ARTinCC AWARDED $125,000 for FOX-HUNT PARK

By Robert L. Jennings, President, ARTinCC,

BobJennings1@embarqmail.com

Allegheny River Trail in Clarion County (ARTinCC) is honored to report that it recently was awarded $125,000 from the PA Commonwealth Finance Authority (CFA) towards construction of the Fox-Hunt Park just north of the Rt. 58 Bridge in Foxburg. The grant request seeking these funds was filed in May, 2024; The state-wide Greenways Trails and Recreational Program for 2024 was extremely competitive, with only 17% of the asks awarded anything. The $125,000 just awarded to ARTinCC joins an existing $175,000 previously awarded for the Park from the CFA and a regional foundation– also for the parking lot designed to help service Foxburg as well as the bike trail and park.

The $300,000 will be spent as soon as environmental permits are issued, and contractor bids mandated by the grants are solicited. We have construction drawings for the parking lot, but are awaiting the environmental permitting. Building the parking lot and first 1000’ of the bike trail will cause excavation and importing of soil. As a result, elaborate environmental requirements come into play, to make sure that rain does not wash dirt, etc. into the Allegheny River, and harm wildlife, plants, and the community water source. The EADs Group was retained early in 2024 to generate the necessary studies and design the groundwater protection controls, to protect the river. After almost a year of planning and paperwork, the permit application is undergoing final edits after having met all of the State agency reviews and requests. Review by the Clarion County Conservation District is the last step before contractor bid requests can be published – which will cost out necessary environmental procedures and controls. When a prevailing wage contractor mandated by the grants is selected, construction can begin – hopefully before the snow flies late in 2025.

We’re also gearing up to build the first mile of bike trail north of the Rt. 58 bridge. The parking lot in the park will service the bike trail, and the first 1000 feet or so of the bike trail runs through the park close to Railroad Street. Digging close to the river in the park also awaits the NPDES permit. ARTinCC has an award of $533,000 from PA DCNR to build the first mile of the bike trail, and an army of volunteers over the past 2 years has spent thousands of volunteer hours clearing and preparing the land for the bike trail. EADs Group was selected to do the engineering and design work for the trail project, and as soon as the NPDES permit is submitted, EADs’ engineering contract will be finalized for approval, and funding paid for the limited design work they need to do before the construction contract is put out for bid. The land has been so well cleared and prepped, that construction should happen fairly quickly. This $533,000 grant is largely federally funded through DOT, however, but so far no one has suggested that this critical grant will be delayed or withdrawn, although government inquiries about all bike trail projects may be under scrutiny even as we speak.

ARTinCC also has spent much time in negotiations with a few remaining landowners on the 2.2 miles of RR corridor for which easements must be bought from landowners to finish the trail up to Emlenton. A majority of the 10 landowners have agreed in writing to provide the necessary easements for fair compensation. A few landowners still are on the fence, and the subject of numerous ongoing calls, letters, proposals and discussions, hoping to get everyone on board to appeal to funders.

Our part of Clarion County has little population, little major industry or employers, and meets all requirements for being designated as an economically depressed area. The river, wilderness, and plants and animals, however, are a major source of wonder and beauty for anyone who walks or bikes trail in NW PA. Completing the trail from Emlenton to Foxburg will generate a great increase in recreational and business opportunities and receipts. ARTinCC’s success so far is to a very great extent the result of broad-based public support, seen most dramatically by the long-term, consistent and persistent support of all local and regional officials, planning and economic agencies, businesses and employers. Particular credit for the progress to date goes to: Sen. Scott Hutchinson, former Rep. Donna Oberlander, Rep. R Lee James, Clarion Commissioners Wayne Brosius, Ted Tharan, and Braxton White, the Foxburg and Emlenton Borough Councils, Chambers of Commerce, leading employers, Congressman Glenn GT Thompson, planning departments, and the same officials in Venango County.

We’re hoping that 2025 is the year when friends and neighbors will see some progress on the ground, such as the 681’ of bike trail ARTinCC recently built just south of the Richey Run Bridge. ARTinCC is meeting to prioritize building the next most important park amenities, and reviewing bike trail developments and grant applications. We hope to gain your continued support - including your contributions – so that we can continue to pay for experts and meet match requirements for grants.