Look for significant Bald Eagle Valley Trail development in 2024

CASTANEA – Having a walking or bicycling trail just minutes from your home is a very satisfying feeling.
Knowing you can just pick up and, within minutes, be on a trail.

Studies show that it actually boosts property values – not to mention providing tremendous health benefits!
The Bald Eagle Valley Trail that starts in Castanea Township – and will ultimately extend further east and also north into Lock Haven – fits the bill.

Located on an abandoned railroad line and born from a vision by area leaders, the BEVT is seeing increased use.
With that comes maintenance and further development.
And safety.

The county recently installed swing gates near the trailhead in Castanea, thanks to a Clinton County Community Foundation grant.

Matthew Croak, county community planner, said plans are underway for further trail development, thanks to the county, The Friends of the BEVT and funding sources.

“With this year’s gracious award from the Clinton County Community Foundation, we were able to apply it to a much-needed upgrade to our gate system. There were six new gates installed in the “Phase 2” section of the trail, which stems from Castanea Township into Wayne Township. Instead of the original cattle gates that were used from the beginning, we now have a swing style gate system that mirrors what is out on the Pine Creek Valley Rail Trail. By doing this, bike riders can easily pass through by simply weaving in between the gates versus the original slow down and pass through the narrow opening next to the cattle gates,” Croak said.

The openings actually appear slightly wider than the Pine Creek gates for ease of use.

Croak said Phase 5 – the continuation from Katie’s Crossing at the West Branch of the Susquehanna River – and Phase 6 (from Castanea Trail Head to the City of Lock Haven) are fully funded and will be constructed in 2024.

They will require at least another four to eight gates, said Stephen Gibson, P.E., county director of planning and chief engineer.

Gibson and county Commissioner Angela Harding said mile markers have been installed every two-tenths of a mile on the trail for emergencies – so if help is needed, a marker can help responders find a person.

Along those same lines, the gates are installed such that firefighters and PPL crews both can unlock the gates and swing them open to gain access for emergencies or services.

The trail has seen seasonal robust use, Gibson and Harding said.

Importantly, the Friends of the BEVT has obtained nonprofit status to help manage the trail and raise funds for its further development and maintenance, according to Wayne McCullough, president of The Friends. The nonprofit status also will help the organization of volunteers apply for other grant funds in support of the trail, he said.

In addition to this year’s grant, the Foundation awarded the county $8,000 last year for the new equipment shed that Croak said has made addressing maintenance needs and issues easier.

“Myself, The Friends of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail and the county maintenance team have been able to take care of fence repairs and rough patches in the trail in a much more timely manner,” he added.

For more information on how to support a cause or project through the Foundation, visit www.clintoncountyfoundation.org, or call 570.220.1038.