I “Heart” Trails Community Chat: Kittanning

The Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition (IHTC or “I Heart Trails,” for short) is partnering with local trail and community development organizations to host workshops in four communities this fall. Taking place in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, the interactive workshops will be more of a community conversation than a meeting.

The meetings will consist of conversations around what’s important in local communities, tips on how to better accommodate visiting trail users, a 15-minute “micro-film screening” on the economic and other benefits of trails, and the opportunity to bike, walk, or simply observe firsthand how the local trails operate.

To register, RSVP to Amy Camp at [email protected] or (412) 918-6563 (please indicate which workshop you’re attending) or on any of the Facebook event pages.

Workshops will be held on the following dates:

1. Sept 20, 6-8 pm: West Fork and Spelter to Shinnston Trails
   Women’s Club of Shinnston, 28 Bridge Street, Shinnston, W.Va.
   Local host: Harrison County Rails-to-Trails
   Those in Shinnston, Fairmont, Worthington, Clarksburg and other nearby communities are encouraged to attend
2. Sept. 29, 5:30-7:30 pm: Wheeling Heritage Trail
   Wheeling Artisan Center, 1400 Main St., Wheeling, W.Va.
   Local hosts: Ohio Valley Trail Partners and Wheeling National Heritage Area
   Those in Wheeling, Wellsburg, Moundsville and other nearby communities are encouraged to attend.
3. Oct. 13, 6-8 pm: Great Ohio Lake-to-River Greenway
   Kenneth F. McMahon Hall at the MetroParks Farm
   7574 Columbiana-Canfield Rd., Canfield, Ohio
   Local host: Mill Creek MetroParks
   Those in Canfield, Lisbon, Warren and other nearby communities are encouraged to attend. 
4. Oct. 18, 5:30-7:30 pm: Erie-to-Pittsburgh Trail (Armstrong Trail locally) and Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway
   Commissioners’ Conference Room, Courthouse Annex
   450 Market Street, Kittanning, Pa.
   Local hosts: Armstrong County Department of Planning & Development, Allegheny Valley Land Trust, and Erie-to-Pittsburgh Trail Alliance
   Those in Kittanning, East Brady, Ford City, and other nearby communities, including those of the Kiski Valley, are encouraged to attend.

What to Bring

1. Friends and family members. Children are welcome! (Activities will be provided to help keep them engaged.)
2. A bike and helmet if you want to ride (this is a brief, casual ride – less than an hour – to look at how well the trail connects into the host community). We look forward to having non-local participants who can see the community with fresh eyes.
3. Comfortable clothing and shoes for when we go outside to walk and ride (or grab a park bench, whatever is your pleasure).