By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
GOWANDA — A new handicapped accessible trail opened Wednesday at Valentine Flats at the Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced.
Construction of the new Memorial Trail is part of a two-phase project that began last fall and will also include upgrades and improvements to infrastructure and emergency access.
The stone dust trail is about six feet wide. Heavy rails have left some ruts in the upper part of the trail. The handicapped accessible trail will require a motorized wheelchair due to the steep upper part of the trail.
Interim DEC Commissioner Sean Mahar announced the completion of the first phase of public safety and visitor experience improvements at Zoar Valley Unique Area in Cattaraugus County, including the new, accessible trail at Valentine Flats.
“DEC’s ongoing efforts to improve public safety and the visitor experience at Zoar are well underway,” Mahar said. “DEC will continue to engage with stakeholders throughout the second phase of construction so that visitors of all abilities are able to enjoy Zoar’s beautiful vistas from a safe distance.”
The Memorial Trail replaces the former Overlook Trail at Valentine Flats. The new trail is being crafted to meet federal accessibility standards and is designed to keep visitors on the trail and a safe distance from the gorge into Cattaraugus Creek, Mahar said.
Phase 1 construction started in November 2023 when crews cut down scores of trees from the trail area. Those logs — some 2 feet or more in diameter — are visible along the trail.
A temporary road and culvert were constructed from the parking area above the flats.
The new trail was surveyed and marked with four viewing areas at scenic locations. It is currently very difficult to see any of the cliffs along Cattaraugus Creek due to the heavy foliage.
A split-rail fence was installed to maintain a safe setback from the gorge. This past spring, construction contractors built the trail, seeded trail edges, and installed a permanent culvert to improve drainage.
The second phase of the project includes improving emergency access from the Valentine Flats parking lot to the creek by replacing the current trail with a wider roadway to allow emergency vehicles access to the creek.
The Valentine Flats parking lot and trails that opened Wednesday will remain open until Phase II construction begins next year.
