Connecting with Nature Is Easier Than Ever Before with the New NYNJTC.Org
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MAINTAINING 2,144 MILES OF TRAILS IN NY AND NJ NYNJTC.ORG WINTER 2017 TRAIL WALKER NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE • CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE SINCE 1920 VOLUNTEER AWARDS Connecting with Nature AARON STEVE Is Easier Than Ever Before with the New NYNJTC.org The New York-New Jersey everyone is encouraged to Celebrating Trail Conference is proud to share their thoughts on their announce the launch of the favorite spots with fellow hik- Extraordinary newly redesigned nynjtc.org ers at the bottom of each park, and the migration of our lega- hike, and destination page. Service to cy databases to a customer relationahip management Easy Tools to Give Back Local Trails (CRM) system fully integrat- ed with our website. The up- Because trails are built, main- The hard work and dedication dated website is the digital tained, and protected by the of Trail Conference volunteers version of walking through same outdoor-loving people is unparalleled. Yet their work the door at our Darlington who enjoy them, we’ve made goes unnoticed by the ma- Schoolhouse headquarters— finding opportunities to give jority of people who benefit all the information you need back as simple as finding a from their service—which, to prepare for your next ad- hike on the new nynjtc.org. when you think about it, isn’t venture on the trails is right at Through the Take Action pan- necessarily a bad thing. your fingertips. The website is el in the menu, discover ways When done right, with skill fully integrated with our new to volunteer, attend an event, and passion, trail construction CRM system to provide our accessibility using this power- to the most popular plac- learn about our programs, do- and maintenance—as well as members and volunteers a bet- ful tool as your guide. es to hike, picnic, and swim nate, or become a Trail Con- facilities management and ter experience interacting with The Trail Conference has throughout the region—were ference member. Explore the website development, two the Trail Conference while further developed its Hiking created to provide education many ways you can contribute other areas of expertise volun- creating a simplified and Resources on the new nynjtc. on what makes these spots so to the work our thousands of teers provide the Trail Confer- modern platform for efficient org as a one-stop-shop to find special and how visitors’ sus- volunteers do to connect peo- ence—become nearly invisible, operation of the organization. the information needed to pre- tainable decision-making helps ple with nature, all in one place. fading into the landscape to The website’s fresh, clean pare for a safe, enjoyable expe- protect these important areas. Similarly, all essentials for allow people the opportunity look has been designed to work rience outside. Additionally, Of course, we want your on- Trail Conference registered us- to connect with nature. beautifully on any device. New Destination Guides—guides the-ground feedback, too— ers, members, and volunteers On Nov. 5, the Trail Confer- tools make everything from are now organized in the My ence pulled back the curtain, researching your next hike to Backpack panel of the menu. so to speak, on the remarkable finding volunteer opportuni- Made by Volunteers good deeds in the field. Through My Dashboard, regis- efforts of our volunteers and ties easier than ever before. Led by Committee Chair tered users can see and review partners who have gone above As with everything the Trail Mary Dooman, volunteers comments, resources such as and beyond in the service of New Ways to Plan Conference does, the launch Doug Cleek, Walter Daniels, forms and reports applicable to trails at the annual Volunteer Your Trip of the new nynjtc.org and Russell Dooman, David specific roles, reference docu- Awards at Ramapo College of integrated database would Klatt, John Magerlein, and ments, donation information, New Jersey in Mahwah, N.J. When you visit the new not have been possible William Roehrig, and staff and event registrations. The The inspiring bios of the 19 nynjtc.org, you’ll be invited without the hard work of members Jeremy Apgar and much-anticipated online re- honorees who have dedicat- to get outdoors through the our incredibly dedicated Amber Ray were integral porting feature, which will al- ed themselves to building, Trail and Park Finder. Choose volunteers. Since 2015, the to the entire process, from low volunteers to record their maintaining, and protecting from more than 700 trails and Technology Committee selecting Wanna Pixel as our hours and file their trail reports trails and trail lands—includ- parks throughout the greater has been focused on the web consultants and work- via the website, will roll out in ing a tribute to Jakob Franke New York metropolitan area redesign, upgrade, and