The purchase of the Rosebud railroad line right-of-way along the Allegheny River by Armstrong Trails has made the development of a trail along the Kiskiminetas river from Schenley through Leechburg to Hyde Park an obvious extension.
The Armstrong Trails purchased right-of-way includes a four-mile stretch along the Kiski toward Leechburg. ATI has granted an easement to Armstrong Trails along Silicon Drive to extend the four-mile piece to the Leechburg boarder.
The LACDC has taken on the role of sponsor and owner of the trail through Leechburg. We have acquired all of easements and are finalizing transfer of ownership of a section of the trail to the LACDC.
Most of the funding for the project is in place in the form of a $60,000 donation from a Leechburg High School alum and a $100,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. We are awaiting word on an additional grant from another foundation. Design of the trail is complete and a contractor has been engaged. Once the final property is acquired and all the funding is in place construction can begin in this construction season.
Once the Gilpin Leechburg Trail is completed a biker will be able to enter the trail in Leechburg and ride to Schenley along the Kiskiminetas and then along the Allegheny to East Brady and beyond.
Benefits of the trail include:
• Promoting healthy lifestyles through outdoor exercise.
• Enhancing local tourism and economic development.
• Providing safe, scenic routes for biking and walking.
• Connecting communities along the river.