MAINTAINING 2,151 MILES OF TRAILS IN NY AND NJ NYNJTC.ORG SUMMER 2016 TRAIL WALKER NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE • CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE SINCE 1920 Stewardship in Action FEINBERG LINDSEY After Sam’s Point Fire LINDSEY FEINBERG LINDSEY AMBER RAY Post-Fire, a Different COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Kind of Trail Crew Trip When natural disaster hits our parks and trails, Trail Con- Not all of the good work of our cial that we got to these areas ference volunteers step up to trail crews happens on-trail. quickly after the fire and -in the challenge. Once damaged When Minnewaska manage- stalled erosion control devic- areas are deemed accessi- ment asked for the Trail Con- es,” Polinsky said. “The work is ble, our volunteers clear blow ference’s assistance in install- not over, but we can relax a lit- downs, repair tread, reblaze ing water bars and check dams tle bit knowing that the worst paths, and overall ensure our on fire breaks created during of the potential damage is mit- trails are once again open and fire suppression operations, igated thanks to the quick mo- safe for the public. But some- the Long Distance Trails Crew bilization, hard work, and ex- times, some of our best recov- (LDTC) and Nor’westers Trail pertise of the trail crews, other ery efforts are accomplished Crew sprang into action. organizations, and volunteers.” through stewardship. Drew Polinsky, the ranger at Despite short notice and Such is the case in New York, A wildfire burned 2,028 acres in Sam’s Point in April. Sev- Sam’s Point, called mitigating heavy work schedules, the where a 2,028-acre wildfire eral trails remain closed for ecological and safety reasons. these breaks a high priority, LDTC and Nor’westers un- consumed the Sam’s Point area since the process of building derstood the importance and of Minnewaska State Park Pre- in the globally rare, ridge-top, better understand this unique them scraped away soil layers time-sensitive nature of this serve. The blaze, sparked April dwarf pitch pine barrens, a environment. and created serious potential project. “We should all be very 23, forced the closure of Min- fire-dependent community. Our No. 1 duty in protecting for gully erosion. “It was cru- proud of the good work our newaska for a full week; Sam’s Not only do environmental these trails is to educate visitors POLINSKY DREW crews are doing in helping Point only partially reopened disturbances such as wildfires and explain why the cooper- with fire mitigation efforts,” May 28, and several trails in greatly increase the risk of cer- ation of everyone is essential. said LDTC Crew Leader Bob the area remain closed indefi- tain invasive species becoming Habitat for plants and wildlife, Fuller. nitely. established, but walking in especially sensitive species, is The crews are set to resume When a park closes or re- burned areas can compact the continually shrinking to give regular trail work in Minne- routes a favorite trail, it’s for soil or crush seedlings. Staying way for human space. Let’s do waska on the Jenny Lane Trail very good reason—typically out of closed areas will help our part in ensuring the parts on July 2, and on the Ver- to protect that particular eco- this rare ecosystem regener- that are protected remain bio- keerder Kill Trail on Sept. 24. system from destruction. The ate, and allow research and diverse and healthy, free of in- Long Distance Trails Crew If you’d like to volunteer, visit majority of this fire occurred monitoring projects to help us trusion. and Nor’westers Trail Crew bit.ly/TC-tco for details. WHAT’S INSIDE: Earth Day Celebration Opens Trails People for Trails: Building a Bridge in Stokes, Kiosks for People Interpretive Exhibit AMBER RAY in Harriman, and More The craft of trail building re- page 6-7 ceived the spotlight on Earth Day, April 22, when a new out- Vital Trail Lands door learning and activity area Preserved in Bergen The Best Trails to Beat was unveiled on the Appala- and Orange Counties the Weekend Crowds chian Trail at Bear Mountain page 8 pages 4-5 State Park. Trails for People, a project of the Trail Confer- ence and partners, is the first known interactive, on-trail ex- VOLUME XLIII, NUMBER 3 ISSN 0749-1352 hibit in the United States ded- icated to the art and science of trail building. Trails for People serves as a gateway to the backcountry Thirty-two educationalfor the 2 million people who visit Bear Mountain annually. signs and hands-on displays inform novice and expert trail builders have rerouted the first at how sustainable hiking trails users alike about the Appa- 850 feet of the Appalachian are constructed. Interpretive lachian Trail’s origins at Bear Trail’s ascent of Bear Moun- signs and activity stations in- Mountain, how trails are built, tain, now known as the Trails vite visitors to experience trail and how volunteers are the for People Demonstration features such as bog bridges, lifeblood of our trail systems. Trail. This Trail segment re- turnpike, crib walls, and step Trail Conference volunteers places a steep asphalt driveway construction. Find out more at alongside professional trail and provides a first-hand look bit.ly/tc-tfp16. 