Stop the Invasion! Scrambling Up Steps you can take to help Breakneck? protect our native species. Our trail stewards are there with tips, maps, and water. READ MORE ON PAGE 9 READ MORE ON PAGE 2

Summer 2014 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference — Connecting People with Nature since 1920 www.nynjtc.org E K N A R F

B O K A WJ e Open a Great New Trail that Links the Village of Phoenicia to Catskill High Peaks

fter decades of planning, three years mountains building trail and leading teams north of Minnewaska State Park Preserve, of field work, and close to 10,000 of volunteers. Special thanks go to them in the Vernooy Kill State Forest. Stay tuned. Ahours of trail building by more than and to the Long Distance Trails Crew and 100 volunteers, the new 9-mile stretch of the Jolly Rovers, which contributed their The Trail Long Path in the Slide Mountain Wilder - technical expertise to building sections of From Woodland Valley, follow the red- ness Area of the Catskill Mountains the trail over several work outings. blazed Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide trail (and opened on National Trails Day, June 7. Martin Brand, the NYSDEC Region 3 former LP route) up Wittenberg Mountain More than 70 people, including represen - Director, thanked everyone for their hard to the new junction with the new Long tatives of the Trail Conference, NYS Dept. work and looks forward to more projects. Path section (below the Wittenberg sum - of Environmental Conservation, and He also formally announced the com - mit). The new trail section will be blazed Catskill partner organizations attended the mencement of the DEC/Trail Conference with blue DEC footpath markers and is ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Lane Street Catskill Conservation Corps partnership Jakob Franke and Andy Garrison considered an extension of the Phoenicia- trailhead in Phoenicia. The new trail section (see page 10). (second and third from left) cut the East Branch Trail; LP blazes will appear replaces 5 miles of road walk and 2.8 miles Jeff Senterman, Senior Program Coordi - ribbon opening the trail. only at junctions. Turn left to hike the new of Burroughs Range Trail with a beautiful, nator for the Trail Conference, says, “This trail north toward Phoenicia. The trail rugged route over Cross Mountain, Mount project is a stunning example of what is expand the trail network when necessary.” appears as a dotted line (under construc - Pleasant, and Romer Mountain, offering possible when Trail Conference volunteers This project was also the first time that tion) on the 2013 edition of the Catskill viewpoints along the way. Access is either and staff collaborate with the DEC. the Trail Conference fielded week-long serv - Trails map set. A map of the new trail can from Lane Street in Phoenicia or the Wood - Thanks to our volunteers we have built a ice trips to help complete the project, most be downloaded from our website. land Valley State Campground parking area. trail that sets a new standard for quality and of which was a long, hard climb to access. Long Path Trail Co-chairs Jakob Franke sustainability in the Catskills. We look for - With this project complete, Andy and and Andy Garrison not only organized this ward to continuing our partnership with Jakob are turning their sights to their next ambitious project, but spent weeks in the the DEC to improve existing trails and big thing: a new off-road route for the LP

Friends of Van Cortlandt Park What New Federal Accessibility Guidelines Mean for Our Trails Put Young People to Trail Work Trail volunteers and trail users alike have been asking questions and expressing concerns about the impact new federal accessibility guidelines for outdoor recreation areas may have on our trails. Ama Koenigshof, our Trail Builder/Educator, here writes about the rationale behind the guidelines and how they do, or don’t, impact our trail work. A version of the article that includes discussion of technical trail requirements can be found on our website: nynjtc.org, Community tab, then Resources for Volunteers. By Ama Koenigshof There are 57 million people in the United States with disabilities. As our population ages, this number increases. When you consider the family and friends of people with disabilities who want to do recreation - al activities together, the percentage of the R E

L population affected is very large. T U B

But it’s not just people with disabilities N H

O who appreciate accessible trails. As I have J Our member group’s volunteer crew at the end of a hard day of work. seen over and over while building trails on Find story on page 8 Bear Mountain, people are looking for opportunities to get outdoors with the whole family on paths they can walk VOLUME XLI, N UMBER 3 ISSN 0749-1352 together, regardless of their age or fitness level. Though the federal Outdoor Devel - oped Area Accessibility Guidelines were R

produced with wheel chairs in mind, they I E W

increase the accessibility of a trail for every E T T type of user. E G R O

For all these reasons, a group of accessi - E bility experts, trail builders, and G The author measures a trail’s cross slope continued on page 8 during a workshop. Page 2 Summer 2014 What’s New at Darlington HQ? VOLUME XLI, NO.3 SUMMER 2014

GEORGETTE WEIR EDITOR LOU LEONARDIS GRAPHIC DESIGNER TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970-100) (ISSN 0749-1352) is published quarterly by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as a benefit of membership. Subscriptions are available to libraries only at $15.00 a year. Periodical postage paid at Mahwah, N.J., and additional offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to the address below. Opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily represent the policy or position of the Conference. Contributions of typed manuscripts, photos, and drawings are welcome. Manuscripts may be edited for style and length. Send SASE for writers’ guidelines. Submission deadlines for the TRAIL WALKER are January 15 (Spring issue), May 15 (Summer issue), August 15 (Fall issue), November 15 (Winter issue). Unsolicited contributions cannot be acknowledged unless accompanied by SASE. For information on advertising rates, please write or call. Copyright 2014 by: New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Inc. 156 Ramapo Valley Road (Rt. 202) R

Mahwah, NJ 07430 A G P A

201-512-9348 Y

email: [email protected] M E R

editorial email: [email protected] E J World Wide Web: www.nynjtc.org The Walls Are Up! • Select trees were downed to make way early stages—has been formally renamed for the addition and designed landscape; the Grzybowski Preserve. Through the By mid-May, anyone passing the Darling - • Footings, concrete foundation, and generosity of an anonymous donor, world- ton Schoolhouse could see the expanded framing have been finished for the new renowned environmental sculptor George building taking shape. addition ; Trakas has been engaged to design the Other progress since we last reported in • The water main and sleeves for nature preserve. these pages: geothermal piping have been stubbed Trakas is known for his artistic transfor - Mission Statement • Crawl space in both the existing build - through the foundation; mation of a water treatment plant at The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a ing and addition has been completed; Native fieldstone removed from the boil - Newtown Creek, the design of Beacon federation of member clubs and individuals dedicated to providing recreational hiking • Structural steel frame has been installed er room and garage were stockpiled to build Point in Beacon, NY, and many other opportunities in the region, and representing the to reinforce the chimney on both the first a dry stone, free standing wall on site later. locations. interests and concerns of the hiking community. and second floors; Black locust, maple, and ash trees were set Please call the Trail Conference office The Conference is a volunteer-directed public • Installation of both the electrical cables aside for future use, such as benches. at 201-512-9348 for any construction service organization committed to: • Developing, building, and maintaining and installation of the sprinkler system has The landscape around the building— questions or ways to volunteer at the hiking trails. begun; designated the Riparian Restoration Darlington Schoolhouse. • Protecting hiking trail lands through Landscape and Wood Turtle Habitat in support and advocacy. • Educating the public in the responsible use of trails and the natural environment.

Board of Directors Chris Connolly Chair Gaylord Holmes Vice Chair We Launch Richard Levine Treasurer Daniel Chazin Secretary Directors Expanded Walter Daniels Richard Levine Christine DeBoer Edward Saiff Charlotte Fahn Dave Stuhr Suzan Gordon Daniel Van Engel Trail Steward James Gregoire Ned Whitney Daniel Hoberman Patsy Wooters Richard Katzive Program at Staff Edward Goodell Executive Director Joshua Howard Deputy Executive Breakneck Director Don Weise Development Director Ridge Melissa Bean Operations & Finance Director Linda Rohleder Land Stewardship Director If you are planning to hike at Breakneck For a full list of staff visit Ridge this summer, stop and say Hi! to R www.nynjtc.org/content/staff Trail Stewards from the New York-New I E W

Jersey Trail Conference. E The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a T T E

volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It is Starting on the Memorial Day holiday G R O a federation of 103 hiking and outdoor groups, weekend in May, teams of trail stewards E and 10,000 individuals. G began greeting hikers at the foot of the 2014 Trail Stewards, back: Brian Trago and Matt Decker; front, Karen Melanson, Malachy printed on recycled content paper “most popular trail in North America,” or Labrie-Cleary, and Kali Bird with Trail Conference volunteer Fred Stern, our Trail Supervisor hiking along trails on the ridge, sharing for Hudson Highlands State Park. PLEASE RECYCLE TRAIL WALKER information to help visitors enjoy this spec - tacular Hudson Valley destination: how to The Stewards will be sharing photos and hike safely, good trail routes, hiking eti - View Trail Steward experiences via the Trail Conference quette, and how to support hiking trails in Twitter account, twitter.com/NYNJTC our region. Kali Bird’s one-minute (#BreakneckRidge). Follow it to keep up Five trail stewards will be assisting hikers lesson on how to identify with weekend news from Breakneck. during the weekends through the Colum - This year’s Trail Stewards are: Kali Bird bus Day Weekend. The program was tested poison ivy on of Kingston, who launched last year’s pro - for one month last summer, during which www.youtube.com/nynjtc. gram; Matt Decker of Beacon, Malachy two stewards helped equip more than Labrie-Cleary of Cold Spring, Karen 5,000 visitors with maps and information, Video by Krysti Sabins Melanson of Hopewell Junction, and Brian answered hundreds of questions about of Unboring Exploring. Tragno of Union City, NJ. local flora, fauna, and history, steered The Trail Conference is pleased to be dozens of visitors back onto trails they had working with Hudson Highlands State missed, and assisted multiple injured hik - 2,000 people scramble up Breakneck Ridge Park on this project to connect with hikers ers. Neither NYS Parks nor local each week. Many of them arrive by train at right on the trail and improve the trail emergency responders received a single call Metro-North’s Breakneck Ridge weekend experience for everyone. We thank our from Breakneck hikers while the stewards whistle stop. The railroad makes three stops Beacon-based retail partner MountainTops were on duty. in each direction on weekends, and hun - for their support of the program. The success of the program inspired dreds of hikers may get off on peak days. To learn more about hiking at Breakneck financial and in-kind support from several On their first weekend this year, the stew - and about getting involved as a trail volun - donors for an expanded program this year. ards counted 343 hikers going up the teer, visit www.nynjtc.org/breakneck Based on counts made by stewards last Breakneck Ridge Trail (white) on a rain- year, the Trail Conference estimates that in threatening Saturday, 816 on Sunday, and the pleasant-weather months more than 1004 on a sunny Monday holiday. Summer 2014 Page 3 From the Executive Director popular trailhead in Hudson Highlands intruding development on the Palisades PEOPLE FOR TRAILS State Park, sharing information, maps, cliffs or the Shawangunk Ridge, or casino Spring was a water, and helping to make at least one res - proposals adjacent to Harriman and in the cue of an injured hiker. midst of Sterling Forest State Parks, a whirlwind and At Ramapo College, our New Jersey strong grass roots advocacy strategy is our the forecast is Program Coordinator Peter Dolan made most effective (and most American) great progress toward our goal of creating a approach. We are always in need of more for more of student trail crew as an extracurricular advocacy volunteers prepared to educate the same program at the college. Faculty and admin - themselves and the decision makers. istrators have been supportive, and students Trail Builder and Educator Ama have been engaged, several of them working Koenigshof has not only been training our 50 Trail U workshops during on trail projects through the summer. new Corps members and giving Trail U March, April, and May, with In the Catskills, Senior Program Coordi - workshops, she has been busy educating Susan Holmberg 394 participants. nator Jeff Senterman continues to build herself and many of our partners about the Mahwah, NJ Sixteen AmeriCorps members who were strong partnerships with state agencies, implications of new federal guidelines accepted into Year 2 of our Conservation local nonprofits, and business organiza - regarding trail accessibility. In addition to A reflection: I had always taken Corps program were given extensive tions to promote outdoor trail recreation that, Ama is the leading force behind the for granted that I could enjoy the training in trail building, volunteer develop - and tourism in the region. He has also been ongoing restoration of our Harriman trails peace and serenity of our ment, and wilderness first aid. They are supporting our very energetic Long Path camp, formally known as the Welch Trails beautiful wooded trails any time I now in the field improving our trails and volunteers as they worked feverishly to Education Center. This camp is home to wanted. I never thought about welcoming new volunteers to work along - complete construction of 9 miles of new most of our Corps members during their how those trails stayed in such side them. Four are assigned to the Palisades trail over three mountains that now con - service period, as it is for visiting volunteers pristine condition. Crew at Sterling Forest and will continue to nect the Village of Phoenicia to the Catskill and crews. build and improve trails at the Doris Duke High Peaks. Jeff is also leading an initiative Our other construction project—the When I broke my back in a car Wildlife Sanctuary at Sterling Forest State with support from New York State Dept. of Darlington Schoolhouse Headquarters—is accident last September, the Park. Four are working in our East Hudson Environmental Conservation, to create a moving quickly ahead. The walls are up, neurosurgeons were very area, building our new Taconic Crew and Catskill Conservation Corps of volunteers the roof is on, the plumbing and electrical surprised to find both of my legs improving trails in Fahnestock and Hudson working with DEC to protect and improve infrastructure are being installed, the fully functioning. Thanks to my Highlands State Parks. Four are working on lands and waters in the Catskills and create geothermal wells are about to be drilled, trail fitness and a healthy the Appalachian Trail at Bear Mountain. additional access for residents and visitors. and we can now really picture ourselves lifestyle, I was able to get back to And four are working with Land Steward - Our Publications Committee published working in new quarters. work in less than half the time ship Director Linda Rohleder and the two new editions of popular guidebooks— How can we accomplish so much so predicted by the doctors. Invasives Strike Force on projects in New Walkable Westchester and Hiking Long quickly? Because we have great supporters, York and New Jersey. Island . Daniel Chazin, with support from great volunteers, and great staff. Thank you An appreciation: After this past Our East Hudson Program Coordinator key volunteers, produced new editions of one and all. challenging winter, I am eager to Hank Osborn is expanding upon last year’s 50 Hikes in the Lower Hudson Valley and 50 experience the gift of vitality I successful hiker education initiative at Hikes in New Jersey for The Countryman always feel when traversing the Breakneck Ridge trailhead. Five trail stew - Press. Dan and the Trail Conference are hills and valleys, streams and rock ards were hired and trained to welcome listed as authors. faces. Today I realize that this and educate hikers at Breakneck Ridge. In We continue to be reminded about the — Edward Goodell privilege is afforded me through their very first weekend—Memorial Day importance of advocacy for protecting Executive Director the generosity of volunteers and weekend—these enthusiastic young peo - trails and improving access. Whether for [email protected] donors who allow me to enjoy ple encountered 2,163 hikers at this very park and open space budgets or against this luxury. For decades, volunteers and hiking clubs have come together through the Trail Conference, 74-Mile Endurance Trail News, Conservation, and Advocacy giving their time and sweat to create a diverse trail system for Race To Celebrate all to enjoy, now and for years to Harriman Trails Access: For trail alerts and updates about come. They build the bridges, Gunks Greenway The Committee Reports Harriman-Bear Mountain, bookmark clear the fallen trees, cut back On April 22, the Harriman Trails Access nynjtc.org/content/trail-alerts-harriman - overgrowth, and work with Committee met with Jim Hall, Executive bear-mountain hundreds of landowners to keep Director of PIPC, and David Barone, trails open. And they’re looking General Park Manager, to review sugges - Crowds Pack Englewood Cliffs out for our interests, protecting tions for improving parking and access to Master Plan Hearing parks and trails from abuse, trails in the park. The committee formed A dark and stormy night did not stop encroachment and countless after the winter closing of the Orange hundreds of people from descending on a other threats. County section of Route 106 in the park. meeting of the Englewood Cliffs plan - Although the park is unable to plow ning board May 1 to offer their views, Giving thanks: I urge you to join Route 106 due to limited equipment and pro and con, on proposed changes to the me in supporting over 1,300 Trail personnel, they are negotiating with an borough’s master plan. Not all got in. The Conference volunteers who make outside contractor to keep this section of changes under consideration would per - over 2,000 miles of trails happen, Route 106 open during the winter. mit more tall buildings—up to 150 with your gift to the Trail The park also agreed to consider feet—such as those approved for LG Conference. expanding and improving existing park - Electronics. It was later reported that the To make a gift to support the ing areas where feasible, adding several borough council was considering a non- trails you and your family and September 19-21, 2014 new small rustic parking areas to allow binding referendum on the zoning friends love and enjoy, please additional access to existing trails, and changes in November. Follow this issue at go to nynjtc.org/donate now The Shawangunk Ridge Trail now extends will explore the possibility of new con - www.protectthepalisades.org 74 miles, from High Point State Park in necting trails that would link existing New Jersey all the way to the Wallkill Val - Lake Welch and Kanawauke Boat ley Rail Trail and the rail trail trestle in Launch parking areas with the existing Rosendale. To draw attention to the trail network. This is dependent upon the extended trail and the need to continue ability to identify acceptable safe and sus - protection efforts for the Gunks Greenway tainable routes that meet modern trail through which it passes, a running/hiking requirements. event is planned for September 19-21. Additionally, they will be working to N A L

Registration is now open. improve signage to indicate pedestrian O D

R

Ed Goodell, Trail Conference Executive (hiker) crossings, directions to parking E T E Director, notes, “The Trail Conference has areas, and the reason for road or parking P taken a leadership position in preserving area closures. Trail Conference supporters wait in the the Shawangunk Mountains. Proposed Independent of this committee’s work, rain to attend a Palisades hearing. developments continue to threaten the the park has made many recent improve - integrity of the Gunks Greenway and the ments, e.g., re-paving roads, paving the NYS Moves Toward September SRT in multiple areas. Through athletic Elk Pen, and keeping the south lot at Bear Hunt in Catskills events like SRT Run/Hike and other activ - Anthony Wayne open (not plowed) dur - Despite concerns expressed by the Trail ities, we intend to build popular awareness ing the winter. Conference and others about the impact of and rally popular support behind preser - As of June 11, the R-D, Victory, and a new, peak foliage bear hunting season vation of this distinctive natural area.” White Bar parking areas have been in the Catskills may have on other tourist SRT Run/Hike has three divisions: a enlarged and greatly improved by filling activities, such as hiking, New York DEC complete 74-mile crossing of the SRT for and leveling. The Sebago Boat Launch announced in May that it is moving seasoned ultra-runners and ultra-light thru- Parking lot has been enlarged, cleared of ahead with its plan by writing the regula - hikers, and 32- and 20-mile divisions which encroaching brush, paved, and further tions that would implement it. One more will appeal to trail runners and hikers with landscaped. round of public comments extends until a range of abilities. More information is Find the full report of the committee at July 7. Visit http://www.nynjtc.org/ available at www.srtrunhike.com and http://www.nynjtc.org/news/harriman - view/issues, to find more about this issue. www.facebook.com/srtrunhke bear-mountain-trails-access-report-andre continued on page 7 commendations . Page 4 Summer 2014 Hikers’ These clubs and organizations support trails by being members of the Trail Conference. Visit their websites to see their activities. Directory To add your organization to the list, contact Joanne Reinhardt, [email protected].

Catskills Long Island New Jersey Passaic AMC Mohawk Hudson Chapter Nassau Bergen ADK Long Island www.wsg.net/amc German-American Hiking Club ADK North Jersey Ramapo Chapter www.adkli.org Catskill Center for Conservation http://gah.nynjtc.org www.hudsonhikers.org Interstate Hiking Club & Development Mosaic Outdoor Mountain Club Adventures for Women www.interstatehikingclub.org www.catskillcenter.org ny.audubon.org www.AdventuresforWomen.org The Highlands Natural Pool Catskill Mountain Club Nassau Hiking and Outdoor Club Boy Scout Troop 50 Mahwah www.highlandsnaturalpool.org www.catskillmountainclub.org www.nassauhiking.org MAHWAHtroop50.scoutlander.com West Milford 13ers Catskill 3500 Club Valley Stream Hiking Club Boy Scouts of America-Northern NJ www.weishike.com www.catskill-3500-club.org [email protected] Council Weis Wyanokie Wanderers Church Communities Foundation Suffolk www.nnjbsa.org www.saltshakersrun.com www.bruderhof.com East Hampton Trails Preservation Society Closter Nature Center Association Somerset Long Path North Hiking Club www.ehtps.org www.closternaturecenter.org University Outing Club www.schoharie-conservation.org Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference Flat Rock Brook Nature Association www.universityoutingclub.org Rip Van Winkle Hikers hike-ligreenbelt.org www.flatrockbrook.org Sussex http://newyorkheritage.com/rvw Friends of Garret Mountain Byram Township Environmental Sullivan County Audubon Society Metro www.friendsofgarretmountain.blogspot.com Commission www.sullivanaudubon.org Bronx Friends of the Hackensack River www.byramtwp.org Friends of Pelham Bay Park SUNY Oneonta Outing Club Greenway in Teaneck Rock Lodge Club www.pelhambaypark.org www.oneonta.edu/outdoors Hike for Mental Health www.rocklodge.com Friends of Van Cortlandt Park http://www.hikeformentalhealth.org Salt Shakers Trail Running Club Connecticut http://vancortlandt.org/ www.saltshakersrun.com New Haven New Jersey Search & Rescue Inc. Urban Trail Conference, Inc. www.njsar.org Union New Haven Hiking Club www.urbantrail.org www.NHHC.info Palisades Nature Association Union County department of Parks & Kings www.njpalisades.org/greenbrook.htm Community Renewal Boy Scout Troop 8, Brooklyn www.ucnj.org/community/parks- East Hudson Tenafly Nature Center Association community-renewal/parks-facilities Dutchess New York Ramblers www.tenaflynaturecenter.org www.nyramblers.org ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter Essex Warren www.midhudsonadk.org Warren County Morris Canal Committee Women About Hilltop Conservancy, Inc. www.womenabout.org Jolly Rovers www.hilltopconservancy.org Shawangunks http://jollyrovers.org New York South Mountain Conservancy Inc. Ulster RPHC Volunteers ADK New York Chapter www.somocon.org Friends of The Shawangunks timtrek.mikentim.com www.adkny.org St. Benedicts Prep Backpacking Project http://shawangunks.org Sierra Club Mid-Hudson Group AMC New York North Jersey Chapter www.sbp.org Mohonk Preserve www.newyork.sierraclub.org/midhudson www.amc-ny.org Hunterdon www.mohonkpreserve.org Wappingers Greenway Trail Committee Chinese Mountain Club of New York Hunterdon Hiking Club Putnam www.cmcny.org www.hunterdonhikingclub.org West Hudson Nelsonville Greenway Committee New York Alpine Club Musconetcong Mountain Conservancy Orange www.villageofnelsonville.org/ www.nyalpine.com http://mmc.nynjtc.org Bellvale School greenway_new.html New York City Audubon Society, Inc. Middlesex Black Rock Forest Consortium Inc. www.nycaudobon.org www.blackrockforest.org Westchester East Coast Greenway Alliance ADK Mohican Chapter New York Hiking Club www.greenwaynj.org Boy Scout Troop 121-Hudson Valley Council www.adkmohican.org http://nyh.nynjtc.org Monmouth Fox Hill School Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct, Inc. Shorewalkers Inc. Monmouth County Park System Storm King Adventure Tours http://aqueduct.org www.shorewalkers.org www.monmouthcountyparks.com www.stormkingadventures.com Hudson Highlands Gateway Task Force Society for the Advancement of Judaism Morris Rockland www.TownofCortlandt.com www.thesaj.org Morris County Park Commission Boy Scouts of America, Troop 21 Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Outings Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society www.morrisparks.net The Nature Place Day Camp Committee www.sundanceoutdoor.org Protect Our Wetlands, Water & Woods thenatureplace.com www.newyork.sierraclub.org/outings The Outdoor Club, Inc. (POW) Torne Valley Preservation Association Sierra Club Lower Hudson Group www.outdoorsclub.info http://box292.bluehost.com/~powwworg www.newyork.sierraclub.org/lhg Queens TriState Ramblers Pennsylvania Teatown Lake Reservation Alley Pond Environmental Center http://tsr.nynjtc.org Northampton www.teatown.org www.alleypond.com AMC Delaware Valley Chapter Town of Lewisboro Thendara Mountain Club www.amcdv.org www.lewisborogov.com www.thendaramountainclub.org Westchester Land Trust Richmond www.westchesterlandtrust.org Protectors of Pine Oak Woods Looking for Hikers’ Almanac? Westchester Trails Association www.siprotectors.org Find upcoming club hikes at http://www.nynjtc.org/clubpages/wta.html nynjtc.org-Go Hiking-Scheduled Hikes

