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Deb Fenn Steve Williams As we turn our thoughts to ones of gratitude during the holiday season, ECRT feels especially grateful for the hard work and positive energy that so many of our volunteers have contributed this past year. And Steve Williams, a resident of Orchard Park, is one of them. You may have seen or spoken with him at the Orchard Fresh Farmer’s Markets last summer, enthusiastically engaging with the public on behalf of ECRT. “This past summer volunteering at the Orchard Park farmers market was a great experience to reach out to neighbors and share our mission to make ECRT a reality,” Steve reports. “The response was overwhelmingly positive with great anticipation by all.” 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. Connecting with nature Steve boasts a lifelong enjoyment of the outdoors. As a young boy on Long Island, he would ride his bike to meet friends, play in the woods, travel to baseball games and deliver newspapers. And he’s still riding locally and in Florida, Boston and everywhere in between. Today every member of his family always had a bike—and they still do! Supporting the community Steve’s career in banking allowed him to work in NYC, Wilmington DE, and Buffalo. In 1988, he moved to Orchard Park, with his wife Theresa, and their two sons, Chris and Dan. While raising their family, Steve was also an Odyssey of the Mind coach and a Quaker Marching Band dad. Now that Steve is retired, he has more time to spend with family and friends. “As time flies by, my childhood, school, career, marriage, parenting, and now growing older, I want to be outside and enjoy nature even more,” says Steve. “OP is a beautiful place to raise a family and enjoy the outdoors. As a grandparent, I look forward to one day riding/walking the trail with my grandson, Lucas!” Thanks, Steve, for all you do for your family, the community, and for ECRT! December 1, 2019 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

< Back Dorothea Wattles Previous Next

Former communications executive, history teacher and ECRT president, Deb has been an advocate for and board member of the trail since its inception. "When finished, this multi-use trail will be a safe, spectacularly beautiful place for south towns' residents to bike, hike and so much more. It also will bring welcome economic benefits to every town and village it traverses." < Back Deb Fenn Former communications executive, history teacher and ECRT president, Deb has been an advocate for and board member of the trail since its inception. "When finished, this multi-use trail will be a safe, spectacularly beautiful place for south towns' residents to bike, hike and so much more. It also will bring welcome economic benefits to every town and village it traverses." Previous Next

A little rain couldn't keep the ghouls and goblins away < Back OP Trail Trot a success despite the drizzle! Deborah Stellrecht Oct 23, 2023 A little rain couldn't keep the ghouls and goblins away Rain may have dampened the attendance a bit for the Orchard Park Trail Trot, but spirits were certainly bright, and the costumes were inventive and funny! You can see all of the photos from this day on our Facebook page or our Google Photos album , Our thanks to Runners Roost for co-sponsoring this family-friendly trail event with us, and to our incredible volunteers for all of their help to make it run smoothly! Previous Next

When I retired from a delightful 33-year career in veterinary medicine, I yearned to direct my energy toward a project that would enhance our Western NY community. Developing this rail corridor which travels through such spectacular landscapes seems like a perfect fit. The task requires both art and science backgrounds to complete. It also helps to truly enjoy working with and for people. Fortunately, veterinary medicine required similar types of skills, and I feel well-prepared to lead this rail trail effort. < Back Mary Brummer When I retired from a delightful 33-year career in veterinary medicine, I yearned to direct my energy toward a project that would enhance our Western NY community. Developing this rail corridor which travels through such spectacular landscapes seems like a perfect fit. The task requires both art and science backgrounds to complete. It also helps to truly enjoy working with and for people. Fortunately, veterinary medicine required similar types of skills, and I feel well-prepared to lead this rail trail effort. 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

Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the ECRT trail! < Back West Falls Easter Egg Hunt Laura Gunderson Apr 12, 2025 Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the ECRT trail! Free event! Learn more about it and please register at www.WestFallsEggHunt2025.eventbrite.com . We want to be sure we have enough candy & prizes for all the kids. Previous Next

