MAINTAINING 2,154 MILES OF TRAILS IN NY AND NJ NYNJTC.ORG WINTER 2018 TRAIL WALKER NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE • CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE SINCE 1920 EDUARDO GIL EDUARDO ConstructionTRAIL WALKER Expected to Begin in 2018 on Breakneck Connector RICHARD ZAYAS Who Is the Trail Conference? When a handful of passionate hikers decided to build the first public trail across Harriman State Park in 1920, they didn’t blaze a path for their own recreation—they kicked off the beginnings of a trail revolution. This movement formed the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, which in turn has grown into an organization that stewards more than 2,150 miles of trails and the lands they traverse. Today, nearly every trail experience in this region has been made possible through the hard work of a Trail Conference volunteer. D&B ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS D&B Who are these volunteers? Some have lovingly described them as “trail gnomes,” people The partners spearheading ing for years to plan how best who quietly head into the creation of the Hudson High- to manage safety and visitation woods, work swiftly, and leave lands Fjord Trail are prepar- concerns along the portion no evidence of their efforts ing for commencement of of Route 9D between Cold beyond safe, sustainable trails construction on the Break- Spring and Beacon. The Trail and improved green space. It’s neck Connector. The project Conference is a member of a special kind of trail magic, will dramatically improve this alliance and has played a to be sure. But there is no visitor access to Breakneck role in shaping the Breakneck magic wand. This magic is in Ridge from Metro-North and Connector project. the passion of these special NYS Route 9D. It is the first individuals who give so much major undertaking by the see CONNECTOR, page 2 Trail Conference Stewards plan to be stationed at a new of themselves for the sake of coalition that has been work- welcome center at the popular Breakneck Ridge trailhead. helping others connect with nature. There is no better way VOLUME XLV, NUMBER 1 ISSN 0749-1352 WHAT’S INSIDE: to describe what the Trail Conference does than by Protecting Open Space showcasing who the Trail and Trails in Orange Conference is. And so, on County pages 6 and 7, you’ll find a pages 5 “day in the life” snapshot of the organization, featuring some of these incredible people and How the Invasives Strike their efforts to ensure that Force Targets Projects New Adventures Being the trails and natural areas Throughout the Region Built in Sterling Forest we share are sustainable and page 8 page 12 accessible for all to enjoy, for generations to come. 2 | Winter 2018 TRAIL WALKER • NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE nynjtc.org PHIL CANTOR In Memoriam: volunteer service and finan- Schoolhouse, Finance, and In- years ago. cial gifts to the Trail Confer- vestment committees. A Hungarian-born Holo- John Gunzler ence for many years. John was In 2011, John and his wife caust survivor, John recently a very active member of the Marianne inaugurated the published a memoir about his John Gunzler, a tireless cham- Board of Directors, serving Trail Conference’s Legacy life, Happily Ever After: A Jour- pion of the Trail Conference from 1999 to 2008, and contin- Fund with a gift of $100,000. ney of Survival, written by his for decades, passed away on ued to be a leading member of Trails were a life-long passion granddaughter. In all of his en- Nov. 10. He was 82. various committees, including for John and Marianne; in fact, deavors, John always seemed John generously gave back the Membership and Develop- it was on a hike in Harriman to be a happy man. He will be to the trails he loved through ment, Nominating, Darlington State Park that they met 58 greatly missed. Twice the Love for Trails and Parks Our Giving Week and to trail improvements in D&B ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS D&B #GivingTuesday campaign Ramapo Valley County was a success! A huge thank Reservation and Harriman you goes out to the nature and Sterling Forest state lovers and trail walkers who parks, you can make your showed such generous sup- gift go twice as far for trails port for our work and had and trail lands when you their gifts doubled during donate to these projects. this special fund drive. Please consider supporting Not to worry if you forgot your trail builders, maintain- to take advantage of this ers, and protectors with a dollar-for-dollar match tax-deductible gift to the period: We’ve got several Trail Conference today. funds that have matching Learn more about doubling The Breakneck Connector project will include many improvements, like this opportunities all year long. the impact of your donation welcome center, that will help to create a better trail experience for all users. From supporting Summit at nynjtc.org/donate, or con- Stewards in the Catskills