Work Begins on have to use your imagination.” And so our trail crew of six slowly picked 6-Mile South Taconic its way along the wooded, shrubby hillside—tossing downed branches, Trail Extension uprooting, sawing, or clipping shrubs, rak - ing a defined path—and painstakingly “Why aren’t we just following that deer following a short section of the 6-mile path, Andrew?” route that a dedicated team of volunteers The deer route looked ready-made for had laid out over the course of three years hikers: leaves packed down, mostly free of of scouting, bushwhacking, and working low-growing blueberry shrubs and with state park officials. downed branches. But, Andrew Seirup The Trail Conference route planning explained, the deer didn’t go where hikers team included Andrew, East Hudson Trails would want to go, and anyway, their path Chair; Claudia Farb, South Taconic Region

soon petered out. “We need to head up,” Trails Supervisor; and Christopher R I E W

he said, pointing in the direction of a tan - Leonard, a maintainer on the South Tacon - E T T

gle of downed branches and thick shrubs. ic Trail. E G R

He had already made his way through The April 26 work trip was the first in O E the tangle, planting little orange flags to what is expected to be a multi-year project G The first day’s crew included East Hudson Trails Chair Andrew Seirup, Michael Schenker, mark the intended route. “Sometimes, you to clear a new 6-mile extension of the Sue Rangeley, Joanna Seirup, and Charles Drak. Summer 2014 Page 5 New York east of the Hudson River to the PEOPLE FOR TRAILS Welcome, Taconic Mountains. Projects this year will include trail work at Fahnestock and Hud - son Highlands State Parks, including at the N O

AmeriCorps! S

A Breakneck Ridge area. This crew is in the M

A field and welcomes volunteers Fridays N O “Aaaahh, a tick!” S through Mondays. Learning how to deal with our local eight- Force, helping to monitor and remove Bear Mountain Crew : Corps members legged wildlife threat was one of the first invasive plants along trails in both states. assigned to the Bear Mountain Trails Proj - lessons for this year’s class of AmeriCorps The Trail Conference’s Conservation ect will work alongside other volunteers, trail members. Learning to live without an Corps members make a full-time commit - building trail (Appalachian Trail on the east Internet connection has been another—the ment to do trail work for a season that face of the mountain) and teaching techni - Corps members are based at our Welch generally extends from mid-May to Octo - cal dry masonry skills. This crew is in the Salley Decker Trails Education Center (ie, Camp) at Har - ber. In return, they receive training, work field and welcomes volunteers Thursdays Poughkeepsie, NY riman State Park. experience, housing, and a scholarship. through Sundays. Over three weeks in spring, the lessons Working alongside our traditional volun - About: Salley is known not only added up: how to build crib wall, how to teers, Corps members expand our capacity for her long-term commitments—a recruit volunteers, how to lead a trail crew. to complete priority projects identified by We’re building the next Trail Conference member since Finally, in mid-May, the 16 Corps mem - our park partners. At the same time, the 1978, a Life Member, and a trail bers who comprise this year’s Conservation Trail Conference nurtures a new generation generation of trail talent maintainer on the Appalachian Corps were deployed to four Trail Confer - of trail leaders. Trail in Dutchess County since the ence crews in New York and New Jersey. and our own crews. early 1980s—but for also getting Now they are in the field four to five long Corps members are assigned this year to one of four crews: things done, even when, maybe, days a week, building new trails, rehabili - she didn’t intend to be the person tating existing trails, teaching trail Palisades Crew , inaugurated last year at Ster - who would do so. construction techniques to other volun - ling Forest State Park, where Corps members Invasives Strike Force : Corps members teers, and, in the case of the Invasives Strike worked with 53 volunteers to build the new assigned to our Invasives Strike Force are Take for example trails at the Doris Duke Trail. The crew this year will be trained to recognize and monitor targeted Dover Stone Church Preserve building additional trail in the same area, species and to lead volunteer crews in in eastern Dutchess. Earlier this aiming to complete a nice loop. The crew is removing them at select locations. They year, Salley agreed to be Trail being developed to provide trail building also work with Linda Rohleder, our Land Conference Supervisor for the support to New York State Parks’ Palisades Stewardship Director, on managing and unique area when, as the result Region—southern New York west of the analyzing the data collected. This crew is in of her prompting, the Trail Hudson River to the Catskills. This crew is in the field and welcomes volunteers Wednes - Conference adopted it for trail the field and welcomes volunteers Thursdays days through Sundays. stewardship. “I met some of the through Sundays. Check our online Trail Crew Outings people involved in the preserve Taconic Crew , a new crew, working in schedule at nynjtc.org/view/trail-crew- last year at an event” Salley says. New York State Parks’ Taconic Region, outings and get out with a crew. “I suggested that the Trail which covers much of the area in southern Conference might be helpful in developing the trails they want to see there, and in developing volunteers.” The next thing she Trail U Welcomes Ramapo College Our North Jersey Trails Chair identified knew, she was Trails Supervisor. a trail at Long Pond Ironworks State Park When someone handles a sledgehammer, Several non-college organizations that in need of some drastic work. We planned Quickly, she organized an Intro to you can see almost immediately if it’s their operate on campus, such as MEVO (Mah - a series of Trail U courses to teach the basics Trail Maintenance workshop for first time. If it is, legs buckle, wrists seem to wah Environmental Volunteers needed to build a new trail from the potential volunteers—21 attended. flex at angles they shouldn’t, and nobody Organization) and the Volunteer Center of ground-up: Trail Layout and Design, Tool In May, she followed up with the knows what in the world to do with their Bergen County, helped connect us to col - Use and Safety, and Introduction to Trail first outing of the new Harlem feet. Helping volunteers get their bodies in Maintenance. These were all open to the Valley Trail Maintenance Crew. order while handling unfamiliar tools is public through our website, but most of The crew will help as needed one of the goals of our Tool Use and Safety the participants were Ramapo students. at Dover Stone Church, on the course. With the park superintendent’s approval, nearby A.T., and other trails in At a spring workshop in Long Pond the heavily eroded trail was re-aligned over eastern Dutchess County. Ironworks State Park, many of the volun - the course of the three workshops. At this Making connections: A long-time teers exhibiting these symptoms weren’t time, students have contributed almost 100 hiker, active member of just students of Trail University – they were hours to this project from start to finish. Mid Hudson Chapter of the also students at Ramapo College. And, by Some, looking for more work, have crossed Adirondack Mountain Club, active the time you read this, several of these stu - the border to join crews in New York State. with Hyde Park Trails partnership dents will be on their way to becoming The end result of our first semester with and our Dutchess-Putnam A.T. teachers on the trails as they look to assist Ramapo College has been a perfect model Committee, Salley often wears with projects in the coming months. of collaboration, and we’re looking forward multiple hats. As in Dover, she

N to what the future brings. We have some A habitually creates and supports L O D exciting projects lined up in the Ramapo partnerships to advance the trails R E

T Valley Reservation this summer, so keep an E and hiking she loves. P A Ramapo College student learns to handle eye on our Trail U page online to get a sledgehammer. involved, whether you’re a student or not! Why do I volunteer? Salley asks herself. “It gets me outdoors and With Ramapo College soon to be an lege administrators and faculty members. If you want to learn more about how to get gets me to meet people with across-the-street neighbor of the Trail Con - Ramapo College professors, especially in involved on New Jersey trails, email Peter similar interests. I’ve enjoyed ference at Darlington, and with our goal to the environmental departments, were Dolan at [email protected]. If you’re a mem - being part of growing system attract more young people to our volunteer receptive to our request to give a presenta - ber of the Ramapo College community, find of trails in Dutchess County.” ranks, it seems natural to target the college tion about the Trail Conference in their other trail-lovers on campus at facebook.com/ for volunteer development. Our first classes. Interested students signed up to groups/RamapoTrailCrew. semester working with the campus com - receive emails about volunteer opportuni - munity has been very promising. ties, training sessions, and work trips.

work outing were The trail will link a camp - Sue Rangeley and ground to the ridgetop. Michael Schenker, nearby homeown - ers and hikers who South Taconic Trail in northeastern say they spend Dutchess County. The extension will create much of their time a connection from the state park and on trails in the campground at Rudd Pond, just north of Taconics and want - R I E W

the village of Millerton, to the extensive ed give something E T T

trail network on the Taconic Ridge, where back to trails; Joan - E G R hikers can bag three states—New York, na Seirup (Andrew’s O E Massachusetts, and Connecticut—with a niece) and Charles G single day hike. [A new, updated and Drake of Tarrytown, frequent hikers and work trips; Andrew hopes to schedule expanded edition of our South Taconic backpackers for whom this was a first trail about one a month. Check our website for Trails map, last published in 2006, is to be work trip; and Georgette Weir, a Trail Con - scheduled trips: nynjtc.org/view/trail-crew- published later this year. It will show the ference staff member who thinks the views outings. Learn more about the project at trail extension to Rudd Pond, as well as from the Taconic Ridge are among the best nynjtc.org/content/south-taconic-trail- The thick red line represents 6 miles of other nearby trails.] in the Trail Conference region. extension new trail being built in the Taconics. Joining Andrew on the inaugural trail New volunteers are welcome on future Page 6 Summer 2014 People for Trails. Trails for People. A quarterly look at some of what our volunteers have been doing to assure public access to nature. Walkers in Brookdale Park in Montclair, NJ, may unexpectedly learn that they are, and have been, trail walking.

