Some pictures of work performed April 2008 by volunteers of the SSRTA membership developing the Black Bear Trailhead. It is located near Winburne and adjacent to Black Bear Nursery. Work is continuing until completion and the trailhead is not open for use yet. DCNR will be making a connection from the trailhead to the SSRTA near the Black Bear Bridge. Completion of the Trailhead and connector should happen in 2008. Then, at that time, we would like to have a grand opening. We will keep you posted.

A lot of discussions and coordination has occured in the past year for this trailhead and connector to become reality. DCNR has worked with the SSRTA and has demonstrated their willingness to listen and respond to new ideas. We also want to thank property owners Michael Rudella & wife, Nate Sedlak, for the long term lease so we could create the trailhead. A big thank you to our corporate sponsor Bestline for providing the skid steer. Thank you also goes out to the following people for their hard work and initiatives in developing the trailhead to this point: Eric Brooks, George Holt, Dick Rockey, Trilby & Larry Mayes, Terry & Eileen Long, Carol & Charles Jensen, Nate & Scott Klinger, Jim Schall, Kevin Harter, Ron & Andrew Pollock (Owners of the Black Bear Nursery) Stacy Flick of DCNR for stopping by during initial development, and Tim Gourley of Gourley/Dietz Engineers.
 

        
         
         
         
     
       

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Tim Gourley, of Gourley/Dietz is working to finalize the design for Gillentown Trailhead. As soon as it is completed and approved by the Centre County Planning Commission, the restrooms will be placed out for bid. The restrooms will be fabricated and installed by a contractor. Gates and fencing near the Memorial Kiosk will also be spec and contracted. Then, the rest of the fencing will be done with volunteers.
Plans are for the pavilion and non-motorized parking area will be done with volunteers too. We hope Gourley/Dietz has the specs out for bid so the contractor can start construction on the restrooms in April or May of 2008.


Design Proposal
 
Pictured are from L-R
Anna Normand & Mike Brady of Headwaters
Roy Zug of Gannet Flemming
Trilby Mayes - President of SSRTA
Tim Gourney of Gourney/Dietz

All parties met in May to walk the Gillentown Trailhead and discuss design proposal. Gourney/Dietz was awarded the proposal.

Limestone for Parking Areas
         
$5,500 of proceeds from 2006 SSRTA Raffle was used to purchase limestone for the parking area at the Gillentown Trailhead. Thank you members for all your support so we can enhance the trailhead.

Please obey all signs along the trail. They are for your safety as well as the safety of fellow trail users.