Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail
Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail
Community engagement requested to help building plans for the future
ORCHARD PARK — Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) plans to bring a multiuse recreational trail to the Southtowns and 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 at www.ecattrail.org. 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 may be found at www.ecattrail.org.
About Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc.: Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as trail manager for a 27-mile recreational trail on the Buffalo Pittsburgh Railroad rail line. In 2018, ECRT, Inc. and BPRR signed a long-term rail banking agreement to allow for trail use and improvements. In 2023, the first 1.5 miles of the trail were resurfaced and opened to the public in Orchard Park, starting at the historic Village Depot, connecting to the 2-mile natural surface section that is open between Jewett Holmwood and Ellicott Roads. Another 8-miles of natural surface trail is open in Concord, including the 1.7 mile Pop Warner section in Springville. ECRT, Inc. has over 6,500 friends and community supporters. Find more information at https://www.ecattrail.org/.
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/.