Minutes 2/3/2005

New York – New Jersey Trail Conference
Trails Council
February 3, 2005

1. Trails Council Chair Pete Heckler called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. at the Trail Conference office in Mahwah, N.J. Present were: Pete Heckler - Chair, Larry Wheelock - Trails Director, Jill Arbuckle, Larry Braun, John Blenninger, Bob Boyle, Bob Boysen, Larry Braun, Ken Card, Daniel D. Chazin, Chris Connolly, Ellen Cronan, Jane Daniels, Walt Daniels, Mike DeMarco, Jack Driller, Anne Dyjak, Jakob Franke, Bob Marshall, John Moran, Sandy Parr, Joseph Sanchez, Trudy Schneider, Nicole Smith, Bruce Thomson, Denise Vitale, Ed Walsh, Sr., Bob Ward.

2. Minutes. The minutes of the Trails Council meeting of December 2, 2004 were approved as submitted.

3. Announcements. The following announcements were made:

a. National Trails Day. Larry Wheelock announced that a total of ten events have been scheduled in our area for National Trails Day, in locations that range from near Albany to Jenny Jump State Forest in New Jersey, with two events in New York City. He noted that these events will be registered with the American Hiking Society and publicized in Backpacker Magazine.

b. New Administrative Director. Pete Heckler introduced Anne Dyjak, the Trail Conference’s new Administrative Director. Anne Dyjak pointed out that she has been an avid hiker and camper for many years, and stated that she is looking forward to her new job.

c. New Trails Council Attendees. Bob Ward introduced Joseph Sanchez and Nicole Smith, who work for Partnership for Parks in New York City. Bob Boyle, A.T. Overseer in New Jersey, also introduced himself.

4. Bear Mountain Trails Charette. Larry Wheelock reported that the “charette” process to develop a plan for improving the trails on Bear Mountain is nearly complete. He explained that we now must develop a work plan for the trail work and present it to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for their approval. He also pointed out that we intend to hire a Trail Projects Coordinator to manage this project, and noted that the intent is to recruit volunteers to perform most of the work. In response to a question by John Blenninger, Larry Wheelock pointed out that the section of the A.T. on the north side of Bear Mountain receives a high amount of use, and we will need to construct a trail to a very high standard so that it will last for many years. He noted that it may take some time to have our proposed A.T. reroute approved by the authorities, but work can commence sooner on the Major Welch and S-BM Trails, which are not being relocated.

Larry Wheelock commented that the work on the Bear Mountain trails has been estimated to cost $400,000, and noted that Pam Underhill of the National Park Service has already committed that sum. However, he pointed out that the plan also contains other elements, and that additional funds would need to be raised for these elements. Pete Heckler noted that a meeting had just been held with trail crew leaders regarding the hiring of a Trail Projects Coordinator, whose function would include the recruitment of volunteers and obtaining the necessary permits, and whose salary would primarily come from grants. Jane Daniels pointed out that we attempted to find a volunteer who could coordinate this project, but were unable to do so.

5. Adoption of Old Croton Aqueduct Trail in High Bridge Park in Manhattan. Bob Ward introduced Nicole Smith and Joseph Sanchez of Partnership for Parks, who distributed maps of the 119-acre Highbridge Park in Manhattan, recently produced by the Sierra Club. Joseph Sanchez explained that he is working on reopening the pedestrian walk on the High Bridge, which is the oldest bridge in New York City. He also pointed out that Highbridge Park contains several trails.

Nicole Smith, who is the volunteer coordinator for parks in Manhattan, noted that the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail extends through Highbridge Park for about a mile, from 158 th Street to 174 rd Street. She pointed out that the trail is presently unblazed but was recently rehabilitated, with switchbacks built in one location. Bob Ward stated that, if adopted by the Conference, this trail would be blazed.

After discussion, it was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that the Trails Council recommend to the Board that the Conference adopt this one-mile stretch of the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail in Highbridge Park in Manhattan if approved by the Board of Directors.

6. Relocation in Section 29 of the Long Path in West Fulton, New York. Ed Walsh explained that this proposed relocation would eliminate about a mile of a two-and-one-half-mile roadwalk by following a snowmobile trail through private property. He noted this trail section is maintained by the Long Path North Hiking Club. After a brief discussion, this relocation was approved by the Trails Council.

7. Ringwood State Park. John Moran explained that a half-mile section of the Hasenclever Iron Trail through Ringwood State Park has been officially closed in the Peters Mine area, where a clean-up is underway to remove toxic waste dumped by the Ford Motor Company. He stated that it is hoped that the clean-up will be completed by the spring, and that no relocation is being proposed for now.

8. Norvin Green State Forest. On behalf of Bob Jonas, who was unable to attend the meeting, John Moran reported that local residents have been using the hiker parking area at Otter Hole for their personal vehicles, and stated that signs would be installed to indicate that parking is for hikers only. He also noted that a landowner is seeking vehicular access to his property on a section of Snake Den Road that is now used as the route of the Otter Hole Trail and is closed to vehicular traffic. He stated that the park is opposing this request and expects to win the case.

John Moran reported that illegal ATV use in Norvin State Park remains a problem, and that enforcement is difficult. He noted that the “Stone Living Room” located just off the Hewitt-Butler Trail is much used for partying. He stated that the area is badly littered and that it is hard to enforce park regulations in this area. Regarding law enforcement authority on state park lands, John Moran reported that the Superintendent of Ringwood State Park (which also administers Norvin Green State Forest) has taken the position that park rangers are the primary law enforcement authority in state parks and forests, and that local police have no jurisdiction there without the prior request of park authorities. John Moran noted that an information kiosk will be installed at junction of the Hewitt-Butler, Mine and Otter Hole Trails, since hikers are often confused in this area. He also reported that an Eagle Scout project will install a footbridge over Blue Mine Brook on the Otter Hole Trail.

