Redbank Valley Trails Association

3 days ago

The banner is up announcing The Big Dog Show, an art and charity event along the trail during the Peanut Butter Festival. Plan on riding in to see these amazing sculptures which will be decorated by local charities. Raffles, merchandise and the artist will be available. There will be opportunities through the raffle to win keychains and miniature 8" dogs. The art show continues inside with more artists and crafters and an opportunity to learn more about our local charities. Thanks to our sponsors!

RVTA appreciates your support. We are trying to raise funds to resurface the trail with more crushed limestone. ... See MoreSee Less

Redbank Valley Trails Association

3 days ago

Great comments by Chris Zeigler! Thanks for all your hard work and dedication, Chris. We're seeing these benefits on the Redbank Valley Trails too and in our local communities along the trail in restaurants, B&Bs, hardware, lumber and limestone and other businesses. Happy Trails!Opinion
Trails That Pay: The Economic Ripple of Building Community Paths (Armstrong County)
By CHRIS ZIEGLER 2 hrs ago

Pictured is the Mahoning Bridge.

Submitted
When most people think about trails, they imagine serene walks, scenic bike rides, and peaceful escapes from daily life.

What often goes unnoticed, however, is the powerful economic engine that trails can become—from the first shovel in the ground to the countless steps taken by users.

The impact begins long before a project begins. Every trail project—whether it’s designing a bridge rehabilitation, restoring a historic tunnel, or extending a corridor—relies on local design and engineering talent. Architects, civil engineers, landscape designers, and planners all bring their expertise to the project, often from firms right here in our region. The money invested in these services doesn’t leave the community—it circulates locally, supporting salaries, office rents, and local vendors.

Then comes construction. Hiring local contractors means hiring local people. These crews spend their paychecks in the towns they live in—at grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and shops.

Equipment rental, materials, and supplies for trail construction—gravel, limestone, lumber, signage—are often purchased from nearby suppliers, further stimulating the local economy.

Even seemingly small expenses like lunches, fuel, and lodging during multi-day projects create measurable benefits.

Our latest completed project, the rehabilitation of a portion of the Mahoning Bridge (MP54), is a perfect example. Francis J. Palo Construction (Clarion County), Young & Associates (Indiana County), and local laborers worked together to restore this key section of trail infrastructure, buying materials locally and spending locally, all while creating jobs and supporting the regional economy. The Mahoning Bridge is now open, and Armstrong Trails as a whole is fully open for responsible non-motorized recreation, providing safe and scenic connections for walkers, joggers, and cyclists alike.

Over the past seven years, Armstrong Trails has secured more than $20 million in grant funding to support both large and small infrastructure projects. With over 100 miles of connected trail, we are on the heels of the Great Allegheny Passage and its $121 million economic impact, showing just how transformative trails can be for communities.

Once the trail is in use, the ripple continues. Trail users spend money in nearby towns—at coffee shops, bike shops, ice cream shops, breweries, and convenience stores. They stay in local accommodations, grab meals, and sometimes plan return visits, bringing outside dollars into the community. Studies from trails across the country consistently show that every dollar invested in trail construction multiplies many times over in local economic activity.

We are truly lucky that our region was awarded these funds—rather than somewhere else—because this investment doesn’t just improve outdoor recreation; it directly benefits our local businesses and residents. Trails are more than just paths through the woods—they are paths to economic vitality. By prioritizing local design, hiring local contractors, and sourcing materials nearby, communities keep the economic benefits close to home, creating jobs, supporting businesses, and fostering a sense of pride in shared public spaces. Every trail project, from planning to grand opening, isn’t just an investment in recreation—it’s an investment in our community and our local economy.

Chris Ziegler is the executive director of Armstrong Trails. ... See MoreSee Less

Redbank Valley Trails Association updated their cover photo.

1 week ago

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Redbank Valley Trails Association

3 weeks ago

One of our goals at the Sept. Big Dog Show/Days of Giving event for trail maintenance is to raise funds for more crushed limestone to refresh the trail surface over many miles at a cost close to $8000 per mile. Donations are welcomed at any time. ... See MoreSee Less

Redbank Valley Trails Association

4 weeks ago

Plan ahead, mark your calendars! Stop by the Big Dog Show and Days of Giving Event during the Peanut Butter Festival in New Bethlehem on Sept. 19-20-21. RVTA will be participating in the charity event and will have 1 of 14 8'x10' metal American Dog sculptures decorated to represent the trail, along with 13 other dogs represented by other charities and sponsors. We're trying to raise money to refresh more of the crushed limestone surface of our 51 miles of trail. Thanks for your support! ... See MoreSee Less