Present Status of the Back Mountain Trail
Board Members
2006
Bill Leandri Chairman
Mike Dziak Vice Chair
David Rimple Secretary
Bob Hall Treasurer
Glenn Johnson
Lew Hackling
Barbara Lemmond
Bonnie Smith
Janet Flack
Hondo Nobel PRES. BDT
Mark Albrecht PRES.BMT
Judy Rimple PRES ASTA
Interested participants to serve
in leadership can contact any
A Bridge will be installed over the existing rail-
road in 2007 and will connect two portions of trail. Trail
surfacing will begin near White Haven and continue over a
period of time until all 16 miles are graded, crowned, and
topped with a sand/gravel base.
Extensive water problems have damaged the trail
from Laurel Run to the Glen Summit Fire Hall due to sev-
eral years of heavy rainfall, runoff, flooding, and a tor-
nado. Trees are down on the trail. Walkers should be
aware of unsafe conditions.
The Mountaintop Trail Council (MTTC), a volun-
teer group, oversees D&L plans for design, construction,
maintenance and volunteers. This spring, woodcutters and
general clean up volunteers will asked to clear the trail.
Interested people call Hondo @474-9685.
Geocaching will soon be an added “adventure.”
Volunteers Continue Quest to Develop Two Trails
WALKING TALKING
SHARING
“Precious”
December 2006
Anthracite Scenic Trails Association Year end edition email: [email protected]
BACK MOUNTAIN/BLACK DIAMOND
TRAILS NEWSLETTER
Flood waters left extensive damage all along Toby’s Creek. The Trail took damage also,
although most of the trail is well above the creek bed. The bridge structure was compromised @
DAMA Wildcat Falls. The immediate problem of realigning water flow through the pipe was fixed
and is safe for pedestrians and bicyclists. Users should be aware the surface of the bridge is dam-
aged however. Additional maintenance will take place in the Spring.
The trail surface is in very good condition and very suitable for walking 2 miles from
Luzerne to the Bridge or 4.4 up to Trucksville and back. Thanks go to Council members: Mark
Albrecht, John Koch, John Handley, Frank Donahoe, Marshall Rumbaugh, Kevin Santry, Tom
Johnson , Bill Hottenstein, and “G” for overlooking care of the trail.
Construction of 2.3 more miles is next step. Contracts will be bid early spring 2007. Sec-
tion 3 Phase III: Lower Demunds to Lake Street in Dallas Borough is under study. A Dallas High
School student will lead a Walk-a-Thon for her community project All walks are welcome, but let
us know where and when. Please email [email protected] or call Angie @ 718-6507 to “register.”
Scheduled group walks and bike rides will start in June and continue all Summer. Look
in the newspapers for meeting times. Post cards will be sent as reminders.
ASTA Board Meetings 3 meetings annually April 25, Aug 28, Oct 23 call for time and place. BMTC meetings 6:45 pm 3rd Tues Back Mountain Mem. Library MTTC meetings 7 pm 3rd Wed Kirby Library Volunteer days • April Clean Up
• May Corporate UW
• Fall Leaf Pick Up Days
Calendar 2007
ANNUAL BOARD
MEETING
April 25, 2007
8—9:30 a.m.
Speaker
Joe DeMarco
Audubon Society
Place TBA
Black Diamond Trail in Mountaintop Ready for Construction Phase
The map below outlines five miles. Thanks extended to landowners who deeded property to Anthracite:Tom Garrity Family, George and Carol Isaacs,
Bill and Ruth Guyette, Paul Wasserott, Kevin and Ruth Smith. Easements for twelve more parcels connects trail links.
Highlights along the trail include: *Kiosks,* RR retaining walls, *benches, *views of Toby’s Creek, *Indian trail route, *historic railroad, *Notch, **Wildcat
Falls near DAMA bridge, *prairie section with view of Buttermilk Falls *RR water tower, *spring water spouts,*** 2 historic stone arch bridges where the
Trolley ran over and through, *new terrace section crossing Newell Fuel, *and the Hemlock Grove @ Fern Brook. Penn Dot and Anthracite have a
signed Highway Occupancy Agreement for 8 miles. A new brochure guide will be available as the trail is being built . Geocache already on trail.
