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Robin Frey Robin Frey grew up in Alden, NY, next to the old Delaware, Lackawanna & Western (DL&W) rail line, built in 1883 and abandoned in 1963. “We lived in the old hotel across the street from the North Alden Station,” she noted. “We were all homeschooled and television wasn’t allowed, so we had time to get creative (or get into trouble) outdoors, mostly along that old rail line.” Hours on end spent exploring the tracks led to her love of “all things outdoors and all things railroad.” Robin credits her grandmother for her creativity and her father for her entrepreneurial spirit. Her dad “bought an old station wagon, painted Ken’s Handyman Wagon along its side panel, and Voila! He was in business!” She helped him make flyers and spread them all over the community, even door-to-door. Robin’s eccentric grandmother exhibited her own creative flair. Like Robin, she loved the outdoors and loved to paint, using “crazy, bright colors to interpret the natural world around her.” Self-sufficiency was a rule of thumb in Robin’s family, and Robin would hold a series of odd jobs starting at age 14. By 17, she was out on her own. “I attended GCC and took a course in advertising and design. But I was already earning a living at that time, and I just wanted to work with my hands – like my dad.” She soon landed a job with Ingersoll Painting & Construction, painting and doing intricate plaster work on some of Buffalo’s most historic homes and businesses. “I really enjoyed doing my small part to preserve and restore some of these magnificent buildings.” ‘Tired hands’ led her to retire the paint brush for less physical marketing and advertising, first with Joe Basil Chevrolet and later as the Marketing Manager for the entire Basil Automotive Group. “I became adept using a variety of Internet marketing platforms. I produced advertising materials and managed the advertising budget for the Group.” Some years later, moving to Ashford, NY, Robin again found herself living near a rail line. “I started walking the corridor regularly. It was so beautiful! I got involved with the Pop Warner section of the trail and started taking lots of pictures in the area – mostly of the trail. I showed them to the owner of Vanover Fine Arts, one of Springville’s local galleries at the time”, and they were so impressed that they “invited me to do a show of my own there, featuring many photos of the trail. I called it Beauty In Our Backyard.” During a brief move to Las Vegas, Robin secured a marketing management role with Goodnature, a commercial juicing equipment manufacturer which, oddly enough, was based in Buffalo. Her work focused on increasing brand awareness through industry trade shows and required frequent travel to promote the company. Goodnature moved her back to their Buffalo headquarters to expand their social media presence and produce the company’s annual JuiceCon convention. Robin’s recent corporate projects include developing a new company website, overseeing a rebranding effort and producing the firm’s popular hardcover publication, The Juicing Companion. “It’s a growing company with lots of opportunities. I’m really happy there.” Both a cyclist and hiker, Robin rode in the 2021 EA2EVL Fondo, the fundraising bike ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville benefitting Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. There she reconnected with ECRT, and since then she’s become a key player on the Communications Team, leading its Social Media focus group and developing branding guidelines. “I look forward to helping with the website and building greater brand awareness for the trail. Personally, 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!” March 1, 2023 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

< Back Dale Morris Dale holds a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from Cornell University. He has 40 years of experience in the planning field at the community, town, and county level. Now retired from the position of Director of the Erie County Office of Geographic Information Services. Previous Next Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

