By Laura Howard
LITTLE VALLEY - The Southern Tier Area Rails to Trail Association (S.T.A.R.T.) hopes to have a trail head recreation area at the end of Main Street completed by September.
The demonstration project will kick off construction work on the future Iroquois Recreation Trail. Salamanca residents Gene and Shirley Roszyk have built a model of the site, which will include a Friendship Arch, pavilion, gazebo, caboose and restrooms. The model was on display Saturday as members and supporters or S.T.A.R.T. held a ribbon0cutting ceremony at the project site.
The event, part of the Little Valley Spring fest, included representatives from the Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. (CLDC) which has been assigned ownership of the former Erie rail bed from the County of Cattaraugus Industrial Development Agency; the Village of Little Valley, which sponsored two grants for the trail project; the Town of Little Valley, which sponsored two grants for the trail project; Cattaraugus County' State Sen. Patricia McGee's office and several spectators.
CLDC Executive Director Rick LeFeber said, "We hope to have this model in actuality by September."
He recalled that when efforts to acquire the rail bed began over two years ago, meeting grant application and other deadlines meant attending 70 meetings in 90 days.
He noted that the idea for the trail originally cam from Allegany State Park employee Mike Weishan, who envisioned trails connecting the park and Zoar Valley.
"I couldn't believe we could move it along this fast. they'll be a lot of opportunities to help down the road," said Weishan.
A nearly $1.5 million TEA-21 grant has been awarded for the creation of the 12-mile recreation trail. Recreation Trail Program grant monies totaling $80,000 will fund the trail head.
Larry Nelson, a representative of McGee, also complimented organizers on their success and speed.
"I've never seen (a similar project) progress so quickly to the point where you people have gotten. It's going to be a wonderful experience to enjoy our natural resources along the trail. our natural resources are our biggest asset. You're going to see deer and turkey and all sorts of things and this trail can be used by almost anybody."
LeFeber credited letters of support from 43 municipalities, agencies, coalitions and businesses. S.T.A.R.T. members performed much of the grant-writing work.
Mayor Bonita Bigelow commented, "The Village of Little Valley is glad to be able to sponsor two successful grants. I think it's going to attract tourists and tourist-related businesses."
S.T.A.R.T. chairman Rick Walters noted that the many different groups and individuals who have contributed to the trail project have worked well together in their singular purpose.
"You never hear the words 'I' and 'me' just 'us' and 'we,'" he observed.
Supporters wearing blue S.T.A.R.T. hard hats lined up along a balloon version of the Friendship Arch and cut a ribbon releasing the balloons into the sky.
Volunteers are expected to begin working on the trail head within the next few weeks. The first portion of the trail to be completed, between its two intersections with Route 353 near Little Valley, will be blacktopped. The trail will be used year-round by bicyclists, naturalists, bird watchers, hikers, horseback riders, and snowmobilers.
Those interested in working on the trail 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.
