As an all volunteer organization the Mid State Trail Association embodies the dedication of its members and their passion for the hiking experience that is found along Pennsylvania's longest and wildest footpath.

 

  We know that the Mid State Trail provides an experience that connects people to communities, that connects hikers and other trail users, and, most mysteriously, that connects people to themselves.  That is where we leave the chatter of technology in the dust.

 

  This knowledge is what animates us in our mission to protect and improve this trail and its endless opportunities for adventure and communion.

 

  We are here today to celebrate the completion of this span across Yellow Creek which is the result of the most complex, extensive and intensive effort of coordination ever undertaken for 26 meters of Mid State treadway.

 

  We are here, as well, to recognize and express our profound appreciation to Deb Dunkle for her extraordinary follow through, her relentless attention to detail, her unwavering belief that this could happen and her perseverance in making it happen.  On behalf of the Mid State Trail Association I would like to present her with the MSTA Yellow Creek Bridge CAN DO award.

 

  We also want to recognize and acknowledge Pete Fleszar for being Deb's back-up, always ready with needed technical expertise, sound judgment and savvy advice.  We would like to present him with the MSTA Yellow Creek Bridge CAN TOO award.

 

  Together their determination and teamwork has gotten this project to the farther shore.

YCB WELCOME:

AT LONG LAST, WELCOME TO THE YCB. MY NAME IS DEBRA HALL DUNKLE, MSTA EVT REGION MANAGER VOLUNTEER

WE ARE HERE TODAY TO DEDICATE THIS BEAUTIFUL 85' FIBERGLASS HIKING BRIDGE NAMED YELLOW CREEK BRIDGE. THIS IS A CONNECTOR NOT ONLY THE MST HIKERS BUT ALL LOCAL FISHERMEN, HUNTERS AND OTHER WALKERS.

LEADING UP TO THIS DAY I WILL DESCRIBE BRIEFLY WHY I BELIEVE THAT THIS NEW YELLOW CREEK BRIDGE IS A MONUMENT TO MSTA:

IN 2004 SOMEONE NAMED STEINHIKE HAD A BIG DREAM, THEN LATER OTHER TRAIL VOLUNTEERS NAMED PETE AND DEBRA PICKED UP ON THE DREAMS PAPERTRAIL!

WE RESEARCHED AN HISTORIC ARMSTRONG VEHICLE BRIDGE FOR PADOT HISTORICAL BRIDGES - THAT WAS TO MUCH TO REHAB

THEN ALONG CAME THIS FIBERGLASS DESIGN--IT WAS A WINNER HANDS DOWN.

WE OBTAINED LETTERS OF SUPPORT,

WORKED ON EASEMENTS,

GOT THRU PADOT PERMITS,

GOT NO WHERE WITH DEP,

MET WITH LOCAL AND COUNTY OFFICIALS,

FINALLY MET WITH DEP OFFICIALS,

ASSISTED IN BUILDING 2 OTHER FIBERGLASS HIKING BRIDGES TO GET EXPERIENCE,

GOT DEP ON THE SCOPE,

KELLER ENGINEERS ASSISTED US PASSED THE DEP PERMITS, FINALIZE COST PROJECT AMOUNTS AND GOT THIS BRIDGE OUT TO BID

TO FINAL CONSTRUCTION BY VENTURA CONSTRUCTION.

FOLKS THAT HAS BEEN 10 YEARS IN THE MAKING!

THIS FIBERGLASS BRIDGE GIVES BEDFORD COUNTY AN INVESTMENT IN SUSTAINBILITY! THE OLD SWINGING BRIDGE PUT IN EARLY 1900 HAD SERVED ITS PURPOSE FOR MOST PART - BUT THE DEBRIS FROM FLOODS KEPT GETTING CAUGHT UP ON THE PLANKS THAT LOWERED INTO THE STREAM.

THIS FIBERGLASS BRIDGE IS BUILT TO OUTLAST MOST OF US. THERE SHOULD BE NO NEED FOR ANY REHABS IN THE NEXT 100 YEARS!

I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, RANDY AND GLORIA SMITH, PARENTS MILDRED AND DECEASED ROSS SMITH,

PRIVATE LANDOWNER,GEORGE SNYDER,

OLD BRIDGE OWNERS, JOHN AND KASSIE LEIDY.


LOCAL CONTRIBUTORS: EDWIN RISSLER MFG,

JON AND LOIS CLAYCOMB/CLAYCOMB EXCAVATING,

JOHN AND BARBARA THOMAS,

DIRK BARKMAN/BARKMAN OIL INC,

HERBERT AND JOAN HALLOF WLHALL LIME & COAL INC,

DR DANIEL STYER,

ELIZABETH HARCLERODE.

MSTA SENDS SPECIAL THANKS TO GARRY GOSS, PRESIDENT OF STRUCTURAL FIBERGLASS INC. GARRY AND HIS CREW WAS THE FABRICTOR OF THE YCB. PLUS WITH GARRY'S GENEROUS DONATION, THE MSTA WAS ABLE TO MEET THE MATCHING FUND REQUIREMENTS SET BY DCNR.

ONE MORE NOTE - THIS IS ADA/HP ACCESSIBLE BUT THE PRIVATE LANDOWNERS REQUEST NO ATV OR NO HORSE CROSSING.

AT THIS TIME I WOULD ASK FOR ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FROM:

1. ASK RANDY/GLORIA SMITH, GEORGE SNYDER

2. GARRY GOSS

3. SO WOODBURY TOWNSHIP - SHAFFER, MUSSELMAN, IMLER

4. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, KIRK MORRIS, STEVE HOWSARE, PAUL CROOKS

5 .DCNR - JAY SCHREIBMAN, DCNR REGIONAL ADVISOR

6. ED LAWRENCE, PRESIDENT OF THE MSTA -

ASK ED TO INTRODUCE THE MSTA OFFICERS AND REGION MANAGERS:

FLESZAR, HUMMELSTOWN, SCOTT ADAMS, PLEASANT GAP, KIRK BUCYNSKI, HUNTINGDON,

JOE HEALEY/LORRAINE, DR TOM THWAITES, FOUNDER OF MST, KEVIN BUSKO, HUNTINGDON;


ED - CUT THE RIBBON THEN WALK ACROSS THE YCB.

COME BACK OVER AND ENJOY A YCB COOKIE ON US!

( Photo Album )