‘A beautiful gem for North Huntingdon’: Friends of Norwin Trails hosts 1st trail maintenance day

When Shannon Reiter learned that a group of volunteers was clearing the trails at Braddock’s Trail Park in North Huntingdon, she could not pass up the opportunity to pitch in.

Reiter, of North Huntingdon, runs at the park and, in the spring, she used to bring her children along for hikes in search of wildflowers.

“This is just such a beautiful gem for North Huntingdon and, frankly, most people don’t even know it exists,” said Reiter, executive director of the nonprofit Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “It’s personal for me. I use the space, so I’m happy to be out here being a steward.”

About 30 people turned out to establish new trails and clear existing paths. The effort was organized by Friends of Norwin Trails, a nonprofit formed in October 2022 to support the parks and trails in North Huntingdon, Irwin and North Irwin.

This was the group’s first volunteer trail maintenance effort, said President and Co-Founder Dan Korhnak.

“We were looking for opportunities that were quick wins — places that (are) underutilized and could just use a little help,” said Korhnak, of North Huntingdon. “Something to get people energized around.”

Volunteers who were blazing new trails used the hillside to guide the shape of the paths, which increases maneuverability and minimizes erosion, said Scott Gray, co-founder of the nonprofit.

“Erosion is a really big enemy for trails or anything in the woods,” said Gray, of North Huntingdon, who has volunteered with trail maintenance group Trail Pittsburgh for about 30 years.

Gray has helped maintain about 17 miles of trails in White Oak Park, said volunteer Gary Greba.

“(White Oak) was nothing before (Scott) started,” said Greba, of North Huntingdon. “So, I guess we want to do the same sort of thing here.”

Friends of Norwin Trails will return to Braddock’s Trail Park for trail maintenance in January.