The Ironton Rail-Trail Oversight Commission is planning to expand parking at its trailhead off Chestnut Street, Stiles.

The proposed expansion is the result of the popularity of the existing parking area.

IRT Oversight Commission Officer Ray Bieak said the parking lot presently has space for 30 vehicles. Plans include enlarging the parking area, west of the pavilion, to accommodate an additional 20 vehicles, resulting in 50 parking spots.

Bieak said grading for the parking lot expansion will take place in 2015 and in 2016 the parking area will be paved.

The Coplay Parkway paved parking lot, located next to the Saylor Cement Kilns, is another starting point for the public using the trail.

It is heavily used at the noon lunch hours and on weekends. It is located next to the restored Ironton Railroad caboose, Bieak said.

According to Bieak, paving on the trail west of the trailhead at the juncture near MacArthur Road has recently been completed. Paving of the trail in North Whitehall is also expected to take place in the future.

The IRT Oversight Commission will again hold its annual fundraising walk-run in conjunction with Coplay Community Days in August 2015. The event will be held in the morning.