A C Su

Some table Estell visors West trail w of es and t repor South Phill

L Waw L E D

O Simp O G

D nock E Scher n Tuesday, May 13, Trail Conference volunteers and pal parks in Essex County, NJ, from Newark’s Branch From viewer’s left to right: Paul Paisano, Sean Hanonangie, Co-C staff worked with employees of the Essex County Brook Park to the county border at the Passaic River in and Michael Nugent from Essex County Parks; from the Trail atten Parks Department to install 12 trail bollards along a West Essex Park. Currently blazed and maintained by Trail Conference, volunteer Sam Huber (Trail Chair), volunteer O Federico Nealon (Lenape Supervisor), staff member Peter one-mile stretch of the Lenape Trail in the park. Conference volunteers along 34 miles of rail trails, park The bollards not only mark the Lenape Trail and draw paths, rights-of-way, and roadways, with an extension trac - Dolan, and volunteer Marc Elfenbein (Lenape Supervisor). attention to it in a busy urban park, but function as mini ing over six miles in South Mountain Reservation, the Also helping that day but not pictured was parks staffer Ken kiosks, describing the trail’s entire 34-mile route and pro - Lenape forms a spine connecting Essex County’s many nat - Edler. Thanks go to Tara Casella, Environmental Coordinator viding instruction on how to read the yellow paint blazes ural, cultural, and historical resources. in the Essex County Office of Environmental Affairs, and that indicate the trail’s path. Learn more about the Lenape Trail at Carmine Raimo, Superintendent of Essex County Parks, for Several other parks on the Lenape Trail’s route will get the www.nynjtc.org/park/lenape-trail. To learn about volun - their help in arranging the work crew. bollards in the future, but most direction for the trail is pro - teering on this or other trails, contact the Trail Conference vided by traditional yellow blazes painted on trees. at [email protected]. The Lenape Trail arches through 19 county and munici -

Pulling Invasives, Finding Natives at FDR State Park

At FDR State Park in Westchester, NY, our Invasives Strike Force teamed with the Friends of FDR State Park and Parks & Trails New York on I Love My Park Day (May 3)—to pull invasive plants and protect native ones. More than two dozen volunteers removed oriental bittersweet vines, multiflora rose bushes, and some barberry and burn - ing bush to uncover young native black cherry trees, a serviceberry in bloom, some silky dogwoods, and a white oak tree. When they mature, all of the native specimens that were rescued will provide important food for wildlife. Learn more about our Invasives Strike Force and opportu - nities for you to get involved in protecting our native species at www.nynjtc.org/invasives.

Loving Minnewaska At Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County, NY, 16 cheerful people worked on the popular Mossy Glen Trail as part of I Love My Park Crew Builds Foot Bridge on Day activities May 3. They began restoring a wet area and building a new Gunks Greenway D&H Canal bog bridge. Dave Webber, our volunteer Supervisor for Minnewaska and crew leader of the West Hudson North crew, led the work day, with the Volunteers with our Long Distance Trails Crew (LDTC) support of park staff, who supplied the lumber for the bog bridge and were up in Wawarsing in the Shawangunk region in April,

transported it close to the site. The volunteers carried lumber in to the N building a new footbridge on the D&H Canal. The canal’s O S work site, stockpiled stone and crush, and started construction of a bog A towpath is a popular walk for residents and visitors, and M

A

bridge. N provides a route for a section of our Long Path along the O Work will continue this season to complete bog bridges as well as stone S Gunks Greenway. A grant from Avon Products of Suffern, turnpikes across several wet areas along the trail, in between the Blueberry Run and Mossy Glen footbridges. If you are NY, helped pay for supplies for the project. The crew is out interested in working with this crew on this or future projects at Minnewaska, please contact Sona Mason at smason@nyn - often, and welcomes new participants. You can find details jtc.org. Find schedules for all of our trail crews on our website and get involved with the one that best suits you. and contact info for their outings on the crew schedule on our website: nynjtc.org/view/trail-crew-outings. Look for ‘Long Distance Trails Crew’ or leader Chris Reyling. Summer 2014 Page 7 New Trail JOIN PEOPLE FOR TRAILS ON ONE OF MANY EXCITING PROJECTS THIS SEASON Initiatives in Check the crew trip calendar at nynjtc.org/view/trail-crew-outings Westchester CREW U! — The Rocky Evolution County of a Maintenance Crew

With declining budgets and shrinking pay - By Mary Dodds rolls, many municipalities and nonprofits turn to the Trail Conference for help with I am the supervisor of the their trails. This spring the Westchester Westchester Trail Tramps 3 Trail Committee has taken on maintenance (Westtts), a crew which meets at Hunt-Parker Sanctuary, Cranberry Lake every Wednesday morning to as far as possible underneath the Preserve, and Westmoreland Sanctuary. maintain and improve trails in rock, and then leveraging it high Negotiations are underway to add three northwestern Westchester enough for the other person to North Salem Open Land Foundation pre - County. My crew (photo 1) is an wedge her bar further serves adjacent to Mountain Lakes Park offshoot of the Ward Pound Ridge underneath and lift the rock even and Taxter Ridge Park Preserve in the Town Crew, which maintains trails at higher (photos 2 and 3). This of Greenburgh. WPR and other county, municipal, continued until the rock was Discussions in April and May revealed all and local sites in northeastern nudged/flipped/rolled to its final the above parks need some help; how the Westchester. resting place. We learned that S

A communication is vital – when a

N Trail Conference will help their partners O J mover set her bar, she loudly said

B varies. Discussions at Westmoreland Sanc - O B tuary revealed that their well loved trails “SET” so the other mover knew need more than trail maintenance; water to then set her bar. Central North Jersey seeping onto the trails has created muddy Meanwhile, a hole was dug by other areas or erosion. Another trail needs work pervisor Meetup crew members tasked with fitting to improve its treadway before erosion and stabilizing the rock, making it etimes, trail work gets done while sitting around a occurs. With work trips and workshops, we safe to walk on. Crew also worked . On May 3 the Central North Jersey Trails Chairs will begin to form a fledging group of peo - 1 to identify seepage origins and le Anderson and Bob Jonas, held their Annual Super - ple who love to work on trails. Eventually create a drainage system. s Meeting at the City of Newark's Echo Lake office in individual maintainers will be assigned to The Westtts started out as Milford. “We discussed all matters concerning our the trails at Westmoreland. maintainers during a period In addition to rock transport, rock work with an emphasis on safety and the importance The trails at Cranberry Lake Preserve when successive “storms of alteration was required. Small, tablishing excellent communications between them also need some TLC. In June, more than the century” wrought havoc crushed rocks were needed to their trail maintainers, and a host of other issues,” Bob 60 employees of the Xylem Corporation on trails maintained by the provide fill on the trail. A sledge rts. Present, left to right, sitting: Jeff Roggenburg, turned out to give it some. Their work Trail Conference. Individual hammer was used to make rocks h Wyanokies; Paul Makus, South Wyanokies; Kori included spray painting out graffiti, remov - maintainers were overwhelmed smaller and a mallet to make rock ips, Pequannock Watershed; Alan Abramowitz, ing trash, installing puncheon, and closing by the damage. The Westtt and crush from the smaller rocks. wayanda West; Ron Luna, Pyramid Mountain; Bob a trail. Corporate days of service help WPR crews were able to clear First, suitable rocks (helpful hint – pson, High Mountain. Standing: Bill Phillips, Pequan - employees connect with each other outside large limbs and small blow-downs rock with layers) were identified. Watershed; Ed Leonard, Mountainside Park; Keith of the work place. Their day volunteering and to move washed-out Next a protected pit was dug and rer (BSC); Wawayanda East; Estelle Anderson, CNJ helps do much needed work at parks. puncheon and bridges back rocks dumped in. Our rock- Chair; Nick McKenna, Wawayanda East. Unable to Bedford Audubon’s Hunt-Parker Sanc - to their original, or more breaking crew member raised the nd, Chuck Irwin and Michael Lenhardt. tuary needs people willing to maintain appropriate locations. sledge overhead with her a trail. It is a beautiful place with a variety dominant hand gripping just of habitats: pond, wetlands, meadows, During the relatively peaceful below the hammerhead and her upland forest. year and a half since super storm other hand at the end of the One of those parks might be near you or Sandy, my crew has turned to handle (photo 4). where you like to take a walk. You could more technical problems, mainly have bragging rights to a place you love to involving trail tread. Many of the visit. The Trail Conference offers new main - crew members have taken trail tainers a workshop to give you the skills you tread courses offered by the Trail need. Introduction to Trail Maintenance is Conference. Additional invaluable a hands-on course offered a many locations. instruction from Leigh Draper, See http://www.nynjtc.org/view/workshops a former Trail Conference East To let us know if you would like to Hudson Program Coordinator maintain a trail, help on a trail crew, take a (now the Trail Steward and 4 workshop, or have your company help on a Volunteer Coordinator for day of service, please contact East Hudson Teatown Lake Reservation) and Program Coordinator Hank Osborn at from the Trail Conference’s Smaller rock crush was needed [email protected] Westchester Chair and volunteer and our youngest crew member extraordinaire Jane Daniels was (under Mom’s supervision) was up Jane Daniels, Westchester Trail Chair provided in actual work settings. to the challenge. (photo 5). Rose Bonanno, Assistant Chair Some crew members opted for safer work. We “paved” a wet TRAIL NEWS, CONSERVATION section of trail that must be kept continued from page 3 accessible to Teatown tractors Seven Peaks on the and trucks. Unfortunately, the Shawangunk Ridge presence of such vehicles exacerbate wet conditions while As of the deadline for this issue, developers precluding use of large rocks on of the proposed Seven Peaks housing proj - the trails. Paving is the answer ect in Mamakating, NY were still working 2 and one of our spring projects is on their Final Environmental Impact State - to drain what can be drained and ment. The Trail Conference and other I also had the incredibly good pave the rest. R groups, including the state Department of E L

