Vice president Bob Abbott and Secretary Ray Bieak of the Ironton Rail Trail Oversight Commission recently visited members and guests of the Whitehall Historical Preservation Society, giving a presentation on the benefits of the 9.2-mile Ironton Rail Trail.

The Ironton Rail Trail Oversight Commission "is responsible for administration, maintenance and operations of the rail trail, and we're an intermunicipal organization," Abbott said at the March 25 meeting. "We have [many] responsibilities, and we have a budget to work with."

Both Abbott and Bieak represent the Whitehall Township portion of the rail trail. North Whitehall Township and the Borough of Coplay also make up the entirety of the trail.

Throughout the trail, walkers and runners can view 39 memorial locations, including benches, trees and rocks.

There are currently two active grants for the Ironton Rail Trail. The first grant, known as the Livengood Project, aims to construct a trail path from Portland Street to the North Whitehall Township Municipal athletic facilities.

"Awarding of the grant will occur after a [Department of Conservation and Natural Resources] review and approval of the bid specifications," Bieak said.

The Livengood Project bid totals $528,000.

Construction is scheduled to take place through August. The grant will provide a 600- to 900-foot extension from the basketball courts near the North Whitehall Township building to the parking area on Levans Road.

According to Bieak, this would "extend the trail from the end point of the Livengood Project past the athletic fields to a proposed trailhead at Levans Road."

The grant requests $12,500. The commission would also be seek another $12,500 through in-kind services and cash.

"The Ironton Rail Trail is one of the few trails around here that gets plowed out after a snowstorm," Bieak said.

Because of this accommodation, Bieak noted many individuals visit the trail, coming as far as Easton, Coopersburg and Quakertown.

Founded in 1996, the Ironton Rail Trail will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year.

"This is your trail," Abbott said. "And it's also a great quality-of-life item that we're fortunate to have here in the township and in the borough."

Whitehall Historical Preservation Society meetings are held at the Helfrich Springs Grist Mill, Mickley and Lehnert roads, the last Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m.