"Southern Tier Association for Rails-to-Trails and CLDC Receive NYS Recreational Trails Grant" from the
Saturday, February 26th, 2000 issue of the County Chronicle
The Cattaraugus Local Development Corporation (CLDC) received confirmation from Bernadette Castro, Commissioner, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, that a $59,500 grant had been awarded as part of the National Recreational Trails Program, to be utilized by S.T.A.R.T. (Southern Tier Association for Rails-to-Trails).
In a news release by Governor Pataki he stated, "New York has an excellent network of more than 16,000 miles of trails which provide access to some of America's most spectacular scenery. These grants will expand and enhance this outstanding network while providing more recreational opportunities for all New Yorkers."
"Whether through biking, snowmobiling, biking, cross country skiing or horseback riding, people of all ages and abilities can experience and enjoy the wealth of natural resources New York State has to offer," the governor said.
The grant will be administered by the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Mike Miecznikowski, Regional Grant Representative, from Allegany State Park stated, "This grant is the only one awarded in the 3 counties of the southern tier! We know that this will be an excellent project."
The CLDC is finalizing ownership of a 12.14 mile 147 acre abandoned railroad bed corridor currently owned by the Cattaraugus County IDA (CCIDA). The property runs from the Salamanca City Line to the edge of the Village of Cattaraugus. This grant money is specifically targeted for the new development of .25 mile portion of the trail at the foot of Main Street in Little Valley. It will be a rest area and park with a Gazebo, picnic tables, a self contained rest room, renovation of a turn of the century caboose, construction of a building for horses and snowmobiles and purchase of various trail maintenance equipment.
Tammy Buchhardt, Village Clerk of Little Valley who co-wrote the grant, commented "This grant assures a beautiful 'gateway' into the trail at Little Valley".
"We want to publicly say 'Thank You' to everyone involved: Governor Pataki, Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro, Mike Miecznikowski, Pat McGee, Cathy Young, county legislatures, mayor Bonnie Bigelow, and the 100's of people that have been a part of helping to garner this grant!" stated Rick LeFeber, Executive Director of the CLDC.
"This is very important to the regions revival and all the projects that we have under way in Little Valley. It is the icing on the cake in regards to the Randall Arendt Program and green space for an industrial development site." said Brad Walters, Chairman of START and the Little Valley Revitalization and Economic Development (LVRED) committee.
In addition the Village of Little Valley has sponsored the CLDC as the applicant for a TEA-21 Grant for $1,300,000 to complete the entire 12 miles of trail. That application was reviewed by the Buffalo Office of NYSDOT last year and has been forwarded to Albany for final determination as a possible recipient. Amo Houghton, Pat McGee and Cathy Young have been championing the TEA-21 Grant.
The CLDC is a not for Profit 501 (c) 3 charged with the mission of community and economic development. They are involved in 9 different projects related to that mission and are currently working with over 40 other organizations and municipalities. they meet monthly at 303 Main Street (In the rehabbed GRAMCO building), in Little Valley. START meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7 pm at the same location. Anyone interested in contacting either organization my reach them at 257-3237 or 938-6343.
Saturday, February 26, 2000
Friday, February 25, 2000
NYS Recreational Trails Granted to be Awarded - Special-E-Fects
NYS Recreational Trails Granted to be Awarded from the Friday, February 25, 2000 issue of the Special-E-Fects
S.T.A.R.T. & CLDC to Receive $59,500 Grant
The Cattaraugus Local Development Corporation (CLDC) received confirmation from Bernadette Castro, Commissioner, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, that a $59,500 grant had been awarded as part of the National Recreational Trails Program, to be utilized by S.T.A.R.T. (Southern Tier Association for Rails-to-Trails).
In a news release by Governor Pataki he stated, "New York has an excellent network of more than 16,000 miles of trails which provide access to some of America's most spectacular scenery. These Grants will expand and enhance this outstanding network while providing more recreational opportunities for all New Yorkers".
