The following Good Natured Pennsylvanians article appeared in the December 13 DCNR Resource newsletter.
Robert Schiffbauer has been a South Union Township Supervisor in Fayette County for 40 years. From the start of his tenure, one of his main goals in serving residents was to develop a well-rounded recreation program.
When he started out, South Union Township had no recreation facilities and few tax dollars to work with; however, by setting priorities on recreation development, the township now stands out as having one of the best recreation programs in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Contributing to that success is the Sheepskin Trail.
Twenty years ago, the concept of constructing the Sheepskin Trail was introduced to the township and to all other municipalities where the trail was proposed to run -- from the Great Allegheny Passage in Connellsville to Point Marion Borough, which borders West Virginia.
Because of budgetary constraints, the trail project was deferred until the township applied for DCNR trail funding.
Most of the trail was constructed on an old railroad right-of-way, but a large part was constructed on natural surfaces, which posed several challenges, including crossing a stream leading into the township community park.
With his experience of having limited dollars to work with, Robert inquired with his local PennDOT district office about a pedestrian bridge that was being removed in an upgrade of the New Stanton Route 70 interchange.
After some negotiation, the bridge was donated to the township and converted into an old-fashioned wooden covered bridge, which has become a focal point of the Sheepskin Trail portion in South Union Township.
“From the very start of our trail project, we knew the trail would be a success, but at that time, we had no idea how big a success it would be,” said Schiffbauer.
“I have never seen an outpouring from the public like this [about the trail] in my 40 years as a township supervisor. Not only did we far exceed the number of trail users originally anticipated, the expression of appreciation for the new trail became overwhelming.”
Robert makes it a point to walk the trail periodically and speak to the users looking for feedback to make the trail an even nicer place to enjoy.
“Being involved with the trail project has taken me to a point in my career as a township supervisor where it has given it a new and even greater meaning,” said Schiffbauer.
With his continued enthusiasm, plans are being made to extend the Sheepskin Trail another three and a half miles, where it will run through the remainder of South Union Township and its neighboring township. Plans are also being finalized for two smaller spur trails.
(Know of a good natured Pennsylvanian who is passionate about outdoor recreation and/or conservation that we should feature? Send an email with your suggestion to: ra-resource@pa.gov to nominate someone.)
New DCNR Grant Round
To learn more about grant opportunities to support riparian buffer, trail and recreation projects, visit DCNR’s Community Conservation Grant Program webpage. A new grant round is opening January 22 and will close April 10.
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