Destination Thursday: An Old Streetcar Line Becomes a National Recreation Trail

The Stavich Trail is located in the Mahoning River valley, and follows the course of the old Youngstown-New Castle streetcar line. The east trailhead is located in New Castle, Pa., and the west trailhead is in Struthers, Ohio. Adjacent between the trail and the river is an active CSX railroad right-of-way. The trolley line follows the topography on the northern edge of the floodplain of the river giving users a varied experience of flat areas and hills. Sights along the trail include a wetland on the east side where many birds can be seen, wildflowers in the spring, and views of the river including one on top of a bluff. The Stavich Trail goes through the town of Lowellville, Ohio on the west end where one can rest on a bench at the town gazebo and watch the trains go by. Refreshments and snacks are available at the local grocery, or at Geno's restaurant located next to the gazebo.

In 2003, the Stavich Trail was one of 23 trails around the country to be designated as a National Recreation Trail. More information on the trail can be found at: home.earthlink.net/~bikeohio/Stavich.html, www.theneonweb.com/trails/stavich.html or www.dcnr.state.pa.us/rails/stavichbt.html.

Today's picture of the trail was taken by WPC's Ecologist Robert Coxe just east of Coffee Run on the Mahoning River this past February 8, 2004.

Guess the Peregrines' Due Dates
From now until midnight Feb. 24th, WPC invites you to guess when the peregrines at Gulf Tower and Pitt will lay and hatch their eggs and win that as yet to be determined exciting prize.

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