CLARION/JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) – In less than ten years, the Piney Rail Riders (PRR) has grown from the idea of a few people to an outdoor and recreation advocate for the area’s rural communities.

Recently awarded a $937,900 PA DCNR grant to purchase the 24.7-mile-long Piney Rail Corridor between the Clarion River Trestle in Piney Township, Clarion County, and Brookville Borough in Jefferson County, PPR is on a mission.

The Piney Rail Riders (PRR), a PA Private-Not-for-Profit 501(c)(3) Corporation, is on a mission to buy the 24 miles of abandoned rail corridor between the Clarion River Trestle and Brookville and open a public ATV and snowmobile trail that will also lead to economic development in Clarion and Jefferson Counties.

The cost of the mission was initially anticipated to be approximately $1.2 million to purchase the 600 acres of property. Included in the $1.2 million are the costs associated with land appraisal, closing costs, and legal fees.

The $937,900 award represents a significant amount of hard work by many PRR representatives and the necessary and appreciated support of many others. Additionally, the enthusiastic support of the 530+ families and 1300 individual members of the Piney Rail Riders enabled the organization to chart and follow the course for this mission.

“With this grant, we can begin metaphorically and physically building bridges,” said PRR Grant Committee Chair Brian Huwar.

“The Piney Rail Riders knows the path forward involves completing the necessary work for this acquisition, crossing Piney Creek multiple times, forging low-lying areas, maintaining a responsive ecological environment, maintaining a safe riding experience, respecting our corridor neighbors, providing necessary comfort services, and building facilities and programs so the less able can enjoy the same activities of the most able.”

According to Huwar, the PRR has more than 519 family memberships, including more than 1,300 individual members. Its yearly lease agreement permits the use and maintenance of the trail. Membership has invested significant time and capital, keeping the rail corridor open for members and non-members alike.

Seven bridges cross the Piney Stream and are in various states of repair. Members have kept the bridges safe and functional with much volunteer time, volunteer excavation equipment, and membership money.

The Piney Trail is one of the only remaining tracts of rail bed in Clarion County that hasn’t been purchased and designated a walking/biking-only trail that excludes any motorized modes of transportation.

In addition to funding requests through grant proposals, the PRC is conducting a fund drive among members.

Anyone interested in helping to bring the Rail Corridor into the public domain can send pledges, contributions, and membership application requests to Piney Rail Riders President Cinnamon Vosburg, 63 Vosburg Lane, Strattanville, PA 16258.

PRR officers, many individual members, EDC agencies, and local, regional, and state officials support this project as an economic development initiative. The 24 miles of abandoned rail corridor travels through five townships in Clarion and Jefferson Counties.

“Four of the townships the PRR crosses have Open ATV riding,” Huwar said. “These four townships connect with at least a dozen other townships. Due to the 24-mile PRC and the Open Road townships, it passes through 12 other contiguous townships with Open Roads, and ATV riders could legally ride a  couple of hundred miles.”

These roads connect restaurants, hotels, motels, and stores. ATV riders spend millions of dollars in pursuit of their interests.

The PA Not-For-Profit PRR’s growth from a 10-member organization committee to over 519 Family memberships and an excess of 1,300 individual memberships in less than ten years indicates this region’s outdoor recreation tourism potential.

More information is available on ridethepine.org.