ing side-by-side with their the coming months. (above), our dear friend who with this interactive map. Use migration of these systems, team, to coordinating with We aim to make nynjtc.org received the Trail Confer- filters to find parks, hikes, and the digital lifeblood of the staff and volunteers, to see- your go-to resource for every- ence’s highest honor just destinations according to your Trail Conference that allows ing the project through to thing trail-related in region. days before he unexpectedly interests, or search by features us to accomplish all of our completion—and beyond. Check it out, and let us know passed away—can be found such as location, difficulty, and what you think! on pages 4-5. VOLUME XLIV, NUMBER 1 ISSN 0749-1352 WHAT’S INSIDE: Overused Trails of the Ramapo Mountains to Undergo Major Upgrades page 3 People for Trails: A Kiosk 2016 Look Back/2017 Is Built, Breakneck Is Map Talk: Why Are All Look Ahead Beautified, and More of the Trails Red? pages 6-7 page 8 page 11 2 | Winter 2017 TRAIL WALKER • NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE nynjtc.org New Exhibit: Art If You Go AMBER RAY What: Erik Garnjost solo exhibition by Crew Leader When: Open Jan. 18 through April 27 during regular Trail Conference hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Erik Garnjost Monday through Friday. Where: Trail Conference Headquarters, 600 Ramapo Valley Rd., Mahwah, N.J. Details: An opening reception is scheduled for the evening of Trail Conference Set to Jan. 20 from 6-8 p.m. Improve Popular NY Trails at Trail Conference Headquarters. The Trail Conference has received two planning grants from “Tallman Mountain” the New York State Environmental Protection Fund through the Regional Economic Development Council awards. Nearly Artist Erik Garnjost, crew $48,000 has been granted to the Trail Conference for the leader for the Long Distance Exhibition Erik Garnjost completion of the Trails for People project on Bear Mountain Trails Crew, has been chosen Openings Opens Jan. 18 in Rockland County, which includes plans for rehabilitating a by the Art Selection Commit- Closes April 27 historic structure (above), upgrading the remaining sections tee for a solo exhibition open- and Closings of the Bear Mountain trail network, and building a connector ing in January at Trail Confer- Joyce Kilmer trail between the Suffern-Bear Mountain and Appalachian ence Headquarters. Don’t miss these exhibi- Elementary Show trails. The Trail Conference was awarded another EPF grant, More than 20 years ago, Erik tions at Trail Conference Opens beginning of May about $17,000, to create a plan that would rehabiliate was painting in the mountains Headquarters: Closes Memorial Day overused trail sections in John Boyd Thacher State Park in of Colorado and the canyons Albany County. Read more about these exciting projects at of Utah and Arizona, forming Discovering the Mixed Media of bit.ly/tc-epf16. his personal style in the back- Long Path: New York’s Flowers Show country. This is where, he says, Greatest Trail Opens June “the amazing calm … slapped Closes Jan. 13 Closes September you in the face.” He has am- Thanks SUEZ ple experience with plein air Mahwah Regional Cham- painting, including hiking into to Our ber of Commerce the Grand Canyon with his The Hillburn Granite equipment and coming out Corporate Company, Inc. days later with several com- L.L. Bean pleted works. Sponsors Butler Sign Company A move to the East Coast Inserra Shop-Rite offered new scenery for his Without the generous Supermarkets, Inc. painting, sometimes only af- support of our corporate TD Bank ter a long search for the vista sponsors, the Trail Patagonia Service Center that “demands to be paint- Conference would be Putnam Tourism Corp. ed.” His involvement with unable to make such a Putnam County the Trail Conference inspires huge impact in creating Visitor’s Bureau, Inc. him to paint what he sees safe, enjoyable trail Boiling Springs Savings on trails throughout the Low- experiences for everyone. Bank er Hudson Valley and the In addition to our retail Dutchess Tourism Inc. Catskills. Erik now lives in partners (find the full list Whole Foods Market Minuteman Press Nyack, N.Y., with his family. “South Bear Mountain Relocation #1” at bit.ly/tc-rp), we’d like Brendan Cunningham to thank our friends in Fairfield Inn & Suites — the business community Mahwah, N.J. who have made significant Tuxedo Park School AURIC Information TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970- Board of Directors contributions to support 100) (ISSN: 0749-1352) is published Edward Saiff Chair the Trail Conference’s Packaging quarterly by the New York-New Patricia Wooters Vice Chair work: Ramsey Outdoor Jersey Trail Conference as a benefit Rick Levine Treasurer R&S Landscaping of membership. Subscriptions are Daniel Hoberman Counsel available to libraries only at $15 Google Trow & Holden Company Directors a year.