Pat McGee Trail facts for kids
The Pat McGee Trail is a fun rail trail in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. It's a special path built on an old railroad line. The trail is named after Patricia McGee, who was a local leader.
Who Was Pat McGee?
Pat McGee (1934-2005) was a very important person in Cattaraugus County, New York. She lived in Franklinville, New York. Pat McGee worked as a legislator, which means she helped make laws. She served in the New York State Assembly and later as a New York State Senator. She worked hard for many years to help the people of New York. The trail was named in her memory because of her dedication.
From Railroad to Trail
The Pat McGee Trail follows the path of an old railroad. This railroad was used by trains for many years. First, it was the Erie Railroad, then the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. From 1978 to 1990, the New York and Lake Erie Railroad used this line.
Trains were very important for towns like Little Valley. They helped move goods and people. But over time, factories in the area closed down. This meant the railroad wasn't needed as much anymore. So, in 1990, the train service stopped on this part of the line.
A group called the Cattaraugus Local Development Corporation bought the old railroad path. They removed the train tracks and wooden ties. The idea was to turn the old railroad into a public trail. It was first called "Southern Tier Area Rails to Trails" (START). The trail officially opened for people to use in the early 2000s. It was formally dedicated in June 2005, shortly after Pat McGee passed away.
Exploring the Trail
The Pat McGee Trail is over 12 miles long. It connects seven different towns and villages in the area. The trail starts near Cattaraugus, New York and goes all the way to the city of Salamanca (city), New York.
The main starting point, called a trailhead, is in Little Valley, New York. As you travel along the trail, you'll see New York State Route 353 running alongside it. In the southern part, the trail also follows the Little Valley Creek.
The Finger Lakes Trail is a much longer hiking trail that crosses the Pat McGee Trail. It's also part of the even bigger North Country Trail. For a short distance, about 0.9 miles, these two trails share the same path.
Activities on the Trail
The Pat McGee Trail is a great place for many outdoor activities!
- During spring, summer, and autumn, you can:
* Walk or run * Ride your bicycle * Go horseback riding
- In the winter, when there's enough snow, the trail is open for snowmobiles.
To keep everyone safe, motorized vehicles like ATVs are not allowed on the trail. Only snowmobiles in winter and special vehicles for trail maintenance are permitted.