"Whether through hiking, snowmobiling, biking, cross-country skiing or horseback riding, people of all ages and abilities can experience and enjoy the wealth of natural resources New York State has to offer," the Governor said.
The grant will be administered by the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Mike Miecznikowski, Regional Grant Representative, from Allegany State Park stated, "This grant is the only one awarded in the three counties of the Southern Tier! We know that this will be an excellent project."
The CLDC is finalizing ownership of a 12.14 mile 147 acre abandoned railroad bed corridor currently owned by the Cattaraugus County IDA (CCIDA). The property runs from the Salamanca City line to the edge of the Village of Cattaraugus. This grant money is specifically targeted for the new development of .25 mile portion of the trail at the foot of Main Street in Little Valley. it will be a rest area and park with a Gazebo, picnic tables, a self contained rest room, renovation of a turn of the century caboose, construction of a building for horses and snowmobiles and purchase of various trail maintenance equipment.
Tammy Buchhardt, Village Clerk of Little Valley who co-wrote the grant, commended, "The grant assures a beautiful 'gateway' into the trail at Little Valley."
"We want to publicly say thank you to everyone involved: Governor Pataki, Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro, Mike Miecznikowski, Pat McGee, Cathy Young, County legislatures, Mayor Bonnie Bigelow and the hundreds of people that have been a part of helping to garner this grant!" stated Rick LeFeber, Executive Director of the CLDC.
Brad Walters. Chairman of the S.T.A.R.T. and the Little Valley Revitalization and Economic Development (LVRED) committee stated, "This is very important to the regions revival and all the projects that we have underway in Little Valley. It is the iceing on the cake in regards to the Randall Arendt Program and green space for an industrial development site.
In addition the Village of Little Valley has sponsored the CLDC as the applicant for a TEA-21 grant for 1,300,000 to complete the entire 12 miles of trail. That application was reviewed by the Buffalo Office of NYSDOT last year and has been forwarded to Albany for final determination as a possible recipient. Amo Houghton, Pat McGee and Cathy Young have been championing the TEA-21 Grant.
The CLDC is a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 charged with the Mission of community and economic development. they are involved in 9 different projects related to that mission and are currently working with over 40 other organizations and municipalities. They meet monthly at 303 Main Street (in the rehabbed GRAMCO building) in Little Valley. S.T.A.R.T. meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm at the same location. Anyone interested in contacting either organization may reach them at 257-3237 or 938-6343.
S.T.A.R.T. & CLDC to Receive $59,500 Grant
The Cattaraugus Local Development Corporation (CLDC) received confirmation from Bernadette Castro, Commissioner, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, that a $59,500 grant had been awarded as part of the National Recreational Trails Program, to be utilized by S.T.A.R.T. (Southern Tier Association for Rails-to-Trails).
In a news release by Governor Pataki he stated, "New York has an excellent network of more than 16,000 miles of trails which provide access to some of America's most spectacular scenery. These Grants will expand and enhance this outstanding network while providing more recreational opportunities for all New Yorkers".
"Whether through hiking, snowmobiling, biking, cross-country skiing or horseback riding, people of all ages and abilities can experience and enjoy the wealth of natural resources New York State has to offer," the Governor said.
The grant will be administered by the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Mike Miecznikowski, Regional Grant Representative, from Allegany State Park stated, "This grant is the only one awarded in the three counties of the Southern Tier! We know that this will be an excellent project."
The CLDC is finalizing ownership of a 12.14 mile 147 acre abandoned railroad bed corridor currently owned by the Cattaraugus County IDA (CCIDA). The property runs from the Salamanca City line to the edge of the Village of Cattaraugus. This grant money is specifically targeted for the new development of .25 mile portion of the trail at the foot of Main Street in Little Valley. it will be a rest area and park with a Gazebo, picnic tables, a self contained rest room, renovation of a turn of the century caboose, construction of a building for horses and snowmobiles and purchase of various trail maintenance equipment.
Tammy Buchhardt, Village Clerk of Little Valley who co-wrote the grant, commended, "The grant assures a beautiful 'gateway' into the trail at Little Valley."
