The trail has worked with other contractors trimming the trail, digging ditches etc. The Maintenance Director Gary Halsnik felt that the trail could be more efficient doing the work ourselves if we had the correct equipment.
So, In 2020 the organization worked with the Centre County Planning Office and also Michelle Merrow of Osceola Mills to fill out grant forms to acquire funds from DCNR, Trilby Mayes, President of SSRT was notified December 20, 2021 by DCNR Secretary Dunn that the trail will be receiving two separate grants. The funds come from Community Conservation Partnership Programs administered by DCNR. Funding for the projects comes from a variety of sources, State Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, Environmental Stewardship Fund, Atv and Snowmobile Management Restricted Accounts, Pa. Heritage Area Programs and the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and Recreational Trails Program.
The letter from Secretary Dunn also states that this grant award is in recognition of outstanding recreation and conservation work done within our communities.
The equipment has been purchased and the Bobcat Excavator and trailer were purchased from Best Line Equipment and will be used to dig drainage ditches, replace drainage pipe, clean out ditches along the 19 mile trail. The John Deere Tractor purchased from Bradco Supply has a 22ft boom arm with 60" rotary blade mower which will be used to trim the brush along the trail. The trailer will be used to haul the equipment to various locations on the trail as needed.
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