Butler Freeport Trail Description

Butler Vogleyville Herman GreatBelt Marwood Cabot Sarver Monroe Laneville

Unimproved Trail

16 Miles Completed with Crushed Limestone Base

Butler-Freeport Community Trail Description

The Butler-Freeport Community Trail is the corridor of the remarkably diverse Buffalo Creek Watershed in the southeast quadrant of Butler County. Starting in Laneville, the trail has Buffalo Creek as its companion for over 3 miles through the forest of the Buffalo Creek Gorge. The Buffalo Creek Gorge is the spectacular view which can be seen from bridge on Route 28 a mile north of the Sarver-Freeport exit. The Trail then picks up Little Buffalo Creek as its companion for another 8 miles, crossing the creek seven times. Many of the smaller tributaries are reminiscent of mountain brooks, offering natural cooling on a hot day and the thrill of rushing, tumbling water in all seasons. Gradually as the trail meanders northward toward Butler, it travels from the woods of the Gorge to a broader forest valley with the trail securely passing between cliffs on one side and the Little Buffalo Creek on the other to more open woods to farmland and village communities before again plunging into forest as it leaves Little Buffalo Creek near it headwaters.

The Butler-Freeport Community Trail is a rail-trail, preserving the route of Butler County’s first railroad (1871), the Western Pennsylvania Railroad which connected the City of Butler to the Allegheny River port of Freeport. As a rails-to-trails project, the trail offers a level, natural crushed limestone surface with a gradual uphill grade as it travels north (barely noticeable to walkers) and the converse downhill grade as it travels south (greatly enjoyed by bicyclists). The trail is enjoyed by people of all ages for walking, jogging, hiking, bicycling, and with the help of Mother Nature, cross-country skiing.

Bird watching – The trail provides the most wide ranging access to the Buffalo Creek Valley Important Bird Area as designated by the National Audubon Society. The rare Cerulean Warbler is known to make its home along the trail south of the Monroe Road trailhead. One of our trail volunteers met a man who had traveled from New Mexico to see the Cerulean Warbler. He was not disappointed. A variety of birds can be seen along the trail including herons, kingfishers, scarlet tanagers, indigo bunting to name a few.

Biking – The trail features 15 miles of crushed limestone surface with a number of trailheads under an hour drive from Pittsburgh, the North Hills, and Cranberry. An additional five miles of unfinished trail can be used for mountain biking. The Butler-Freeport Community Trail Council, Inc. currently is engaged in its Next Generation Campaign to raise funds for the completion of the improved trail into Father Marinaro Park in Butler.

Fishing – As one rides along the trail north from Laneville, a common sight is fisherman in waders in Buffalo Creek and boys with their fishing poles headed to their favorite spot. The trail provides access to the waters of Buffalo Creek teaming with natural fish and also stocked trout.

Wading – An abandoned (parked) bike along the trail indicates that someone has gone for an adventure in the woods and perhaps to cool his/her feet in the creek and explore what can be found under the creek rocks. Trail users are reminded to respect the rights of property owners along the trail as the trail transverses many parcels of private property.

Wildflowers – The entire trail offers wildflowers from early spring through the fall. The trail is a wonderland of spring wildflowers from April through May. Spring offers White Trillium, Red Trillium, Wild Columbine, Wild Azaleas, Wild Strawberry, and more. By mid-June everything just seems to be green. Suddenly, in mid-July wildflowers are back. Summer offers Jewel Weed (touch-me-not), Deadly Nightshade, Sweet Joe Pye Weed, Queen Ann’s Lace, Ox-eye Daisy, Tall Bellflower, Turk’s Cap Lily, Bee Balm, Butterfly Weed, Purple-flowering Raspberry, “miniature sunflower”, and more.

Community Asset – The trail offers a safe, quiet, peaceful, green, asphalt-free place for daily walking, jogging, health-enhancing physical activity, and simply strolling. Benches or picnic tables are placed at regular intervals in scenic locations. Restroom facilities are available seasonally from May to October. During weekdays, one will find mothers with young children, groups of retired folks, and local children enjoying the trail. Evenings bring out local families. Weekends add bicyclist from wide and far. Boy Scouts have benefited the Trail through Eagle Scout Projects, including the recent addition of rain shelters for those caught between trailheads. Church groups have used the trail for Crop Walks, a walkathon to benefit charities addressing hunger worldwide and in the USA. School organizations have used the trail for fund-raising 5 K races. The Sierra Club, Venture Outdoors, the Butler Outdoors Club and other groups have sponsored activities on the Trail.