"We want to publicly say thank you to everyone involved: Governor Pataki, Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro, Mike Miecznikowski, Pat McGee, Cathy Young, County legislatures, Mayor Bonnie Bigelow and the hundreds of people that have been a part of helping to garner this grant!" stated Rick LeFeber, Executive Director of the CLDC.
Brad Walters. Chairman of the S.T.A.R.T. and the Little Valley Revitalization and Economic Development (LVRED) committee stated, "This is very important to the regions revival and all the projects that we have underway in Little Valley. It is the iceing on the cake in regards to the Randall Arendt Program and green space for an industrial development site.
In addition the Village of Little Valley has sponsored the CLDC as the applicant for a TEA-21 grant for 1,300,000 to complete the entire 12 miles of trail. That application was reviewed by the Buffalo Office of NYSDOT last year and has been forwarded to Albany for final determination as a possible recipient. Amo Houghton, Pat McGee and Cathy Young have been championing the TEA-21 Grant.
The CLDC is a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 charged with the Mission of community and economic development. they are involved in 9 different projects related to that mission and are currently working with over 40 other organizations and municipalities. They meet monthly at 303 Main Street (in the rehabbed GRAMCO building) in Little Valley. S.T.A.R.T. meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm at the same location. Anyone interested in contacting either organization may reach them at 257-3237 or 938-6343.
Wednesday, February 23, 2000
State grant to fund recreation area near Little Valley trail - The Times Herald
State grant to fund recreation area near Little Valley trail from the
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2000 issue of The Times Herald
By Rick Jozwiak
Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. plans to build a recreational area in Little Valley and buy maintenance equipment with a $59,500 state grant.
The Local Development Corp. received confirmation of the grant award from the office of Bernadette Castro, commissioner of the New York State's Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The grant was awarded as part of the National Recreational Trails Program.
Rick LeFeber, executive director of the Local Development Corp., said the funding will be used to build a recreational area at the end of Main Street in the village of Little Valley. The recreational area is part of the organization's plans to build a 12-mile recreational trail along the former New York & Lake Erie Railroad bed.
With the grant the organization plans to build two gazebos, picnic tables and park benches along with restrooms, Mr. LeFeber said. the funding will also cover cost for buying trail maintenance equipment and the six-wheel, all-terrain vehicle that will serve as an emergency vehicle.
The trail project is overseen by the organization's Southern Tier Association for Rails to Trails (START), which was founded by Mr. LeFeber.
Rails to Trails is planning the recreational area as a centerpiece to its trail project, which would run from the Salamanca city line through the recreational area in Little Valley and to New Albion Road in Cattaraugus. the trail will also link with many local, state, and national trail systems in the area.
The Local Development Corp. has applied for a $1.3 million state grant under the 1999 Transportation Enhancement Program to cover the cost of building the estimated $2.1 million trail. Word is expected soon from the state commissioner of transportation about which projects will receive grants, Mr. LeFeber said.
Holding up the Local Development Corp. plans to take ownership of the abandoned rail line is the Department of Transportation's inaction. The trail line is presently owned by the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency. The agency accepted a plan nearly a year ago by Rails to Trails to build a trail along the railroad bed.
But the Department of Transportation has preferential rights, meaning the state is granted the first chance to buy the property or pass off on it. the Industrial Development Agency has been waiting for word from the state since shortly after the trail plans were announced.
By Rick Jozwiak
Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. plans to build a recreational area in Little Valley and buy maintenance equipment with a $59,500 state grant.
The Local Development Corp. received confirmation of the grant award from the office of Bernadette Castro, commissioner of the New York State's Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The grant was awarded as part of the National Recreational Trails Program.
Rick LeFeber, executive director of the Local Development Corp., said the funding will be used to build a recreational area at the end of Main Street in the village of Little Valley. The recreational area is part of the organization's plans to build a 12-mile recreational trail along the former New York & Lake Erie Railroad bed.
