraiser for restoration of the Orchard Park BR & P Train Depot Read more Dan Barone Director West Seneca dbarone@ecattrail.org Computer/Data Analysis Read more Nicole Avitahl-Curtis Director Orchard Park navitahl-curtis@ecattrail.org Microbiology, Community Engagement Read more Michael Bowen Director Hamburg, NY mbowen@ecattrail.org Retired Senior VP, Enterprise Data & Analytics Operations, M& T Bank Read more Deb Fenn Past President, Director Emeritus Aurora dfenn@ecattrail.org Former communications executive, history teacher and ECRT president. Read more

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This page features the volunteers who have been recognized for their contributionsto the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Meet our Volunteers 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 Mary Carol Dearing ECRT's Springville-Concord Friends group leader is passionate about trail development. Read More Nicole Avitahl-Curtis As an active ECRT volunteer, Nicole has participated in numerous trail cleanups and promoted the trail at many public events. She also leads the ECRT Friends group of Orchard Park and has organized several community walks. Read More Ellen Januszkiewicz The love of railroads runs deep for Ellen Januszkiewicz, a regular, enthusiastic ECRT volunteer from Orchard Park. Her father, Leon, was a track maintenance mechanic whose career brought Ellen’s family from Scranton, PA to rail yards of Lackawanna, NY. Read More John Landi Responsible fiscal management is critical to the success of any not-for-profit, and Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is no exception. We're grateful to our volunteer and Board Treasurer, John Landi, for his careful and caring financial oversight of ECRT's financial resources. Read More Laura Lisitsky Laura Lisitsky is a life-long Western New Yorker and a dedicated lover of the outdoors. Through her travels, chosen lifestyle and profession, Laura truly understands the value of trails. Read More Liz Birardi 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. Read More Bernie Young In his spare time, Bernie is one of ECRT’s valued, hard-working volunteers. Using an ATV four-wheeler and a tow-behind mower, he does a meticulous job maintaining the trail from Genesee Road to Old Glenwood. He also walks the trail frequently. For Bernie, the trail is a much-loved place he gladly takes care of and truly cares for; a place where he can commune with nature very close to home. Read More 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. For the Scheidels, every season brings a different kind of beauty to their section of the trail. Read More Larry and Gretel Laing Once apprehensive, Larry and Gretel 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. Read More Karen Parysek “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! Read More Jim and Cynthia Page Volunteers Jim and Cynthia Page clearly demonstrate you don’t have to live on or near Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail to appreciate it, use it and support efforts to complete it. Read More Howy Holmes Howy has been involved with Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail since its inception. “I mow, walk the trail in Orchard Park pretty frequently, take on maintenance jobs and participate in design and development. The new section [of the trail in Orchard Park] is so important. It links residents to the library, the depot and all the village has to offer. It’s such a great asset for the town and village. And this is just the beginning!” Read More Mary Brummer Mary feels called to talk and work with community members and elected officials in order to forge the best way to get things done and move forward with the Eire Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Read More Robin Frey "Rail corridors have played an important part in my development as a child. They were, and still are, places to explore, enjoy nature and spark creativity. I really want to see a safe, accessible trail for everyone to use and enjoy. This trail can make a huge difference in the quality of life for so many. The possibilities are endless!” Read More Harry James As far as the trail is concerned, Harry believes, “If you build it, they will come. There are lots of places to explore and enjoy here. It’s great when you see businesses interested and involved in the trial. I think you help communities grow by building and supporting cottage industries. You know, people will drive (or bike) to go to breakfast if the food is good!” Read More Jason Engel ECRT and the Springville Community Trout Pond partnered for the Springville Trout Pond Renovation project, guided by Jason, a leader in the Springville Field and Stream group. At the time, Jason explained, “We want to reclaim this popular and ecologically significant resource." Read More Bill Krebs The Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) has over 6,000 friends and supporters, but Springville Mayor Bill Krebs stands out from the rest! Read More Steve Williams Steve believes that joining the Orchard Park Friends of ECRT allows him to connect with nature and support his community. He wants to make his love for bike riding and the outdoors safer and better for everyone. Read More

Sign up today for EA2EVL Fondo 2024! 42-mile Charity Ride Supports ECRT Trail < Back Join us for the Fourth Annual EA2EVL Fondo Beth Lasky May 27, 2024 Sign up today for EA2EVL Fondo 2024! 42-mile Charity Ride Supports ECRT Trail Join us on October 5th for the 4th annual EA2EVL Fondo, a 42-mile epic road ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville. The ride will venture down Route 240 through the fall foliage and rolling hills of Western New York and end with a celebration at the beautiful Holiday Valley. The best part: 100% of the proceeds benefit ECRT! Register today! This event has SOLD OUT for three years and raised $150,000 to support the ECRT trail. We've used those funds to remove rails and ties, improve drainage and resurface the first 1.3 miles of the trail starting at the Orchard Park Village Depot. In June of 2023 this beautiful section opened to the public, connecting to the 2 miles of natural surface trail open at Jewett Holmwood Road. EA2EVL 2024 funds will be used to expand and improve the trail further south. Here's how YOU can help! RIDE ON: If you are a biker, register today ! 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! If you raise a minimum of $100 in donations , you get an event t-shirt and tickets for food and drinks at the finish line party. If you raise $500 or more , you also get an event jersey. The top fundraiser gets to wear the coveted yellow jersey. So sign up, ask your friends, family and coworkers to donate ( here ), and enjoy a great fall ride! 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 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/Volunteer/NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo or share this QR code: See you on October 5th! Previous Next

Map of the trail that displays the open and closed sections. Trail Map Explore and learn more about the various sections of the ECRT! Download Map

