The Yough River Trail Council is a nonprofit trail chapter that was formed in 1989 to maintain the Ohiopyle section of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) from Wheeler Bottom to Bruner Run. They assisted with the trail development along the GAP under the Regional Trail Corporation (RTC) from 1991 to 1998, but shifted their focus to maintenance and fundraising after their section of the GAP was constructed. YRTC also constructed the maintenance building at GAP mile 89, which was overseen by Gary Stout of Bikes Unlimited in Connellsville, and added a 20-foot extension of the trail in 2014.
Presently, the YRTC maintains 23 miles of the GAP between the towns of Layton and Connellsville, continuing south of Connellsville to Bruner Run. The YRTC also manages the 2.5 miles of the Sheepskin Trail between Wheeler Bottom and Dunbar. Most of the maintenance involves mowing, tree removal, ditch clearing, trash pick-up, and flower bed upkeep in the City of Connellsville flower gardens and campsites. YRTC also helps to care for and preserve the Roundbottom and Connellsville campsites.
YRTC also has lent a hand in fundraising by sponsoring various spring races, hosting cash banquets, assisting with parking for the Twin Lakes Festival, and organizing a Ride/Walk event in the fall. Since YRTC is a chapter of the RTC, they primarily apply for grants and other funding under the Corporation’s 501(c)(3). Other funding is acquired through donations, fundraisers, and membership dues.
For more information on the Yough River Trail Council please visit their website at youghrivertrail.com
2020 YRTC Officers:
Ted Kovall, President
Gary Wandel, Vice President
Mike Comiskey, Secretary
Donna Karwatsky, Treasurer
Author: Reed Hertzler with contributions from YRTC