L fortune of working and learning

U Environmental Conservation, posed F

T with Chris Reyling’s Long R numerous challenges and questions to the E B

O Distance Trails Crew on a Trail U

R Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the project in 2010. A recent workshop ses - day. I operated a grip hoist, sion between developers, planners, and wielded a sledge hammer, and representatives of the Trail Conference and dug, transported and distributed the BashaKill Area Association left the lat - mineral soil for the new ter two groups dissatisfied with developers’ Appalachian Trail reroute on responses and concerned about the future West Mountain. 5 of the ridge and its environs. My crew and I have had ample The Trail Conference would like to pre - opportunity to use and hone our Join the fun – Join a crew! serve the entire parcel as open space but, rock skills this spring at Teatown. http://www.nynjtc.org/content/ short of that, our position is that the We moved large rocks to create trail-crews Mamakating Planning Board should not above-the-flood-line tread on a PS: I reward MY crew with approve the project unless, at a minimum, very wet section of trail. We provision is made for an adequate wilder - homemade cookies, but don’t let became proficient at using rock that influence your crew choice! ness corridor along the western edge of bars, learning to wedge the bar the property. Page 8 Summer 2014

antibiotic treatment for anyone bitten by a ing oral antibiotics: doxycycline, amoxicillin Lyme Disease tick UNLESS the tick is positively identi - or cefuroxime axetil for 14-21 days. The fied as one of the species that transmits the lengths of treatment or doses may be 2014 Update bacteria that causes Lyme, AND the tick is changed based on the clinical findings. By Howard E. Friedman DPM thought to have been attached for at least Other diseases: Babesiosis and HGA 36 hours AND treatment can begin within can be transmitted by the tick that trans - Early anecdotal reports indicate ticks are 72 hours from the time the tick was mits Lyme and someone can be infected plentiful this season. Below is a brief removed. A fourth criterion, that more with one, two, or all three of these infec - overview of some of the main points to than 20% of local ticks are known to be tions at the same time. HGA may resolve remember during tick season. This update infected, is assumed to be the case through - on its own within 30 days, but the IDSA reinforces as well as supplements the article out our region. still recommends appropriate antibiotic that appeared in Trail Walker in 2012 about treatment. REI Gives Lyme disease, which can be found on our Babesiosis is caused by a protozoa also website: www.nynjtc.org/news/health-news. transmitted by the Ixodes tick. This disease $20,000 Grant The following information is based on does occur in New York and New Jersey the latest Clinical Practice Guidelines of and can cause fever, sweats, muscle and to Support the Infectious Disease Society of America joint pain, nausea, and vomiting. Babesio - (IDSA), the largest society of physicians, sis is reportedly one-third less common Trail Crews scientists and others who specialize in than Lyme disease. Complications of this infectious diseases. The IDSA Lyme disease infection can be serious. Diagnosis is con - In June, REI announced a $20,000 guidelines, developed in 2006, were firmed by evaluating a blood smear in the grant to the Trail Conference to sup - reviewed and re-endorsed in 2010, and lab and antibiotic treatment is recom - port work this year by our volunteers again in part in 2012; they are endorsed by mended. In some cases a transfusion is and AmeriCorps members in building the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). If the above criteria are met, the IDSA required as well. 700 linear feet of an Appalachian Lyme disease is caused by an infection of recommends one dose of doxycycline 200 Other ticks: For those of us hiking in Trail relocation on Bear Mountain, the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi , which can milligrams in adults and the appropriate the Northeast, the deer tick and Lyme dis - including 5-foot wide surface tread be transmitted through a bite by an infect - dose in children 8 years old and older. This ease are still the top concerns we have hardened by stone stairs and ed individual of either of two tick species, is all before developing a rash, fever, or oth - regarding tick-borne diseases. However, Ixodes scapularis (black-legged deer tick, er typical Lyme symptoms. That is, just The Centers for Disease Control and Pre - supported by stone crib walls. pictured) or Ixodes pacificus (western black- being bitten, even with an engorged tick, is vention identifies four other ticks in our In addition, the grant will provide for legged tick). The first of these ticks is not the same as having the disease. region that may transmit disease. These are: much needed improvements to the endemic in the northeast United States and People who have removed a tick from American Dog Tick ( Dermacentor vari - Welch Trail Education Center (Harri - is of most concern to those who enjoy out - their skin, even if they have received a dose abilis ), the most common vector for Rocky man camp), which provides housing door activities in our region. of antibiotics, should monitor themselves Mountain Spotted fever in New York; The Society’s recommendations address for 30 days for signs of skin rash and/or Brown Dog Tick ( Rhipicephalus san - for our AmeriCorps members and two tick-bite scenarios: one in which Lyme fever or viral type symptoms which suggest guineus ), Groundhog Tick ( Ixodes cookie ), other volunteers as well as space for disease may be prevented, and one in which infection. Someone who develops symp - and Lone Star Tick ( Amblyomma ameri - Trail Conference events and trainings. symptoms appear and it must be treated. toms should be evaluated not only for canum ). Potential tick hosts are not limited REI gives grants “to select steward - Preventing Lyme disease: Avoiding Lyme but also for babesiosis and human to the animals in the names. ship nonprofits that care for the exposure to ticks is still recommended as granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA or just Resources: A particularly useful guide is the most effective means for preventing a anaplasmosis), both of which may also be the 2014 brochure (PDF), Tickborne outdoor places our customers love.” Lyme infection. If exposure to ticks is transmitted by the black-legged deer tick. Diseases of the United States Previously, REI has given significant unavoidable, the Society recommends use The Society makes the same recommenda - (http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/resources/ financial support to the Trail Confer - of barrier clothing, tick repellent, checking tion even for people who have had a prior TickborneDiseases.pdf). Produced for ence for our Trail University and, last the body for ticks and prompt removal of case of Lyme or who have received the health care professionals, it can be compre - year, our program in the Catskills. any ticks found. The insect repellent Lyme vaccine (the vaccine was removed hended by lay readers. DEET is recommended to help protect from the market in 2002). Also consult these websites: www.idsoci - To learn more about REI’s support exposed skin (but not recommended for The Society recommends blood testing ety.org/Lyme, www.cdc.gov/lyme, and for our Catskill program, see their use on the hands or face) and permethrin is for Lyme be done only in labs that follow www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communica - GeoStories feature at www.rei.com/ effective as a tick repellent on clothing, the the CDC guidelines for interpretation of ble/lyme stewardship/community/non-profit- IDSA writes. results and should be a two-staged test. partnerships-and-grants.html. If you find a tick attached to your skin: If Lyme symptoms appear: Early Lyme Search for Catskills. The Society does not recommend routine disease is still treated with one of the follow -

NEW FEDERAL GUIDELINES The guidelines do not apply if meeting trails more accessible and more sustainable, continued from page 1 them is not practicable due to terrain, even if we aren’t able (or it doesn’t make representatives from the Federal Highway would fundamentally alter the function or sense) to fully comply. Administration and Forest Service devel - purpose of the facility or the nature of the • When creating a reroute around a oped Federal guidelines for outdoor setting, cannot be accomplished with the problem area, for instance, consider grade recreation and trails. The guidelines are prevailing construction practices, or is pre - rules; following them will help you to avoid meant to produce accessible, sustainable, cluded because the cultural, historic, or creating a future problem area. low-maintenance trails that showcase significant natural features are eligible for • When discussing signage with our park SAVE THE DATE nature. They are not meant to encourage protection under Federal, State, or local law. partners, we can encourage safe placement SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 paving our wild places. At any point on a trail where a condition and easier-to-read designs. The Outdoor Developed Area Accessi - prevents compliance with a technical provi - New ABA Regulations for trails help to Annual Fall Member bility Guidelines fall under the Federal sion, at that point the trail is to comply to ensure that we consider who we may be Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) and affect the extent practicable . Once past that point, excluding when we make decisions about & Friends Meeting trails built on federal lands or federal proj - the trail must comply with the technical trails. In so doing, they help open up ects. Currently many states and land provisions. opportunities for all stakeholders to enjoy Caputo Community Center managers are choosing to adopt the guide - nature. Following the guidelines, we can Ossining, NY lines as best practice. They apply only to How the New Rules Affect Our Work design trails that are harmonious with trails that meet ALL three of the following For the Trail Conference, the guidelines nature, an enjoyable experience for all criteria (few of our trails do): apply to new trail that we build on federal users, and sustainable, easing the burden 1. the trail is new or altered from its orig - land or for federal projects, or if a land on the volunteers, park personnel, and inal purpose, intent, or function; managing partner wants to build a more budgets that maintain them. 2. the trail has a designed use of accessible trail, they may apply (all three To learn more about trail design and Follow NYNJTC! hiker/pedestrian; conditions need to be met). Trail mainte - Outdoor Developed Area Accessibility 3. the trail connects directly to a trailhead nance, our primary trails function, is not Guidelines, check our Trail-U schedule of or directly to a trail that currently substan - directly affected by the guidelines. courses. tially complies with all the trail accessibility Nevertheless, when designing new trail, facebook.com/nynjtc technical requirements. we can use the guidelines to help make twitter.com/NYNJTC VAN CORTLANDT PARK later covered the trail with leaf matter and nearly 50 trees and shrubs along this trail as continued from page 1 woody debris to camouflage the area. A few well as a variety of herbaceous plants. check dams were also installed using In the end the trail that once was can now Trail Walker blogs On I Love My Park Day, May 3 in New downed logs from the site to catch sedi - barely be seen by an unknowing eye. Only all year long. York, member group Friends of Van Cort - mentation as the water runs down the time will tell, but the group is hopeful that landt Park teamed up with the Bronx park’s former path. The group ended up planting the planted trees, shrubs, and herbs will hard-working trail crews and students from grow and add to the health of the forest in Visit blog-tw.nynjtc.org John Jay College and Lehman Colleges, to Van Cortlandt Park and that the improved and read about close a “desire path” running perpendicular landscape will result in a more positive hik - between two main trails. These desire paths ing experience. The Friends of Van Trail Conference (also called social trails) can cause erosion Cortlandt Park is always looking for willing issues when rain runs off these trails and volunteers to lend a hand. If interested, people, projects and create a more fragmented forest affecting please contact [email protected] or by forest interior plant and wildlife species. To phone at 718-601-1553. relevant trail stories. close the trail the crew first raked the tread to loosen the soil for new plantings, and Summer 2014 Page 9 Invasive Species: What’s in Your Neighborhood? PEOPLE FOR TRAILS By Jen Stengle and Linda Rohleder

You might have noticed them crawling in your curtains, or buzzing around your chandelier; alarming numbers of brown G

marmorated stink bugs settled down for R O . D

winter this year in Putnam County. These O O W

alien invaders are just one of many invasive G U B

species that have taken hold in the , N A L P

metropolitan area. Perhaps you have N O noticed Japanese stiltgrass ( I Microstegium T Cliff Berchtold C A

vimineum ) on your favorite hiking trail or E

F Monroe, NY I L

have seen your viburnums eaten to shreds D L I W by Viburnum leaf beetle ( Pyrrhalta S

