Allegheny Ridge Corporation(ARCorp) is seeking $6000 to kick-start a volunteer trail early development and maintenance effort in Avonmore, Westmoreland County. ARCorp’s Greenway Coordinator is working with the borough to implement a recommendation from ARCorp’s 2012 Kiski Valley Greenway Plan, a portion of the proposed connection between West Penn and Roaring Run Trails. ARCorp secured a DCNR Peer Grant for Avonmore to engage Steffey Trail Connections to pursue an agreement with Norfolk Southern for an abandoned rail corridor that comprises a portion of the route, and work with private property owners for the rest of the route, from the Avonmore boat launch/Pasternak Camp Grounds to Salina. The borough has agreed to acquire all land needed for the trail project, expanding on earlier work at their boat launch area completed with a DCNR Small Communities Grant. The project will open up a new community trail corridor for local citizens and provide a "showcase demonstration" of what volunteers can accomplish.

we plan to engage a volunteer corps to initiate phased, preliminary trail development work this summer. We will also call upon trail volunteer groups at neighboring West Penn and Roaring Run trails to inspire Avonmore volunteers and demonstrate how they built their trails, and what is involved in maintaining them.

Volunteers will be involved in all proposed work, which is based on a physical assessment of the property:

• - Establish drainage along the first 1800 feet of the trail
• - Remove unwanted vegetation
• - Prep the corridor for limestone
• - Surface the 1800 feet of trail 10 feet wide with a thin layer of limestone
• - Secure financial and material donations for future trail development