EMPORIUM — A loop trail has been created in Emporium as part of the WalkWorks program to promote healthy lifestyles and activities.
The Cameron County Chamber of Commerce and Emporium Borough worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the University of Pittsburgh to create a 1.67-mile walking loop trail through the borough.
The new WalkWorks trail will be highlighted during National Trails Day on Saturday, and community members are being encouraged to meet at the trailhead located off Chestnut Street. Maps and a personal walking journal can be picked up from the Cameron County Chamber prior to the event.
“This program gives added exposure to the community through the WalkWorks website, while benefitting residents,” said Chamber Director Tina Johns-Solak.
WalkWorks representatives toured the trail this week.
“They were thrilled when they went through. They were very impressed with some of the architecture that could be seen on the route,” she said.
The trail begins near the West Creek Rail Trail parking area along Chestnut Street and takes walkers along East Fifth Street to see some of the large, interesting homes in the area. It also passes by the courthouse, where several of the county’s monuments are on display, as well as through other historic areas of the borough.
Signs were put up by Emporium Borough workers, and the trail was designated by representatives of the Sylvan Heritage Council, Lumber Heritage, the chamber and borough.
Johns-Solak said Emporium was one of only three communities admitted to the program this year. WalkWorks trails are found in only 14 counties across the state; most of them are located in the southern tier. Nearby McKean County is a participant, boasting WalkWorks trails through a number of communities.
Johns-Solak said having two participating counties so close to each other, but isolated from other areas to offer unique scenery and historical opportunities, may prove an additional draw to the area. As WalkWorks trails are identified and marketed online through the program, groups or individuals could be directed toward Cameron County as a tourism destination, or a day trip from nearby communities.
WalkWorks organizers have reported an uptick in groups organizing walks in other communities, and encouraging residents to travel and stay overnight to take advantage of trails and related activities.
In the past, busloads of people were brought in to Emporium to take advantage of a similar trail program. The advantage to this new program is the advent of the internet, which can open local opportunities up to a much wider audience at a much lower cost.
Additional grant opportunities are being sought to install interpretive signage along the trail to highlight particularly interesting aspects of the history and culture of Cameron County.
The WalkWorks program identifies and promotes safe walking routes and supports walking groups across the state.