I Just say ‘Yes!’ That’s Cliff’s O N

viburni ). These invasive plants and insects I

L position when it comes to the L I

are just the ones we see. There are many , S Trail Conference. He has helped N A

others we don’t notice, clinging to the bot - V

E teach several Trail U courses,

S tom of our hiking boots and kayaks, hiding I R taught a map and compass course H beneath the bark of our ash trees, nestled in C Japanese stiltgrass Microstegium vimineum for scouts, tabled at events, firewood picked up on the roadside. and regularly promotes our While some of these invaders seem like million on invasive species prevention, ear - What Can You Do? organization while hiking. He’s they are no more than a nuisance, they ly detection and rapid response, control not above using his dog to get impact our quality of life, the cost of our and management, research, outreach, Gardeners: Ask your nursery or garden someone’s attention. “Baron is cute foods, and the health of the ecosystems that international cooperation and habitat center which plants are native. Or call your enough to get many hikers to stop.” we enjoy as part of our natural heritage. restoration. This doesn’t include state and local Cornell Cooperative Extension; they Take the example of the Brown marmorat - local costs. Many municipalities, already can help you select plants suited to your Cliff began maintaining a two-mile ed stink bug ( Halyomorpha halys ) buzzing stretching their budgets, are unprepared landscape that are either native or that do section of the Scenic Trail (Long around your house. While these insects are when invasive species devastate their trees not show invasive tendencies. Remember, Path) at Minnewaska State Park an indoor nuisance, once outside they and or clog their waterways. garden centers and nurseries carry what Preserve in 1995. Last fall, he their young begin to feed on emerging But it’s not just the government that has their customers ask for. You can help make switched to the Townsend Trail in fruits. Our regional apple orchards are to deal with these impacts. An aquatic the change: if you ask for native plants, Sterling Forest. prime grazing territory for this insect, cost - invasive plant, Eurasian watermilfoil, growers will be more likely to stock them. ing farmers millions of dollars in extra (Myriophyllum spicatum ) reduced Vermont Boaters and Anglers: Clean, Drain, Dry In 2012 Cliff retired as Director of materials and work, while adding more lakefront property values up to 16 percent & Disinfect. When you leave a body of Transportation for the Monroe pesticides to our food, land, and waters. and Wisconsin lakefront property values by water, remove any visible mud, plants, fish School District. In 2013, he attended Brown marmorated stinks bugs don’t stop 13 percent. Homeowners managing or animals before transporting your equip - a presentation on invasive plants at apples, they are happy to eat all the same by our Invasives Strike Force fruits that we do, in our orchards, farms, coordinator Linda Rohleder. He took gardens, vineyards, and woodlands. Many the ISF training, and last summer of the fruits they feed on in natural areas surveyed most of the trails on are the same foods that the birds and Schunemunk Mountain. wildlife rely on. Now, he also goes to the office one To put some numbers to the impacts of G or two days a week to help enter R O these alien invaders, more than 6,500 non - . D ISF data and create maps that are O O

indigenous species are now established in W used in the field or for analysis. “I’m G U

the United States. The current annual envi - B

, learning new things and keeping Q P

ronmental, economic, and health-related P

myself mentally active as well as S I

costs of invasive species exceed those of all H

P physically active. And I enjoy my A

other natural disasters combined. The most A

D time in the office. It’s very collegial. I S U

widely referenced estimate (Pimental et al. , have a feeling of being on a good E C

2005) reports that invasive species cost the N

A team.” L

.

United States more than $120 billion in R

D I

damages every year. In 2011 alone, the V About: “I had decades of A D enjoyment from the trails that Department of the Interior spent $100 Halyomorpha halys adult, i.e., stinkbug someone else made and kept up. Brown marmorated stink bug and Asian ment. Be sure to eliminate any water from Finally, over the past two decades, multicolored lady beetles have had to take your hidden areas like bait wells and bilges. I’ve begun to ‘pay it forward.’ ” extra steps or hire contractors to caulk Clean and dry anything that comes in con - “Perhaps surprisingly, my Army openings, replace screens, and seal soffits tact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, experience, even in Vietnam, did and fascia boards against these insects. And even your dogs). Never release plants, fish not ruin my enjoyment of wild those backyard gardeners who planted or animals into a body of water unless they places. In fact, engineer officer blackberries and raspberries have learned came out of that body of water. If you have training gave me a useful the disappointment of losing their entire leftover bait, don’t just dump it out in the foundation for map and compass crop to a small fruit fly called spotted wing brush or into the water. New York State field work in more peaceable Drosophila ( ). maintains a list of approved baitfish species: Drosophila suzukii surroundings.” ask your bait shop what they are carrying. How do they get here? Hikers, Birders, Outdoor Enthusiasts: Find your place with the Trail Plants and animals have always traveled Chances are, you’re out there to enjoy Conference. Visit nynjtc.org or with us. World travel, international trade, nature. The last thing you want to do is contact Volunteer Coordinator and the Internet have all promoted the introduce an invasive species. Clean equip - John Leigh, [email protected]. Learn, Look and Lend a Hand: NY movement of exotic species to our region. ment, boots, and gear between trips, Invasive Species Awareness The more we travel, the more goods we preferably, before leaving an infested area. Week July 6-12, 2014! import, the greater the chance that we acci - Make sure to remove all seeds and other to emerald ash borer, municipalities often dentally transport these hitchhikers. Our plant parts. And since you’re already out have to foot the bill and pass the burden on Invasive species affect all New cars, boats, and hiking boots become path - there, learn to recognize and report inva - to taxpayers. Get involved at the local level Yorkers - from hikers to highway ways for invasive species. sive species. If you’d like to improve your to encourage invasive species regulation personnel, from birders to boaters Sometimes it’s accidental: stiltgrass seeds ID skills and learn how to report what and preparedness for your town or village. and from farmers to foresters. The can be trapped in soil on construction you’ve found, attend one of the many free Don’t know where to start? See if your first annual NY Invasive Species equipment or hiking boots. But sometimes invasive plant ID classes offered through - county or municipality has an emerald ash Awareness Week (ISAW) will it’s more intentional: a beautiful shrub out the region. borer task force, environmental commis - provide opportunities for all planted in our yards produces seeds that, Citizens: Chances are your municipality sion or citizen’s advisory committee. citizens of New York to participate unintentionally, start new plants in the will have to pay for invasive species control Keep up with our efforts to control inva - in invasive species awareness local park. or removal. Whether it’s a bad neighbor sives and learn more at nynjtc.org/invasives events around the state. Join with One of New York’s newest invasive like running Bamboo ( Phyllostachys sp.) or local environmental organizations, species, Feral swine (Sus scrofa), is one such the sudden loss of trees on town property hiking and trail clubs, and parks for escapee, brought in intentionally to farms a week of special activities. You can and hunting preserves and escaped into the Learn, Look, and Report: Invasive Plant Surveyor Trainings volunteer to help remove invasive wild. Without predators, these destructive species, get out on the trails or on and dangerous hogs are becoming estab - Invasives Strike Force volunteers are trained to identify 14 different invasive the water to see invasive species lished in New York State—including in the plants and collect data along hiking trails throughout the Hudson Valley firsthand, attend presentations to Catskills—tearing up crops and destroying region and northern New Jersey. Free training for ISF volunteers is being learn more about what you can to fragile wetlands. offered by the Trail Conference: Another escapee, Giant Hogweed ( do help fight these threats, and Hera - • July 12 – Westchester Land Trust, • July 13 – Cornell Cooperative cleum mantegazzianum ) was sold as an much more. Bedford Hills, NY Extension, Rockland Co., ornamental garden plant up until a few years Find a local event at ago. Like many invasive plants, it is quite Stony Point, NY http://nyinvasivespeciesweek.org striking, but this beauty is a beast, causing To register, go to http://nynjtc.org/view/workshops severe skin reactions, scarring and blindness. Page 10 Summer 2014

