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The “joke” was on Mother Nature when despite a mini-monsoon and gloomy forecast 48 people showed up for the Trail Work Day at Pleasant Valley Park in Murrysville, PA on Sunday April 1, 2007. While the vast majority present were from the Murrysville area a few joined us from Allegheny County and one volunteer came from Charlottesville, VA! Starting at 10 AM, they spent two hours working on approximately 1/4 mile of new multi-use trail. “Multi–use” refers to human powered activities such as walking, hiking, jogging; mountain bicycling; snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Due to the rain, only the roughout was completed. The wet conditions made it impossible to completely finish any sections of the new trail. It will be completed once the soil dries. Because of the constant rain work was stopped at noon. Everyone gathered in the snack tent and was treated to food and refreshments. Included were bagels from Panera Bread of Murrysville, two 4 ft long Italian hoagies from the Italian American Club of Export, beverages from Giant Eagle and Sheetz both of Murrysville, fresh fruit from ShurSave Village of Murrysville as well as home-made baked goods and beverages provided by 4-H Conservation Club.

The event was organized by the PV Park Volunteers. The 4H Conservation Club of Westmoreland County provided the tents, coordinated most of the food and refreshments, and staffed the registration table and snack tent. The Pittsburgh Trails Advocacy Group (PTAG) publicized the event as well as providing the technical expertise to properly build the trail.

Many thanks to our sponsors who donated the items awarded to the trail volunteers. The highlight were two chrome plated Bianchi SUSS mountain bike frames (with forks) donated by Trek Bicycles of Pittsburgh. Trek also donated Fox cycling gloves, Trek t-shirts, water bottles, cycling socks, and tire lever and patch kits. Pittsburgh Pro Bicycles donated water bottles, t-shirts, moisture wicking t-shirts, and 20 pairs of Cannondale cycling gloves. Exkursion outfitters of Monroeville provided gifts that were oriented toward non-cyclists including a North face hydration pack, a book of 60 hikes within 60 miles of Pittsburgh, merino wool hiking socks, water bottles, a folding drinking cup, and a coffee press/mug. All of the items were extremely well received.

Volunteers will continue to work on the trail in the evenings and on weekends throughout the year. Future work days will be posted on the website.

And of course, thank you to those 48 people that chose to get out of bed on a rainy Sunday morning and get soaked in order to help build some new trail in a location described as “Murrysville’s best-kept secret”. Your effort is greatly appreciated!

Event Sponsors

Joe Galvin
Shelly Tichy
PV Park Volunteers
Murrysville, PA