Local News

$400K grant aiding trail expansion

DURBIN - The Mon Forest Towns Partnership (MFTP) has been awarded $442,000 by The Conservation Fund's outdoor recreation grant through the Expedia Trail Fund.

This grant is supporting the construction of new trails in two Mon Forest Towns, Durbin in Pocahontas County and Franklin in Pendleton County. The award will benefit the development of these two trails and accelerate the projects.

Durbin is in development of constructing a 0.8-mile Connector Trail for walking and biking that will bring together the Widney Park and West Fork Rail Trails. The trail is in the final stages of engineering and design and is expected to begin construction in 202.

In Pendleton County, the town of Franklin is constructing a 3-mile Peters Mountain Trail System that has been designed and approved by the U.S. Forest Service. Trail construction has already begun, with support from the U.S. Forest Service and community volunteers. Construction will continue on the trail into next year.

Both projects are part of MFTP's Appalachian Regional Commission Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) initiative, focused on building a stronger connection between the Mon Forest gateway towns and the National Forest.

MFTP Executive Director Josh Nease, said, "We (MFTP) are profoundly grateful to the Expedia Trails Fund and The Conservation Fund for this vital implementation funding. Our early investments in community and infrastructure planning are officially paying off, allowing us to break ground on projects that connect our towns to the surrounding national forest."

Nease also commented on the future of the MFTP, adding that, "This exciting next step is a direct result of the incredible collaboration among our member towns and our highly effective, ongoing partnership with the U.S. Forest Service."

MFTP representative Nicolle Flood-Sawczyszyn, of Durbin, noted, "Support from the Expedia Trails Fund for the Durbin Connector Trail is evidence that our community's investment in collaboration is paying off." The trail will also help the town of Durbin by connecting it to the Monongahela National Forest in a well-established and accessible route.

"In addition to bringing incredible outdoor assets like the Allegheny Trail and West Fork Rail Trail right to Durbin's doorstep, the Connector will provide a protected corridor for residents and visitors of all ages to visit downtown shops, local restaurants, parks and the community garden," Flood-Sawczyszyn said. She also noted that the Connector Trail adds to the goal of connecting the north and south zones of the Monongahela through a single trail.

Michelle Connor, the MFTP representative of Franklin, explained that the idea for the Peters Mountain trail came directly from the public. She commented, "Through the community coaching process and engagement meetings, we heard from more than 50 people and the resounding theme was that although Franklin is surrounded by public land, people felt they had limited access to the forest due to a lack of backyard trails."

In response, the MFTP decided to pursue a new trail system at Peters Mountain, which is 10 minutes from downtown Franklin. Connor said that MFTP "hosted nearly 30 volunteers during our first community trail building day this June with Forest Service staff - needless to say, the excitement is real."

The Expedia Trails Fund is part of the company's multi-year commitment to restore and protect the nature that millions of people visit every year. The Fund is also partnering with The Conservation Fund, which is directing helping MFTP expand access to the National Forest through the gateway communities.

In addition to the expansion of trails, the MFTP is also planning to launch the North Zone Trail Crew in 2027 to maintain trails, creating an increase in safety and accessibility to the Monongahela National Forest.