Commissioner, Local Officials and Rails-to-Trails Advocates, Walk Along the First Leg of the Luzerne County National Recreation Trail

(Jenkins Township) - On May 9th, 2007, Luzerne County Commission Chairman Gregory A. Skrepenak joined Luzerne County Environment and Recreation Director Andy Gegaris and Public Information Officer Kathy Bozinski, elected officials from Jenkins Township and other local municipalities as well as rails-to-trails advocates from Luzerne County for a stroll along the first completed section of the Luzerne County National Recreation Trail.  The 1.8 mile stretch of abandoned railroad bed, which runs along the scenic Susquehanna River between the Port Griffith section of Jenkins Township and downtown Pittston, passes by a number of historic sites, including the site of the Knox Mine Disaster.  The tragic disaster claimed 12 lives when water from the river broke through to adjacent mines, ending the coal mining industry in the Wyoming Valley.  The Luzerne County National Recreation Trail was formally opened to the public for walking, jogging and biking on June 2nd, 2007.