2014 Nominees for the first on-line registration system for that Board of Directors, conference. John has served on the board of TRAIL CONFERENCE SUPPORTERS directors of his church congregation and as Delegates at Large its president. John works at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center in DONORS TO THE ANNUAL FUND The Nominations Committee of the Trail Yorktown Heights, where he has held a vari - February 24, 2014 – May 26, 2014 Conference presents the following candi - ety of technical and managerial positions. dates for the Board of Directors for Arthur & Nancy S. Aery, Steven Altarescu, Glenn Alvarez, Estelle Anderson, Frank Asaro, William & Christine Balcerski, three-year terms and Delegates at large for Dr. Beth Ravit Fiona Bannatyne, Joe Behaylo, Carol Berran, Charles E. Binder, Dan Bisogno, Bryan Blackburn, Grosvenor & Elizabeth Closter, NJ Blair, John B. Blenninger, Karen & George Bond, Brian Boydston, Dr. Joseph A. & Evalynne Braun, Diane Brawarsky, one-year terms. These nominations will be Tom Buckley, Raymond M. Bulley, Michelle Christie, Louis Cizek Jr., Elinor Cohen, Joe Colacino, Robert P. & Josephine voted on at the Annual Meeting to be held Beth spent three decades as a corporate exec - Conger, John F. Connell, Paul Cornett, Joseph A. & Marion Costa, Chris Cox, Mark J. Dallara, Michael Dalton &Tanya on October 18 in Ossining, NY. utive before entering graduate school and M. McCabe, Andrea J. Damato, Bill Dau, Steve Davis, Christine DeBoer, Carmine Dedonato, Kenneth & Carol DeGraw, Robert DeWald, Amedeo Diedwardo, Peter Dilullo, Ken & Elaine Dolsky, Kimberly Doo, Vincent H. Dryer, Constance earning her Masters (2001) and Ph.D. Duhamel, A. Ross Eckler, Eric Eucker, Sheila C. Ewall, Charlotte & Stanley Fahn MD, Stuart Falls, David L. Felsenthal, For Board of Directors (2004) degrees in Environmental Science Sanford Felzenberg, Margaret A. Fitzgerald, Stephen Fogle, Thomas Francois, Sheldon Freidenreich, James Gahn, Walter E. Daniels from Rutgers University. She joined the Henry & Samira Galler, William Gannett, William H. Gelles, Howard L. Gerber, Ronald J. & Mary Gizzi, Robert J. Glynn, Mohegan Lake, NY Rutgers faculty in 2005 and is currently an John Glynn, Michael Goldfarb, Ronald Good, Peter Tilgner & Suzan Gordon, Judith Green, Daniel Greenwald & Linda Weltchek, Timothy A. Gregg, Robert Griffin, Glenn Gross, Laura Hackel, Joseph A. Hallock & Dinah Hendon, Sally Following his 30-year career at IBM, Walt Instructor in the Department of Environ - Halloran, Eileen P. Hanna, Dennis Hardy, Frank Hariton, Richard Hartley & Jaquelyn Hartley, Jane T. Hegarty, Christian has volunteered over 2,000 hours annually mental Sciences, School of Environmental Henke, Mark Hilbush, Bruce Hossfield, Linn E. Johnson, Richard Johnson, John P. Jurasek, Joel Kantrowitz, Norman & for the last 13 years for the Trail Confer - & Biological Sciences (SEBS), New Myrna Kasser, Richard & Marion Katzive, Kathleen Keller, Peter L. Kennard, Young & Choon Kim, George King, Mary Kissane, John & Cynthia Kolp, Glen Konstantin, Theresa A. Lahr, Bill & Ann Marie Lee, Adam & Melinda Leone, ence as its webmaster, trail maintainer, trail Brunswick, NJ, where she has taught under - Rosanne Levitt, Richard Levy Jr., Kathryn Lieberthal, William Linn, Robert Livingston, David A. & Judith Lloyd, Lu Lu, supervisor, trail assessment leader, work - graduate and graduate courses in Len & Sue Lyon, Natalie A. Macke, Susan Maida, James L. Marolda, Matt Martin, Mary Anne & Charlie Massey, Elisabeth shop leader, steering committee member Environmental Science and Microbial Ecol - Ann McGrath, Anna McLellan, Edith & Scott McNutt, Charles Miller, Puffin Foundation Ltd, Chi & Lourdes Mo, Janel for the 2007 Appalachian Trail Conference, ogy. She serves on the boards of Hackensack Modoski, Thomas C. Moorhead, Elizabeth & Joseph Morley, Martina Moss, Lee Mott & Barbara Simmons, Richard J. Mroz, Patrick Murphy, Hugh H. D. Murray, Sara Novak, David C. Ofshinsky, Keith & Nicole Oringer, Michael Oscar, publications committee member and co- Riverkeeper (treasurer) and the Closter Teunis Ott, George & Libby Pataki, William F. & Mary H. Penny, George P. Perkinson, Kenneth Peskin, Jeanne Petta, author of Walkable Westchester , a guide to Nature Center, among others. In her busi - William & Georgann Pettenger, Elaine & Robert Philhower, Paul K. Praus, Kevin Prunty, Fred Pugh, Earl J. Pursell, hiking trails in Westchester County, pub - ness life Beth developed significant Michele A. Ragonese, Daniel Raleigh, Dale L. Ramsey & Sarah N. Schindler, Jeffrey S. Raskin, Peter Reiner, Mona & lished earlier this year in its second edition. experience positioning, developing, and Gibson Reynolds, Robert C. Ross, Zsolt Rozsavolgyi, Chris & Annie Ruddy, Lowell & Rosalie Saferstein, Eddie & Robbie Saiff, Arthur M. Schack, Joshua Schickman, Hal Scholl, Marypat & Todd Schreibman, Michael Shiffer & Amy Walt was elected to the board of directors expanding new and restructured retail con - Silberkleit, Norman J. & Kip Smith, Richard Smith, Mike & Peggy Sormani, William Stoltzfus Jr., Samuel Tatnall, John in 2011. He is an Honorary Life Member cepts as President & Chief Executive Officer B. Taylor, Burton Thelander, Carl E. & Victoria A.D. Thune, Peter & Henry Tipping, Maria Celina Trzepacz, John P. of the Trail Conference. of Next USA, and prior to that, as President Turrell, Charles W. Ulrich, Iris A. Vogel, David & Fran S. Voremberg, F. William Walker, William C. Ward Jr., Stephen & Grace W. Weinstein, Keith M. & Marc Weisglas, Leonora H. Wiener, Karen Willick, Susanna & Thomas B Willingham, of Speedo Authentic Fitness Retail Division. John Wolosz & Ann France, Peggy Wong, Ann Yasuhara, George M. Yocher, John Yusko, Gregory & Kimberly Zdenek & Andy Garrison Albert Zimmerman Wurtsboro, NY Edward Saiff Andy is a long-term, active volunteer with Mahwah, NJ TRIBUTES CORPORATE, FOUNDATION the Trail Conference, with broad experi - Eddie is a professor of biology at Ramapo In memory of Bill Moss & OTHER DONORS ence in maintaining, building, and College, and clinical professor of patho - Richard & Nancy Wolf Avon Matching Gifts Program, benevity, BP Matching Fund preserving trails and open space, often physiology and neurosciences at the In memory of David Sive Programs, Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, Charitable June P. Slade Flex Fund, COACH Matching Gift Program, Earthshare working with partner organizations. He University of Medicine and Dentistry of Chapters, EarthShare New Jersey, Entergy, Fidelity currently serves on the Trail Conference New Jersey. He has served on and chaired In memory of our friend, Fred Kelly Charitable Gift Fund, Ford Foundation Matching Gift Trish Long Conservation Committee, is co-chair of the Mahwah Environmental Commission, Program, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Theresa A. Lahr, In memory of Ruth Robinson Hudson River Foundation, Johnson & Johnson Matching the Long Path Committee, and is Shawan - and the Mahwah Board of Education. He Holger Nissen & Sally W. French Gifts Program, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase gunk Ridge Trail Supervisor and a is a dedicated outdoors man and a key liai - In memory of Dr. Joan G. Ehrenfeld Foundation, Morgan Stanley, Mutual of America maintainer. Andy led the clean-up of the son between Ramapo College and the Trail Rutgers Ecology & Evolution Graduate Students, Foundation, Network For Good, New Jersey Invasive Species Trail Conference property in the Shawan - Conference. Eddie serves on the Head - Joni Baumgarten Strike team, New York Alpine Club, Open Society Foundations, Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program, gunks known as LaFarge, and just finished quarters Construction Committee of the In memory of William (Bill) Moss Puffin Foundation Ltd, State Street GiveMore Program, leading the effort to build the new 8+ mile Trail Conference. He has served on the avid hiker & outdoorsman Town of Dover, Fiona Bannatyne, Verizon Foundation, Interstate Hiking Club Long Path route in the Catskill Park. board of directors since 2008. Wayne Orthopedic Physical Therapy, PC, Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign Richard R. Levine Christine DeBoer Tributes are only printed for donations of $25 or more. Upper Saddle River, NJ New Paltz, NY To fill an unexpired term. Rick is the current Treasurer of the Trail Christine is executive director of the Walkill DONORS TO THE Conference and chair of the Finance Com - Valley Land Trust (WVLT), since 2009. Pri - mittee. He is the Managing Director of ITP or to that, she was a Trail Conference staff DARLINGTON SCHOOLHOUSE FUND Associates, a commercial real estate develop - member, serving as East Hudson Regional February 25, 2014 – May 26, 2014 er and manager of transportation facilities, Representative from 2008-2009. Christine’s primarily at Newark Airport. He was the 15 years of experience working in conserva - Jeremy Apgar, Richard S. Cantor & Alice Luddington-Cantor, Kate & Douglas G. D’Angelo, Jennifer Easterbrook, David Emero, Robert J. Glynn, Golden Family Foundation, John & Anne Grob, John and Marianne Gunzler, John P. Jurasek, executive director of the “Love Newark tion includes a focus on environmental Jeanne Kolva, Soo Hak Lee, Andrew T. Lehman, Robert F. & Cheryl Lehmann, John K. Leigh IV, The Fred J. Brotherton Committee,” a public-private environmen - education and extensive experience training Charitable Foundation, Gwen Marquardt, Claudia Mausner, John A. & Kathleen F. Mueller, Gwenna & Dan Nielsen, tal initiative to clean up and promote and managing staff and volunteers, and col - Brian S. Olsson, P.S.C. Professional Security Consultants, Inc., Joanne E. Reinhardt, Robert C. Ross, Jeffrey P. Senterman Newark and a hike leader for the Adiron - laborating with multiple organizations on & Maurice Lemire, Mark & Mindy Sotsky, Carolyn Suffern, Peter Tilgner, Fred & Sylvia Trautmann, Barbara J. Traver, Daniel R. & Lynne H. Van Engel, Marilyn Van Houten, Lucy R. Waletzky & Jim Hamilton, Donald L. Weise, Les & Nancy dack Mountain Club’s Outdoor for Kids projects. Weiss, Robert A. & Muriel E. Went, Gary Willick program. Rick was first elected to the Trail Conference board in 2011. For Delegates-at-Large Therese Allen Paul Makus IN MEMORIAM John Magerlein Susan Barbuto Steven Marano Yorktown Heights, NY Norman Blumenstein Margo Moss David Sive John has been a Trail Conference volunteer Allyn Dodd Karen Rose David Sive, called by the NY Times “a father of environmental law and advocacy,” died for nearly 30 years. Since 1992 he and his Jack Driller Ruth Rosenthal March 12 at the age of 91. He was, with his wife Mary, who survives him, a Life Member wife Karen have been supervisors for the Harvey Fishman Mellonie Sanborn of the Trail Conference. Mr. Sive was an accomplished, assertive lawyer who put his skills trails in Fahnestock State Park. John has Bob Fuller Frank Schoof and talents to work to protect natural beauty. He was a litigator in the precedent-setting led the construction of new trails and Jill Hamell Karl Soehnlein Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference vs. Federal Power Commission that both helped bridges in the park, worked closely with Pete Heckler Douglas Sohn stop the building of a power plant on Storm King Mountain and led to the acknowledge - park managers, and frequently taught Trail Rob Lehmam Nancy Tollefson ment that private citizens could have legal standing to contest projects on the basis of Maintenance. He is a certified chain sawyer. Mark Liss Daniel Van Engel potential environmental and aesthetic harm they might cause. He was a founder of the As registrar for the 2007 Appalachian Trail Alice Luddington-Cantor Robert Ward Natural Resources Defense Council, the Environmental Law Institute, Friends of the Conservancy biennial conference, he set up Earth and Environmental Advocates of New York, among other groups.

