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Butler County now home to National Park unit

Volunteers for the North Country Trail Association
Volunteers for the North Country Trail Association put together a bridge during a work day in on the trail. Submitted photo
North Country Trail recognized by National Park Service

Butler County is now home to a piece of a recognized national park in the North Country National Scenic Trail, which is the longest of the 11 National Scenic Trails in the United States, stretching 4,800 miles from North Dakota to Vermont.

The trail has been granted “unit” status by the National Park Service as of December, which Jan Genaway, president of the North Country Trail Association’s Butler County Chapter, said provides access to additional resources and funding opportunities. It also provides equal legal standing with the other trails and parks administered by the National Park Service.

Genaway said the recognition adds more opportunities to the 57 miles of the trail within Butler County, and the nonprofit association that helps maintain it.

“I think it'll give us greater recognition to find supporters or volunteers to help maintain the trail,” Genaway said. “When we would have need for improvements to the trail or need for money to make improvements, we could turn to (the National Park Service) for that reason.”

According to Genaway, hundreds of individuals throughout Pennsylvania are involved with the trail, from the hikers who enjoy it to volunteers who maintain it. Volunteers with the Butler County chapter maintain the trail, and many people make the journey across the entire trail and come through Butler County on their way.

Genaway said the National Park unit status will make even more people want to hike the North Country Trail and come through Butler County on the way.

“A lot of people like to make the trip through the entire trail. Some do it in sections; some all at once,” Genaway said. “I think it'll bring greater recognition to our part.”

The association’s next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the Butler YMCA, 339 N. Washington St., and Genaway said people interested in volunteering on the trail can get information on how to get involved at that meeting.

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