After following the gradual progress of the Ligonier Valley Trail over the last few years, as it grew from an abstract idea into a scenic half-mile stretch of limestone, I was excited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new bridge that was installed over Mill Creek a few weekends ago. Thanks to the bridge, the Ligonier Township Recreation Board and partners will be about to extend the trail into the borough and beyond. I wasn’t involved in the project’s inception or development, but I hope in some small way I helped out by occasionally telling the story of the trail through my newspaper articles.
I got up early and headed to Ligonier on a beautiful Saturday morning to watch the ribbon cutting ceremony and I’m so glad that I did. It was a very nice ceremony and an wonderful reason to spend some time outdoors enjoying the fresh area and sunshine.
Not only does the new bridge connect the borough and the township together, but it involved the cooperation of many people in both municipalities. Trail Project Manager Rose Stepnick was joined by several trail committee members, including Ligonier Township Recreation Board President Sharon Detar and members Larry Shew, Elizabeth McDonnell and Bob Gangawere. Other individuals instrumental in the bridge project included Ligonier Township Supervisor Tim Komar and Ligonier Borough Public Works Director Paul Fry. The ceremony also attracted a happy group of residents who crossed the bridge for an inaugural hike along the trail and back for a total distance of one mile.
Here are a few photos I took of the ribbon cutting ceremony and inaugural walk:
jennifersopko.wordpress.com 