When Keith Arner committed to running the Pittsburgh Marathon in 2023, he hit the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Millvale regularly.
Fast-forward three years, and the O’Hara resident is still running. But now he spends more time on the trail making sure it’s at its best for other walkers and bikers.
As a volunteer for Friends of the Riverfront, the nonprofit that oversees the 35-mile trail, Arner dedicates a few days a week to picking up litter, pulling weeds and clearing brush.
He has spent the past six months cutting vines from sycamore trees on a half-mile stretch near Millvale Riverfront Park.
“When I retired about two years ago, I was trying to figure out how to fill my time,” said Arner, 51, who spent his career as a software engineer. “A lot of things I was reading said that new retirees tend to find purpose in service of others.”
Arner said he tried “this and that,” but when he started spending more time running, he began noticing work crews along the trail.
“I thought maybe I could pitch in and help,” he said. “I found that it was something I really enjoyed and started showing up more often.”
His efforts earned him Friends’ Volunteer of the Month award, with leaders lauding his dedication.
“Keith has become a regular volunteer with us, committing his time and energy to beautifying Allegheny County riverfronts since 2024,” said Alex Toner, director of trail stewardship. “Last year, he attended 31 public trail-care events across the Heritage Trail system — the most of any of our volunteers.”
In addition, Arner became a trail steward, logging more than 50 hours on invasive vine removal. He also completed a chainsaw certification class.
“It’s because of dedicated and skilled volunteers like Keith that the Three Rivers Heritage and Water Trails remain safe, accessible and clean for millions of trail users year-round,” Toner said.
When he first began running along the trail, Arner said, he would look around at the wall of greenery and think it was a robust display of nature.
“I didn’t realize it was the invasive species doing a whole lot of choking out the trees,” he said.
“I developed a keener sense for what should be there, and I made it my mission to save them.”
The work continues all year, even during the winter months. Trail-care events are scheduled several times each month for volunteers to collect litter, remove stickers and graffiti and perform general trail maintenance.
Most of the year, Arner is on the trails twice a week. That’s in addition to cleanups closer to home at Salamander Park in Fox Chapel, where he is helping the borough’s park commission remove highly invasive privet bushes.
“My job as a software engineer was very abstract,” Arner said. “It was difficult to show or explain it to people. With this, I can show a tree shrouded in vines and spend 45 minutes clearing, and it’s a visible display. It’s a nice change of pace.
“It’s also nice to get out on the trails and see the trees healthy. Others have commented that the trees look good so, that makes me feel good.”
