YRTC president details progress
CONNELLSVILLE – Much progress has been made along the city’s portion of the Great Allegheny Passage in the past year, but there is more to be done, Yough River Trail Council (YRTC) President Ted Kovall recently told attendees at the annual meeting of the organization. Through various contributions of time and money along with the receipt of grant funding, the organization has constructed restroom facilities and a multi-level water fountain, purchased equipment and installed a radio repeater to increase communication abilities along its 25 miles of trail responsibility.
The YRTC was formed during the early years of the trail development and now maintains the area from Bruner Run, 11 miles upstream from Connellsville to Perryopolis, 14 miles downstream.
It was the inability to communicate with those cutting grass or trimming trees in the areas near Layton and Dawson that prompted the organization to install a radio system at Linden Hall, said Kovall.
“It takes several hours to cut the grass down in that area and you want to be able to reach someone should something happen,” he said.
Through the efforts of several friends of the trail, Kovall said that equipment was purchased or donated and the lines of communication opened with those working on the trail.
Through the efforts of Connellsville Area High School, Laurel Highlands and Geibel Catholic Middle/High School art students and others, along with assistance from the Progress Fund, panels depicting Connellsville landmarks, history and activities are now featured at the trail entranceway into the city.
College students have also lent their artistic assistance to the trail organization by adding a mural to a wall on the adjacent Allegheny Power property to show the company’s history.
An added benefit, said Kovall, is that the now-colorful wall also draws attention away from the company’s storage area that is adjacent to the trail.
The YRTC was targeted by Boy Scout Aaron Doppleheur of Troop 101 to complete a project that would earn him his Eagle Scout rank.
Kovall said that through Doppleheur’s efforts, the Regional Trail Corp.-owned blue building was repainted, new security windows installed and other work completed.
“He made it look like a new building,” said Kovall.
The largest and most-time-consuming project, said Kovall, was the installation of the Sweet Smelling Technology (SST) toilet along the trail.
The project began nine years ago when another individual secured a grant for the purchase and installation outside of Connellsville.
Kovall said that the project was later shelved and not revisited until 2006, when it was learned that the funding remained available to the trail organization.
Because of the change in location, the grant had to be revised and various agencies contacted for approval.
“We also needed matching funds and volunteer labor as in-kind services,” said Kovall.
After several months of planning and site preparation, the SST facility was delivered and installed at a total cost of $22,000.
The YRTC worked alongside the city to extend water, lighting and security services to its adjacent location.
Through a grant received by the city, several upgrades were made at the neighboring Yough Park and, through a cooperative effort, utility services were extended to the trail property.
The three now-operational security cameras have provided oversight of the property, said Kovall.
“There have been no problems since they were put in,” he said.
The YRTC joined with Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center students to construct two Adirondack shelters to accommodate overnight trail users, said trail council member Gary Wandel.
“For years we’ve been asked about camping facilities and now they will be available,” he said.
In addition to the design and construction of the shelters, other students are building grills for the camp area, while others are in the process of marketing the facilities.
“There have been a lot of partnerships,” said Wandel, adding the picnic tables will also be a part of the campsite within the next few months.
Other completed or near-completed projects include equipment purchases, refurbishing of a caboose and construction of planters.
Kovall, meanwhile, said that the YRTC has several other projects it would like to undertake in the next year in addition to maintaining the trail. However, both initiatives need manpower and funding.
“We are always looking for volunteers and members,” he said.
For more information about the YRTC or to apply for members, call the Connellsville Chamber of Commerce office at 724-628-5500 or e-mail Kovall at tjkpa@zoominternet.net.