Cycle Forward Selected to Lead ARISE Planning Project

Planning for the future of the P2P Trail Corridor

A view of a river crossing in Cairo, WV along the North Bend Rail-Trail.

I’ve been keeping something under my hat for a couple of months now, but it’s time to share. Cycle Forward has been selected to lead a regional master planning process for the P2P Trail Corridor. The project has been made possible through an Appalachian Regional Commission ARISE grant and will help trail and community advocates plot a more prosperous future along seven trails that will ultimately connect Parkersburg, WV to Pittsburgh, PA.

This is a big project for grant recipient National Road Heritage Corridor and its partner organizations. And it’s a big project for Cycle Forward…our most extensive, all encompassing contract in our 12 year history. It’s going to be quite a year!

It almost feels like I have a new job. I’ve felt that surge of energy that comes with diving into something new. It’s fun, invigorating, and a bit daunting. It also builds on years of working with some of these same trails and organizations. The P2P is part of the larger Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition, which I’ve worked with since its inception. It also shares an alignment with the Great Allegheny Passage from Connellsville to Pittsburgh…another trail that’s part of the story of my life. One of our incoming subconsultants said to me today that our proposal’s introduction read like a love letter. That about sums it up ❤. Big thanks to Alicia Broudy and Frank Maguire (Small Mountain Trails) for all of their work thus far! Other team members will be announced soon.

Learn more about the project and the P2P Trail Corridor here. And check out the press release for complete details on the project. If you’d like ongoing updates, please sign up for the newsletter while you’re on the site.

In Case You Missed It…

Last week, I posted about Tree Pittsburgh’s lovely year-end volunteer party. Titled, “I’m Just a Volunteer,” it’s a post that applies to any organization that relies upon volunteers. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read it.

My mention of stretching the pot of chili reminded a friend of the Little Golden Book, Tawny, Scrawny Lion. I hadn’t heard of this story before, so she kindly sent me a copy. Thank you, Ella! Here’s a favorite illustration from the book:

Wishing you all plentiful pots of chili and all good things this holiday season! And maybe a good fishing day or two?

Amy