Buddy S. Fishel, a miniature schnauzer, and his owner, Joseph Fishel of Butler, ,ften walk the Butler-Freeport Community Trail along with Billy S. Fishel, the family's other mini schnauzer. The Fishels hope the crowds of new trail users will support the trail by becoming members.

With gyms and many public recreation venues closed due to the coronavirus, exercise enthusiasts — along with bored families and nature lovers — are flocking to the Butler-Freeport Community Trail.

While Chris Ziegler, president of the trail board of directors, is thrilled to see more people using the 20-mile trail, she has a few requests.

First, Ziegler said parking issues have cropped up, as only two to four parking spaces are available at most of the 16 trailheads.

“It's busier than ever, and everyone seems to want to use the trail at peak times of day,” she said.

The result is cars parked on the private properties adjacent to the trail. Some even block the driveways of homes near the trailheads.

“People just need to be courteous to the landowners,” Ziegler said. “Pretend it's your yard or your driveway.”

She said parking is available at the Summit Township building, but motorists cannot block the stone piles being accessed by the road crew.

“While most of the world is still, there are still those who are operating,” Ziegler said.

Ziegler and the trail board recently have been agonizing over whether to carry out their annual membership drive, which occurs in April.She said while many regular donors and members have increased their donation or membership level and new members have trickled in, more are needed to continue to maintain and improve the trail.Ziegler hopes new trail users will show their appreciation for the trail by becoming members, whether it be now or when they return to work after the coronavirus threat.“Maybe they'll think 'I use this great asset. Maybe I should contribute a little bit,'” she said.Many levels of annual membership are available, including an individual for $20.

Ziegler said there are more costs associated with maintaining the trail than people think.She said the four portable toilets along the trail cost almost $4,000 per year, brochures are $3,500 for a two- to three-year supply, and one mile of crushed limestone for the trail costs about $4,000, not including the equipment used to install it.“We are continually putting surface down,” Ziegler said. “We had some put down last week.”She also hopes new trail users, who delight her as they pass her home along the trail, will volunteer to help maintain the trail once the coronavirus threat is over.“I always say, from bad things good things can happen,” Ziegler said.Joseph Fishel of Butler has used the trail for a decade to walk his dogs.He said the trail allows his miniature schnauzers to indulge their canine instincts in nature, as opposed to a walk around town on the sidewalks.“(The trail) is a good place to walk dogs,” Fishel said. “They are able to smell and see lots of things.”He said everyone he and his pups meet on the trail are friendly and courteous, including the newcomers.“There has definitely been an increase in the number of people using the trail,” Fishel said. “I've used the trail when I've only seen a few other people, if that, and sometimes not anyone in an hour, but I've seen numerous people now every time I've gone.”The increase has been in all users, including cyclists, joggers, walkers and dog walkers.Fishel hopes the number of memberships increase along with the use of the trail.“I would encourage everyone to become a trail member because the membership fee helps to improve the trail itself,” he said.Ziegler said to help stem the spread of COVID-19, the portable toilets have been temporarily removed.Membership, which includes a discount at various businesses in the county, is available on the trail's website, butlerfreeporttrail.org.