With the grant the organization plans to build two gazebos, picnic tables and park benches along with restrooms, Mr. LeFeber said. the funding will also cover cost for buying trail maintenance equipment and the six-wheel, all-terrain vehicle that will serve as an emergency vehicle.
The trail project is overseen by the organization's Southern Tier Association for Rails to Trails (START), which was founded by Mr. LeFeber.
Rails to Trails is planning the recreational area as a centerpiece to its trail project, which would run from the Salamanca city line through the recreational area in Little Valley and to New Albion Road in Cattaraugus. the trail will also link with many local, state, and national trail systems in the area.
The Local Development Corp. has applied for a $1.3 million state grant under the 1999 Transportation Enhancement Program to cover the cost of building the estimated $2.1 million trail. Word is expected soon from the state commissioner of transportation about which projects will receive grants, Mr. LeFeber said.
Holding up the Local Development Corp. plans to take ownership of the abandoned rail line is the Department of Transportation's inaction. The trail line is presently owned by the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency. The agency accepted a plan nearly a year ago by Rails to Trails to build a trail along the railroad bed.
But the Department of Transportation has preferential rights, meaning the state is granted the first chance to buy the property or pass off on it. the Industrial Development Agency has been waiting for word from the state since shortly after the trail plans were announced.
Friday, February 18, 2000
S.T.A.R.T. to receive grant funds for trailhead - The Salamanca Press
S.T.A.R.T. to receive grant funds for trailhead from the February 18-20, 2000 issue of The Salamanca Press
By Laura Howard-City Editor
CATTARAUGUS- One of the first steps in creating a 12.14-mile recreation trail linking tree communities along the abandoned New York and Lake Erie Rail line has been funded.
The Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. (ClDC) has received word from New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Bernadette Castro that a $59,500 grant has been awarded through the national Recreation Trails Program. The funds will be utilizzed by S.T.A.R.T. (Southern Tier Association for Rails-to-Trails), a volunteer group formed to create and maintain the trail.
The money will be used to develop a trail head at the foot of Main Street in Little Valley and will cover a quarter-mile section of trail. The project will include a rest area and park with a gazebo, picnic tables, a self-contained rest room, renovation of a turn of the century caboose, construction of a building for horses and snowmobiles and purchase of various trail maintenance equipment.
The grant will be administered locally by Allegany State Park’s Mike Mieczinkowski, who serves as regional grant representative.
“This grant is the only one awarded in the three conties of the Southern Tier. We know that this will be excellent project,” said Miecznikowski.
Brad Walters, chairman of S.T.A.R.T and the little Valley Revitalization and Economic Development Committee (LVRED) notied the site will provide green space for a nearby industrial site and momentum for other development efforts in the community.
“This is very important ot the region’s revival and all the projects that we have under way in Little Valley,” said Walters.
Village Clerk Tammy Buchhardt, member who co-wrote the grant and is a S.T.A.R.T. member, said, “This grant assures a beautiful gateway into the trial at Little Valley.”
From the conception of the rails-to-trails project, S.T.A.R.T. has been working with CLDC to seek funding and ownership of the rail bed.
“We want to publicly say thank you to everyone involved : Gov. Pataki, Commissioner Castro, Mike Miecznikowski, Pat McGee, Cathy Young, county legislators, Mayor Bonnie Bigelow, and the hundreds of people that have been a part of helping to garner this grant,” said CLDC Executive Director Rick LeFeber.
The CLDC is in the process of taking over ownership of a 12.14 mile, 147-acre abandoned railroad bed from the Cattaraugus Industrial Development Agency, which approved the change of ownership in 1999.
The rail line was last used to run excurision trains from Gowanda to the Salamanca Rail Museum. The tracks have not been used in several years and sections of rails and ties have been removed. The property spans from the Salamanca city line, through the Town and Village of Little Valley to the edge of the Village of Cattaraugus.
In addition, the Village of Little Valley has sponsored the CLDC as the applicant for a TEA-21 grant for $1,300,000 to complete the entire trail. That application ewas reviewed by the Buffalo office of the New York State Department of Transportation last year and has been forwarded to Albany for final determination. Congressman Amory Houghton, State Senator Patricia McGee and Assemblywoman Cathy Young have expressed support for the grant.
