Canastota NY Negotiates Agreement with Snowmobilers

based on a news story of CNYLink.com, "Canastota: Agreement made with snowmobile club", by Margo Frink, Dec 16, 2008

A portion of the Link Trail in central New York state is a key connection between the Finger Lakes Trail and the Adirondacks. In the village of Canastota a segment of the trail was open to snowmobiles and thus could not be certified.

Now the village board of Canastota has entered into a Landowner Easement Agreement with the Tri-Valley Riders Inc. snowmobile club.

The section of trail in question runs parallel and left of the Link Trail just north of James Street and continues toward the buffer zone between the Industrial Park and Port Street. The Link Trail, which is part of the North Country Trail, runs south of the railroad tracks.

A train derailment in January near this area resulted in a donation by CSX to pave the trail. $30,000 was given to the village for that purpose.

"Snowmobilers are asked to stay off the paved surface," said Canastota Police Chief James Zophy. Zophy said the speed limit set in that area is 25 mph, and the Tri-Valley Riders will erect signs along the route. The agreement is contingent upon the club accepting these restrictions. The club has agreed to mark the right-of-way and maintain it year-round.

This portion of the North Country Trail is maintained by the Central New York Chapter of the NCTA.