Neighbor Spotlight: Penn Hills resident assumes leadership role in 9/11 National Memorial Trail Alliance

Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would like to nominate someone as a Neighbor Spotlight, visit pennhillsprogress.com, select the “Post Story” button in the upper right corner, click the “New Article” button and complete the form to publish your nomination. Questions? Email Neighborhood News Network editor Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.

Jeff McCauley still remembers exactly where he was when he and the rest of the world witnessed the tragedies of September 11 unfold.

“I realized something was off that day,” McCauley, 33, said.

At the time, McCauley was in his ninth grade math class. He said he remembers getting up under the auspice of having to use the restroom. He peaked into the adjacent classroom to see his first glimpse into what was happening. Officials from his school let them out early that day.

When he got home, every channel on TV focused on the World Trade Center towers. He remained glue to the TV.

“That’s when I fully noticed what had occurred and what happened,” he said. “Watching the towers fall on TV was quite stark to see happen.”

Although McCauley, of Penn Hills, is not personally connected to 9/11, he will play a role in the country’s healing process through his responsibility with the 9/11 National Memorial Trail Alliance as its director of trail development.

The trail, a 1,300-mile loop spanning six states, was first conceived of days after Sept. 11, 2001. It is a multiuse circuit whose first leg runs northwest from the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Va., to the Great Allegheny Passage at Cumberland, Md., by following the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

Eventually, it links to the Flight 93 memorial through a rail right-of-way from Garrett, Pa. From there, the trail extends east to New York City’s National September 11 Memorial. The loop ends back at the Pentagon Memorial, using the East Coast Greenway.

McCauley said the entire trail is not finished yet, but it can be used. There are some off-road trails, but most of the system uses trails that are either planned or currently being worked on, he said.

Over the past three years of trail work, McCauley said the 9/11 National Memorial Trail Alliance, a nonprofit, has raised about $560,000 from individuals, foundations, businesses and grants.

But he hopes this year, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack, to get the 1,300-mile trek officially designated as a national memorial trail. Legislation has been introduced by congressmen in Virginia and Pennsylvania.

McCauley moved to Penn Hills five years ago after earning his master’s degree in environmental science and management in 2012 from Duquesne University. He and his fiancée enjoy hiking and biking on local trail systems and parks.

Before Duquesne University, the Hagerstown, Md., native volunteered in the Maryland Conservation Corps for the Maryland Park Service after earning his bachelor’s degree in environmental science at Bridgewater College in Virginia.

His passion for nature and trails grew stronger through his graduate work at Duquesne. That’s where he got started in being trail manager for several stewardship and volunteer projects in the area. He also worked for Friends of the Riverfront in Etna and the Hollow Oak Land Trust in Coraopolis.

“To have the ability and be fortunate enough to do professional work on a trail as important as the 9/11 — I feel a great blessing. And I feel encouraged to do the best job that I can to make sure the trail gets built over six states and Washington, D.C.,” he said.

Thomas Baxter IV, president of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail Alliance, said McCauley has a keen eye for detail that will help in finishing the trail and maintaining it years from now.

“We’re thrilled to have Jeff join our mission of providing a 1,300-mile memorial trail that will forever commemorate the lives lost on September 11,” he said.

For details about the trail and the overall project, visit the organization’s website. To receive a free brochure with information about the trail and a map, email McCauley at jmccauley@911trail.org.