AVTA News


June 1, 2016 - Paving Completed
Paving from Belmar to Brandon was completed.

May 11, 2016 Annual Members Meeting
To be held at the Christ United Methodist Church at 1135 Buffalo Street in Franklin. See details in newsletter link below.

April 26, 2016 Paddle & Pedal Trip
Outdoor Allegheny River Services Torn between wanting to enjoy the river and riding the trails? Why not enjoy having the best of both worlds! With the Paddle/Peddle trip you combine a six mile float with a six mile bike ride. All you have to do is arrive at our office with your bike in tow, and we will provide the canoe or kayak for the float. One of the best things about the trip is your bike will be waiting for you at the take out. Then enjoy a leisurely ride on the Rails to Trails leading you back to your vehicle.


Where else can you enjoy the gorgeous river and beautiful trails on the same day? Only at Outdoor Allegheny River Services (O.A.R.S.). To reserve your paddle/peddle trip call JB @ 814.388.9122.

"See you on the river"

The estimated float time is 3-4 hours and the ride is approximately 45 minutes.

April 13, 2016
The 2016 Allegheny Valley Trails Association newsletter is available. Read the PDF version here

February 5, 2016
Two inches of snow fell last night. The trails are snow covered again.

January 31, 2016 - Trails in the Franklin Area
The Sandy Creek Trail is mostly covered in snow and ice. The Belmar Bridge is clear.

There is 8 miles of clear trail from the Franklin Trail Head. The Allegheny River Trail is clear from Franklin to just south of the Belmar Bridge about 5 1/2 miles. Then snow and ice for at least a mile. The Justus Trail is clear north from the Franklin to just beyond the 2 1/2 mile marker then snow and ice. The road beside the trail is mostly ice at this point. It looks like these sections should stay free of ice and snow at least through Monday Feb. 8.

February 26, 2011 - Third Annual" Allegheny Valley Trails Association (AVTA) Fundraiser
The "Third Annual" Allegheny Valley Trails Association (AVTA) Fundraiser will be held Saturday, February 26, 2011, at the Knights of Columbus Hall (K of C) located at 1436 Liberty Street, Franklin, PA. AVTA is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that currently manages and oversees 50+ miles of paved, non-motorized recreational trails in the Franklin area. More...


February 27, 2010 - The "Second Annual" Allegheny Valley Trails Association (AVTA) Fundraiser
The "Second Annual" Allegheny Valley Trails Association (AVTA) Fundraiser will be held Saturday, February 27, 2010, at the Knights of Columbus Hall (K of C) located at 1436 Liberty Street, Franklin, PA. AVTA is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that currently manages and oversees 50+ miles of paved, non-motorized recreational trails in the Franklin area. More...

2009 - Local trails systems in the Leisure and Tourism section of the Business Review and
Forecast for 2009
The Oil Region greenways and open space coordinator and local communities have been toiling to connect the dots between several stretches of recreation trails...Read Article

2008 - Greenway and Open Space Coordinator Hired
A Greenway and Open Space Coordinator was hired to assist the AVTA and several other local organizations associated with trail and open space planning, development and operation throughout the Oil Heritage Region as well as serve as a central point of contact and to provide professional technical assistance. Read News Release

2005 - Year of the Tunnel
The list of projects for 2005 is a big one:
The Tunnel
Construction finally began in March of 2005 with $2 million in federal Transportation Enhancement funding. This has been a long and difficult process - we began in 1991 - with many complications, considerable planning and re-planning, bureaucratic tangles (imagine a little non-profit dealing with the FHA, PENNDOT, PHMC, DEP), search for the right tunnel engineer and a plan that was reasonably priced and would result in a suitable final product. The pile of paper can be measured in feet. The final tunnel design was done by Frank B. Taylor Engineering of New Castle, but the design was subcontracted to the Wexford Consulting Group who hired a world class tunnel expert, Gordon Elliot. The mountain was probed and prodded and alternate plans and associated costs identified. The recommended plan is bold and innovative, and may be the first of its type anywhere. The 1000' long tunnel, 30'x30' is going to have a 12'x12' inner tunnel built of concrete. The 20,000 cu. ft. void is to be filled with at least 200,000 recycled cut tires and the tunnel ends sealed. Completion is scheduled for the end of June. The Sandy Creek Trail is open east and west of the tunnel, but the tunnel is closed - for now.

PA Greenway Sojourn - 2004
Nearly 400 bicycle riders from 23 states met in Spartansburg at the fairgrounds on a lovely day in July to begin what has become an annual event to celebrate existing rail-trails and to energize workers to continue the process of extending and connecting trails. The first day's ride followed an old rail line from Spartansburg to Titusville which was, at best, under construction, and at worst closed. Titusville to the campground in Oil City followed the Oil Creek State Park Bicycle Trail, some roads, and the new route through town. Oil Heritage stops were made at the Drake Well Museum, Petroleum Center and Oil Heritage Days in Oil City. The campsite was on a grassy plot just downriver from the marina.

It began to rain during the night, soaking riders and all their camping gear. The all-day rain on the second day of the tour filled every motel and Bed & Breakfast room in Franklin, the second day's destination, and sold all the dry shirts in town. The planned campground at Riverfront Park became more river than park requiring desperate measures. The spectacle of 200 campers on the gym floor of Central Elementary was something to see. The spirit of the sojourners combined with the hospitality of the people of Franklin was truly heartwarming.

The sun came out for day three highlighted by a celebration to open the 10 mile extension of the Allegheny River Trail from Brandon to Rockland Station. Invited guests and speakers included the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of DCNR, Congressman Peterson, State Senator Mary Jo White, and State Representative Scott Hutchinson. The spectacle of 400 bike riders on a grassy lawn along the Allegheny River was truly impressive. A stop at the newly opened visitor center and Pump House Museum in Emlenton's Crawford Center highlighted the afternoon ride. Dr. and Mrs. Art Steffee hosted the campers at their estate in Foxburg where weary riders were able to catch a hay ride to the Foxburg Inn for dinner. It rained again that night soaking recently dried camping gear, but a large campfire helped to keep spirits up.

Three day riders left us at Foxburg and six day riders returned along the same route, camping again in Franklin, then in Titusville at the Leisure Services recreational complex.

There are so many local people who helped, but a special mention should go to Matt Lehman who led the biking docs which included Joe Gent, Steve Schenck who led the safety patrol which included Sue Hilton and Cindy Schenck, Dave McVay who hosted 400 riders for lunch and a trail dedication on his lawn in St. George, and Karen Counselman and Maryann Porterfield who provided information and support at Franklin and Foxburg. Larry Mackey was everywhere driving truck, bussing wet riders, loading and unloading luggage, and Randy Stewart always seemed to show up when needed. I believe the whole event was a great success, good for our trails and towns - and they are coming back in 2005 with 500 riders!