Butler Freeport Trail damaged by recent storms
A run of heavy storms over the past month has caused some damage to the Butler-Freeport Community Trail, a 21-mile trail that stretches across much of southeastern Butler County and part of Armstrong County.
According to Chris Ziegler, president of the trail association, the length of the trail has been impacted by “approximately 100” downed trees, as well as a culvert pipe which now must be replaced.
“It looked like a war zone,” Ziegler said during a Buffalo Township board of supervisors meeting on Wednesday, May 14. “There were just sticks in all different directions.”
The entire trail is open, but a section of the trail between Keasey and Marwood roads will be closed in the coming weeks to allow Holbein, Inc. to replace the damaged pipe.
“Thanks to quick action by Freeport Borough and dedicated volunteers, trees have been cleared from the trail treadway, allowing the trail to remain passable,” Ziegler wrote in a news release. “Their efforts made a huge difference, and we’re incredibly grateful for the community spirit shown.”
Ziegler notes that passage on the trail remains rough due to storm damage, and that further community support to clear the trail would be appreciated, especially since no grant funding is available for storm recovery.
“We still have to go back and clean up the debris and get the trunks and everything removed. That's going to take quite a bit of time, and that will also slow down the mowing of the trail,” Ziegler said.