Buffalo Creek Half-Marathon - The Butler-Freeport Community Trail Council, Inc. in conjunction with major sponsor Butler Memorial Hospital and a variety of local sponsors inaugurated the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon on October 1, 2006. 184 runners, age 15 to 69, finished the fast, gentle downhill course through the scenic Buffalo Creek Watershed with many runners posting personal bests. The 2007 Buffalo Creek Half Marathon with major sponsor Outpatient Services of Butler Memorial Hospital is scheduled for Saturday, October 20, 2007 with a 9:00am start. The Course is USATF Certified. Timing is by RFID Chip Timing System.

The Butler-Freeport Community Trail Council, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation and volunteer organization which spearheaded the building of the Butler-Freeport Community Trail, a Rails-to-Trails project, in partnership with Buffalo Township, Butler County. The Trail Council through its members promotes and assists in the development of the Trail, assists in the maintenance and improvements of the Trail, educates the community on the uses and benefits of the Trail, and generates community involvement.

Courtesy and Safety on the Trail

As a walker or jogger, have you ever been frightened or startled by a bicyclist on the trail? As a bicyclist, have you ever worried about what that trail user up ahead is going to do or if there will be space on the trail for you to get by? Every one can better enjoy the trail if each of us knows what is expected of ourselves and the other guy on the trail. Here are some basic “rules of the trail” which if followed can increase the safety and pleasure of all trail users.

Walkers, joggers, and riders - All trail users should use the right side of the trail to allow oncoming users and those coming up from behind to pass on your left, just like the rule of the road for automobiles.

Walker and joggers - If you walk or jog side by side with a friend or child, please leave enough of the trail surface open for others to pass you on your left.

Riders - Bicycle riders should ride single file on the right side of the trail.
Passing from behind - Bicycle riders should pass walkers, joggers, and slower riders on the left when the trail is clear of oncoming trail users. Passing bicycle riders should announce their presence and intent to pass with “passing on your left” or similar phrase.

Stopping along the trail - If you stop along the trail to chat or enjoy the view, please move to the side, off of the trail surface. Look both ways before stepping out into the lane of traffic or moving to other side. Do not leave your bicycle parked or lying on the trail surface.

Bridges - When stopping on a bridge to enjoy the view, stay to one side so that the bridge is clear for passage by bicycles and other trail users. Look both ways before stepping out into the lane of traffic or moving to other side. Never park or lay your bicycle on a bridge.

Gates - Do not stop in or block the gate opening. Pass through the gate opening without hesitation and step to the side or move forward so others from behind or oncoming can safely pass through the gate after you. If you stop at the gate to await your companions, stay to the side, away from the gate opening. Never park or lay your bicycle in or near a gate opening.

Children - All trail users regardless of age should know and follow the rules of courtesy and safety. Parents and adults are responsible for making sure children know and are reminded of the rules.

Helmets - Wearing a helmet is recommended for all bicycle riders to prevent or reduce the severity of head injury in the event of an accident. Children, 12 years old and under, are required by Pennsylvania state law to wear a helmet while riding on the trail or any other public roadway. Parents are responsible for assuring their children are properly wearing a bicycle helmet.

Dogs - Dogs are required to be on a leash and under the control of the person walking them on the trail. An unleashed dog is unpredictable and is a danger to bicycle riders and itself if it should dart or wander into the path of a bicycle rider. Loose dogs, even the usually most pleasant, can be frightening to children and other trail users.

Horses - Horses are permitted on the trail but are required to be ridden on the side and not on the finished trail surface. Horses should be ridden to the right side of the trail. Bicyclists and trail users should take care to not startle horses along the trail and allow them to travel off of the trail surface.

Dog and horse waste - Deposits of dog and horse waste on the trail surface are very unpleasant. If you bring a dog or a horse on the trail, please clean up after it.

Contributed by Debbie Swettenam, Member Butler Freeport Community Trail Council

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