Chautauqua Rails to Trails (CR2T) is a non profit corporation whose reason for existence is to acquire, develop and maintain multi purpose recreational trails for public use on or near abandoned railroad rights of way.

Chautauqua County is blessed with beautiful unused rail corridors winding through picturesque countryside and villages. In an era preceding paved roads and mechanically reliable cars and trucks, railroads were essential for transportation and for moving agricultural and manufactured goods and supplies through rural areas.

In recent decades, railroads have abandoned most of their lines serving rural areas. CR2T is preserving these abandoned rail corridors for conversion into safe off-road trails for recreational use: walking, running, hiking, bicycling, cross country skiing, bird watching (over 170 species identified) and horseback riding.

CR2T provides safe, attractive trails for non motorized trail users.  The trails wind through wetlands, pine forests, hardwood forests, pastures and vineyards. These trails provide public access offering trail users opportunities to observe the plants, animals and birds found in areas otherwise remote from highways and roads. Observing and learning about nature, about the history of the area and getting healthy physical exercise is what trail users can expect.

The trails are available for outdoor recreational activities and environmental study for the public at large and for group outings sponsored by schools, scouts, churches and service organizations.

Mission

To acquire, develop and maintain multi-purpose recreational trails on or near abandoned railroad corridors for public use.

Vision

Our vision is to develop and connect a network of safe and accessible trails for all Chautauqua County families and visitors to the area.

Core Values

Our core values are connecting with nature, promoting healthy lifestyles, conservation and preservation in a family-friendly environment.

The reasons that Rails to Trails exists is to provide:

1).  A safe relaxing place to observe and learn about nature.

2).  A safe place to obtain healthy outdoor exercise; from walking to running to bicycling to riding horses.

3).  A destination for people from out of the area to come to in order to obtain the benefits of the trails and in the process buy food and shelter, gasoline, etc.; thereby benefitting the local economy.

4). A place where people can commune with the rich 150 year old railroad history of this county.

5). For future use of the railroad corridor.  Should a new means of transportation get invented, the old corridor could be available for a new use.