Five Star Trail

Coordinates: 40°18′32″N 79°31′55″W / 40.309°N 79.532°W / 40.309; -79.532

Five Star Trail
Westmoreland County in Pennsylvania
Length 7.76 mi (12.5 km)
Location Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Designation Rail Trail
Trailheads Greensburg, Pennsylvania,
Youngwood, Pennsylvania,
Spur to Armbrust, Pennsylvania
Use Hiking, Biking, Jogging, Cross country skiing, Handicap access
Hiking details
Season Year-Round
Hazards Severe Weather, Trains (adjacent to trail); Road Crossings
Website Five Star Trail

The Five Star Trail runs nearly 8 miles through Westmoreland County, in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The trail is alongside an active railroad track, Southwestern Pennsylvania Railroad, that stretches between Lynch Field, a Greensburg city park and Youngwood. The trail then spurs off eastward to connect with the campus of Westmoreland County Community College and continues on to Armbrust.[1]

Background

In 1995, the trail corridor was purchased from Conrail by The Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation. The municipalities of Greensburg, South Greensburg, Southwest Greensburg, Youngwood, and Hempfield, along with The Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation Department are all partners in the trail project. The trail is named in honor of these five towns. The trail is kept clean by PA Cleanways. There are volunteers that help maintain the trail and there is a Poker Run held annually along the trail.[1][2][3]

Points of interest

The trail accommodates walking, hiking, jogging, bicycling, and cross country skiing. Other points of interest include:[1][4]

  • Park at Lynch Field
    • (Park with pool, playground, a few war relics - including an Apache helicopter)
  • Sports complex in Greensburg
  • Youngblood Trail Station (museum focused on local railroad history)
  • Depot Street, (a 1.5-mile paved walkway with old rail cars, including a converted caboose)
  • Youngwood Campus of Westmoreland County Community College

Parking and trail access

The trailhead is located at the Westmoreland County Community College, on College Avenue across from the baseball field. The trail is accessible to the handicapped and is pet friendly.[1][4] Additionally, there are multiple access points located off Route 119:

  • Lynch Field (Greensburg)
  • Huff Avenue (South Greensburg)
  • Willow Crossing Road/Shady Lane (Hempfield)
  • Trolley Line Avenue (Youngwood)
  • Depot Street (Youngwood)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Five Star Trail Pennsylvania". Trail Link. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Five Star Trail". Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007.
  3. ↑ "Five Star Trail Poker Run". Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation. July 19, 2014. Archived from the original on October 1, 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Five Star Trail in Westmoreland County PA". In Westmoreland. Retrieved October 1, 2014.


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