2 | Summer 2016 TRAIL WALKER • NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE nynjtc.org A View from the Trail NICK ZUNGOLI Photo Exhibition Opens at Trail Conference HQ The Trail Conference is pleased the Hudson Highlands, If You Go to announce the opening of Delaware Water Gap National the photography exhibition Recreation Area, Catskill Park, What: A View from the titled A View from the Trail. and Apshawa Preserve. The Trail photo exhibition The exhibit is open through subjects of the photographs When: Open through Thursday, Aug. 25, in the Main include natural landscapes, Aug. 25 during regular Conference and Training flora and fauna, and depictions Trail Conference hours, Room at Trail Conference of the seasons. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon- Headquarters at the historic The majority of the artworks day through Saturday Darlington Schoolhouse. are for sale, and 20 percent of Where: Trail Confer- From an array of excellent the proceeds will benefit the ence Headquarters, submissions, 20 local artists Trail Conference. 600 Ramapo Valley Rd., are presenting 34 stunning We invite all to visit Monday Mahwah, N.J. photographs that showcase through Saturday between Details: Open to our scenes and vistas from 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. A closing members and the pub- trails all over the region, reception will be held on Aug. lic. Many photos are for notably from Harriman 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. sale with 20 percent of State Park, Minnewaska for all artists, their families the proceeds benefiting State Park Preserve, Ramapo and friends, and patrons of the Trail Conference. Valley County Reservation, the arts. Forest Fern by Nick Zungoli was taken at Stony Brook in Brendan Cunningham Harriman State Park. It’s part of the exhibit now on view. Ringwood State Park, News in Brief CARDENAS SABINA LETTER TO THANKS TO THE HARDWORKING Call for THE EDITOR VOLUNTEERS IN TACONIC STATE PARK Volunteer CHRISTOPHER D. RICKARD D. CHRISTOPHER Award I was just sitting at my Without these folks, this computer looking out the connection to Rudd would Nominations window and thinking of how have never happened. This great our hiking network is new extension is essential Do you know someone who here at Taconic State Park. to keeping Rudd a viable has done an outstanding Upcoming It is even greater now with park for the community of job as a Trail Conference Celebrations for the essential and wonderful Millerton and the hundreds volunteer? completion of the new South of visitors that use the The Volunteer Committee Members and Taconic Trail extension from Metro North Station and is looking for nominees for Volunteers Brace Mountain connecting Harlem Valley Rail Trail. our annual awards. With to Rudd Pond. I am writing I am really excited about more than 1,700 people Save the dates: We’ve got to say THANK YOU!! Thank what has been accomplished who donate their time to two exciting events coming you to your wonderful and just wanted to thank the organization, we know up this fall that celebrate organization that really your crew and your superb award-worthy volunteers everything we love about GETS STUFF DONE!! organization for their are in our ranks. Who the outdoors—from hiking, I cannot tell you how amazing work. do you know who has to our volunteers! wonderful it is to have gone above and beyond? Join us Saturday, Oct. 15, Andrew Seirup, Kay Park mascot Mahi enjoys With much appreciation, Members may nominate for the Trail Conference Cynamon, Claudia Farb, and the South Taconic Trail individuals for the annual Members and Community Chris Leonard as volunteers extension. Christopher D. awards, presented every Day. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on our trail system. Thank Rickard fall by the Trail Conference we’ll be offering guided hikes, you to ALL the volunteers last year! I can assure you Park Manager Board. The deadline is educational workshops, tours and Boy Scouts that put they are some of the most Taconic State Park Monday, Aug. 15. of our headquarters at the in the time and hard work hardworking volunteers I Copake Falls and Rudd The nomination process historic Darlington School- on hot summer Saturdays know. Pond is easy. Check nynjtc.org/ house, and more. awards to see the award And on Saturday, Nov.