Named for a local conservationist, the Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail is a delightful, 3.1-mile (5k) urban rail-trail on the east end of the City of Johnstown. Following the Stonycreek River, the trail begins in Riverside on Michigan Ave. and ends in Hornerstown on Messenger St., near Sandyvale Memorial Gardens & Conservancy. This trail offers beautiful views of the river, abundant bird-life and wildflowers, picturesque Buttermilk Falls and serenity within an urban setting.
This trail is also being planned to be a connector through the City of Johnstown to The Path of the Flood Trail which is already a National Recreation Trail and Part of the Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway. The Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail will also be a connector and part of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail.
The Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority continues to partner with many organizations in our Trail Development. Cam Tran has donated monies from the salvage of Rails on this property and we continue to work with the Alternative Community Resource Program. (a local 501c3 helping underprivileged youth). The City of Johnstown donated use of equipment and board members have also offered time to help build this section of trail. We are also working with the Moxham Renaissance, another local 501c3 who own property adjacent to the trail at Central Ave to build a park let with a pavilion, restrooms and trailhead parking.
This project aligns with the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Mission by extending and promoting a natural trail asset in our region and by making recreational trail use more accessible in the Greater Johnstown area giving people more opportunities for wellness and enhanced recreational experiences, and connecting other trail systems promoting tourism and economic development.
The Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority has also partnered with the Greater Johnstown School District in which students created a Maker Space to build items such as park benches/gazebos /picnic tables to enhance the trail. The trail currently wraps around the High School.
We also work with the Greater Johnstown School District, Conemaugh Hospital and local business to hold events on the trail including the events the we as an organization hold. This is quite a community asset.
The Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority currently maintains this trail. Our rules and safety features are as follows:
Trails, Bike-ways and Paths are open DUSK to DAWN.
Please respect the environment and follow the below safety rules.
1. Be Courteous!
2. Ride and Walk on Right.
3. Pass on Left.
4. Bicyclists yield to all others.
5. Alert others when passing. Please announce in loud voice, "on your left" before passing anyone.
6. Obey all traffic signs, laws and signals.
7.When crossing roads, walk bikes and watch for cars.
8.Leash and pick up after your pet
9. Do not litter!
10. Respect the trail, the environment and other trail users.
We have also joined Young Lungs at Play to promote the trails as a smoke-free/ drug-free environment.
Website: http://www.cambriaconservationrecreation.com/jim-mayer-riverswalk-trail/
