Earl Cardot Eastside Overland Trail

Funding will help to kick-start Phase V renovation work of Earl Cardot Eastside Overland TrailCHERRY CREEK, NY – The effort to renovate a section of overland trails in eastern Chautauqua County has taken a major step forward. The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) is pleased to report that it has secured a $35,000 grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, to help fund Phase V of the Chautauqua County Overland Trails Revitalization Project.  Phase V renovation work includes trail construction, trail improvements, and trail reroutes in Boutwell Hill State Forest in Cherry Creek, along Chautauqua County’s Earl Cardot Eastside Overland Trail. To secure this grant, CCPEG collaborated with the Chautauqua County Parks Department and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to plan and to organize the best way to approach Phase V.  The collaboration is also being used to apply for additional funding to help ensure all aspects of the Phase V project can be completed. If all funding is secured, the trail improvements and construction work will be done by experienced mechanized trail-builders from Trail Construction Associates (TCA), based in Chautauqua County. The team from TCA are familiar with the Overland Trails and are excited apply their green design trail-building techniques to improve the sustainability of the Overland Trail in Boutwell Hill State Forest.  According to Jacob Bodway, Trail Coordinator for CCPEG, Phase V will update the Eastside Overland Trail to meet modern standards of trail sustainability and accessibility. “We will be rerouting chronic wet areas and improving sections of trail that have poor drainage and erosion issues. These improvements will benefit hikers and bikers of all skill levels and help keep the trail dry during the winter months for cross country skiing. Even better, this project dovetails with the recent improvements to the ‘Homestead Loop’ in Boutwell Hill State Forest,” Bodway said. Bodway adds that additional funding for Phase V has been applied for, with award announcements for all pending grants expected by mid to late summer. Once all funding is secured, the work is expected to begin by the end of summer or early fall. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds were established at the Community Foundation to provide support to four areas that were important to Mr. Wilson: caregivers, community assets, design and access, and youth sports. Endowment funds, like these created to honor Mr. Wilson, are designed to grow over time and provide funding for charitable causes according to a client’s wishes. The Chautauqua County Overland Trails would not be possible without the support and cooperation of private landowners. About CCPEG - The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) serves as the main convener of economic development partners and resources to advance key projects that achieve economic prosperity in Chautauqua County. It also serves as the catalyst and broker of resources for advancing economic prosperity efforts and is the central coordinating entity for the formation, retention, development, and attraction of quality jobs and advancements to the quality of life. It is an initiative of the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC). For more information visit CHQPartnership.org.