Montour Trail-Letter

Volume 12, Issue 6

November/December, 2001

Ever since the first section of the Bethel spur was finished, volunteer workers on the Trail have been fielding questions about when "that other section" would be done. That "other section" was the .08 of a mile linking the Bethel Trail to the Arrowhead Trail. Many of those who asked the question did not realize that this section was not only in another township, but also in another county. They only knew that all the railroad ballast with which it was strewn made it rough for both walking and biking.

Now, finally, there is an answer to the question. Peter Kohnke secured permission from Peters Township for the Bethel Friends to work on the section. Mike Pucci drafted the grant applications; Bob O'Connell led the work parties in the preliminary clearing, and Peters Township workers removed brush and debris that the Bethel Friends accumulated. Most critical however, were the efforts of Senator Tim Murphy and Representative John Maher to secure the grants which will result in that section being completed next spring. Senator Murphy recently presented a $33,000 check, representing the DCED (Department of Community and Economic Development) grant to the Montour Trail Council at the Commissioners Meeting in Peters Township.