Butler-Freeport Community Trail supporters are waiting for the dust to settle from their recent court win before making any guarantees on future trail improvements.
But most are hopeful the state Supreme Court's backing is a sign that the trail's darker days are over and the trail council soon will be able to move forward with completing the recreational trail.
The 21-mile trail runs from Freeport to Butler along a former rail bed, but sections in Summit Township still are blocked by landowners who contest the trail's legality.
Buffalo Township solicitor Larry Lutz said the township's battle is over with the landowners, unless they decide to appeal the court's decision. Lutz said he hasn't heard from opposing attorney W.C. Smith on what the trail's neighbors plan. Smith could not be reached for comment.
Lutz said he is hopeful Summit supervisors will drop their lawsuit that contests the legality of Buffalo's ownership, since, as Lutz sees it, the state Supreme Court deemed the ownership legal.
"If Summit comes through, it will open everything up," Lutz said.
Since the early 1990s, several lawsuits were filed against the trail council, Buffalo Township, and people associated with both. While the state Supreme Court's decision only deals directly with Buffalo Township, Lutz said the other lawsuits revolve around the same central issue of whether the township legally acquired the land.
"All the other lawsuits were on hold, pending the state court's decision," Lutz said.
Trail council President Ron Bennett said the council's lawyer, Laurel Hartshorn of Saxonburg, will ask for a summary judgment through Butler County Court, which could settle the legal disputes once and for all.
"We're ready to regroup and prioritize," Bennett said.
Bennett said most of the trail, with the exception of the barricades in Summit, is open to the public. However, there are improvements to be made, he said.
The walking and bicycle-riding portion of the trail consists of a 6- to 8-foot crushed limestone path surrounded by a large grassy area, Bennett said.
Frequently the trail crosses township roads, and Bennett said the council would like to see trail signs put up at the intersections. Some areas need resurfacing, and Bennett said more work is needed to complete the trail's beginning in Freeport and its end in Butler.
Bennett said the council hasn't worked on getting funding for trail improvements because of the litigation, but Freeport council secured money for its end of the project.
Freeport Council President Jim Seagriff said the borough was awarded a $324,000 state Transportation Enhancement Grant for construction, which would complete the trail through Laneville, over Buffalo Creek and into Freeport.
To finish the trail, Seagriff said some kind of surfacing is required, either paving or limestone. The cost also covers a bridge over the creek.
Council is waiting to hear if it's awarded a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant that would cover engineering costs for the trail and bridge design, Seagriff said.
Bennett said the trail is maintained by 40 to 50 volunteers who have adopted sections of the path. However, he said not much is required because usually there is very little litter and the townships often handle the grass mowing.
"A lot of people have stayed away because of the litigation," Bennett said. "We hope that changes now."
Bennett said the trail still has been used frequently, especially in the Sarver area. He said one of the main parking areas is on Sarver Road in Buffalo Township, although there is room at most road/trail intersections for a few cars to park.
