More than 50 people assembled April 24 at the Route 58 bridge in Foxburg for a ceremonial groundbreaking of the bike trail to Emlenton.

Festivities began with trumpeter Royce Hedrick playing the traditional “Call to the Post” to signify that after nearly 20 years of talking and dreaming, now’s the time to build the bike trail.

The Allegheny River Trail in Clarion County (ARTinCC) Board of Directors was introduced.

Recognition was specifically given to Raymond and Bob Hunt, Guy Shoup, Carl Wolfe and their respective attorneys, including Jeannine Guth in Emlenton.

Arthur Steffee and John S. Cubbon were also applauded for their generosity, which resulted in the bike trail obtaining land rights originally held by Samuel Mickle Fox and his heirs, who owned 6,000 acres in the immediate area from 1796.

The impending trail head purchase and construction will be possible due to DCNR funding. Key local officials whose support made this possible were in attendance.

Within Clarion County, this included state Senator Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, state Rep. Donna Oberlander, R-63rd, Clarion County Commissioner Ed Heasley, Foxburg Mayor Stephen Buzard and borough council members.

Venango County was represented by commissioner staff member Melanie Bailey and Oil Regional Alliance official Selina Pedi.

ARTinCC officials used Saturday’s event to summarize their goals for the coming months.

They urged attendees to walk the site and consider how a small community park might arise from the portion of the space not devoted exclusively to the trail head.

A number of people walked the first 700 feet of undeveloped bike trail and discussed design options and construction challenges.

The event closed with pleas for supporters to visit www.artincc.org, complete a volunteer form and donate to the bike trail.

ARTinCC has launched a Facebook page and group to provide the public with progress updates.

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/groups/artincc.friends or www.facebook.com/AlleghenyRiverTrailinClarionCounty.