MERCER COUNTY TRAILS ASSOCIATION

SERVING THE SHENANGO VALLEY AND GREENVILLE / NORTHERN MERCER COUNTY

AMOUNT DONATED: $3,385.67

MCTA DEVELOPS AND MAINTAINS MULTI-USE TRAILS IN MERCER COUNTY TO PROMOTE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE BY PROVIDING A SAFE AND FREE SETTING FOR BICYCLING, JOGGING, WALKING, CROSS COUNTY SKIING, ROLLER BLADING AND WHEELCHAIR USE. OUR TRAILS ALSO ATTRACT TOURISTS, THEREBY CONTRIBUTING TO THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF OUR COMMUNITIES. MANY OF OUR TRAILS PROVIDE SSAFE TRANSPORTATION LINKS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT OWN AN AUTO OR PERFER TO RIDE A BICYCLE. OUR RECENTLY CONSTRUCTED BIKE SKILLS & SAFETY TRACK PROVIDES A TRAFFIC FREE AREA TO TEACH YOUNG CHILDREN HOW TO RIDE A BICYCLE IN A SAFE AREA.

MAKE A GIFT

Giving Week Progress:

FUNDRAISING GOAL: $15,000

Programs Supported by Your Donations

MCTA, HOLDS SEVERAL RUNNING EVENT ON OUR TRAILS, MOST NOTABLY THE TROUT ISLAND TROMP ON OUR TRAIL IN SHARPSVILLE, PREP FOR PITTSBUGH HALF MARATHON RUN AT GODDARD STATE PARK, THE TOUR OF MERCER COUNTY BICYCLE RIDE IN SHARON AND THE FAMOUS PEDAL THE LAKES BICYCLE RIDE FROM RIVERSIDE PARK IN GREENVILLE. THIS YEAR WE WILL BE HOLDING A YOUTH BICYCLE SKILLS AND SAFETY EVENT AT THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED QUOTA CLUB SHENANGO VALLEY BICYCLE SKILLS AND SAFETY TRACK IN SHARON. THIS MCTA EVENT IS TAILORED FOR BEGINNING RIDERS (AGE 5 TO 12) AND IS HOSTED IN COOPERATION WITH THE SHARON ROTARY, SHENANGO VALLEY KIWANIS, SHARON POLICE DEPT AND THE SHARON RECREATION COMMISSION. MCTA ALSO THIS YEAR IS BRINGING BACK THE TOUR OF MERCER COUNTY BICYCLE RIDE TO SHARON AND QUAKER STEAK AND LUBE IT FEATURES RIDES OF 100, 65, 35 AND 12 MILES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY BEGINNING AND ENDING AT THE LUBE. IN THE PAST THIS RIDE HAS DRAWN AS MANY AS 350 CYCLIST. MCTA ALSO HOPES TO HOLD ANOTHER YOUTH BIKE (5-12 AGE GROUP) EVENT LATER IN THE SUMMER AGAIN AT THE BICYCLE SAFETY AND SKILLS TRACK.

Needs that Cannot beMet without Your Help

MCTA RELIES ON DONATIONS AND GRANTS TO FULL FILL ITS MISSION. BUILDING NEW TRAILS REQUIRE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO BUILD. ALL OF OUR TRAILS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITHOUT FEES, HOWEVER UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE. GRANTS REQUIRE A PERCENTAGE OR MATCHING FUNDS TO SECURE AND COSTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND FEASIBILITY STUDY ARE EXPENSIVE AS IS THE COST OF LEGAL FILING TO BUY PROPERTY OR SECURE EASMENTS ACROSS PROPERTIES. WE A CURRENTLY WORKING ON SECURING RIGHT OF WAY FROM PULASKI TO WHEATLAND AND HAVE SPENT OVER $20,000 IN THIS ONE PROJECT.