From Students’ Generosity to a Lasting Trail Legacy: Land Acquisition in Portage
As the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, a years-long community effort in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, has reached a major milestone. A critical 7.7-acre parcel of former Norfolk Southern property in Portage has been acquired for future development of the September 11th National Memorial Trail, helping advance plans for a safer and more connected off-road route through the region.
The property, now accepted by the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority, represents a significant step forward in the continued development of the 1,500+ mile September 11th National Memorial Trail.
The acquisition fulfills a key recommendation from a 2021 planning study funded by the Allegheny Ridge Corporation, which identified the property as a vital link to improving the Trail's future safety, connectivity, and long-term vision through Cambria County.
The effort gained momentum in 2021 when students at Portage Elementary School raised $4,000 to support the development of the Trail. Their contribution became the catalyst for a broader community effort. Building on that momentum, the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance worked alongside partners including the Allegheny Ridge Corporation, Friends of the Main Line Canal, the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority, and numerous local advocates to advance the project.
With the support of Pennsylvania State Senator Devlin Robinson (opens in new window), co-chair of Pennsylvania's bipartisan 9/11 Trail Legislative Caucus, and the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies, the Alliance helped secure funding to purchase 7.7 acres of property from Norfolk Southern — a critical step in advancing trail development in the region.
"As a veteran, honoring the legacy of 9/11 and building connections across our commonwealth is deeply personal to me," said Senator Robinson. "As we approach the 25th anniversary of that fateful day, our mission to remember the innocent lives lost and the heroes who rose in the aftermath is more urgent than ever. The 9/11 Trail Caucus is proud to champion the vital state funding that makes projects like this possible."
The newly acquired corridor will help advance plans for a future off-road trail segment in Cambria County, improving safety and accessibility while strengthening connections between communities along the Trail. Once developed, the corridor will serve as both a vital link for the 9/11 National Memorial Trail and a recreational asset for local residents and visitors.
"This project is one of the most significant trail advancements in the Portage area in the last 20 years," said Jane Sheffield, Executive Director of the Allegheny Ridge Corporation and a member of the Alliance Board of Directors.
As work continues, the project stands as a powerful example of what can be accomplished when students, community organizations, nonprofit partners, elected officials, and local residents come together around a shared vision. From a student fundraiser to a strategic land acquisition, the effort reflects the mission of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail to connect communities through remembrance, recreation, education, and resilience.
With the land now secured, the Alliance and its partners will focus on the next phases of planning and development, bringing the vision of a continuous Trail connecting the three September 11 memorial sites one step closer to reality.
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