An additional Appalachian Regional Commission Grant for $67,000 will help renovate the historic train station to include handicap-accessible bathrooms and an information center highlighting recreation activities and destinations available throughout the region. In May, Governor Tom Wolf and PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards announced that Jenks Township will receive nearly $1.2 million in funding from the Surface Transportation Block Grant program to construct six more miles of trail, handicap-accessible parking lots, and a pavilion. Marienville’s planned recreational hub will feature amenities for walkers, bikers, equestrians, snowmobilers, local merchants, gardeners, history buffs, and more. A $5,000 grant from the Lumber Heritage Region allowed for the creation of a conceptual plan (below), which shows the planned layout of the downtown hub.
They developed extensive plans for the trail as well as a recreation hub and began gathering funding and support for the project. Once the passenger train ceased operations, community leaders in Marienville saw an opportunity to develop a recreational resource for their town. After the need for freight transportation declined during the second half of the 20th century, the passenger Knox and Kane Railroad developed and ran excursion trains along the line from the early 1980s to the early 2000s.
The rail line that the rail-trail is being built upon was developed in the late 1800s as part of the extensive Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and it provided a freight line between Knox in Clarion County and Mount Jewett in McKean County. In time, they anticipate the project will provide new recreational opportunities for community members and visitors, encourage local economic development, and connect nearby communities to Marienville and the ANF. Community organizers in Marienville are working to develop the four-season Knox-Kane Trail and a recreational hub at the town’s historic train station, a stone’s throw from the main intersection at the center of Marienville. Soon, however, visitors will also be able to enjoy a recreational destination right in the heart of downtown. The small town of Marienville in southeastern Forest County serves as one of the main gateways to the vast Allegheny National Forest, and it’s long been a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to access the forest’s many attractions. January 31st: Harrisburg, PA – Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today announced the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge (MJ2KB) Trail has been named Pennsylvania’s 2023 Trail of the Year.The present train station in Marienville is the town’s second, and it has been in place since at least 1910. “I am extremely excited to announce that the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail has been selected as Pennsylvania’s top trail for 2023,” Dunn said. “Trails play an important role in supporting communities across the commonwealth by connecting people to nature, recreation opportunities, communities and the surrounding history, new businesses and so much more. Congratulations to the MJ2KB Trail Club for this honor and special thanks for the hard work to support and uplift this trail.” To read more GO HERE. Pennsylvania Congressman Glenn “G.T.” Thompson on February 10 spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives congratulating the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail Club for winning the 2023 PA Trail of the Year. PLEASE NOTE: Equestrians and snowmobiles cannot access the rail trail from the Kinzua Bridge State Park. Snowmobiles will have to access the trail from Mt Jewett or Lantz Corners. For snowmobile trail information in our area - contact the Willow Creek Snowmobile Club in Bradford, the Seneca Highlands Snowmobile Club in Smethport the Marienville Trail Riders Snowmobile Club (see our partners page) or ANFVB’s winter sports page. Horse trailers cannot park at the Kinzua Bridge State Park. Trailer parking is available on Lindholm Rd (Kinzua Scenic Byway, SR3011) watch for sign (between the State Park and Mt Jewett - 41.744046, -78.602288). You can also park behind the MJ Borough Bldg on weekends, but please do not leave any messes in their parking lot. No vehicles or ATVs/UTVs allowed on the Knox & Kane Rail Trail unless pre-authorized or in emergency situations.
Learn more about rail trail etiquette HERE. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Once again, so many wonderful things happened on our 8 mile section of the Knox & Kane Rail Trail in 2022. Our volunteers accomplished several projects, however, the biggest project that our club took on was putting down Trail Surface Aggregate (TSA) on the section of rail trail from Route 219 (Lantz Corners) to Mt Jewett (3.7 miles).
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