ANTHRACITE SCENIC TRAILS ASSOCIATION
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Mission Statement
ASTA's mission is to acquire and preserve abandoned railroad rights of way and nearby land for the creation of trails, or linear parks, that are free to the public for pedestrian use and that promote health and wellness; access to nature; landscape, habitat and historic preservation; and economic opportunities for the surrounding communities.
About This Cause
The Anthracite Scenic Trails Association (ASTA) is a nonprofit volunteer group of trail supporters, who, with the inspiration and leadership of Judy and David Rimple, began over two decades ago to promote the acquisition, preservation and conservation of abandoned and out-of service railroad rights-of-way in Luzerne County. ASTA is made up of a nine member volunteer board of directors charged with the administration and oversight of ASTA’s operations. The organization also has two volunteer trail councils that maintain ASTA's two primary trail sections. Those trail councils are the Back Mountain Trail Council and the Mountaintop Trail Council. ASTA’s two primary trails are the Back Mountain Trail, which has terminuses in Luzerne, PA and Dallas, PA, and the Black Diamond Trail, which is located in Mountain Top, PA. The organization's volunteers continue to work on expanding and maintaining both trail sections for the improvement of the quality of life in the surrounding area. ASTA recently completed the Rimple Loop extension of the Back Mountain Trail in Dallas, PA and is working closely with the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (“D&L”) on the completion of trail gaps in the Mountain Top area. When this Mountain Top section of trail is completed, it will be part of a 165 mile trail that traces the path that anthracite coal once took from the coal fields in northeastern, PA to industrial centers in the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia. This is a truly historic corridor that played a crucial role in the industrial development of the United States. When completed, the D&L trail will run from Wilkes-Barre to Washington Crossing, PA and be the largest trail in Pennsylvania. It will travers through five counties and will have a tremendous economic, historical, health and wellness, and environmental impact on Pennsylvania. In total, between ASTA’s board and its two trail councils there are 17 people who volunteer their time and talent to ensuring the growth and success of the organization and its trails. There are also dozens of other partners and volunteers who assist with trail cleanups, fundraising and other critical activities. It is truly a labor of love for the benefit of our communities here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.