9. Bicycle Trails in Ramapos. John Moran noted that bicycles are prohibited in Ramapo Valley County Reservation, and that to facilitate access from a parking area on Skyline Drive to Ringwood State Park, where bicycles are allowed, without traversing county parkland, the construction of two new connecting trails over state parkland has been proposed. John Moran stated that the Trail Conference has a cooperative relationship with the Ramapo Valley Cycling Club, which supports these new connecting trails, and that this group has cooperated with us in restoring the section of the Cannonball Trail south of I-287. He indicated that we intended to support this club’s proposal to construct these connecting trails.

10. Wanaque Connector. John Moran explained that Pulte/Del Webb – a developer which is constructing a residential development in the area – has given the Town of Wanaque an easement on a sizeable parcel of land between Ramapo Mountain State Forest and the Wanaque River. This, he noted, facilitates the creation of a trail that would link Ramapo Mountain State Forest with Norvin Green State Forest. He pointed out that this link would incorporate the existing but unofficial Indian Rock Trail, which connects the Cannonball Trail at the south end of Ramapo Lake with Back Beach Town Park in Wanaque, where parking is available. West of there, John Moran explained, the trail would probably have to be routed along a paved road that goes through private property to link up with the Posts Brook Trail, which itself follows a paved road for the first mile. However, he noted that alternative routes might be available, and he pointed out that one possible route incorporates a portion of the abandoned Greenwood Lake Branch of the Erie Railroad. John Moran emphasized that his presentation was preliminary in nature, and that we intended to approach the various property owners with our plans and hope to obtain their permission to construct a connecting trail.

11. Extension of Shore Path through Fort Lee Historic Park. Daniel Chazin pointed out that, last year, he proposed that the Long Path be extended under the George Washington Bridge to end at the visitor center at the Fort Lee Historic Park, where free parking is generally available. He noted that this Long Path extension was approved by the Trails Council and has already been opened. He explained that he was now proposing that the Shore Trail be extended north through the Fort Lee Historic Park to reach the southern terminus of the Long Path, thus facilitating loop hikes. He noted that there are proposals to construct a multi-use path along Hudson Terrace which would parallel the proposed trail, but pointed out that this path would be heavily used by bicycles, and commented that it would probably be unsafe for pedestrians to share this path with bicycles speeding downhill.

John Moran reported that he and Jakob Franke have visited the site and identified a trail route through the Historic Park that he believes to be feasible. He noted that this route follows a paved path close to the cliff edge, with magnificent views of the George Washington Bridge and of Manhattan. He pointed out that the main concern is the descent from the cliffs at the southern end of the Historic Park, but stated that he believes that it is feasible to construct a trail (with steps) along the route of a former “mechanical stairway” that once led to a hotel at the top of the cliffs, and noted that he has asked Sandy Parr to examine the route and determine its feasibility. John Moran also pointed out that the staff of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission has expressed some concerns regarding this trail, since it would open up access at the southern end of the park, but he expressed the hope that our proposal would be accepted by the park.

After discussion, it was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that the Trails Council approve the proposed extension of the Shore Trail through the Fort Lee Historic Park to connect with the Long Path.

12. Standards for Safe Chainsaw Use. Larry Wheelock stated that he has become increasingly concerned with the use of chainsaws by people who have not been certified in their operation. He noted that the U.S. Forest Service training uses OSHA guidelines and establishes a very high standard, but that the State of New York does not require this high level of certification for trail maintainers on state land. Larry Wheelock pointed out that certification is required for all A.T. maintainers and that, in the past, non-A.T. maintainers were permitted to enroll in the courses sponsored by ATC. However, he noted, ATC now wishes to restrict its courses to A.T. maintainers only, and we would have to pay for courses for non-A.T. maintainers. Larry Wheelock stated that it could cost us about $1,500 for each of two yearly courses that would train a maximum of ten people each, besides the cost of protective gear. It was noted, however, that Jack Shuart, who is a certified chainsaw trainer, might be able to train our maintainers for free. Larry Wheelock suggested that perhaps our vendors could defray the cost of this certification program. Several Trail Council members commented that they had benefitted significantly from chainsaw training.

Discussion followed on the pros and cons of requiring a high level of certification for all Trail Conference maintainers who use chainsaws, but no conclusion was reached

13. West Hudson-North Trails. Larry Braun reported that the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation have finally approved a short relocation on the Gertrude’s Nose Trail in Minnewaska State Park which will eliminate a steep, badly-eroded trail section. He also reported that the work to remove ordnance from Storm King State Park has been completed, and that the trails in the park are now open daily.

Daniel Chazin pointed out that our plans call for the relocation of the Long Path north of Sam’s Point onto the newly-acquired Shevchenko property, thus abandoning the present route of the Long Path through Minnewaska State Park. He noted that the existing Long Path route through the park would undoubtedly be preserved as a hiking trail, and questioned what new name would be assigned this trail. He suggested that it be renamed the Scenic Trail, since that was the trail’s original name when first built many years ago. After a brief discussion, during which it was stated that the actual Long Path reroute will probably not take place for two or three years, it was agreed that the renaming of the trail would be decided upon at a future date.

14. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Daniel D. Chazin
Secretary

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