Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering with the York County Rail Trail Authority is a great way to make friends with those who share your passion and interest in rail trails. Volunteers work hard, have fun, and above all are essential to the success of our rail trail projects.
Serving on a committee is a great way to offer specific expertise and sound guidance to the Authority.
In addition to Volunteering, you can also become an advocate for trails and consider donating to the YCRTA.
Current Volunteer Needs
Planning Committee Member(s):
The planning committee meets once a month, except in July and August, to review the projects of the York County Rail Trail Authority, to guide both long-range projects and strategic organizational planning, and to make recommendations to be presented to the Authority. Meetings are held from 8-9 AM at the Rail Trail Authority’s office in Seven Valleys on the Friday prior to the monthly business meetings. Meeting dates are posted on the Authority’s website under Events as part of the yearly meeting calendar. Service on the planning committee is a great way to positively impact the current projects of the Rail Trail Authority and the development of future rail trail projects. Service on the planning committee also offers a great introduction to the Authority and its projects, which may lead to an appointment to the Authority.
Contact the Authority at (717) 428-0999.
Hanover Trolley Trail Operating Committee Member(s):
If you have a particular interest in promoting future development of the Hanover Trolley Trail, please consider joining this committee. The Hanover Trolley Trail operating committee advises the Authority on management, maintenance, and operations of the completed sections of the Hanover Trolley Trail and makes recommendations to the Authority related to current operations and future development. Members typically represent the municipalities or civic organizations along the historic corridor and are key to promoting communications between the Authority and their representative entity. The committee meets quarterly from 8-9 AM on Friday mornings at the Rail Trail Authority’s office in Seven Valleys. Meeting dates are posted on the Authority’s website under Events as part of the yearly meeting calendar.
Contact the Authority at (717) 428-0999.
On-going Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers, both individual and business, are needed year-round to assist with the following projects:
INDIVIDUAL:
- Bulk mailings
- Graphic design
- Data entry
- Photography
- Trail inspections
- Staff information tables
- Gardening/ light trail maintenance
BUSINESS:
- Landscaping
- Trail repairs
- Drainage work
- Printing (brochures, maps, newsletters)
Community Outreach Events:
If you enjoy meeting the public and talking about the many benefits of rail trails, consider volunteering to staff one of our information booths at a local festival: Hanover Dutch Day (July), Shanks Mare Art & Outdoor Fest (August), and New Freedom Fest (September). We are always looking for volunteers willing to staff the tables for two hour shifts. Additional festivals are considered each year, depending on availability of volunteers.
Contact the Authority at (717) 428-0999.
Internships
Internships are available for college students majoring in related fields such as geography, parks & recreation, landscape architecture, public relations and marketing. Students are offered a variety of experiences related to trail development as well as skills to prepare them for the workplace. Contact the Authority for more details.
Other Ways to Donate
In addition to monthly, annual, and one-time donations, there are many other ways to support the work of the York County Rail Trail Authority. We invite you to consider the time, talents, and expertise that you may be able to offer, as well as the rewards you will receive in knowing that your volunteer efforts contributed to the success of rail trails in York County, PA.
Get Involved, Meet Other Rail Trail Fans, Participate in Your Passion.
To volunteer, contact the YCRTA at
(717) 428-0999 or
info@yorkcountytrails.org.
Serve on the York County Rail Trail Authority
Although there are currently no openings on YCRTA, we are always interested in learning of residents with special talents who may be interested in serving as a volunteer on the Authority.
Resumes may be directed to: YCRTA, PO Box 335 Seven Valleys, PA 17360 or info@yorkcountytrails.org.
Serve on a Committee
Three committees advise and assist the YCRTA in various ways:
1- The planning committee meets once a month, with the exception of July and August, on the Friday morning prior to YCRTA’s business meetings to review the current work of the Authority, make recommendations on strategic decisions to come before the Authority at its monthly business meetings, and engage in long-term planning.
2- The Hanover Trolley Trail operating committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Authority specifically on the development, funding, maintenance, and operations of the Hanover Trolley Trail.
3- The Pumpkin Walk committee assists with the planning, preparations, staging, and promoting of this annual FUNdraising event.
Attend a monthly business meeting to meet the Authority members and learn how they do their work.
Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month from 6:30 PM-8 PM at Hanover Junction Train Station, 2433 Seven Valleys Rd, Seven Valleys, PA 17360.
Meetings begin with an opportunity for the public to speak to the Authority members about topics relevant to their current work. Public always welcome!
Greet the public at an information booth.
A great way to meet other enthusiastic rail trail users, exchange stories, and talk “rail trail.”
Each year, the Rail Trail Authority hosts several information booths at local festivals in order to meet the public, provide information about our current projects, promote membership in Friends of York County Rail Trail Authority, and encourage public support in many ways. Volunteers are asked to sign up for a minimum 2-hour shift. Schedules are being set up now.
2024 Information Booths
- April 27: Go Green in the City of York;
- May 2 & 3: Give Local York in the City of York
- July 13: Snack Town Street Fair, Hanover
- September TBD: New Freedom Fall Fest
Greet the public at an information booth.
A great way for your business, club, or group to be recognized throughout the York community as a valued supporter of YCRTA.
Sponsorships begin at just $100 and are acknowledged in printed materials, the website and/or during events.
Get your name out there!
Advocacy Learn more about our mission.
Business owners
- Encourage your employees to start walking clubs on local trails
- Organize workplace health fairs that feature York County Trails
- Provide matching funds for employee donations to the trail
- Make corporate donations in support of trail development.
Citizens
- Be an advocate for trail development within your community by attending municipal meetings.
- Speak to elected officials, at all levels of government, about the benefits of trails, including those in York County.
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