Board of Directors Executive B oard: President: Mary Brummer, DVM, Orchard Park Veterinarian, Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center (Retired) mbrummer@ecattrail.org Vice-President: Gary Koeppel , Orchard Park Praxair, Associate Director of Pipeline Engineering (Retired) gkoeppel@ecattrail.org ​ Treasurer: John Landi , Orc hard Park Business Data and Analytics Manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP jlandi@ecattrail.org ​ Secretary: Gerald Reger , Hamburg CPA, Sole Proprietor – Professional Accounting and Consulting Services (Retired) Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo – Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer (Retired) Dopkins & Company, LLP – Partner (Retired) jreger@ecattrail.org ​ Directors: Robert Ballard , Town of Boston Past Vice President: WNY Snowmobile Club of Boston rballard@ecattrail.org ​ Michael Conway , Orchard Park Past Executive Director: Mahoning Valley and Adirondack Economic Development Corporations mconway@ecattrail.org ​ Murray Covello , Orchard Park Praxair – Global Supply Systems Leader (Retired) Past Board Member and Board Chair of Greater Buffalo Chapter of American Red Cross (Retired) mcovello@ecattrail.org Paul Cramer , Orchard Park Managing Director: Broadcast Solutions, Veritone, Inc. pcramer@ecattrail.org ​ Tom Grogan , Orchard Park (Retired) Brock, Schechter, & Polakoff, LLP CPAs tgrogan@ecattrail.org ​ Howy Holmes , Orchard Park President, Friends of Birdsong Highway Contractor (Retired) hholmes@ecattrail.org 716-983-3605 ​ Kathleen McCrone , Orchard Park Marketing and Account Management (Retired) kmccrone@ecattrail.org ​ Antonio Miceli, Orchard Park Senior Project Manager – Buffalo Construction Consultants, Inc. amiceli@ecattrail.org ​ Dale Morris , East Aurora Director of Geographic Information Services (Retired) Erie County Department of Environmental Planning dmorris@ecattrail.org ​ Steve Musso , East Aurora FinPro- COO (retired) Past Board Member and Treasurer of The Graycliff Conservancy (Re tired) smusso@ecattrail.org ​ Lisa Rood , Boston Former Town of Boston Supervisor Current Chair of Boston Zoning Board Consultant for Older Adult Programs - Hamburg United Methodist Church lrood@ecattrail.org Jeff Sellers , West Falls Five Star Bank, Real Estate and Facilities Manager jsellers@ecattrail.org Jim Slominski , Orchard Park Appeals Officer, Internal Revenue Service (Retired) Trustee of WNY Railroad Historical Society Railroad Historian for ECRT jslominski@ecattrail.org ​ Deborah Stellrecht , West Falls Finance and Website Manager, St. George Church, West Falls Communications/I T Support, Highmark BCBS of WNY (Retired) dstellrecht@ecattrail.org ​ Dorothea Wattles , Colden Educator – Orchard Park Schools dwattles@ecattrail.org Lauren Weber , Orchard Park Attorney, Phillips Lytle LLP lweber@ecattrail.org ​ Marc Romanowsk i , Orchard Park Partner, Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC Environmental/Brownfields, Land/Use Zoning, Energy, Municipal, Administrative and Litigation Attorney mromanowski@ecattrail.org ​ Francis Hogenkamp , Orchard Park 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 fhogenkamp@ecattrail.org ​ Director s Emeritus: ​ Rick LeFeber , Cattaraugus County Executive Director Cattaraugus LDC (Pat McGee Trail) cldc@netsync.net Deb Fenn , Aurora Communications executive and history teacher. (Retired) ECRT Past President dfenn@ecattrail.org

< Back Deborah Stellrecht Debbie has enjoyed a varied career, owing to a curiosity about everything! She served for 5 years in the Canadian Air Force as an Avionics Technician, then went on to do work in the fields of Technical writing, computer programming and web design. In 2013 she took a break from IT to manage the office end of her home parish of St. George in West Falls. Although retired from full time employment with the parish in 2021, she continues part-time as the parish bookkeeper and website manager. Debbie believes that time spent in nature is essential to our spiritual, mental and physical wellbeing, and she enjoys running the open portions of the trail whenever possible. Her goal is to do everything she can to increase financial support for trail improvements and community engagement with the ECRT organization. Previous Next Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

Harry James Over the past year or more, Harry James has played an integral role in ECRT’s successful bridge redecking and restoration efforts in the Town of Concord. He was named, he tells me, after his father, Harry James, and not in homage to the famous jazz trumpeter and big band leader, Harry James. Both Harrys, however — ours and the jazz legend — share a common key to their shared success on the job: They can improvise! According to ECRT Board member Kathleen McCrone, his improvisational skills and talent as an on-the-spot problem-solver came in handy more than once when critical adjustments in materials and measurements were needed to resolve unforeseen construction problems. “It was amazing watching Harry tackle a problem. First, his eyes would light up, he’d take a step or two back and we could almost see the gears turning in his brain. After a few moments of contemplation, he’d grab some tools, lumber, and a few volunteers and confidently get busy creating a perfect solution.” Harry grew up in Saranac Lake, where his mom ran the corner store and his selfemployed dad had both winter and summer jobs. “When you live in the Adirondacks year-round, you need to be versatile,” he noted, obviously an inherited skill. As a young man, Harry enjoyed venturing on foot or by bike to places not always on any map and sometimes considerable distances from home — “wherever a bike or my feet could take me” — Harry recalls. He loved to fish and was snowmobiling by the age of 14. “And I was always busy building or making things. To this day, I consider ‘creating’ my strongest interest and skill.” Harry attended SUNY@ Canton where he studied engineering. During the course of his career, he applied his skills working for Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, Carrier Corporation, Corning Glass Company, and Budweiser. He retired in 2021 after 30 years with the West Valley Nuclear Demonstration Project. Harry is a 30-year member of the Western New York Snowmobile Club of Boston and the organization’s current vice president. Here he met fellow bridge-building partner John Baronich, a former principal and shop teacher. Together, with the able assistance of other retired regulars interested in construction, they were able to successfully redeck and restore a total of seven bridges. “The new decking is basically an even floor with no gaps. The goal was to make these bridges usable for everybody — not just snowmobiles.” Today, Harry remains an avid builder/creator and bicyclist. He owns bikes for every season and surface. To his credit and for pleasure, he participated in both the 2021 and 2022 EA2EVL Fondo events, the non-competitive fundraising bike ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville to benefit the ECRT trail. 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!” February 1, 2023 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