The Rails-to Trails project is one of nine economic development projects with which CLDC is currently involved. The organization holds monthly meetings at the former Gramco building at 330 Main St. in Little Valley, while S.T.A.R.T. meets the first Wednesday of the month in the same location. Persons interested in contacting either organization may call 257-3239 or 938-6343.
By Laura Howard-City Editor
CATTARAUGUS- One of the first steps in creating a 12.14-mile recreation trail linking tree communities along the abandoned New York and Lake Erie Rail line has been funded.
The Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. (ClDC) has received word from New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Bernadette Castro that a $59,500 grant has been awarded through the national Recreation Trails Program. The funds will be utilizzed by S.T.A.R.T. (Southern Tier Association for Rails-to-Trails), a volunteer group formed to create and maintain the trail.
The money will be used to develop a trail head at the foot of Main Street in Little Valley and will cover a quarter-mile section of trail. The project will include a rest area and park with a gazebo, picnic tables, a self-contained rest room, renovation of a turn of the century caboose, construction of a building for horses and snowmobiles and purchase of various trail maintenance equipment.
The grant will be administered locally by Allegany State Park’s Mike Mieczinkowski, who serves as regional grant representative.
“This grant is the only one awarded in the three conties of the Southern Tier. We know that this will be excellent project,” said Miecznikowski.
Brad Walters, chairman of S.T.A.R.T and the little Valley Revitalization and Economic Development Committee (LVRED) notied the site will provide green space for a nearby industrial site and momentum for other development efforts in the community.
“This is very important ot the region’s revival and all the projects that we have under way in Little Valley,” said Walters.
Village Clerk Tammy Buchhardt, member who co-wrote the grant and is a S.T.A.R.T. member, said, “This grant assures a beautiful gateway into the trial at Little Valley.”
From the conception of the rails-to-trails project, S.T.A.R.T. has been working with CLDC to seek funding and ownership of the rail bed.
“We want to publicly say thank you to everyone involved : Gov. Pataki, Commissioner Castro, Mike Miecznikowski, Pat McGee, Cathy Young, county legislators, Mayor Bonnie Bigelow, and the hundreds of people that have been a part of helping to garner this grant,” said CLDC Executive Director Rick LeFeber.
The CLDC is in the process of taking over ownership of a 12.14 mile, 147-acre abandoned railroad bed from the Cattaraugus Industrial Development Agency, which approved the change of ownership in 1999.
The rail line was last used to run excurision trains from Gowanda to the Salamanca Rail Museum. The tracks have not been used in several years and sections of rails and ties have been removed. The property spans from the Salamanca city line, through the Town and Village of Little Valley to the edge of the Village of Cattaraugus.
In addition, the Village of Little Valley has sponsored the CLDC as the applicant for a TEA-21 grant for $1,300,000 to complete the entire trail. That application ewas reviewed by the Buffalo office of the New York State Department of Transportation last year and has been forwarded to Albany for final determination. Congressman Amory Houghton, State Senator Patricia McGee and Assemblywoman Cathy Young have expressed support for the grant.
The Rails-to Trails project is one of nine economic development projects with which CLDC is currently involved. The organization holds monthly meetings at the former Gramco building at 330 Main St. in Little Valley, while S.T.A.R.T. meets the first Wednesday of the month in the same location. Persons interested in contacting either organization may call 257-3239 or 938-6343.
START announces grant for trailhead - The Buffalo News
START announces grant for trailhead from the Friday, February 18th, 2000 issue of The Buffalo News
By Kathy Kellogg
LITTLE VALLEY - The Southern Tier Association for Rails to Trails, or START, on Thursday announced a $59,000 grant from the National Recreational Trails Program will be used to build a trailhead along a planned 12-mile recreational path.
START Chairman Brad Walters said the trailhead, in turn, will create green space for a nearby industrial development site and boost other projects being considered by the Little Valley Revitalization and Economic Development committee, which he also heads.