Dan previously lived in Orchard Park for many years, then relocated to West Seneca in 2025. He works in the computer/data analysis field. He’s been a volunteer at the after party of the EA2EVL Fondo for the past several years. In his spare time, he volunteers with several WNY non-profits, too: Tifft Farm Nature Preserve, WNED and others. Dan is talented at communicating with the public, a good organizer, and even does some catering. He made a delicious chili for ECRT’s Volunteer Appreciation event in November 2025! He plans to help with ECRT volunteer coordination, communications, events and other assignments as needed. < Back Dan Barone Dan previously lived in Orchard Park for many years, then relocated to West Seneca in 2025. He works in the computer/data analysis field. He’s been a volunteer at the after party of the EA2EVL Fondo for the past several years. In his spare time, he volunteers with several WNY non-profits, too: Tifft Farm Nature Preserve, WNED and others. Dan is talented at communicating with the public, a good organizer, and even does some catering. He made a delicious chili for ECRT’s Volunteer Appreciation event in November 2025! He plans to help with ECRT volunteer coordination, communications, events and other assignments as needed. Previous Next

Recently retired, Murray spent his entire career at Praxair and its former parent company, Union Carbide. Following college in 1981, he joined Union Carbide Plastics and Chemicals in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada as a project engineer. After assignments in plant operations and new product production at that facility, he transferred to the gases division in Toronto. This eventually became Praxair Inc. and Murray held assignments in operations, maintenance, plant operations, facilities planning, and sales before becoming Managing Director for Canada in 1999. In 2002, he transferred to the Tonawanda, New York technical center to assume responsibility for North American industrial gas operations. His next assignment in 2005 was President of Praxair Asia, based in Shanghai, China with accountability for the South Korea, China, Thailand, and India regions. He returned to the United States in 2009, again based in Tonawanda, to lead the global operations and procurement groups and, subsequently, to lead the Global Supply Systems (GSS) group that was responsible for the development, design, project management, and construction of the non-hydrogen facilities for Praxair. Murray held this role from 2010 to 2015 until his retirement. Murray received a BASc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and an MBA from York University (Toronto). < Back Murray Covello Recently retired, Murray spent his entire career at Praxair and its former parent company, Union Carbide. Following college in 1981, he joined Union Carbide Plastics and Chemicals in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada as a project engineer. After assignments in plant operations and new product production at that facility, he transferred to the gases division in Toronto. This eventually became Praxair Inc. and Murray held assignments in operations, maintenance, plant operations, facilities planning, and sales before becoming Managing Director for Canada in 1999. In 2002, he transferred to the Tonawanda, New York technical center to assume responsibility for North American industrial gas operations. His next assignment in 2005 was President of Praxair Asia, based in Shanghai, China with accountability for the South Korea, China, Thailand, and India regions. He returned to the United States in 2009, again based in Tonawanda, to lead the global operations and procurement groups and, subsequently, to lead the Global Supply Systems (GSS) group that was responsible for the development, design, project management, and construction of the non-hydrogen facilities for Praxair. Murray held this role from 2010 to 2015 until his retirement. Murray received a BASc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and an MBA from York University (Toronto). Previous Next

You Are Invited For A Winter Hike On ECRT! Pre-Register

Find answers to frequently asked questions regarding Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Frequent Questions Just the Facts Become a trail expert. More Info General Questions Learn more about the future trail, how it's anticipated to be built and maintained, and more. More Info Trail Users Discover which uses are anticipated for the trail at this time as well as details on when and how you can explore the trail in the future. More Info Trail Neighbors Specifically for our neighbors with property adjacent to the rail corridor, get answers to specific questions about privacy, safety/security, liability, home values, and more. More Info

Jim and Cynthia Page Volunteers Jim and Cynthia Page clearly demonstrate you don’t have to live on or near Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail to appreciate it, use it and support efforts to complete it. Long-time Lancaster residents, both are active cyclists. Jim retired from Calspan in 2018. During his last few years with the company (a time when all four daughters were grown and on their own), he took to riding to work and back every day from March through November “It was a 25 mile round trip. One year I estimated that I rode around 3,000 miles to work and other outings." Cynthia, meanwhile, who grew up in Amherst, recalls biking to college in all kinds of weather, starting on a big, heavy bicycle and eventually graduating to a 10-speed. She biked frequently in her neighborhood, often with family members. “Jim and I met at Calspan. We had a lot in common. An important, enjoyable part of many of our days was spent outdoors, often on bikes.” Their interest in biking even influenced their choice of neighborhoods. “We bought a home with access to bikeable roads,” said Cynthia. “There were no bike trails back then. And if you’re raising a family, it’s important for children to have a safe place to ride.” Both Jim and Cynthia are members of GOBike, where Jim volunteers repairing and renovating bikes for kids, an activity he thoroughly enjoys. They also support the notion of a regional trail – one that will someday incorporate the ECRT, the Southern Tier, and the Genesee Valley Greenway. Jim was one of several volunteers who helped improve and mulch the berm at the Orchard Park Depot. He has also participated in clearing portions of the West Falls section of the trail from Ellicott Road south on National Trails Day last June. Most recently, Jim helped clear debris adjacent to Jewett Holmwood Road in preparation for the opening of the new trail segment. “We are so impressed with this new section of trail. It was remarkable how quickly and professionally the stone dust surfacing of the trail was completed. It’s beautiful and a real asset for the community.” “The people on the ECRT board and volunteers are great to work with,” Jim reflected. “There’s a positive, engaging exchange of ideas and information along with the hard work demonstrated by these people. It’s extraordinary. “We look forward to future rides on the trail, especially as it continues to build to its full potential, linking communities for transportation, pleasure, and commerce. It will be an immeasurable asset to the south towns, not just for the people who live along the route. We are definitely looking forward to helping where we can.” More volunteers

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