The Butler Freeport Community Trail Council has received a grant from The Pittsburgh Foundation for $43,178 to buy a skid loader and boom mower for trail maintenance.

Mowing and trimming of the trail right of way is time consuming and is needed constantly during the summer, according to the council.

Mowing is provided by Buffalo Township and volunteers with their personal equipment. However, some areas of the trail are not accessible by these methods.

The boom mower has an 8-foot reach which will allow for more thorough mowing.

The skid loader will help fix some bigger drainage issues without hiring a contractor.

The trail is 21 miles long from Butler to Freeport.