IN Peters Township August/September 2016 | Page 57
46 miles from Moon Township near Coraopolis to Clairton. The remainder of the Montour
Trail, including a portion of unpaved trail that runs through Peters Township, is maintained
by the Friends of the Montour Trail, an all-volunteer group.
“There are many tasks that need to be done to keep the trail going, and while much of
that is during scheduled work parties and events, for some volunteer activities there are no
schedules,” says Mark Imgrund, a volunteer trail council member. “Physical tasks such as
trimming vegetation, picking up litter or working on committees and events are critical to
maintaining the trail.”
The existing Montour Trail, which currently runs more than 40 miles with a few gaps in
between, connects to the 150-mile Greater Allegheny Passage, which links Pittsburgh to
Washington, D.C. The Arrowhead Trail is the only paved section of the Montour Trail; the
other portions are surfaced with crushed limestone.
Although no plans are in the works for building upon the existing Arrowhead Trail,
Harmel says she would certainly welcome new opportunities.
“If there was any way to expand or extend the trail in the future, we certainly wouldn’t be
opposed to doing so,” she says. ■
TRAIL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Friends of the Montour Trail are always in need of more volunteers to help
manage and maintain the trail. Help is also needed for a variety of “behind-thescenes” tasks.
“Building and operating a 63-mile trail system requires engineering, legal,
accounting, administrative, clerical, real estate and fundraising services along with
grant applications to keep things moving and the trail alive,” says Mark Imgrund,
volunteer trail council member. “If you have skills you are willing to shar e in these
areas, the Montour Trail could most likely benefit from them.”
There is no minimum time commitment required to volunteer.
“Volunteers can give as little or as much time as they see fit,” says Imgrund.
In Peters, the Friends of the Montour Trail have monthly meetings and work
parties. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer in Peters Township can contact
Imgrund at [email protected]. Those interested in helping with other
sections of the Montour Trail can visit montourtrail.org and find information on
Friends groups under the “Help Us” tab. More information about the Friends of
the Montour Trail can also be found on Facebook.
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