Day 3
30 miles

Meals

• Breakfast-Breakfast with families
• Lunch-We will stop for lunch on our own.  There are places to eat off the trail in McKeesport and West Newton or you may choose to pack a lunch today.
• Dinner-Potluck at Cedar Creek Park (cost $5 - $10)

 
Accommodations

• We will be camping at Cedar Creek Park.  There is access to clean water and toilets but no showers. (cost $5)
  
• Needed equipment-camping equipment

During today’s ride we will leave the city, discover the hidden beauty of the trail and explore the toxic legacy of coal mining in Western Pennsylvania plus the rebirth of many small towns partially due to the formation of the rail-trail system.

We will stop at the Red Water Fall (GAP 120) to witness acid mine runoff first-hand and Banning Mine #4 Buddtown (GAP 112), the site the last active coal mine in the area.  There are silos, foundations, a huge refuse pile, and an acid mine drainage system.  There are piles of black shale that have been separated and placed into “glob piles” which to this day create acid run off.  We will end the day with a potluck and camping hosted by Murrysville Marcellus Coalition at Cedar Creek Park, PA. 

Events:
Depart the City
8:30 am
Gather at Homestead Pump House
880 East Waterfront Drive, Munhall, PA 15120 (map)

Toxic Waterfall Stop and Comment Period (GAP 120)
Approx. 12:30
We will briefly assemble at the Red Waterfall for photos and group comments.  The Red Water Fall (GAP 120) is a poignant reminder of the toxic legacy of past extraction industries and presents us with a glimpse of the dangers we will be exposed to if we the widespread intrusion of rural industrialization continues.

Toxic Legacy and Rebirth (GAP 113)
West Newton, PA
Approx. 2:00
We will gather in West Newton for an opportunity to discuss our action with community members.  We will present our vision for a sustainable economy without the need for boom and bust extraction industries.  West Newton (GAP 113) embodies dozens of other towns in the region that are making a comeback after suffering through the long depression caused by and bust of coal mining and the railroad.  Once natural resources were shipped away and the wealth was taken by the 1% into the cities, these communities were left for dead.  West Newton has one foot in the future by being a leader in the formation of a sustainable economy with the creation of the Great Allegheny Passage and one foot in the past as the site of continuing toxic acid mine runoff.

Cedar Creek Potluck-Host: Westmoreland Marcellus Citizen's Group  (GAP 110)
Cedar Creek Park, Westmoreland County, PA
5:00 – 8:00 pm
Murrysville Marcellus Coalition will host us for a potluck dinner at Cedar Creek Park to strengthen ties and network with local groups.