2007 GOAL is to Complete New Section
Back Mountain Trail Financial Statements
SECTION 1 PHASE I 1994—2000
Luzerne to Trucksville 2.2 miles 1994 - 2000
SOURCES OF INCOME (rounded off)
Annual Contributions 53,000
Foundations – Corp & Private 2,000
Luzerne County 30,000
State of Pennsylvania 165,000
Federal Grant – ISTEA 50,000
PENN DOT Bridge
TOTAL 300,000
EXPEDITURES
Acquisition (Right of Way) 1,500
Feasibility Plans None
Engineering/Design 85,000
Insurance 2,000
Maintenance 2,500
Administrative/supplies 6,000
Trail Construction 204,000
TOTAL 300,000
SECTION 2 PHASE Ii 2001-2007
Luzerne Creek Walk, Trucksville to Dallas 3m.
SOURCES OF INCOME (rounded off)
Annual Contributions 75,000
Foundations – Corp & Private 48,000
Luzerne County 41,000
State of Pennsylvania 70,000
Federal Grant –PENN DOT To be awarded
TOTAL 234,000
EXPEDITURES
Acquisition (Right of Way) 14,000
Feasibility Plans 42,000
Engineering/Design 98,000
Insurance 24,500
Maintenance 24,500
Administrative/supplies 21,000
Trail Construction To be awarded
TOTAL 224,000
Cash on hand (1/1/07) 10,000
Details of Anthracite Scenic Trails Association Tax Re-
ports, Insurance packets, and Contracts are available. Note:
there are no salaried positions. Insurance and Maintenance
is expensive. PEC has provided administrative assistance.
What the financial reports do not show are names of the
many people who have provided essential expertise, hours of
volunteer time, leadership, corporate partnerships, and com-
munity activists who provide matching funds.
People to thank include: Chuck Mattei and Penn Dot person-
nel who oversee the Enhancements program; Landowners
who deed land and give easements; Luzerne County Com-
missioners; Office of Community Development Locally and
the State; Charles Lemmond; George Hasay; Phyllis Mundy;
Pennsylvania Environmental Council; Department of Conser-
vation and Natural Resources; Luzerne Foundation; Back
Mountain Bloomers; Private local Foundations whose fami-
lies see vision for our County; Scouts; College Misericordia;
Dallas Schools; United Way for Corporate Day of Caring;
Engineers and Design Consultants; ASTA Board of Directors;
Back Mountain Trail Council; and especially maintenance
personnel who oversee the safety of the trail and fix huge
problems. The Back Mountain Trail is almost ready to be 5
miles long.
Volunteers, Community individuals have been instrumental
in seeing this vision. The Back Mountain Trail is quite a nice
walk and the start of a beautiful bike ride. Lets’ build it!
SUMMARY OF BACK MOUNTAIN TRAIL ASSETS
Page 3 Year end edition
TRAILS ARE “ATTRACTIVE EXTRAS”
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Preserves Historic sites of significant value
Increases Property Values when in close proximity
Offers new economic opportunities
Encourages healthy life styles
Protects streams and forests
Conserves beautiful stretches of land
How Anthracite Scenic Trails Association Builds Trails
(Non profit organization working with Boroughs, Townships, County, and
State and Federal agencies)
Locate abandoned railroads
Acquire Easements and Deeds or Buy them
Raise money to match public funds
Obtain local, state, and federal Grants for Planning, Design,
and Construction
Secure Maintenance agreements
GIFTS AND DONATIONS 2006 Up to $50 ~ Charles Austin; Christine Balavage; Raymond & Patricia Balcomb; Samuel Barbose; Irene Blum; James Borton; Charles & Andrea Brandt; Brad & Diane Bryant; Bill & Carol Burak; Walter & Sue Ciehoski; Clark & Rita Con-lon; Heidi Cook; David Darby & Jennifer Lavery; Norm & Deb Darling; Lew & Cathy Druffner; Molly Farmer; Edward & Corrine Foote; William & Rochelle Gill; Paul Gritman; Rosalie Guido; Sid & Cydney Halsor; Betty Harris; John & Bev-erly Hart; Dave Hartman; Ira & Deborah Hufford; Dale & Christine Hughes; Ed & Marge Janosek; Marilyn Karas; Ber-nard & Anne King; Ron & Nancy Kresge; David Kuczborski; Jane Landau; Percy & Endyn Love; David Mackin; Eleanor Mullen; Nahaus & Donahue; Nicholas Truck Sales; Tom & Linda Orf; Vincent Paglianete; Bill & Kathy Roberts; Marilyn Rudolph; Bill & Joann Runner; Manuel & Yolanda Santayana; Carol Seltzer; Bruce & Nancy Slocum; Dr. Judy Smith Mengeringhauser; Clint Spiegel; Ann Stine; Mr. & Mrs. Russ Susko; Richard & Pauline Timko; David & Vera Walline; Richard Williams & Linda Casey; Charlie Williams; Albert & Anna Winkler; David Yakabouski. $51 -$100 ~ Mark & Maureen Albrecht; David & Louise Banik; Tony Banta; James & Grace Boyle; Jack & Lou Conyng-ham; Gottried & Leah Csala; Jeff Dreier; Mike & Rae Dziak; Phyllis Eckman; Howard & Jean Gonchar; Patrick Good; Bill & Marybeth Guyette; Kevin & oanne Laukner; William & Christine Leandri; James & Carol Lee; Fred Lombardo; Andrew Loughney; David & Maureen Lucchino; Kurt & Sylvia Maas; Don & Sheila McFadden; Charles & Paulette Mon-tante; John & Jennifer Ochman; Arthur & Sandy Piccone; Mary Reddy; Sandy & Diane Rimple Sanborn; Jack & Alice Sallada; Durelle & Connie Scott; Frank & Joline Sobeck; Joe Stager; Clifford Troup; UGI; UPS Store, Dallas. $101 - $200 ~ Jorge & Sylvia Abrantes; Rick Allan; Baker & Lewis Architects; Frank & Carol Bevevino; Chuck & Nancy Brown; Mike & Debbie Callahan; Stan & Pattie Davies; Jim & Flo DePolo; Earth Conservancy; Gus & al Gennetti; Mi-chael Grobosky; Chris & Lianne Groshel; Anne Holmes; Bill Hottenstein; Jean & Frank Hughes; Carol King; Deborah Kirkwood; Warren & Blair Koehl; Charles & Barbara Lemmond; Mike & Tina MacDowell; Richard & Marilyn Maslow; Marian Melnyk; Offset Paperback Manufacturers, Inc.; John Peterson; David Asher Rimple; Barbara Smith; Sandy Sternlieb; Andre & Catherine Susanin; Tom Walski. $201 - $500 ~ Theodore & Nancy Butler; Commonwealth Telephone; Alan & Evelyn Finlay; Paul & Alice Kutish; Rich-ard & Marion Pearsall. Over $500+ ~ Shoval Foundation. Over $1000+ ~ Bergman Foundation; Maslow Family Foundation; Rimples; Virginia H. Banks Foundation.
Back Mountain Bloomers present the 3rd Bi-Annual
Garden Tour June 30, Saturday Tickets available April. Proceeds go to ASTA. Call PEC Office 718-6507 or Judy 675-9016
Post Office Box 212 Dallas Pennsylvania 18612
Anthracite Scenic Trails Association
Anthracite Scenic Trails Association
http://bmt.editthispage.com
FRIENDS OF THE TRAILS
NAME______________________________________________
ADDRESS__________________________________________
CITY___________________ ZIP______________________
EMAIL___________________TELE______________________
My INTEREST_______________________________________
Ways to be active...Courtesy patrol, Chain saw crew, United Way Day of
Caring, Community Service Programs, Walk-a-thons, Eagle Scout Badges,
*Safe Trail Routes to School, *Walking School Bus Program, Educational
excursions, Lead or join in walks, bike rides, and fun runs, Tobys Creek
restoration. If you have a group or family who wants to volunteer on
one of the trails or be involved in a group activity, let us know. Fill
out the form or call members below:
Pennsylvania Environmental Council Office (570) 718-6507
Mark Albrecht: BMT Council President (570) 696-3409
Hondo Nobel: BDT Council President (570) 474-9685
Judy Rimple: ASTA President (570) 675-9016
TRAIL REGULATIONSTRAIL REGULATIONSTRAIL REGULATIONSTRAIL REGULATIONS
Respect the rights and privacy of adjacent landowners
Motorized vehicles are prohibited
Bikes yield to pedestrians
Keep to right except for passing
Pass on left by signal of bell or vocal call
Heed traffic at all crossings
Trails’ hours are dawn to dark
Camping and campfires are not allowed
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited
Pets must be under control of owner at all times
Leash on pets required
Pet Owners responsible for picking up after pet
Developing the Back Mountain and Black Diamond
Trails in Luzerne County, PA.
Mark Albrecht, Dr. Bob Glicini with Scout Troop 281
filled a dumpster and forged a new trail link for the
Back Mountain Trail.
John Chabalko and Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18
students worked on the trail every week in the
Fall fixing drains and improving the surface.
NON PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 19
DALLAS, PA 18612