Mary Carol Dearing has served as the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail's Friends Leader for Springville since 2016, promoting the trail by hosting numerous public events, and working with local groups to expand the trail beyond the original Pop Warner Trail.

Born in Buffalo, Mary Carol grew up in the Northtowns area. She is the youngest of 6 children, with most of her siblings living in Western New York.

After earning her Masters degree at SUNY Albany, she worked primarily as a school social worker in the Williamsville school district for over 30 years. Mary Carol moved to Springville in 2015 and she retired 2 years later.

Mary Carol and her partner, George, now live in the Town of Concord where they strive to steward and restore the native habitat of their property. She loves to hike, cross-country ski and snowshoe, and enjoys spending many hours outside in her garden.

Mary Carol is an active member of several community organizations in Springville, including Grow with Springville and Springville Center for the Arts. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Art’s Cafe and manages their rooftop garden. She loves to hike the ECRT trail in Springville and Concord with friends.

Mary Carol believes each section of the trail offers a unique view into its community. In Springville, the old industrial buildings along the Pop Warner Warner Trail serve as a backdrop to the recent Sculpture Alley, where several outdoor sculptures and painted murals line the trail (an initiative of Springville Center for the Arts).

“The potential for the trail, especially for this community of Springville, is beyond measurable,” Mary Carol relates. She continues to be a major force in its development.