Latest news with #PathoftheFloodHistoricRaces
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cambria County trail celebrates being Pennsylvania's 2025 Trail of the Year
CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A 14-mile stretch of trail tracing one of Pennsylvania's most devastating historic events has earned statewide recognition as the 2025 Trail of the Year. The Path of the Flood Trail in Cambria County, which follows the route of the 1889 Johnstown Flood, was honored by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for its unique combination of history, outdoor recreation, and economic impact. Officials celebrated the designation this week in South Fork, where the infamous flood began after the South Fork Dam failed. Drawing roughly 80,000 visitors annually, including international tourists, the trail has become an economic driver for the region, supporting small businesses and hosting events like the Path of the Flood Historic Races, which brings in nearly 1,000 participants each year. The trail's route includes the historic Staple Bend Tunnel, the first railroad tunnel constructed in the United States, and is part of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail network. Designed for multiple outdoor activities including hiking, biking, birdwatching, and winter recreation, the surface is a mix of crushed stone and pavement, making it accessible year-round. Maintained through a partnership between the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority, the National Park Service, and local volunteers and businesses, the trail exemplifies the benefits of community and interagency collaboration. The recognition comes amid a statewide push to expand and enhance Pennsylvania's trail system. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the outdoor recreation industry contributed $19 billion to the state's economy in 2023, supporting more than 168,000 jobs and generating $9 billion in wages. DCNR continues to work toward its goal of placing a trail within 10 minutes of every Pennsylvanian and has closed four of the state's top 10 priority trail gaps over the last two years. More information about the Path of the Flood Trail and upcoming events can be found on the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
'A win for everybody': Path of the Flood Trail earns state's Trail of the Year award
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Cambria County's historic Path of the Flood Trail has been named Pennsylvania's Trail of the Year for 2025, state officials said Thursday. The recognition "is a testament to the partnership between many individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving this rich, historical trail," Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority Executive Director Cliff Kitner said in a statement. "We are honored and excited to continue sharing this unique journey with all who visit." The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Trails Advisory Committee picks a Trail of the Year annually to boost awareness of the state's 14,000-mile trail network and to highlight the value of those trails to residents and visitors. The 14-mile Path of the Flood Trail, completed in 2023, connects the ruins of the South Fork Dam near St. Michael to downtown Johnstown. It follows and commemorates the path of the 1889 Johnstown Flood that killed more than 2,200 people. The trail receives about 80,000 visitors annually, including international guests, and is the site of the annual Path of the Flood Historic Races that average around 1,000 participants. The crushed-stone and pavement path is accessible for a variety of activities, including hiking, birdwatching, running, cross-country skiing, biking and snowshoeing. The scenic trail features the Staple Bend Tunnel, the first railroad tunnel in the nation, built in the 1830s. It is part of the September 11th National Memorial Trail, which connects the sites in Somerset County, Washington, D.C., and New York City where hijacked jets crashed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. "Outdoor recreation is part of Cambria County's economy and we all rally behind it," Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky said. "This is a win for everybody." Chernisky, a longtime trail enthusiast and supporter, thanked DCNR for the honor and Kitner and his staff for their dedication to the local trail system. President Commissioner Scott Hunt also congratulated authority staff. Commissioner Keith Rager credited Chernisky for his support of the county's outdoor recreation opportunities for helping achieve the distinction. "In naming the Path of the Flood Trail as the 2025 Trail of the Year, we honor its unique role in preserving history while providing a vibrant space for recreation and community engagement," DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said in a release. "This trail is a destination, inviting visitors from across the nation and the world to experience the history of the 1889 Johnstown Flood while enjoying outdoor activities in a stunning natural setting. We hope this designation will bring even more visitors to explore the trail, supporting local businesses and fostering economic, environmental and social benefits for the region." This is the county's and authority's second Trail of the Year award. The Ghost Town Trail received the nod from DCNR in 2020. "Following the Ghost Town Trail's designation in 2020, the Path of the Flood Trail being named Trail of the Year marks the second time in five years that a trail in our county has received this designation," CCCRA Assistant Executive Director Caytlin Lusk said in a statement. "We are grateful to the Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee and DCNR for recognizing the exceptional trails that we are proud to offer here in Cambria County." For more information about the county's trails system, visit
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Yahoo
Path of the Flood Trail named Pennsylvania's 2025 Trail of the Year
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A historic trail tracing the path of one of the nation's deadliest disasters is receiving statewide recognition. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has named the Path of the Flood Trail in Cambria County as the 2025 Trail of the Year, celebrating its blend of history, recreation, and economic impact. 'This trail is a destination, inviting visitors from across the nation and the world to experience the history of the 1889 Johnstown Flood while enjoying outdoor activities in a stunning natural setting,' DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. 'We hope this designation will bring even more visitors to explore the trail, supporting local businesses and fostering economic, environmental, and social benefits for the region.' The 14-mile trail follows the path of the catastrophic 1889 Johnstown Flood, which claimed more than 2,200 lives. Featuring crushed stone and pavement, the trail is popular for biking, hiking, running, birdwatching, and winter sports. It also includes significant historical landmarks, such as the Staple Bend Tunnel, the first railroad tunnel in the United States. The Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority (CCCRA), which manages the trail alongside the National Park Service and local volunteers, views the recognition as a testament to community collaboration. 'The Path of the Flood Trail's recognition as Pennsylvania's 2025 Trail of the Year is a testament to the partnership between many individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving this rich, historical trail,' CCCRA Executive Director Cliff Kitner said. 'We are honored and excited to continue sharing this unique journey with all who visit.' The trail attracts about 80,000 visitors annually, including international tourists, and serves as an economic driver for the region. Events like the Path of the Flood Historic Races, which draw nearly 1,000 participants each year, have further boosted tourism and community engagement. CCCRA Assistant Executive Director Caytlin Lusk noted that this is the second time in five years that a Cambria County trail has received the statewide honor. 'Following the Ghost Town Trail's designation in 2020, the Path of the Flood Trail being named Trail of the Year marks the second time in five years that a trail in our county has received this designation,' Lusk said. 'We are grateful to the Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee and DCNR for recognizing the exceptional trails that we are proud to offer here in Cambria County.' DCNR selects a Trail of the Year annually to raise awareness of Pennsylvania's extensive trail network. The state has more than 14,000 miles of trails, and the Shapiro administration has prioritized closing key trail gaps to ensure access for all residents. For more information on the Path of the Flood Trail, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
