New signs aim to simplify donations for Cambria County trail maintenance

EBENSBURG: So, there’s this cool new thing happening in Cambria County. They’ve put up new signs at the entrances of the trails that make it super easy to donate for their upkeep. It’s all about supporting the Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority, which is working hard to keep these trails in great shape.

These signs have a QR code that links directly to their PayPal account. Pretty neat, right? This project came out of the John B. Gunter Leadership Program run by the Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce. One of the group members, Stephanie Mathieson, really wanted to focus on the trails because they mean a lot to her.

Stephanie, who lives in Nanty Glo, has always been close to the trails. When she joined the Gunter program, she thought about how to boost outdoor activities in the county. At first, they had this big idea for a geocaching contest to get people out there, but after chatting with some folks from the CCCRA, they realized they needed a better way to raise funds for trail maintenance.

They initially thought about setting up some fancy electronic donation devices at the trailheads. But then they decided to keep it simple with a sign and a QR code. Now, anyone with a smartphone can easily donate if they want to. The sign even says, “Love our trails? Your support helps us maintain and expand the trail system. Donate today by using your phone camera to scan the QR code.”

Stephanie and her husband, Cody, put up nearly 40 of these signs around the county. It’s a straightforward idea that can really make a difference. The CCCRA has been facing challenges with funding for trail maintenance, especially after Hurricane Debby caused a lot of damage this summer.

They’re still working with state and federal agencies to figure out how to pay for those repairs. Plus, they often deal with washouts and other maintenance costs on trails like the Path of the Flood Trail and the Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail.

Lusk from the CCCRA expressed gratitude for the Gunter Leadership group for recognizing the need to support these trails. She emphasized that the trails are free to use, so donations are essential for keeping them up and running.

Stephanie is thrilled to see her group’s vision come to life, making it easier for people to support the county-owned trails. She worked alongside a great team from various local organizations to make this happen, and they all pitched in to fund the signs. It’s a fantastic way to encourage community involvement and keep those trails in tip-top shape!