Finally, the weather in our part of New York is improving. Many businesses are closed due to COVID-19, and that can get frustrating when the weather doesn’t cooperate. This afternoon, the husband, the dog, and I explored part of the Pennsy Rail Trail in Salamanca, NY.

Let’s get the elephant out of the room first. Yes, locals may remember the tragic past of this trail. Although I wasn’t in the area in 1999, I’ve heard about Penny Brown’s murder on the previous incarnation of this trail. The revamped trail has plenty of security features, including lights, security cameras, and emergency call boxes. There’s also talk of possibly renaming the trail.

Here in New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo has kept open state parks and hasn’t locked us down to the point where we can’t go anywhere except where necessary. When it comes to being outdoors, we’ve been urged to keep our social distance from others. With this afternoon being so lovely (sunshine and mild temperatures), plenty of people were on the asphalt trail. We saw families on bicycles and several dog walkers, and we passed them with smiles and hellos.

The trail runs between exits 20 and 21 of I-86. We traveled westbound from Olean, exiting at Parkway Drive. A small parking lot is located opposite the off-ramp, beside where the old hospital stood until its closure and later demolition. From there, we walked approximately 1.35 miles of the 3.1 mile length before turning around. Houses and backyards line the trail, so be prepared for leashed dogs. There are benches and garbage cans for your convenience, and I hope that eventually there’ll be signage and historical markers about the Pennsylvania Road. The other end exits by the Ohi:yo’ Gateway on the Broad Street extension. From there, it’s possible to walk to the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum and the Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino.

LINK: Salamanca rail trail to see electrical, paving work in coming months