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.” July 1, 2023 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

Just the Facts About the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (Updated October 2023) Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit volunteer organization formed in 2008 to serve as the trail manager for the former rail line that runs from Orchard Park to Ashford. ECRT is making great progress in its efforts to convert this 27-mile rail line to a multiuse recreational trail. What sections are open today? ​ I n Orchard Park , a 1.3-mile section from the Orchard Park Depot to Jewett Holmwood Road has been newly resurfaced and opened in June of 2023. A 2-mile section of the trail from Ellicott Road to Jewett Holmwood Road is cleared to its natural surface and open. A 1.7-mile Pop Warner section in Springville is open, as well as another 3.5 miles of natural surface trail in East Concord . What types of activities does the trail accommodate? ​ Walking, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available in all open sections. Surface-friendly biking is available in Springville and Orchard Park. Considerate horseback riders are welcome in Concord (re: waste materials), and snowmobilers may use the Springville and open Concord sections of the trail when the local snowmobile trail system is open. ATVs, dirt bikes and other motorized wheeled vehicles are not permitted. Snowmobiles are not permitted in Orchard Park. ​ Who owns the trail? Has it been abandoned? ​ Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad owns the land and the railroad right-of-way. The railroad has not abandoned its interest in operating a railroad on the property. It is private property and is owned “fee simple” which means the railroad holds the title. The railroad has railbanked its property for interim use as a trail to preserve it for the possibility of future rail restoration. What does railbanking mean? The Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved the railroad’s Notice of Interim Trail Use as a multi-purpose trail. ECRT was named trail manager in 2018 through a federal railbanking agreement. This corridor has been identified by the STB as a significant national transportation asset that needs to be protected and preserved for potential reuse. The railbanking order stipulates that ECRT is to develop a multiuse trail on this corridor. Who has jurisdiction over the trail? The federal government has jurisdiction over the corridor. This preempts local and state jurisdiction of its use. Even though it is private property, the use of the property is regulated by the STB since Congress regulates interstate commerce. It’s still a transportation corridor, with train traffic being replaced by trail users. It can be replaced by rail traffic again in the future. It is a railroad right of way that is being used as a trail in the interim. What is the best way to build it? ​ The decision to use this railroad corridor as a trail is final. It has been reviewed and approved by the STB. The best way to build it is to work in partnership with local towns and residents to gather public and municipal input and preferences. Working together and with town support, we can be more successful in raising the funds needed to add amenities and create the best product for all. The trail will likely be built in phases over time. Some sections may open for limited use, with future amenities and improvements made as funding permits. ​ Who is responsible if someone is injured on the trail? Are adjacent landowners responsible? Trail users are responsible for their own safety. The NYS General Obligations Law, Recreational Use Statute, specifically states no owner or lessee of property shall be responsible for or held liable for any injury to person or property for which access has been granted for recreational purposes. Adjacent landowners cannot be held liable in the event someone enters adjacent property without permission. Has there been recent progress on trail design? ​ A 1.3-mile section from the Orchard Park Depot to Jewett Holmwood Road has been newly resurfaced and opened in June of 2023. In addition, seven bridges throughout the Concord section of trail have been redecked, and trail surfaces cleared for winter use. Recently awarded grant funds have resulted in universal access to the Springville Community Trout Pond in the spring of 2023, including an on-site bike rack and a trail Welcome/Information kiosk. ​ What next for the trail? 2024 goals include: Further improvements on the 2-mile Orchard Park section between Jewett Holmwood Road and Ellicott Road Designs to address drainage, washout and culvert work necessary on the West Falls trail section Further improvements to the natural surface trail in Concord Evaluation and design for the historic Cascade Bridge spanning Erie and Cattaraugus counties Universal access to the Springville Trout Pond Highlights of ECRT’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2025 are available online at ecattrail.org/strategicplan23-25 . G et Involved : To learn more, start at our homepage . Sign up to volunteer , donate , or become a membe r . Downlo ad PDF ​ Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. 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< Back Lisa Rood Lisa, a former Town of Boston Supervisor and horsewoman, became involved with ECRT over 5 years ago to support the equestrian use of the rail trail. You'll most often find her at events, staffing the ECRT outreach table and sharing the progress of the trail with visitors. Previous Next Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

