Northwest PA News

More than $426,700 in state grant funds have been allocated to support the development of the first mile of a bike trail from Foxburg to Emlenton. This initiative is part of the ARTinCC project, announced by Rep. Donna Oberlander and Sen. Scott Hutchinson.

The Allegheny River Trail Inc. received this funding to further develop the trail within Foxburg borough. The project includes constructing approximately one mile of trail from Route 58 to Richland Township line, with added features like disability access, landscaping, and signage.

Rep. Oberlander highlighted the growing interest in outdoor recreational activities in the area: “Outdoor recreational opportunities in this part of the county are leading to increased interest in our region from both local residents and return visitors.” She emphasized that this interest has created a demand for more recreational options in Foxburg, which is known for its scenic beauty along the Allegheny River.

Foxburg has seen an increase in visitors recently, attracting nearly 5,000 weekend visitors despite having only 200 permanent residents. The town's appeal partly stems from hikers and cyclists who frequent trails connecting Parker to Oil City or visit Foxburg itself. The current project focuses on a 3.5-mile section between Foxburg and Emlenton—a vision long held by community planners. Studies suggest completing this section could boost economic activity significantly.

Senator Hutchinson expressed his support for the initiative: “I was proud to support the efforts of the Allegheny River Trail in Clarion County, and I am thrilled to see that they’ve received this substantial grant award for right here in Foxburg Borough.”

Key figures driving this initiative include committee members Bob Jennings Jr., Anne Maron, and late Rep. Fred McIlhattan, with backing from various individuals, businesses, and the Clarion County Board of Commissioners.

Jennings acknowledged community involvement: “Scores of supporters and local businesses are credited on ARTinCC.org’s website,” he said. He noted that over 800 hours of volunteer effort had gone into preparing for construction since October 2021.

Construction on the initial mile will start after January 2023 as efforts continue to advance remaining undeveloped sections up to Emlenton so that eventually all gaps will be bridged along this corridor.

The grants come via Department Conservation Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) funded through multiple sources including realty transfer tax revenue; Environmental Stewardship Fund contributions; ATV/Snowmobile licensing fees; alongside federal monies involved too — all supplemented locally by more than $106K matched funds plus voluntary labor raised through ARTinCC’s network across communities nearby.