DEC, Trail Conference to Partner on the Catskills and create additional access unteers to perform various stewardship for residents and visitors. Working togeth - tasks in conjunction with DEC’s efforts in New Catskill Conservation Corps er, we will preserve critical habitats, the Catskills. The contract totals approxi - develop and enhance outdoor recreation mately $75,000 for two years, funded At the National Trails Day opening of related projects in the region are likely to opportunities like hiking and fishing, pro - through the Environmental Protection the new 9-mile trail route in the Catskills emerge as we embark on this new arrange - mote tourism in the Catskills and ensure Fund (EFP), with an option to extend the for the Long Path (see page 1), DEC ment. Stay tuned and bookmark your web our environment is in good hands.” agreement for an additional three years. Region 3 Director Martin Brand browser for nynjtc.org/catskills for Ed Goodell, executive director of the DEC will identify specific needs and announced the commencement of the announcements and links. Trail Conference, said, “The Trail Confer - the Trail Conference will recruit, train and DEC/Trail Conference Catskill Conser - In a press release about the new pro - ence is pleased to assist DEC in supervise volunteers working on specific vation Corps partnership. gram, DEC Commissioner Martens said: developing a Catskills Conservation projects across multiple DEC divisions Based on our model of volunteer man - “Governor Cuomo is committed to Corps that will provide volunteering and at various sites in the Catskills. Proj - agement and development to maintain expanding outdoor recreation opportuni - opportunities to the public and augment ects may include trail construction and 200 miles of trails and 30 shelters in the ties in the Catskill Region and across the DEC’s professional efforts to protect and maintenance, fish sampling, invasive Catskills, the Catskill Conservation Corps state so that people of all ages and abilities improve the Park. Working together, we species control, research and monitoring will promote and manage volunteer can enjoy New York’s beautiful scenery and will be able to engage more individuals of State Lands, and a broad range of other resources and opportunities to help the a wide range of activities. DEC is pleased and groups in the stewardship and recre - activities. state preserve and protect the natural to partner with the Trail Conference to ational development of the Catskills.” resources of the Catskills. form the Catskills Conservation Corps to Under a contract with DEC, the Trail New volunteers, partnerships, and trail- protect and improve lands and waters in Conference will recruit and supervise vol - Summer 2014 Page 11 Book Review PEOPLE FOR TRAILS La Sportiva uses a proprietary sticky rubber compound on the sole to provide Hemlock excellent traction via strategically placed A Forest Giant on the GEAR low-profile lugs. The upper material sur - rounding the foot is a type of mesh that Edge overlays a thin non-mesh liner so debris does not penetrate. I have actually felt a CHECK breeze on my toes when running as air An occasional series that reviews gear whooshes through. appropriate for hiking. The tongue of the shoe is widened to further help keep pebbles out. The mid- sole includes two layers of different types Lee McAllister of EVA to provide support and cushion - Ridge, NY (Long Island) ing, yet the shoes overall are not too heavy. Each shoe weighs about 12-13 About: Husband, father of three ounces and has a 12 millimeter drop daughters, insurance agent, Lee is from heel to toe. also the author of Hiking Long I have run about 10-12 miles a week in Island , published by the Trail these on trails and grass, running both La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Shoes By David R. Foster Conference and now out in its uphill and down, in dry and wet condi - Fourth Edition. Reviewed by Howard E. Friedman tions, and have found them comfortable Yale University Press, 2014 and reliable, albeit with some wearing Reviewed by Jonathan Beard History: A life-long resident of I have been wearing/testing these shoes down of the outermost heel lug. Long Island with a passion for for almost nine months. The shoe is One of the sunniest, yet saddest, spots in nature, Lee discovered hiking designed as a trail running shoe, but I Howard E. Friedman, DPM, is an avid Harriman Park is where the Arden-Sure - through the New York Walk Book . recommend them for hiking and back - hiker, a podiatrist in Suffern, NY, and a bridge Trail meets the Dunning. Thirty years He started hiking in Harriman, packing as well. frequent contributor to Trail Walker . ago, this was a shady glen; a dense canopy of then the Catskills, earning Introduced a few years ago by La tall hemlocks blocked the sun. The trees are membership in the 3500 Club. Sportiva, an Italian company best known still there: their decaying trunks now line for its rock climbing shoes and moun - both sides of the woods road. During those Catskill years, he taineering boots, the Wildcat shoes are Most of the hemlocks in the park and collaborated with a friend to well constructed for running or hiking Rating: 4.5 boots out of 5 throughout the Hudson Valley are already produce his first book, Hiking the on uneven, rocky, root covered, and even dead—victims of a tiny insect, the wooly Catskills , published by the Trail wet terrain. The shoes are not water- adelgid. The adelgid has already eradicated Conference in 1989. By the time proof, a feature I desire as it allows wet or Ratings are 1-5 boots, with a 5-boot rank - hemlocks in the South and is now in New thoughts turned to updating that damp socks and shoes to dry when they ing signifying “This is very good. I like it.” England. In a decade or two, this once dom - popular volume, Lee had moved do get wet (which they will). inant tree will not be found south of Maine. further east on the Island with his The fate of this species is explained in family; he ruled out commuting to detail by a team of foresters and ecologists the mountains, but proposed a in Hemlock , a beautifully illustrated book new book. 50 NY Hikes centered around the trees in Harvard For - est, a research station near Petersham, + Massachusetts. They tell a story, based on research done at the forest, that goes back 50 NJ Hikes 10,000 years, to the point when the glaciers retreated, and trees colonized the East Coast. Hemlocks slowly became one of the dominant species, until suddenly, about 5,500 years ago, they virtually disap - Shop Amazon. peared—probably due to an invasive pest Support the Trail insect. It took the hemlocks about 1,500 years to recover. Conference. What is occurring now, and will happen You can donate 0.5% of your to our forests, as they die off again? Surpris - ingly, the ecologists do not tell a tale of Amazon.com purchases to the doom and gloom. Oaks, hickories, and Trail Conference at no cost to you. Hiking Long Island ? The question beech all flourished when hemlocks died When you sign up for AmazonSmile mark came from the Trail out 5,500 years ago, providing a bonanza Conference, which nevertheless and designate the Trail Conference of nuts for wildlife and humans. as your beneficiary, we receive decided to take a chance on Today, as hemlocks topple, sun-loving Lee’s proposal. Two popular hiking guides published by a portion of your total cost to pines and hardwoods rush to replace them, Countryman Press of Vermont are now out support our mission. The process and populations of many birds, insects, and Where’s the Nature? in new editions, completely revised by Trail is simple and automatic, using your mammals surge. But the writers of Hemlock “There is a lot of wildlife and Conference member Daniel Chazin with Amazon.com login. Build new trails do worry about the future, and do offer open space. There are moraine support from other Trail Conference vol - while you shop! advice: increasing development in wood - hills that offer ocean views. There unteers and staff. lands is one threat; global warming is are cranberry bogs, dunes, pine 50 Hikes in the Lower Hudson Valley and Here’s how: another. Both will cause new stresses that barrens, tidal wetlands, four main 50 Hikes in New Jersey , both previously 1. Visit smile.amazon.com. our forests may not easily survive. rivers. There’s a magnificent authored by Stella Green and Neil Zim - One lesson from Harvard Forest is the undeveloped coastline, including a merman, also Trail Conference members, 2. Sign-in with your Amazon.com importance of letting the trees fall where maritime eastern red cedar forest. are available for sale on our website. login or create an account. they may: dying hemlocks provide habitat There are wild turkeys, hermit The New York book includes hikes in 3. Select the New York-New Jersey and nutrients for decades, or centuries. thrushes, whippoorwills, foxes— silver and red. There’s the Westchester County, the East Hudson High - Trail Conference as your This book will make you see those reddish- fragrance of trailing arbutus….” lands, Rockland County, Harriman-Bear designated charity. brown logs in a new light. Mountain State Parks, Schunemunk Moun - One thing he wants to say: “Get tain, Black Rock Forest, Storm King State 4. Shop! Jonathan Beard is a Trail Conference mem - your children and grandchildren Park, the Shawangunks, and the Catskills. Trail ber and frequent book reviewer for outside, more than once. Make The New Jersey guide features hikes in Every time you want to shop, be Walker. each hike an adventure. There the Ramapos, Wyanokies, and Pinelands, in sure to sign into smile.amazon.com. is no substitute for reality.” various county parks, and along the Pal - Consider bookmarking the site in isades and the Delaware and Raritan Canal. your browser, so you can always Get Your Copy: Each hike is accompanied by full-color find it again. http://www.nynjtc.org/product/ photos and new digital maps, created espe - hiking-long-island cially for these editions.

HISTORIC HUDSON RIVER BUNGALOWS – S2014 Affordable studio, one and two bedroom homes available in historic bungalow cooperative community in Westchester County, off the Hudson River, one hour from NYC. Dating Our growing ranks of Retail Partners reward back to 1929, this three-season community has swimming pool, tennis court, organic community garden, social hall you for supporting us by offering discounts to with internet and social activities. $25,000-$87,000. www.reynoldshills.org/bungalowshop. Contact Mel: our members. Check out the current list of 347-307-4642, 347-715-3735 or melgarfi[email protected]. partners at nynjtc.org/content/retail-partners. Then take your membership card with you when you visit them. Page 12 Summer 2014

Stone Church, working with the Trail Con - ference, which adopted the trail in Featured Hike February 2014, plans to expand the trail network in the future. By Robert Ross From the trailhead, the path immediately descends on granite steps into a flat, man- Dover Stone Church made valley. The way here is lined by young maple trees that give a sense of formality to the start of the hike. At the end of this flat walk, another, shorter set of steps takes the path into woods and near the brook. You emerge briefly into an open area, where a R I

way is mowed in both directions. Turn left. E W

You will see another Welcome sign for the E T T E

preserve. Follow the path across a wooden G R O E

bridge, then along the stream bed; the path G often follows rocks or flat stones. It rises The small preserve offers a cool summer’s walk. gently and you are soon at the gothic-like entrance to the Stone Church. pedestrians; do not take cars up it. Accord - To return, simply retrace your steps. ing to a brochure on the town’s website, parking is permitted at the elementary Directions: Take NYS Route 22 to Dover school across the street when school is not Plains. Immediately south of the traffic in session, The Tabor Wing House at 3128 light at Mill Street (Metro-North Rail Sta - Route 22, and at Four Brothers Restaurant, tion), look for blue-and-gold historic sign all within walking distance. on west side of road for Dover Stone R I E Church. The drive is private, but open for W

E T T E G R O E The gothic entry to the cavern led to its designation as the Dover Stone Church. G Hikers’

Overview: This short, moderate walk In addition to the Stone Church Brook, Marketplace leads to a scenic brook and a dramatic nat - three small ponds dot a small meadow. ural cavern—the ‘stone church’—through On a recent visit, a walker spied a pair of Go Places with Trail Maps and which water and light fall and flow. mallards relaxing on a rock in the middle of one. A bench nearby invites humans to Books from the Trail Conference. Trail Uses: Hiking, picnicking do the same. The steep slopes of West Mountain rise around the tranquil scene. Dogs: On leash Access to the preserve and trail is by foot Get the complete set over a private drive—No Parking! The Acreage: 120 (approx.) trailhead is at the top of the small rise at the of trail maps at one end of the drive. Metro-North’s Dover great, low price! City/County/State: Dover Plains, Plains station stop is an easy quarter-mile Our map combo offers all of our Dutchess, NY walk distant. high-quality Trail Conference maps Fees: None at a 5% discount (members get an The Trail Conference additional 25% discount). Save big Park Description: This is a small town adopted trails in the on shipping charges! preserve, currently offering a single short hike (about 1.5 miles round-trip), but the preserve earlier this year. Find it on our online store under Combos. scenic brook and dramatic cavern at the end of the trail make the Dover Stone Church a We cover your favorite hiking areas in the New York-New Jersey region, worthwhile destination. Depending on the Trails overview: At this writing, there is including Harriman-Bear Mountain, the Catskills, North Jersey and Jersey flow of water, you may or may not be able a single trail of less than a mile in length. Highlands, East and West Hudson Highlands, and more. to keep your feet dry, and you may or may While generally easy, the trail does follow Find all our publications, and select trail guides from others, on our website, not be able to gain entry into the cavern. close alongside the Stone Church Brook and get your 25% member discount ! Regardless of the water level, rocks along and the rocks are often wet and slippery. the stream are likely to be slick, so caution High water may cover stepping stones dur - Visit www.nynjtc.org/panel/goshopping! is urged at all times. ing rainy periods. The Friends of Dover Or call 201-512-9348

Support Trails, Parks and Open Join/Renew NY-NJ Trail Conference Membership Space in the New York-New Jersey 2,000 miles of trails; your membership helps us expand our horizons. Included with membership, Trail Walker , 10% discount on purchases at many region by joining the New York- outdoor stores, and 25% discount on all Trail Conference maps and books purchased directly from the Trail Conference. Save time and a tree by joining or New Jersey Trail Conference. renewing online at www.nynjtc.org. Just click on the Join/Renew Now button. MEMBERSHIP TYPE Select one: Join Renew Membership # if available______The Trail Conference maintains more than 2,000 miles e of trails, advocates for parks, protects open space, and Individual Joint/Family

c provides volunteer service opportunities in the great outdoors. Regular $30 $40 S

n Sponsor $60 $75 Your membership supports the trails you love and gives Benefactor $120 $150 e you these additional benefits: Go to nynjtc.org/membership

r Senior (65+) $25 $30 T Life $1,000 $1,500

e 25% Discount on Trail Conference maps, books, f I and other products. Visit nynjtc.org/panel/goshopping

n A joint membership is for two adults residing at the same address. Great Discounts at supporting outdoor retailers

o and other businesses. See our partners at For my membership of $50 or more, send me a: F Trail Conference Cap OR Harriman-Bear Mountain Map Set

C nynjtc.org/content/retail-partners

To purchase a gift membership, call 201-512-9348, extension 26. l Tuition-Free Enrollment in our Trail University i

E introductory courses Name ______a

r Workshops and Seminars on trail maintenance Address ______

T and construction, leadership training, wilderness first aid, City ______State ______Zip ______

chainsaw operation, environmental monitoring N Day Phone ______Evening Phone ______and GPS operation. Learn more about Trail U at J E-MAIL ______nynjtc.org/trailu Check or money order enclosed Visa Mastercard Amex N E

- Access to a wide range of volunteer opportunities Card # ______Exp. Date: ____/ ____ on-trail and off-trail. Visit nynjtc.org/volunteer Make check or money order payable to the NY-NJ Trail Conference, Y Find links to all these and more at nynjtc.org. and mail to: 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. N B Tax-deductible. Dues are not refundable.