The site chosen for the trailhead - usually the gathering place for anyone using the trail - is a quarter-mile portion of an abandoned railroad bed, which is to be converted to a multiple use recreational trail by the nonprofit Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. The site is at the foot of Main Street and is close to the center of the future trail.
Plans call for construction of a self-contained rest stop or starting point on the trail. Two gazebos, restrooms, seven picnic tables, 10 benches and a shelter for horses and snowmobiles will be built. Also contemplated are some trail maintenance and emergency equipment items and rehabilitation of a turn-of-the-century caboose.
The rail bed extends through Little Valley south to Salamanca and north to the village of Cattaraugus. The CLDC has applied for a $1.3 million grant from the state Department of Transportation to develop the entire rail bed for future multiple-use recreational activities such as hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Rail owner Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency last year approved CLDC's request to take over the property. Renewed abandonment proceedings to determine if the organization is in line for preferential rights to the railroad may be part of that process, said CLDC Executive Director Rick LeFeber.
LeFeber said CLDC's grant application has been forwarded to Albany for further review. He described the trailhead development and the National Recreational trails grant as his organization's "training ground" in the first portion of a two-phase development of the full trail.
The trailhead grant, the only award for the entire three-county Southern Tier region, will be administered by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The project will be enhanced by a Cattaraugus County demonstration project to design a commercial development on a nearby 6.25 acre Main Street parcel, approved in December by the county's Development and Agriculture Committee. That site now houses the county's vacant Department of Public Works barns, and negotiations for its purchase or donation are under way between the village and the county.
The final scope of that work is yet to be defined, but it may create conservation easements and tie a six-acre village park to the planned trailhead and CLDC's 12-mile trail. The commercial design project is in line for $3,000 in county aid and a $5,000 pot of funds left over from a Circuit Rider project.
By Kathy Kellogg
LITTLE VALLEY - The Southern Tier Association for Rails to Trails, or START, on Thursday announced a $59,000 grant from the National Recreational Trails Program will be used to build a trailhead along a planned 12-mile recreational path.
START Chairman Brad Walters said the trailhead, in turn, will create green space for a nearby industrial development site and boost other projects being considered by the Little Valley Revitalization and Economic Development committee, which he also heads.
The site chosen for the trailhead - usually the gathering place for anyone using the trail - is a quarter-mile portion of an abandoned railroad bed, which is to be converted to a multiple use recreational trail by the nonprofit Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. The site is at the foot of Main Street and is close to the center of the future trail.
Plans call for construction of a self-contained rest stop or starting point on the trail. Two gazebos, restrooms, seven picnic tables, 10 benches and a shelter for horses and snowmobiles will be built. Also contemplated are some trail maintenance and emergency equipment items and rehabilitation of a turn-of-the-century caboose.
The rail bed extends through Little Valley south to Salamanca and north to the village of Cattaraugus. The CLDC has applied for a $1.3 million grant from the state Department of Transportation to develop the entire rail bed for future multiple-use recreational activities such as hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Rail owner Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency last year approved CLDC's request to take over the property. Renewed abandonment proceedings to determine if the organization is in line for preferential rights to the railroad may be part of that process, said CLDC Executive Director Rick LeFeber.
LeFeber said CLDC's grant application has been forwarded to Albany for further review. He described the trailhead development and the National Recreational trails grant as his organization's "training ground" in the first portion of a two-phase development of the full trail.
The trailhead grant, the only award for the entire three-county Southern Tier region, will be administered by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The project will be enhanced by a Cattaraugus County demonstration project to design a commercial development on a nearby 6.25 acre Main Street parcel, approved in December by the county's Development and Agriculture Committee. That site now houses the county's vacant Department of Public Works barns, and negotiations for its purchase or donation are under way between the village and the county.
The final scope of that work is yet to be defined, but it may create conservation easements and tie a six-acre village park to the planned trailhead and CLDC's 12-mile trail. The commercial design project is in line for $3,000 in county aid and a $5,000 pot of funds left over from a Circuit Rider project.
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