ELLWOOD CITY, PA. School grant will fund creation of Ewing Park Trail Web site

The school district is looking for historic photographs, maps, information and memorabilia linked to the trail.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- Thanks to the efforts of two area teachers, students at Lincoln High School will have a chance to create a Web site dedicated to the Ewing Park Trail.
Earlier this year, Cheryl Franus, high school librarian, and Ellen Ruckert, technology teacher, applied for a Digital Grassroots federal grant.
A few weeks ago the women received word the school district had been granted $19,000 to put toward the development of the Web site.
Spending plans: Franus explained the money will enable the district to purchase computers, two digital video cameras, a media server, a laptop computer, a video-editing machine and various accessories such as battery packs and lighting equipment.
"And when the students are done with this project, they can continue to use the equipment for other projects," she said. "So this is a wonderful opportunity to bring our program into this century."
Franus said she and Ruckert, who are both lifelong residents of Ellwood City, became interested in the recent efforts of area resident Adam Scotia to revitalize the Ewing Park Trail.
The trail was established by the Works Progress Administration during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency. WPA provided jobs for people who were out of work.
"Many of us have a lot of memories of the trail," Franus said. "We applaud Mr. Scotia's efforts to bring the trail back to what it was."
Cleanup planned: Last year, area residents began cleanup efforts along the trail. There will be another cleanup day Saturday, when leaves and other debris will be bagged and hauled away by borough workers. Participants are being asked to bring their own rakes.
The borough already has identified vegetation growing along the trail.
Franus said the Web site will feature a section on flora and fauna along the trail, as well as history, maps and historic photographs. She said area residents are being asked to share their memories, maps and photographs.
"We will have the equipment to copy those items," she said. "We plan to put some Saturdays aside. You can bring your memories to us and we will copy them and send them home with you the same day. We know a lot of people have things they want to keep, they don't want to give up. We're just asking you to share them with us, not to part with them."