ARMSTRONG TRAIL PLANS 2 SPRING
CLEAN-UP EVENTS
In conjunction with the Great American Clean-up/Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful program the Armstrong Rails to Trails Association (ARTA) is planning 2 events along the trail. Volunteers are needed!!
Saturday April 28 – 30Mile Trail Clean-Up Rosston to East Brady
If you are an Adopt a Trail volunteer, live along the trail or use the trail for walking, biking or other recreational activities please come out this day to pick up litter, remove branches and rocks from the trail surface and grassy areas on each side and to conduct general trail maintenance. This will be the Armstrong Trail spring maintenance kick-off. Watch the website and the Armstrong Trail Facebook page for information regarding additional work days. If you need clean-up supplies or bag pick-up please contact Toni Henry at 724-526-3552 or Sarah Heppenstall at 412-963-1792. Also, please report the number of bags of trash removed as this is a registered Great American Clean-Up of PA event.
Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6Phillipston Dumpsite Clean-Up
Join ARTA members to clean-up two illegal dumpsites along the Armstrong Trail in Phillipston. All clean-up supplies will be provided along with lunch and water. The clean-up will begin both days at 9:00 AM and finish by 3:00 PM. For more information contact Patty Brunner at 724-325-3224. Phillipston is about 2 ½ miles north of East Brady and 4 miles south of Rimersburg. Take Rt. 68 and look for SR2023/Phillipston Rd. then look for the trail parking sign at the end of the road.
ORGANIZED SPRING RIDES A SUCCESS
Paul Winslow, ARTA lifetime member, receives assistance changing a flat tire near Lock and Dam 9
Three spring rides were organized by Dave Rupert of the Allegheny Valley Land Trust. The first ride took place on Saturday, April 14th with a total of twenty riders enjoying 30 miles along the Armstrong Trail between East Brady and Rosston. On April 21st five riders did all or part of the Redbank Trail between Brookville and the Redbank parking lot at the end of the 41 mile trail. Predictions of inclement weather canceled the third ride scheduled for April 24th which was to take place on the Armstrong Trail. Although in some cases the weather and trail conditions were not ideal, the spectacular scenery and rider camaraderie more than made up for it. Watch the website for announcements of future group rides.
ALLEGHENY VALLEY LAND TRUST HOSTS
TRAIL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER
On Sunday, March 11, 120 trail members, volunteers and supporters of the Armstrong and Redbank Valley Trails were treated to a roast beef dinner at the Manor Township Fire Hall. The board of directors of the Allegheny Valley Land Trust (AVLT) organized the event to show their appreciation to all who have worked so hard to bring the trails to fruition. AVLT is the owner of the rail banked railroad corridors that are now in use or being developed as a 4-season, non-motorized recreational biking and hiking trail.
Volunteer awards were presented to members of both trail associations who individually contributed over 100, 200 or 300 volunteer hours in 2011. Volunteers worked on trail improvements, maintenance, renovations of historical sites and provided time to complete administrative tasks such as grant writing, financial reporting, sign research, public relations and marketing. AVLT's Executive Director Ron Steffey was also given the "Going the Extra Mile" award from both the Armstrong and Redbank Associations.
To learn more about the trails, association meeting times, work days and events go to www.armstrongtrail.org or www.redbankvalleytrails.org
Redbank Valley Trails Association Awardees
Front row: Ray Doverspike, Darla Kirkpatrick, Connie and Bill Kirkpatrick
Back row: Pam and Dave Henderson, Fred McIlhattan who was honored for his role in promoting development of the trail, Sandy and Terry Mateer and Galen Shirey.
Not pictured were: Mark Kirkpatrick and Bea Willeumier.
Armstrong Rails To Trails Association Awardees
Front row: Joanne Haneke, Sarah Heppenstall, Angela Burtner,
Middle row: Al Smith, Anita Smith, Toni Henry, Darwin Burtner, Ron Steffey
Back row: Dick Starr, Sam Heppenstall, Martin Henry, Mike Steimer
Winter Newsletter
East Brady Tunnel and Campground Feasibility Study Grant Meeting Notes
April ARTA Meeting Notes
March ARTA Meeting Notes
February ARTA Meeting Notes
Armstrong Trail Accomplishments
Survey
Please provide us with some information on the Armstrong Trail by taking a short survey. It will only take a few minutes.
Click on (or cut and past) the following to start the survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YYDFXWT
Thank You!
Armstrong Trail
Armstrong Trail Receives DCNR - Grant
Document
Safety Alert
Temporary Closure in the East Brady Area
A section of the Armstrong Trail between the village of Phillipston and East Brady Borough will be closed to the public from December 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012. The closed section is between mile 67.3 (one mile upstream of Phillipston) and 67.9 (the sewage plant in East Brady). This temporary closure will enable trail surface improvements, trail safety improvements, and infrastructure for a new 35 lot residential development to be completed in a safe and efficient manner. No temporary detour will be available to link East Brady to the remainder of the Armstrong Trail during the temporary closure.
Updates on the progress and confirmation of the reopening of this section will be posted on the Armstrong Trail website www.armstrongtrail.org, the Armstrong Trail Facebook page, and the Armstrong Trail Yahoo Forum.
New Pictures!
Click here to look at new progress being made to enhance the safety of the trail.
Armstrong Rails to Trails Association's Monthly Meetings
Armstrong Rails to Trails Association holds its monthly meeting on the 2nd Monday of every month at 6:30 PM. The meetings are held in the Commissioners Conference Room in the Armstrong County Court House Annex Building located at 500 East Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201. All are welcome to attend!
