The Tuna Valley Trail Association, with the help of a very
generous donation, have been able to spruce up and landscape the
Richard E. McDowell Community Trail.

Sarah Dorn made a donation that would allow the association to
purchase and plant trees, shrubs and flowers in areas along the
mile-and-a-half trail, which parallels Campus Drive.

“It was a generous gift from her. It was money enough for about
500 trees, shrubs and perennials – for landscape improvements,”
said association president Richard Esch.

“Bob Harris made up the landscape plan. He is the master
gardener for the university.”

Esch explained that as a part of the Adopt-a-Trail program, the
Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department and Rotary Club
mobilized eight or nine people to plant the items to decorate the
trail.

“Bob supervised the installation and he and Jeff Armstrong and
Dan Minich from the university worked with them,” said Esch.

Esch said Rick Brocius, the assistant fire chief of the Bradford
Township fire department, was the key organizer.

“There were about 50 blueberry bushes planted, some dwarf apple
orchard specimens for the wildlife and for people,” said Esch.
“There are plants with color – rhododendrons, mountain laurel,
ornamental grasses and azaleas.

“There are bird houses planned and blue bird boxes as they move
along,” added Esch, saying the Rotary Club plans to get those
up.

He said the two groups will maintain the trail and the items
that were planted.

“It’s a partnership between the groups, the university and the
trails association,” he said.

Brocius said Friday evening they thought it would be a good idea
to become involved in the trails association. He and Dave Farrell,
fire department president, are already on the board.

“We thought it would be a good idea to take a section of the
trail because it would be a good partnership for both the trails
association and us,” he said. “A lot of the trails are in Bradford
Township. We rely on groups and volunteers and we have a lot of man
power and resources to help in that capacity.

“The trails association is a valuable asset to the community,”
added Brocius. “A lot of the same people support us and it’s a good
partnership.”

The TVTA also has other trails, including the Indian Pipe Trail
located between Allegany State Park and West Washington Street that
stretches for 7.4 miles; a Marilla Bridges Trail that is 1.4 miles
long; and a Marilla Reservoir Trail which will stretch 3.6 miles
when completed. It is located off West Washington Street or Route
346.

Another trail is located off Bolivar Drive called the Crook Farm
Trail which is currently 1.4 miles long. The association plans to
extend the trail and make it a loop. There is also an entrance for
the trail from Crook Farm, located on Seaward Avenue.