Nearly $1M awarded for trail expansion in Jefferson, Clarion County
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A nearly $1,000,000 investment is being used to expand outdoor recreation on the Piney Rail Trail, which is located in Clarion and Jefferson County.
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Clarion County to celebrate the addition of the 24-mile Piney Rail Corridor for motorized and non-motorized recreation. In total, the $937,900 investment was funded by the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Management Restricted Account Fund.
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The Piney Rail Riders will use the funding to ensure the conservation and use of the trail. The extension spans approximately 550 acres and connects with more than a dozen others in Clarion and Jefferson counties. They also hope that the outdoor recreation will provide an economic boost to local businesses.
'This award to Piney Rail Riders by DCNR will significantly expand outdoor recreation opportunities not only for community members in our region but for all Pennsylvanians,' Bryan Huwar, Piney Rail Riders Project Manager said. 'It's an invitation for people, no matter where they live, to come and visit. At the same time, it will foster the development of a thriving, family-supporting outdoor economy for our rural communities.'
The Piney Rail Corridor will be managed with a focus on environmental sustainability. They have partnered with local conservation groups to improve water quality and address runoff.
They will also collaborate with the Millcreek Coalition to support efforts to restore the Piney Creek watershed, improving the health of local ecosystems and providing cleaner water for wildlife and recreational activities.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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