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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 Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

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Board of Directors Executive B oard: President: Mary Brummer, DVM, Orchard Park Veterinarian, Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center (Retired) mbrummer@ecattrail.org Vice-President: Gary Koeppel , Orchard Park Praxair, Associate Director of Pipeline Engineering (Retired) gkoeppel@ecattrail.org ​ Treasurer: John Landi , Orc hard Park Business Data and Analytics Manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP jlandi@ecattrail.org ​ Secretary: Gerald Reger , Hamburg CPA, Sole Proprietor – Professional Accounting and Consulting Services (Retired) Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo – Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer (Retired) Dopkins & Company, LLP – Partner (Retired) jreger@ecattrail.org ​ Directors: Robert Ballard , Town of Boston Past Vice President: WNY Snowmobile Club of Boston rballard@ecattrail.org ​ Michael Conway , Orchard Park Past Executive Director: Mahoning Valley and Adirondack Economic Development Corporations mconway@ecattrail.org ​ Murray Covello , Orchard Park Praxair – Global Supply Systems Leader (Retired) Past Board Member and Board Chair of Greater Buffalo Chapter of American Red Cross (Retired) mcovello@ecattrail.org Paul Cramer , Orchard Park Managing Director: Broadcast Solutions, Veritone, Inc. pcramer@ecattrail.org ​ Tom Grogan , Orchard Park (Retired) Brock, Schechter, & Polakoff, LLP CPAs tgrogan@ecattrail.org ​ Howy Holmes , Orchard Park President, Friends of Birdsong Highway Contractor (Retired) hholmes@ecattrail.org 716-983-3605 ​ Kathleen McCrone , Orchard Park Marketing and Account Management (Retired) kmccrone@ecattrail.org ​ Antonio Miceli, Orchard Park Senior Project Manager – Buffalo Construction Consultants, Inc. amiceli@ecattrail.org ​ Dale Morris , East Aurora Director of Geographic Information Services (Retired) Erie County Department of Environmental Planning dmorris@ecattrail.org ​ Steve Musso , East Aurora FinPro- COO (retired) Past Board Member and Treasurer of The Graycliff Conservancy (Re tired) smusso@ecattrail.org ​ Lisa Rood , Boston Former Town of Boston Supervisor Current Chair of Boston Zoning Board Consultant for Older Adult Programs - Hamburg United Methodist Church lrood@ecattrail.org Jeff Sellers , West Falls Five Star Bank, Real Estate and Facilities Manager jsellers@ecattrail.org Jim Slominski , Orchard Park Appeals Officer, Internal Revenue Service (Retired) Trustee of WNY Railroad Historical Society Railroad Historian for ECRT jslominski@ecattrail.org ​ Deborah Stellrecht , West Falls Finance and Website Manager, St. George Church, West Falls Communications/I T Support, Highmark BCBS of WNY (Retired) dstellrecht@ecattrail.org ​ Dorothea Wattles , Colden Educator – Orchard Park Schools dwattles@ecattrail.org Lauren Weber , Orchard Park Attorney, Phillips Lytle LLP lweber@ecattrail.org ​ Marc Romanowsk i , Orchard Park Partner, Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC Environmental/Brownfields, Land/Use Zoning, Energy, Municipal, Administrative and Litigation Attorney mromanowski@ecattrail.org ​ Francis Hogenkamp , Orchard Park 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 fhogenkamp@ecattrail.org ​ Director s Emeritus: ​ Rick LeFeber , Cattaraugus County Executive Director Cattaraugus LDC (Pat McGee Trail) cldc@netsync.net Deb Fenn , Aurora Communications executive and history teacher. (Retired) ECRT Past President dfenn@ecattrail.org