Mirror photo by Cati Keith / Bedford Joint Municipal Authority volunteers Jim Wehling and Karen Simpson put down straw along the bank of Shober’s Run as part of a stream bank enhancement project which is near the Omni Bedford Springs trailhead of the Shuster Way Heritage Trail in Bedford.

BEDFORD — A four-mile trail that connects the Omni Bedford Springs Resort with downtown Bedford and Old Bedford Village is nearly complete, said Brian Sell, chairman of the Shuster Way Heritage Trail board of directors.

Work on the northern portion of the multi-use trail is underway and is expected to be finished in July, Sell added.

It’s a project that has been in the works since 2015, when the first connection between the Springs and the Bedford Elks Country Club was made.

But for community volunteer Jim Wehling, the need for a trail was obvious well before that time.

“I’m originally from a small town in New York state,” he said. “I wanted to return to a small town and Bedford was one my wife and I could agree upon.”

Wehling and his wife, Jo, moved to Bedford in 1999, after he retired from a career in financial management with the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

At the time, the famed Bedford Springs Resort was in disarray and in danger of falling down.

Still, Wehling said it was obvious the area needed a trail system.

Then, through the efforts of U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster and state Sen. Robert Jubelirer, the money to revive the Springs was secured.

With the resort’s reopening in 2007, the need for a trail became evident to more than just the Wehlings.

Bedford Borough Council and the Bedford Township supervisors revitalized the defunct Bedford Joint Municipal Authority in 2010, and Wehling jumped onboard, visualizing a trail that would take visitors and townspeople alike from the Springs, past the Bedford Elks Country Club, down into town and on to Old Bedford Village.

The circuitous route hits many historic sites in Bedford, including the original site of Fort Bedford and the Espy House, which served as the headquarters for President George Washington during the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794.

The trailheads at either end are steeped in history, too, as the Bedford Springs was known as the “summer White House” during President James Buchanan’s time in office, and Old Bedford Village is the recreation of an 18th century village, complete with period workshops and log cabins manned by workers attired in period clothing.

Wehling, who along with his wife enjoyed bike trails, said developing more outdoor recreation offerings for visitors is important, not only from a health standpoint but from an economic development point, too.

“My vision is to see our assets connected with a nonmotorized transportation corridor that adds to the experience of those living and visiting Bedford,” he said.

The trail system was divided into two phases, with the first phase connecting the Omni Bedford Springs Resort to downtown Bedford.

The second phase, which has taken a bit longer to bring to fruition, goes from Fort Bedford Park to Old Bedford Village and Weber Lane, near the turnpike interchange.

The trail follows Shober’s Run near the Springs, uses sidewalks in town and picks up again along the banks of the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. It can be seen from I-99 running along the river to the village.

The finished portion of the trail had about 20,000 uses a year, Wehling said. He expects that number to climb once the trail is complete this summer.

He also expects more people to get on the trail at the village trailhead, as a new walking bridge takes trail users across the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River to give them access to Old Bedford Village. The Claycomb Covered Bridge is already at the entrance to the village, but as it’s a single span, the trail bridge is a safer alternative for those walking, running or riding a bike.

While still about a mile from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange in Bedford, the trail is close enough to local hotels that visitors can take advantage of the outdoor space.

“There will be economic benefits,” Wehling said. “It will give people a different experience, and I anticipate greater attendance at the Old Bedford Village.”

Trail work ongoing

Paving, seeding and planting is currently being done on the newest section of the trail, Sell said, noting for those interested in the length, it is a two-mile trek from the Bedford Springs to downtown Bedford, then another two miles to Old Bedford Village.

Unless people arrange for pickup at one of the trailheads, it’s an eight-mile loop open to walkers, runners, bikers and other non-motorized forms of transportation. Dogs on leashes are also allowed on the trail.

“The trail was created to give people in the area more recreational opportunities and to allow visitors at the Springs the ability to walk to all of the attractions in the downtown and Old Bedford Village,” Sell said.

The trail “makes Bedford bigger and better,” said Bedford’s Street Manager Lindsay Salas, who has noticed more people enjoying outdoor recreation since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The trail is great for families, she said, and gives people a nice place to walk their dogs.

In addition, those visiting the Springs or the village can enjoy the trail either for sightseeing or to walk in town to visit the shops and restaurants.

Resort guests Ak Komanduri and Pooja Maj of Washington, D.C., recently used the trail to go to downtown Bedford.

“I think it is a gorgeous area and the trail is well maintained,” Komanduri said.

Pooja liked the convenience of everything being connected by the trail.

“You don’t have to drive to get to places in Bedford from the resort,” she said.

Third phase planned

Plans for the trail to continue beyond Old Bedford Village are in the works, with the goal being to have the trail connect all the major points of interest in Bedford.

The third section will begin at Weber Lane and go to the Turnpike Interchange area, which will serve as another trailhead.

“It connects to everything town — it provides recreation and exercise to people while providing more economic opportunities for the businesses in the downtown,” Sell said.

Sell said Old Bedford Village hosts a variety of events throughout the year, so the trail could be a way for downtown Bedford residents to attend without needing to drive.

“It will be a great connector to a lot of points of interest in town and a great opportunity for cross promotion,” Salas said.

Visitors Center Director Dennis Tice said while there are other trails in local state parks, the Heritage Trail is close by, which makes it convenient for Bedford residents and visitors.

The complete trail will end up costing about $2.5 million, Wehling said, but noted that many grants were received from a variety of sources. In addition, a number of individuals and sponsors in the community donated to the effort.

According to the website, the trail system may branch out in multiple tracks in the future, to attractions east and west of Bedford Borough, to a connection to the H&BT Rail Trail, as well as a trail extension from the Omni Bedford Springs Resort to the C&O Canal in Cumberland, Maryland, and the Great Allegheny Passage.

“The Heritage Trail enhances our entire community — expanding outdoor opportunities,” Tice said.

Mirror Staff Writer Cati Keith is at 814-946-7535.