to tact Brendan Cunningham at combating invasive species 201.512.9348 ext. 828. CONNECTOR, from page 1 half-mile section north of the during construction, it is an- DARLEY HEATHER Breakneck tunnel, and elim- ticipated that the Breakneck inate nose-in and other dan- Ridge trailhead and train stop The Breakneck Connector gerous parking conditions. will need to close temporari- project will: Pave and stripe the cur- ly to allow for safe and quick Create a pedestrian and rent dirt parking area, includ- construction. The current an- You can double bicycle path connection be- ing designated space for three ticipated timeframe for clo- your gift to tween the Breakneck Ridge emergency vehicles, bathroom sure of the trailhead and the programs like the Metro-North train stop and facilities, and a trolley stop. Breakneck Ridge train stop is Catskill Summit the Breakneck Ridge trail- Reduce the speed limit on in early 2018 and both would Stewards. head. Route 9D from 55 to 40 mph remain closed until the project Replace the Breakneck and add enhanced pedestrian is complete in mid-2019. Ridge train platforms with crossings and other features to Read more at bit.ly/tc-bcc. ADA-accessible platforms that improve safety. Updated construction infor- Code of Conduct by a professional staff. In will decrease the time hikers Add a new welcome center mation will be made avail- Adopted an effort to ensure that the need to exit the train, avoid- for trail orientations and visi- able on the project website at Since 1920, the Trail organization maintains a ing delays on the Hudson Line tor assistance by stewards at hudsonfjordtrail.org and Conference has partnered welcoming and profession- caused by the current plat- the Breakneck Ridge trailhead, through the Trail Conference with parks and outdoor al environment, the Board forms. including new trailhead signs website, E-Walker, and social clubs to create, protect, of Directors has established Demarcate on-street park- and other wayfinding. media. For alternative hikes and promote a network of a Code of Conduct applica- ing and emergency vehicle Although the trails along around Breakneck Ridge, public trails in the greater ble to both volunteers and staging along Route 9D in the the ridge will remain open check out bit.ly/tc-btc. New York metropolitan staff members. It includes region. The Trail Confer- expectations for the reso- TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970- Board of Directors ence has attracted volun- lution of Code of Conduct 100) (ISSN: 0749-1352) is published Edward Saiff Chair teers from all walks of life violations and conflicts quarterly by the New York-New Patricia Wooters Vice Chair who provide valuable work that may arise among Trail Jersey Trail Conference as a benefit Rick Levine Treasurer of membership. Subscriptions are Ken Posner Secretary in maintaining trails and Conference participants. available to libraries only at $15 Daniel Hoberman Counsel many other functions, and View the Code of Conduct a year. Periodical postage paid at their work is coordinated at bit.ly/tc-coc. Mahwah, N.J., and additional mailing TRAIL WALKER Directors offices. Postmaster: Send address Chris Connolly Gaylord Holmes changes to the address below. VOLUME XLV, NO. 1 WINTER 2018 Walt Daniels John Magerlein Mary Dooman Beth Ravit Copyright 2018 by: AMBER RAY EDITOR Andy Garrison Dave Stuhr New York-New Jersey STEPHANIE HINDERER DESIGNER Suzan Gordon Ned Whitney Trail Conference, Inc. 600 Ramapo Valley Road MISSION STATEMENT Staff Mahwah, NJ 07430 The New York-New Jersey Trail Edward Goodell 201.512.9348 Conference is a volunteer-powered Executive Director organization that builds, maintains, and Joshua Howard Opinions expressed by the authors protects public trails. Together with Deputy Executive Director do not necessarily represent our partners, we strive to ensure that Don Weise the policy or position of the Trail the trails and natural areas we share Development Director Conference. Submissions for print are sustainable and accessible for all to Mary Perro consideration are welcome. Any enjoy for generations to come. Operations & Finance Manager unsolicited material accepted for Linda Rohleder print may be edited for style and Land Stewardship Director length. Submission deadlines for The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a volunteer, non-profit TRAIL WALKER are Feb. 15 For a full list of staff, visit 501 (c)(3) organization. (Spring issue), May 15 (Summer nynjtc.org/about-us issue), Aug. 15 (Fall issue), Nov. 15 email: [email protected] (Winter issue). For information on Printed on recycled content paper advertising rates, please write editorial email: [email protected] or call. PLEASE RECYCLE TRAIL WALKER website: www.nynjtc.org Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation Trail Walker is a quarterly paper published by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, 600 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430.