Join fellow ECRT Members for a walk on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in Orchard Park as the sun sets and the full moon rises. < Back Members Sunset/Full Moon Trail Walk Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Apr 13, 2025 Join fellow ECRT Members for a walk on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail in Orchard Park as the sun sets and the full moon rises. As a benefit of ECRT membership, you are invited to enjoy new sensations on the trail in a totally different nighttime setting, and to celebrate at the Orchard Park Depot afterward with complimentary refreshments! Listen to the unusual sounds of the night, smell the crisp night air, see the shadows of the trail caused by the full moon and enjoy the trail in a totally different setting! Peer through our telescope for a closer look at the night sky. ECRT members: Check your inbox - you have already received a personal email invitation to this member event. Cost: This is a Free Event for registered ECRT Members Location: Starts and ends at Orchard Park Train Depot Check-in Time: 7:30pm - Orchard Park Train Depot Trail Talk: 7:40pm Walk Start Time: 8pm Light refreshments to follow: Approximately 8:45pm Walk distance: 2.6 miles – from Orchard Park train depot to Jewett Holmwood Rd and back Parking: Available on-street parking and in the Orchard Park Library parking lot adjacent to the OP Train Depot. NOT A MEMBER? BECOME ONE TODAY! GO TO ECATTRAIL.ORG/ J OIN After signing up as a member, you will receive a thank you email containing your member-only link this special event. Previous Next

Explore the Rail Trail in East Concord < Back Spring Trail Walk in East Concord Mary Carol Dearing Apr 13, 2024 Explore the Rail Trail in East Concord Mary Carol Dearing, leader of the Springville-Concord Friends of the rail trail, will lead you on a southbound walk on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, an out and back walk of 3-4 miles, depending on the group's interests. Meet in the Shamel Milling parking lot on Genesee Rd in East Concord for a 9:30 am start. Rain or shine, so dress for the weather and wear sturdy boots/hiking footwear. Register at https://EastConcordTrailWalk.eventbrite.com . Previous Next

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

Retzlaffs lend muscle power to trail clean up near Springville Depot < Back Springville Depot owners help with Trail clean up Dorothea Wattles Apr 16, 2024 Retzlaffs lend muscle power to trail clean up near Springville Depot When ECRT Trail Maintenance volunteers Dorothea Wattles and Dave Stahley started clearing storm debris from the trail near the Springville Depot, it became clear that their wheelbarrow wasn't the ideal choice for the volume of limbs and twigs that needed to be cleared up. Matt and Valerie Retzlaff, proprietors of the Springville Depot, came out to lend their hands and some additional hauling power to the operation! We thank them for their help and their enthusiasm for the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! Matt Retzlaff helps haul the debris out with his tractor and trailer. @eriecattaraugusrailtrail #eriecattaraugusrailtrail @springvilledepot #springvilledepot Previous Next

Deb Fenn Howy Holmes Howy Holmes ( affectionately known as "Mr. Orchard Park") is a lifelong resident of Orchard Park. His home, built in 1861, was originally located along Quaker Field Stables and was owned by Harry Yates, who, among other accomplishments, was a principal with Buffalo & Pittsburgh RR and instrumental in the design and construction of the OP Depot. Howy’s parents bought about an acre or so of property from Yates and moved the historic house to its current location at Bridle Path and Freeman Rd. Howy and wife Dorothy later purchased the home from his mother in 1982 where they raised their family and continue to live today. “I went from sleeping in the kid’s bedroom to the master bedroom – about 30 feet down the hall,” he quipped. Howy attended OP HS and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in finance from Miami Florida. There he met his wife Dorothy, in the last few days of his college career and her master’s program. He then joined the Navy reserves and served from 1966 – 1968. He and Dorothy married in 1972. Together, they raised 2 children, now grown: a daughter Chandra who lives near St. Louis, and son Tyler, who lives nearby in Amherst. After college, Howy decided to join the family’s highway construction business, Holmes & Murphy, established in 1917 by his grandfather. His wealth of experience in design and construction has been invaluable to Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, and the board continues to rely on him and his considerable expertise. Throughout his adult life, Howy has been an active and avid community supporter. People often refer to Howy as ‘Mr. Orchard Park”, and rightly so! His affiliations and accolades include Orchard Park Citizen of the Year (2004), member and President of the Orchard Park Chamber of Commerce, Co-President of the Orchard Park Historical Society, President of the Quaker Friends Cemetery, board member of the Buffalo Ski Club and Hickory Hill Swim & Tennis Club, and a charter member of the Orchard Park Council of the Arts – the organization that built the Orchard Park Pavilion. “I was ‘Person of the Year’ in 2006 in Time Magazine,” he says, half-jokingly. “Just Google it.” [That was the year Time noted every citizen in that category!] Howy is also known to be a frequent attendee at Town board meetings. “I’m interested in what’s going on. You have to read the local paper and follow what’s happening in your hometown. It’s important. How else can you make good decisions? You need to support and sometimes question your local officials. That’s democracy.” 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!” June 1, 2023 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back