Piney Rail Riders get grant for possible ATV trail

A $64,000 state grant has been awarded to the Piney Rail Riders of Clarion, and the funds could lead to the development of an ATV trail in Clarion and Jefferson counties.

The announcement of the grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was made by Clarion County Commissioner Ted Tharan at Wednesday’s annual luncheon meeting of the county’s Economic Development Corporation.

The grant will be used to prepare a feasibility study for the Piney Branch ATV Rail Corridor, which covers about 24 miles from Piney Township to Brookville Borough in Clarion and Jefferson counties.

The Piney Rail Riders hope to purchase the rights to the rail corridor, which is one of the last remaining tracts of rail bed in Clarion County that hasn’t already been purchased and designated as a walking/biking only trail excluding motorized modes of transportation.

Tharan said the trail would bring new people into the area and promote regional tourism.

Piney Rail Riders are located at 616B Main St., Clarion, 16214. Their website is www.pineyrailriders.org.