Construction Up Ahead --   Sheepskin Trail connection to Morgantown

Civic and municipal officials in the River Town of Point Marion, Fayette County could not be happier as it appears construction will begin this spring on the 1 1⁄4 mile Sheepskin Trail connection to
Morgantown, West Virginia.

Over twenty years has passed since some leading citizens approached Borough officials about connecting to Morgantown with a hike/bike trail. Even back then, Morgantown, the home of West Virginia University, was a growing community, and civic leaders were aware of the possible economic boon to Point Marion if a recreation and commuter trail connection were made to Morgantown. The Point Marion section will connect with the Mon River and Caperton trail and continue a distance of 48 miles to Fairmont, West Virginia.

The trail property is owned by Fayette County. In 2012 the County Commissioners by resolution, named the National Road Heritage Corridor with offices in Uniontown, PA. as its development and project manager to work to complete the 34 mile trail and be the liaison with community officials. For the last three years, Executive Director, Donna Holdorf has aggressively sought the funds to complete the trail segment; joined by River Town Program staff, Point Marion residents, civic leaders, business owners and municipal officials. This unified approach has proven successful as a combination of private foundation funding, and grant funds from the Commonwealth’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) were matched with resources allocated for trailhead amenities, parking lot upgrades, and improvements to the contiguous Point Marion Community Park (details of this project can be found in this newsletter as well).

Construction on this 1 1⁄4 mile connection is expected begin late spring /early summer of this year and should be completed by fall, 2014. Stay tuned for a spectacular opening ceremony!

Private donations are still being sought to support the Sheepskin Trail / Point Marion construction project. Send your tax deductible contribution check made payable to the NRHC with note in the memo line “For the Point Marion segment” 65 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401