Fayette County breaks ground on Point Marion segment of Sheepskin Trail
Fayette County broke ground May 7 on the Point Marion Segment of the Sheepskin Trail, a 1.7 piece that runs from West Virginia to the confluence of the Cheat River in Point Marion. Pictured are (from left) Jim Hassinger, executive director, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission; Angela Zimmerlink, Fayette County commissioner; Vincent Vicites, Fayette County commissioner; Dave Lohr, Fayette County commissioner; state Rep. Matthew Dowling, R-Uniontown; Parker Simpson-Hunt, son of Point Marion native Travis Simpson-Hunt; Joe Grata, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission; state Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin; Donna Holdorf, National Road Heritage Corridor; and Tom Ford, state Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Officials unveil an aerial view of the Point Marion and Nilan Road Segments of the Sheepskin Trail at a groundbreaking ceremony May 7 in Point Marion when Fayette County Commissioners and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission announced a $906,000 grant has been awarded to construct the Nilan Road Segment. Pictured are (from left) Jim Hassinger, executive director, and Andy Waple, transportation planning director, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission; Donna Holdorf, National Road Heritage Corridor; and Fayette County Commissioners Vincent Vicites, Dave Lohr and Angela Zimmerlink.
The Rev. Bev Roscoe, left, pastor of Point Marion United Methodist Church blesses the Point Marion Segment of the Sheepskin Trail while state Set. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin, looks on during a groundbreaking ceremony May 7. This is a 1.7 mile segment that will run from the West Virginia line to the confluence of the Cheat River at Point Marion. Fayette County Commissioners and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission also announced a $906,000 grant has been awarded to construct another two miles of the Sheepskin Trail called the Nilan Road Segment.
Accompanied by cheers and applause, Fayette County commissioners, state officials and members of partner organizations broke ground May 7 in Point Marion on the southernmost segment of the Sheepskin Trail, which will eventually become a 34-mile hike/bike trail that connects the Mon River Trail System in West Virginia to the Great Allegheny Passage in Connellsville.
“I was told by my parents that ‘Good things come to those who wait,”’ Vincent Vicites, commission chairman, stated to the crowd that gathered in front of the Cheat River to watch the groundbreaking ceremony. “We’ve had setback after setback. The people of Point Marion and the supporters of the Sheepskin Trail have been patient. We have good news for you today in that the trail is going to be built here, hopefully by the end of the summer, early fall.”
As the ceremony began, work was already underway on the 1.7 mile segment that will run from the West Virginia border into Springhill Township and through the Borough of Point Marion to the confluence of Cheat and Monongahela Rivers. Warren Raffle, of Raffle Construction in Ruffsdale, explained crews were working at the West Virginia border and in Point Marion behind the Ford garage at Broadway.
Many sources of funding have been involved in the Point Marion Segment, including $150,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; $50,000 from the state Department of Community and Economic Development; $60,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority; $17,500 from Chingos and Doppelt Foundations; and $250,000 from Fayette County funding sources as well as other funds from private entities and anonymous foundations.
More good news followed as the ceremony included an announcement that $906,000 in additional funding has been secured through the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission’s Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program to construct two more miles called the Nilan Road Segment in Springhill Township. This stretch will run from the Point Marion, across the Cheat River and eastward along the abandoned Baltimore & Ohio rail line, parallel with Nilan Road. It is expected to be completed by 2022.
Work on the trail is also progressing in South Union Township and Dunbar.
Vicites thanked those who have offered support, noting, “It’s a spoke in the wheel of economic development — recreational tourism. It helps the whole equation of what we’re trying to do to better Fayette County and I think this trail will have a significant impact. I believe in the Sheepskin Trail and so do a lot of other people, so let’s keep it going.”
Dave Lohr, county commissioner, noted the impact the Great Allegheny Passage is having on Connellsville, where a log book recorded visits by people from as many as 36 countries and across the United States.
“That’s how vital these trails are. They’re a huge link in economic development for this county,” said Lohr, noting companies thinking of locating in this area look for recreational opportunities for their employees. “If we’re running equal with other counties, this trail can bump us over the top.”
Lohr noted everyone from federal senators to congressman to state senators and legislators as well as agencies and organizations have teamed together for the project: “It’s all of us working together to make this happen.”
Angela Zimmerlink, county commissioner, also voiced appreciation, saying, “Thank you to everyone here and those who could not make it for making this possible.”
State Sen. Patrick Stefano, R-Bullskin, congratulated supporters for their determination, saying, “You had the tenacity to hang on, move forward, to keep pressing. We need to keep pressing as we move farther north all the way through to the GAP. I applaud all your efforts. You worked so hard and it’s starting to pay off.”
“I know the people of Point Marion have been dedicated to making this happen,” said state Rep. Matthew Dowling, R-Uniontown, who also recognized the efforts of state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, as well other government officials, observing, “I believe this trail will bring an economic impact to Point Marion that you deserve.”
Tom Ford, chief of the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation from DCNR, said, “Our contribution was made possible through dedicated funding, the Keystone Recreation Park and Conservation Fund, and I think at this point, we’ve invested about $400,000 in the trail overall.”
Ford added, “We’re happy to do that and we’re going to continue to invest in this trail and in other recreation and conservation efforts across the commonwealth.”
Jim Hassinger, SPC executive director, expressed appreciation for partnerships that help the region and commented, “Our understanding of the natural environment and how important it is to all of our communities is expressed in this project. We’re very happy to be here for announcement of additional funding.” “We’re happy to stand with you and soon walk with you on this new trail.”
Andy Waple, SPC transportation planning director, noted SPC has been very happy to work on this project with PennDOT and the National Road Heritage Corridor.
The Rev. Bev Roscoe, pastor of Point Marion United Methodist Church offered a blessing for the trail while Donna Holdorf, executive director of the National Road Heritage Corridor, served as master of ceremonies.
Holdorf noted, “Trail users are some of the most conscientious people in the world. They don’t throw their garbage. They are people who enjoy the outdoors and respect the land. They love to come into local neighborhoods. They love to meet the locals. They love to eat with you. They love to spend time in your area and they love to spend money here. So it’s a great opportunity for everywhere in Fayette County this trail will touch to realize an economic benefit from a growing tourism industry that really is much of a lifeblood of Fayette County.”
Ann Nemanic, executive director of Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, who was among those attending the ceremony, observed, “Often with a single shovel, great things can happen. That’s what’s happening today with the Sheepskin Trail. This will be a great beginning for this trail town to be connected with West Virginia and eventually the Great Allegheny Passage. It’s another asset for Fayette County and the Laurel Highlands.”