John and Carolyn Shuster have fond memories of their young sons exploring the ravine carved by Buffalo Creek near their home in Butler County.

That land along the stream was part of a farm that had belonged to Mrs. Shuster's family since 1914. The couple recently donated more than five acres of their property to Buffalo Township for inclusion in the Butler-Freeport Community Trail. The trail, built on a former railroad line, follows the Buffalo and Little Buffalo creeks for much of its way north to its end point in Butler.

While close to their house in Buffalo Township, the 5.4-acre tract the Shusters donated lies about 300 feet lower in the creek valley and is actually in neighboring South Buffalo, Armstrong County.

"I can't hoof it up and down that hill anymore," Mr. Shuster said. "But it's great to know that people will be able to continue to enjoy the land."

Although the parcel is in South Buffalo, the Shusters donated it to Buffalo, which owns the Butler-Freeport Trail. The other municipalities through which the trail passes, adjoining landowners and a volunteer trail council all help to maintain the trail.

"We thought that donating the land would be a nice way to honor my wife's family," Mr. Shuster said. The land was part of a 60-acre farm purchased by Mrs. Shuster's grandparents, Matthew and Lena Brabetz, and then passed on to her late parents, Tony and Dolly Brabetz.

"We knew that Buffalo Township would take good care of it," he said.

"It's a beautiful piece of land," said Dan Przybylek, chairman of the Buffalo supervisors. "It's our hope that other families that own land adjacent to the trail may be encouraged to make similar donations."

The trail is for walkers, joggers and bicyclists.

The tract donated by the Shusters is about two miles north of the start of the trail in Freeport, close to where Route 28 crosses Buffalo Creek.

Almost 17 miles have been completed so far, and Buffalo supervisors voted last month to seek a $250,000 state grant to pay for materials to complete the final 4.5 miles.

When completed, it will be about 21.5 miles long, linking Freeport and Butler via South Buffalo, Buffalo, Winfield, Jefferson, Summit and Butler Township.

The completed portions of the trail have a top layer of crushed limestone. The final section, starting at Bonnie Brook Road, northwest of the village of Herman, lacks both the limestone surface and good drainage. Riding or walking is much rougher.

"It's open, but you have to have a sense of adventure ... and probably a mountain bike," said Chris Ziegler, president of the trail council. The all-volunteer council has about 530 members.

Officials hope to hear by November about their grant proposal from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

If the state money comes through, Mrs. Ziegler predicted the trail could be finished next year. "I can see the trail from my house, and I am amazed at how much use it gets," she said.

The project initially had been opposed by some adjoining property owners, but many former opponents have now joined in maintaining the trail, she said.

Other help has come from a variety of sources, she said.

The Pittsburgh Foundation provided a $1,000 grant to pay for trailhead gates to keep motor vehicles off the trail. A local Girl Scout made trail information boards for the Herman post office.

Butler County's probation office has provided nonviolent offenders to do community service work, picking up trash and cutting brush along the trail.

Volunteers from National City Bank will put up bulletin boards and plant flowers this month. Bank employees also will work on trail projects during this fall's United Way Day of Caring.

"What I like seeing are all the families using the trail," Buffalo Supervisor John Haven said. "My wife and I were out there one Sunday with our granddaughter in a stroller. We talked with moms, dads, grandmas and grandpops, teenagers and grandchildren."

The Shuster tract lies in the flood plain, and Mr. Haven said township officials plan to leave the land mostly untouched. "We may add a few picnic tables or a few benches," he said. "It also offers great access to fishing in the creek. There's all kind of bass in there."

The Butler-Freeport Trail serves as a symbol of intermunicipal cooperation, officials said, with communities donating labor, materials and expertise.

Both Mr. Haven and Mr. Przybylek praised Butler County's Parks and Recreation Director Gary L. Pinkerton for his help with preparing the latest state grant application.

"The trail is a regional resource that will grow in value," Mr. Przybylek said. "School districts could offer nature study and environmental courses. There are lots of people, including my wife, who use it every day.

"When it is completed, the trail will be a recreational and environmental asset for all of southeastern Butler County."