On April 2, Michael DiBerardinis, secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, announced that the Montour Trail Council will receive $70,000 for constructing trail in Peters Township. This money will be used to build trail from Library Junction on the Arrowhead Trail to the County Line on the way to Library. This grant was part of $1.6 million announced for 45 rail trails across the state.

"Not only do these projects provide important local recreational benefits, they are also pieces of a much larger puzzle," Secretary DiBerardinis said. "Whether it involves the completion of a missing segment, the extension an existing trail, or the bridging of a gap, the recreation and economic value of each project is multiplied."

MTC Vice President Dennis Pfeiffer commented, "Congratulations to Dave Wright on his successful DCNR grant request of $70,000. Receiving this grant is a pleasant surprise, since DCNR's funds for these grants were significantly reduced from 2002 funding." Engineer Wright previously wrote the successful DCNR grant application for the Clairton to Large segment that was recently completed.

This news is especially welcome in light of the good progress being made preparing for construction of the next trail segment from the County line to Pleasant Street in South Park Township (see page ?). When these two projects are added to the soon to be completed Bethel Park Branch and the existing Arrowhead Trail, there will be over 9 miles of continuous trail in Bethel Park, Peters Township, and South Park Township.

More information about 2003 DCNR grants statewide can be found at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/polycomm/pressrel/railtrail0403.htm

- Paul McKeown