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: Koch@wilkes.edu

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 Koch@wilkes.edu 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