S.T.A.R.T. receives $1.5M for rails-to-trails project - The Salamanca Press

"S.T.A.R.T. receives $1.5M for rails-to-trails project" from the Wednesday, April 19th, 2000 issue of The Salamanca Press

"We have been working diligently to create this trail for over a year and this grant will assure its completion in a timely and efficient manner." - Rick Walters, S.T.A.R.T. chairman

By Laura Howard

LITTLE VALLEY - A nearly $1.5 million TEA-21 grant has been awarded for the creation of a 12-mile recreation trail along the abandoned railroad bed running from the Salamanca city line to the Village of Cattaraugus.

Lt. Gov. Mary Donohue announced the award this week. It is the largest grant of its kind ever awarded in Cattaraugus County.

The grant application was sponsored by the Village of Little Valley and the Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. (CLDC) was the applicant. The Southern Tier Association for Rails to Trails (S.T.A.R.T) is serving as the steering committee for the project.

The railroad bed, to be known as the Iroquois Recreation Trail, will be blacktopped and used year-round by bicyclist, naturalist, bird watchers, hikers, horseback riders, and snowmobilers. Other motorized vehicles, such as all terrain vehicles, will be prohibited on the trail.

Rails to trails Chairman Brad Walters said, "This is a tremendous financial endorsement and vote of confidence in the development of this project. We have beenworking diligently to create this trail for over a year and this grant will assure its completion in a timely and efficient manner. Village Clerk Tammy Buchhardt and Rick LeFeber, executive Director of the CLDC co-wrote the grant and should be commended for their work."

LeFeber credited the village for its support of the project.

"The Village of Little Valley, Mayor bonnie Bigelow and Tammy Burchhardt made this possible. Trail projects in other communities have suffered because they could not get a municipality to step forward and sponsor them. Little Valley's spirit, commitment and efforts set the stage for successfully receiving this grant, "he said.

The Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency, which has owned the rail line for over a decade, is in the process of transferring the property to the CLDC.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for 12:30 p.m. May 20 at the end of Main Street in the Village. This trail head area will be the starting point for future construction. A "Friendship Arch" is to be erected along with a pavilion , restrooms and a picnic area. Recreation trail Program Grant monies totaling $80,000 will fund this demonstration project.

Tim Jackson Sr. a member of the CLDC board of Directors and S.T.A.R.T. observed, "The rapid accomplishments of the people involved on this project plus the financial support from both the NYS Department of Transportation and funding under the Recreational Rails Program speaks well of what can be accomplished when we all work together for our community's best interests.

"Sen. Patricia McGee (R, C-Franklinville) and Assemblywoman Cathy Young (R, C-Olean) vigorously supported this project and have been extremely instrumental in attaining this funding for the region. We would like to thank them for their support."

McGee added, "By enhancing resources, we're making a commitment to the people of the Southern Tier and its tourism industry. From biking to bird watching, our tourists and residents will have an even greater opportunity to enjoy the outdoor recreation already known throughout the area."

Although the trail is likely to be attractive to tourists, it is the efforts of local residents that initiated the project.

"The success that this project is currently enjoying and will continue to experience is the direct result of a grass roots consensus and the belief that existing resources can be reused to create new opportunities and benefits to our region. Commitment, common sense, involvement and determination by local residents, organizations and governmental agencies made this all possible," said LeFeber.

Those interested in working on the grail project are encouraged to attend S.T.A.R.T. meetings, held at 7pm the first and third Wednesday of each month at 303 Main St. in the former Gramco Building.