Memorial trail project moving forward

County Commissioner Alan Hall, Senator Lisa Baker, and reps from the Pa. Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs visited the proposed site of a walking trail in Great Bend Twp. that will be a memorial park in honor of Spc. William Evans who was killed in Iraq in 2005. STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON

After languishing in the planning and permitting process for several years, a proposed walking trail in Great Bend Township is seeing some progress.
The walking trail, located on New York Avenue near Dubois Creek, will be a memorial track dedicated in memory of Spc. Billy Evans, a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Company C., 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment who was killed in action in Iraq on Sept. 19, 2005.
On Thursday, Dec. 1, walking trail organizers from American Legion Post 357 met with Senator Lisa Baker and members of the Pennsylvania Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs and County Commissioner Alan Hall to tour the proposed site, and get information on the next steps to bring the project to completion.
Kenneth Wescott, one of the men who is working on the trail project, said funding is one of the biggest hurdles.
With winter approaching, he said they would like to lay down matting, and seed the ground before snow covers the ground. He also noted that number of people and companies have donated time and material to the project.
Sen. Baker said she would research some possible state funding options and asked that the organizers gather estimates and work with the township to formulate a phased approach to the project.