Republished from June 2025 E-Trail News with permission
from York County Rail Trail Authority
Hanover Trolley Trail, photo from YCRTA
York County Rail Trail Authority announced that a new section of the Hanover Trolley Trail is now open to the public since Thursday, June 5. The trail expansion is part of a $2.3 million project constructing a 1-mile section of the Hanover Trolley Trail, restoring 2,200 linear feet of Oil Creek, and constructing 5 acres of new wetland habitat. Local and state officials gathered on June 5 to officially announce the completion of the project.
The announcement opening this new section of trail is in conjunction with National Trails Day, a national celebration of trails held each year on the first Saturday of June.
Located in Heidelberg Township, the project was funded through a federal grant from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, a state grant from the Governor’s Office of Budget Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, and county grants from York County Planning Commission and York County Conservation District. Local grants from the J. William Warehime Foundation and Powder Mill Foundation were instrumental in procuring these grants.
Authority Chairman Frank Kempf states, “This project adds a whole new environmental dimension to the trail. Visitors to this section of the Hanover Trolley Trail will enjoy both an exceptional trail and acres of new wetlands surrounding the trail.”
The Authority also announced that construction began earlier this spring to extend the Heidelberg Township section of trail another 1.1 miles and complete the restoration of Oil Creek at this location. This $2.4 million project is slated for completion by the end of the year.
Photo from YCRTA
Photo from YCRTA
About York County Rail Trail Authority
The York County Rail Trail Authority is a volunteer, ten-member Authority formed in 1990 under the direction of the York County Board of Commissioners. The Authority’s mission is to enrich York County communities and countryside through the development of a network of public trails. The Authority, which is incorporated under the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Act of 1945, is a political subdivision of the County of York.
Media Contact
Gwenyth Loose, Executive Director
York County Rail Trail Authority
gloose@yorkcountytrails.org, (717) 428-0999
