Skip to main content

Piney Fork Preserve & Trail - COMING SUMMER 2025!

Overgrown, abandoned railway tracks in a wooded area, covered in moss and surrounded by trees.
Future expansion of the Piney Fork trail will convert the abandoned rail line into a walking and biking path. 

​The Piney Fork area is well known for its role in the coal mining industry, but  often overlooked for its beauty and the natural features that first brought people to the valley.​ Through the generous donation of Jeffco Resources Inc., the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District became the owner of the former rail yard and corridor that extends from the unincorporated village of Piney Fork to State Route 151 near Hopedale, Ohio.  The former rail corridor property follows the Piney Fork stream closely and a large section of the stream is on property. Using the District’s 78 years of expertise as well as the many local, state, and federal partners with which the District collaborates, the plan is to restore, enhance, and conserve Piney Fork and create an area with exceptional biodiversity that can be used for recreation and education.

The Vision

​Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District’s  Piney Fork Trail will be a recreational walking and bicycling trail over the former New York Central rail bed and following the beautiful and meandering Piney Fork stream. Focus will be on restoring the riparian corridor on the property while also providing a place for people  to get outside and experience the tranquility and beauty of nature on bicycle and on foot. The property will be enhanced with native plantings that improve the overall health, beauty, and quality of the ecosystem of the Piney Fork Valley. The trail will extend over four miles and cross over a series of historic bridges. The trail will be for passive use only and vehicular traffic such as UTVs, ATVs and dirtbikes will not be permitted.​ This conservation project will not only preserve the natural elements of the land and waters, but the rich historic fiber of the region and the people who through their lives and work forged the identity of the area.

History of Piney Fork

A man in work attire leans on a bin filled with coal, wearing a cap and gloves, appearing dusty and grimy.

​When land speculators and traders first began to enter Jefferson County in the 1780s, the Mingo tribes told them of an area rich with beaver, game, and sugar trees that was situated around the  fork of a stream that was marked by a large population of  piney–like trees (eastern hemlocks). The area was rich with resources and soon became known as Piney Fork; and the stream originating from that fork became known as the Piney Fork stream. In 1902 when the railroad was built to access the coal fields to the southeast, railroad bridge #4 was built within sight of this confluence that gave the railroad, the nearby village, and the stream its name. The coal fields to the southeast were one of the richest coal fields in the world, and soon a boom town rose from the coal fields named Piney Fork. Immigrants from around the world came here to begin their American Dream and work the coal mines. The mine operation at Piney Fork was so vast and complex that it became known as the underground city and at one point had more light bulbs in it than the city of Paris.  At its zenith the mine employed 1,003 men. The mine closed and the tipple was torn down in 1979. Soon after, the  railroad was discontinued and sold.  Much of the history of the area was lost to the blade of bulldozers.​ Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District hopes to preserve and enhance the historic and natural features of the property for generations to enjoy.

May contain: terminal, railway, train, train station, transportation, vehicle, architecture, building, and person

Sponsorship

​The Piney Fork Trail Project is welcome to sponsorships for benches, signs, trailheads, and native plants. A large project will be the revitalization of the four bridges and there is an opportunity to become a plank sponsor. ​All donations are tax deductible. Call 740.264.970 for more details!

Image Gallery 

A small creek with flowing water, surrounded by moss-covered rocks and leafless trees.
An old, abandoned railway bridge covered in leaves and moss, surrounded by leafless trees in a wooded area.
Brown and white layered mushrooms growing on moss-covered wood.
Rusty plaque on metal surface, reads "King Bridge Co., 1902, Cleveland, Ohio."
May contain: outdoors, creek, nature, stream, water, canal, and ditch
A rusty metal bridge over a small creek surrounded by lush green trees.
A small creek with flowing water, surrounded by moss-covered rocks and leafless trees.
An old, abandoned railway bridge covered in leaves and moss, surrounded by leafless trees in a wooded area.
Brown and white layered mushrooms growing on moss-covered wood.
Rusty plaque on metal surface, reads "King Bridge Co., 1902, Cleveland, Ohio."
May contain: outdoors, creek, nature, stream, water, canal, and ditch
A rusty metal bridge over a small creek surrounded by lush green trees.
Old, overgrown train tracks on a rusty bridge surrounded by trees and fallen leaves.

Become Piney Fork Sponsor

The Piney Fork Trail crosses over 4 historic railroad bridges. Now is your time to get involved and become a Plank Owner! Sponsor a wood plank board that will be used to refinish the decking on these old bridges and have your name engraved on a plaque that will be on the plank on the bridge. A great gift or legacy that will be seen by all who use the trail. Each sponsorship plank is $65.00 each or get two planks for $100.00. All contributions and donations are tax deductible.

Sponsor Here »