Friends Groups

Fort Cherry Friends of the Trail

The Fort Cherry section of the Montour Trail travels through mostly rural terrain, with the McDonald Trestle (the Trail’s longest viaduct, which also offers stunning views) and Quicksilver Bridge (a strikingly designed structure) crossing roadways along its route, almost begging motorists to gawk. The recently constructed Southern Beltway (I-576) is expected to change the rustic setting: Planned residential and business developments will attract new homeowners and commerce — and, we hope, new Trail users.

This small Friends team of dedicated Fort Cherry volunteers logs over 600 hours annually mowing grass, trimming weeds, repairing fences, refurbishing bridge decking, grading/resurfacing parking areas, removing tree falls, and clearing construction debris from new development.

The Friends occasionally take on fundraising efforts, particularly when new equipment (like tractors) is needed. Group members enlist the help of municipal and county officials to deal with overwhelming issues (like trail encroachment and overgrowth clearing).

• Meetings: second Wednesday of the month at McDonald Trail Station near Panhandle Trail, 160 S. McDonald Street, McDonald, at 6:30 PM
• Work parties scheduled as needed
• Call Deb Esia at 724-350-5565 or Chuck Hughey at 724-926-9436

Westland Friends of the Trail

Some of the most rural and scenic portions of the Montour Trail fall within Westland Friends’ territory. For the long term, we hope to preserve this rural beauty for Trail users (especially in the upper Westland Branch).

The Westland Friends group maintains five miles of Trail consisting of the entire Westland Branch and a 0.9-mile section of the main line. This group is responsible for maintaining two trailheads (Galati Road and Westland) plus the Gilmore Junction pavilion. Territory resides entirely within Washington County and passes through two townships (Cecil and Mt. Pleasant). A shipping container shed at the Galati Road trailhead contains tools and supplies for ready maintenance.

Core volunteer work primarily involves mowing trail edges, cutting protruding growth, patching trail ruts, and trash removal. The group is also involved with other (non-core) activities such as improving signage, planting grass for long-term erosion control, and trail beautification. Volunteer efforts are typically performed during planned work parties and/or self-directed individual efforts. Westland Friends also promotes year-round maintenance activities, and has developed experience and techniques to effectively work during the winter months.

Westland Friends challenges include growing the new group (established August 2017), working around fencing on the trail edges, and dealing with issues related to the nearby active railroad.

• Meetings: third Thursday of the month at 1:30 PM at Montour Trail office in Bridgeville (During Covid pandemic, meetings outside at Galati trailhead)
• Contact dave@theneonweb.com or call 412-498-3854

Cecil Friends of the Trail

The first tangible milestone of the Montour Trail was the completion of a 4.5-mile segment in Cecil Township, which opened in 1992. The following year, Cecil Trail enthusiasts held their first meeting, a prototype for what would become the official network of Friends groups.

This Friends group maintains National Tunnel, a “wet” structure whose dripping water forms huge icicles and a frozen pathway in winter. Over the years, volunteers have conducted experiments aimed at keeping the tunnel above freezing and, thus, safe to travel through. They recently completed constructing a permanent plywood airlock that solves the problem.

Cecil volunteers plan and stage the National Tunnel Run/Walk in spring, a fundraiser that offers participants race support and a celebratory lunch.

• Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM  from March-October at Cecil Henderson Road (Kurnick) trailhead; otherwise at Montour Trail Council Office, 2589 Boyce Plaza Road, Suite 4, Pittsburgh.
• Work and clean-up parties are scheduled as needed throughout the year. For more information, please call Bob Mihalco at (786) 910-5575 or email: ramihalco@icloud.com.

Peters Friends of the Trail

The Peters Friends group is responsible for maintaining approximately 3.75 miles of Trail in Peters Township that is not part of the Arrowhead Trail – which includes the Greer Tunnel and its abutting bridges ((MM 28.5 to 30.4, Library Junction to near MM 35 and part of the Bethel Branch) ). The Friends’ biggest challenge is educating the local community about the differences between operating and maintaining these sister trails, and one good opportunity for that is staffing an informational booth at the annual Peters Community Day in late June.

Volunteer “work” along the Trail includes the usual: cutting grass, pruning trees and controlling the never-ending growth of weeds. Others in the group strategize and manage growth: obtaining grants for operation and Trail maintenance, maintaining meeting minutes, and securing donations. Friends volunteers also coordinate scout projects and local business volunteers to work on the Trail.

The Peters Friends also stage an annual Penny Day that places volunteers along the Trail to collect donations. They also help to staff the 62-mile turn-around rest stop for the Tour the Montour bike ride in September.

• Meetings: first non-holiday Monday of the month at 7:00 PM, sometimes at Peters Township Community & Recreation Center (but occasionally other venues, depending on weather); contact via email at PetersFriends@montourtrail.org 
• Work and clean-up parties on the first Friday and third Saturday of every month at 8:30 am; send email to PetersFriends@montourtrail.org

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Bethel Friends of the Trail

Because the Bethel Branch runs through a densely populated area, it comprises some of the most-used miles in the  Montour Trail system. Litter is seldom a problem, since many Trail users help with that. What locals rely on the Friends group for is to keep their pathway wide (frequent mowing), clear (removing intrusive vegetation), and in good repair, otherwise known as “Bethel standards.”

Bethel Friends also stage two major fundraisers each year. The J. R. Taylor 5K Race/Walk in the spring depends on more than a dozen volunteers, and Penny Day in the fall relies on another 18 or so who volunteer at collection sites along the trail.

• Meetings: first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM at Bethel Park Municipal Building Caucus Room; contact Peter Kohnke at 724-518-9251
  
• Work and clean-up parties: every second and fourth Saturday of the month at 8:30 AM; call Mark DeJohn at 412-523-2108

South Hills Friends of the Trail

The South Hills Friends group typically removes about 10 downed or leaning trees a year. Winter 2010 was a bit atypical: Heavy February snows brought down dozens of trees, and chainsaw-wielding volunteers spent many hours clearing the Trail. To avoid a repeat in winter 2018, the Friends cleared four downed trees and felled an additional 35 that posed a potential hazard to Trail users — all part of staying ahead of the job.

The South Hills Friends also stage an annual Penny Day, a fundraiser that places volunteers along the Trail to collect donations.

• Meetings: second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM remotely, via conference phone call
  
• Work and clean-up parties: second Saturday of the month
• Contact: Dave Oyler at 412-831-9288; Paul McKeown at 412-835-6692; or info@montourtrail.org

Montour Railroad Historical Society

The Historical Society (MRHS) researches, preserves and teaches Montour Railroad history. As it memorializes the former line, the group is open to discussion about coal mines, industries, communities, and interconnecting railroads along the Montour’s route. There are no membership requirements other than an interest in preserving the memories of our “Old Friend.”

The society, 350+ members strong, installs historical interpretive signage along the Trail, generally near trailheads and access areas. In addition, its members regularly supply articles for the Montour Trail-Letter and maintain a Facebook page. Volunteers also exhibit memorabilia and poster displays at community and trail functions throughout the year.

Work parties are regularly held to build, erect or restore the signs and mileposts; volunteers put in many hours of computer time to research and write. Outings known as “Mon-tours” are held to explore some of the physical remains of the former railroad.

• Contact: mrhs@montourrr.com or call Bryan Seip at 724-263-4667