July Newsletter

Valentino Family Community Forest

Rensselaer Plateau Alliance opened its newest community forest property, Valentino Family Community Forest, to the public on June 7, 2023. This new community forest offers over 5 miles of hiking trails. The trail from Lot A takes you into a large stand of hemlocks and along a boulder strewn creek. There are two ponds on the property, with trails to hike around them, including a lean-to to stop for a break. Click here for more information and a trail map. Then put on your hiking boots and enjoy the new trails!

Pittsfield State Forest - Paving

Circuit Rd in Pittsfield State Forest is scheduled to be fully repaved by the end of June. The road to Berry Pond has been closed daily during the past two weeks to accommodate paving. If you have driven this road in the past few years, you will know this project was long overdue. You will no longer have the challenge of dodging potholes!

Accessible Trails in the Taconic Region—What they are, How they are made, and What they mean to you!

Accessible trails are becoming more popular as nonprofits and state agencies seek to expand access to outdoor recreation. Sometimes funded by donations and built by volunteer help and sometimes underwritten by grants, the building of sustainable and accessible trails that are ADA compliant is something that benefits all of us. As they become more well-known and appreciated by people who have difficulty negotiating a traditional trail, you’ll be seeing more and more of them in the future.

What is an Accessible Trail?

People with disabilities seek out park activities such as camping, hiking, sightseeing, exploring exhibits and taking tours with the same interest and enthusiasm as other visitors. Accessible trails refer to newly constructed and altered trails that meet the technical requirements of federal accessibility guidelines.

How are they built?

In order to make walks accessible to persons with disabilities, surfaces must be firm and stable and should strengthen and improve the natural surface. Generally, that means a surface of a soil stabilizer like crushed rock or fine granular stone--also referred to as crusher fines or decomposed granite--or recycled materials as well as harder surfaces such asphalt, concrete or a boardwalk made of wood, recycled wood or plastic lumber. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, including wide cost differences.

In order to be accessible for persons with disabilities, walks need to be at least 4 feet wide, although 5 feet is preferred since it allows passing space for wheelchair users. The running slope or grade of a walk should be 5 percent or less.

Thought must be given to the particular difficulties of negotiating a surface in a wheelchair or with a walker. Both the elderly and young children benefit from these trails that allow them to experience a variety of habitats that might otherwise be off-limits to them.

Where are they and how can I find them?

We are lucky to have several fine accessible trails around the Taconics.

In Pittsfield State Forest the Tranquility Trail is a ¾ mile paved path that winds through the woods and crosses a brook. It is accessed from the Lodge at the State Forest on Cascade Street in Pittsfield, MA.

At Mount Greylock State Forest in Lanesborough, visitors can drive to the 3461’ summit of Mount Greylock for the views and a ¼ mile loop trail around the Veterans Monument. A lodge at the summit provides seasonal meals (and overnights), and picnic tables are available too.

The paved (and newly repaved in 2021!) Ashuwillticook Trail runs 14 miles through north Pittsfield, Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Adams and has several access points along the route. It borders the Cheshire Reservoir and wetlands and offers stops for ice cream and food in towns along the way. It is very popular with bikers and walkers and is fully handicap accessible.

At Berkshire Natural Resources Council’s (BNRC) Thomas Palmer Preserve on Rt. 23 in Great Barrington, the Meadow Loop will take you on a 1/2-mile round trip accessible walk on a 6-foot-wide crushed stone surface and includes a nice bridge over the brook. There are two benches and viewing areas overlooking a wetland and meadow, and handicap parking is available.

BNRC’s second accessible trail, the Parsons Marsh Trail is located in Lenox off Under Mountain Road. This .6-mile (RT) trail features a marsh, forested wetland, and a quarry pond. Just beyond the pond the trail transitions to boardwalk and offers a bench halfway. The trail ends at an observation platform and bench to enjoy the open views and many birds from the edge of the marsh.

Both of BNRC’s accessible trails were designed by and constructed by Peter S. Jensen & Associates and were funded by a combination of Community Preservation Act dollars, donations, and purchase.

The Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) has been busy these last couple of years planning, designing, and building handicap accessible trails too. Their first, at the Poestenkill Community Forest involves an inspiring tale of volunteer and donor spirit. The result, Dorothy’s Equal Access Trail, was conceived by an RPA volunteer and board member, Jeff Briggs, who wanted to be able to get his mother, who relied on a wheelchair later in her life, out into nature. Jeff remembers taking her for car rides and having few options for places to enjoy the outdoors together. That's when he started thinking about accessibility. Jeff recruited a team of volunteers and got local contractors to donate material. "Now here we are," Jeff says, "with a trail for everyone." The trail has two dedicated equal access parking spots on Legenbauer Road, immediately across from the trailhead. Dorothy's Trail runs approximately 600 feet out to a wetland overlook and 600 feet back on a hard surface, for a round-trip length of just over a quarter mile. In progress this year is a handicap accessible trail being built at RPA’s Albert Family Community Forest located at the end of Hayes Road in East Nassau. This looping trail opposite the parking area is being constructed with a crushed stone surface and should be ready sometime this season. Stay tuned too for another RPA accessible trail that will be built at the newly opened Valentino Family Community Forest in Cropseyville, also on the Rensselaer Plateau and adjacent to other conserved lands. This trail will be designed keeping the particular needs of veterans in mind.

It’s all about inclusivity! Let’s welcome everyone to the outdoors.

OUTINGS: Refer to the THC website outings page for details about the outings and how to register. We schedule on a monthly and short-term basis, so check the website periodically.

Saturday, July 1, Bike Ride - Lions Park to Rotterdam B/A
Friday, July 7: Burbank Preserve and Kripalu trails, Lenox MA C+/B-
Tuesday, July 11: Yokun Ridge along a portion of The High Road, B-
July 10, or 11, or 12, or 13 or 14: A Week of Adirondack Paddling
Wednesday July 19: Albert Family Community Forest B-
Wednesday July 26: Alander Mountain B
Thursday, July 27 - Field Farm C
Thursday, July 27: Bike on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail B

“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” Gary Snyder

**Resting on the log before they drop it. Pic by K Ross**

**Hollow Fields, upper field. Pic by D Dutra**

**Cherry Plain State Park, pic by M Waldman**

**Valentino Family Community Forest, pic by J Gorman**

**Another total trail blocker being removed. Pic by k Ross**

NewsletterMartha WaldmanJune 30, 2023July 2023