Local leaders join trail lovers to “cut the ribbon” in Allegany County
From IMPACT, pictured are Glenn Gebhard, Pauline Burnes, and Gretchen Hanchett
Attendees from IMPACT aka Friends Improving Allegany County Trails : Glenn Gebhard, President; Pauline Burnes, Vice President; Brian Burnes, Member; Gretchen Hanchett, IMPACT Member and Allegany County Legislator, District 2
State and Federal Representatives
John Eberth, District Director, Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio’s office, George Fillgrove, Representative for Senator Borrello, Lee James, Representative for Congressman Langworthy
A ribbon cutting for the completion of the Timber Bridge on Trail 2 over a creek in the Phillip’s Creek State Forest was held on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The wooden bridge that allows for winter trail grooming of cross-country ski trails by IMPACT volunteers was completed by Alfred State College Construction trades students. Money for materials was acquired through grant secured by IMPACT volunteers Glenn Gebhard and Pauline Burnes from Parks & Trails New York. Matching funds were donated by the Allegany Area Foundation, Saputo Dairy, and the Arkport Branch of Community Bank, N.A.
Certificates of appreciate from Congressman Langworthy, Senator Borello, and Assemblyman Giglio were presented to IMPACT’s President Glenn Gebhard. Gretchen Hanchett, Allegany County Legislator for District 2 was present, and is a founding member of IMPACT, as she recognizes the importance of outdoor recreation and trails to promote community health and tourism opportunities in Allegany County. The congressional and state representatives have been instrumental in writing letters of support of IMPACT as they continue to seek grants and funding for additional trail improvements on the West Almond and Coyle Hill trail systems in Allegany County.
IMPACT also recently completed a Master Plan for the West Almond Trail System through assistance sought from the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. The Master Plan identifies the needs on the trail system, with Global Positioning System (GPS) data collected by Alfred University students and entered the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Geographic Information System (GIS). This will help prioritize future trail improvement projects and is a “living document,” that will be updated periodically. To view a copy of the Master Plan for the West Almond Trails, go to www.impactfriendsgroup.org.
IMPACT will be participating in the Statewide “I Love My Park” day scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 10 am to 2 pm at Palmer’s Pond on the West Almond Trail System. A new hitching rack for horses will be installed and pruning and clearing trails 6 and 8 are planned. If you would like to sign up to help on May 4, go to to pre-register , https://parks.ny.gov/events/my-park-day.aspx or come to Palmer’s Pond on May 4 at 10 am.
