Ohio River Trail Council

The Ohio River Trail (ORT) is a project spearheaded by the Ohio River Trail Council (ORTC), a non-profit volunteer-led corporation that is dedicated to bring individuals, groups, councils, organizations, schools, conservancies, communities, companies, corporations, recreational users and all levels of government together to promote and protect a continuous corridor of natural and cultural resources along the Ohio River and its tributaries. The ORTC is serving as a unification tool by providing a resource and a forum for our local citizens, decision makers, and project managers to share knowledge in order to guarantee a bright future for our rivers, forests, and towns.

The Ohio River Trail Council is in support of a progressing state and national movement to develop greenways, especially since 1987 when President Reagan’s Commission on “American Outdoors” recommended establishing a national greenways network. Greenways are often accomplished and managed through partnerships between municipalities, counties, and non-profit organizations. Pennsylvania's statewide greenways program was established by Governor Tom Ridge in 2001 to promote and support the greenway efforts occurring in all sixty-seven counties. “The vision is to create a network of trails throughout the Commonwealth, with a greenway in every community by 2020.” The ORTC's goal is to honor our past and build our future by providing recreation opportunities, environmental stewardship, heritage development, safe transportation networks and economic stimulus to our community.

The Ohio River Trail Council is currently planning & developing a forty-one (41) mile multi-use land & water trail system along the Ohio River and its tributaries, known as the Ohio River Trail. The corridor runs from Coraopolis, PA to Ohioville, PA at the U.S. Public Land Survey “Point of Beginning”, a National Historic Landmark located near the three-way intersection of Ohio, Pennsylvania and the northern tip of West Virginia. The Ohio River Trail is part of the “Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area”, “Lewis & Clark Trail” and is being considered for part of the U.S Bicycle Route 50 and a portion of the Underground Railroad Trail, Pittsburgh spur. The Ohio River Trail will also follow sections of the "Great Path" and the “Lincoln Highway”.

Furthermore, the ORTC proposes the broad vision of a tri-state greenway system between Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The ORT will serve to complete a key segment in a nationally-significant trail. The proposed Ohio River Trail will unite the “Great Ohio Lake-to-River Greenway” in Columbiana County, Ohio to the “Great Allegheny Passage” in Allegheny, County Pennsylvania forming a mega-trail from the great lakes region to our nation's capitol. This interstate trails system will help connect American families with the wonderful outdoors and will create new opportunities for fitness and stewardship while creating a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren.

The Ohio River Trail Council (ORTC) is seeking volunteers to assist the ORTC in meeting its mission which includes an economic development initiative in the Ohio River Valley.  The Ohio River Trail Council is converting abandoned railroad beds, streetcar beds, canal towpaths and utility right of ways into trails for public recreation, health, and enjoyment. The Ohio River Trail is currently in the early stages of development, nevertheless so much help is needed. Through this website, we will keep you informed as to the progress of this project and what you can do to help. We sincerely hope you will catch the vision and volunteer your efforts to provide this amenity to our region and for future generations.

If you would like to donate or support our projects to revitalize the southwestern PA communities, please contact Dr. Vincent Troia at (724) 728-2625, or drvtroia@troiaeye.net.

All donations to the Ohio River Trail Council are tax deductible.