Lower Trail (Pennsylvania) facts for kids

The Lower Trail (/'laʊ.ər/, rhymes with "flower") is a 16.5-mile (26.6 km) rail trail that follows the Juniata River in West-Central Pennsylvania from Flowing Springs in Blair County to Alfarata in Huntingdon County. The Lower Trail is owned and maintained by Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania, a 501c3 organization. The trail follows the path of the former Pennsylvania Railroad Petersburg Branch along the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River. It is open free of charge to the public, though donations are accepted at all trail heads. The portion of the Lower Trail from Alfarata to Williamsburg is part of the Pennsylvania Mid State Trail and Great Eastern Trail. In 2009, the trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail by the United States Department of the Interior.

Historical development

Historical significance

Much of the trail was the original towpath for the Pennsylvania Canal that operated in the early 1800s and was known as the "continuous waterways" which linked Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. By the 1850s, most of the canals became obsolete because the railroad industry became more powerful. The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) had taken over the business and the land, in which the Lower Trail lays. Surrounding towns began to flourish and grow with the existence of the railroad in central Pennsylvania.

Trail's history and evolution

The development of the Lower Trail was made possible through the combination of private and public funding. In 1992, Penn Central Inc. decided to sell 11 miles (18 km) of the corridor, from Alfarata to Williamsburg, and was purchased because of a donation from Hollidaysburg attorney, T. Dean Lower, by the Rails to Trails-of-Central Pennsylvania. The trail was named in honor of Lower's late wife and son, Jane Y. and Rodger D. Lower. The trail extension, from Williamsburg to Canoe Creek, was purchased by an anonymous donation for the land in 1994. State and federal funding assisted in the construction of the trail.

Trail maintenance

The Lower Trail is a privately owned trail that depends upon the generosity of the members of Rails-to-Trails of Central Pennsylvania, volunteers, trail users, businesses, and memorial gifts. These funds are necessary to maintain and improve the trail. Members of RTTCPA volunteer their time on projects such as the up keeping of the trail, building amenities, and fund raising. Rails-to-Trails of Central Pennsylvania is a non-profit, charitable organization as qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Trail access points

The Lower Trail has six primary trailheads. All trailheads have abundant parking, and pavilions/picnic tables available.