Rails to Trails Honored - Special-E-Fects

"Rails to Trails Honored" from the Friday, November 10, 2000 issue of the Special-E-Fects

Local Organization Receives State-Wide Innovation Award

The Cattaraugus Local Development Corporation (CLDC) and the Southern Tier Association for Rails to Trails (START), were honored at the 1st State Convention of the NYS Parks and Conservation Association, held on October 27th in Syracuse, New York.

Five different awards were presented to various organizations and individuals involved in the creation and development of Trails and Greenway in New York State.

The Cattaraugus Local Development Corporation and START organization were recipients of the first "Innovation Award" for their unique approach to organization, acquiring and funding a trail, which was the former Erie Railroad bed between the City of Salamanca and the Village of Cattaraugus.

Taking the various experiences of other trails and their "Sister Trail," the Chautauqua Rail-Trail, the members of the CLDC and START were able to create and implement a strategy to simultaneously secure ownership, public support and funding to rapidly move the project along.

Because so many individuals, organizations, businesses, municipalities, agencies and political leaders collaborated to make this a success, we were able to literally accomplish in 18 months what has taken other organizations 7-10 years!" stated Rick LeFeber, Executive Director of the CLDC. "This prestigious Statewide Award validates everyone's efforts and belief in this project. It recognizes that a rural county like Cattaraugus can complete on a larger scale - if we focus on working together, using common sense for a common good. this is one more step in the process for our area's economic and community revitalizations."