Larmann & Leinen Receive New 10K Hour Award

Al Larmann (photo by jhy)

by jhy

On the opening day of the 2011 North Country Trail Association annual conference in Dayton, Ohio, the National Park Service presented awards for hours of volunteer service. Such awards begin at the 100-hour level, and have previously extended to 2500 hours of work for the trail. Various levels result in receiving a pin, water bottle, twill shirt, free NPS pass, fleece vest, or fleece shirt.

This year, two additional levels were added. At the 4000-hour mark, recipients receive a Presidential Service pin and a letter from the President of the United States. A 10,000 hour award has also been added, and already two NCT volunteers have accomplished this amazing feat. They are John Leinen of Minnesota, and Al Larmann of New York. Larmann was present to receive his personalized plaque.

Volunteer service to the trail can include anything from the nitty-gritty of trail building to planning, doing promotion or paperwork, legislative advocacy, or just about anything that is an asset to the trail effort. The National Park Service, the managing agency for the NCT, wants volunteers to know how much they are appreciated, and provides these awards.

See North Country Trail Association

Trails Day: Black River Canal Museum

Black River Canal Museum (photo from CNY)

from the Central New York Chapter newsletter, July 2011, by Kathy Eisele

Nine members and guests of the Central New York Chapter of the NCTA traveled to the Black River Canal Museum in Boonville, New York, to celebrate Trails Day on June 4. Upon arrival, Daphne Larrabee, who gave us a guided overview of the museum’s exhibits, met us. Laura Czajka, Alyssa Matthews, and Dale Ferris, curator, assisted her. Our contribution to the day was Steve Kinne’s Power Point presentation on the North Country National Scenic Trail.

The museum, located right on the Black River Canal, has wonderful exhibits from the canal days (first boat traveled from Rome to Boonville in 1850, last boat left Boonville in 1924), including changing displays of enlarged photographs of the canal and surrounding communities selected from an inventory of more than 3,000 photos. The many other exhibits include tools and other artifacts; a display showing the 109 locks between Rome and Lyons Falls, a 35 miles distance with a rise/fall of 1,079 feet; a working mini-canal replica that allows visitors (or as Daphne put it “children of all ages”) to run model canal boats through a set of locks to see how the system worked.

One of the newest exhibits is a life-sized replica of a Black River Canal Boat, constructed using original plans, that gives an idea of what life was like living and working on the canal. Currently being developed at the museum is an Archives Room, which, when finished, will be open to the public for research. The gift shop offers memorabilia, including t-shirts, books and DVDs. Also, if one of the photos in the museum’s displays particularly appeals to you, an 8x10 reprint can be ordered.

Ed Fynmore, now President of the museum’s Board of Trustees, initiated the museum in 2003 when he organized a group of interested volunteers. He, the Board of Trustees, and all of the other volunteers merit congratulations for developing a real asset in the North Country, well worth a trip to Boonville. In addition, of course, trailheads to the NCNST to Pixley Falls (approx. 6 mile hike) or to Forestport (approx. 10 mile hike) are nearby. The museum is open seven days a week starting the last week end in June through Labor Day,
10 to 4, then on weekends to Columbus Day.

See Central New York Chapter of the NCTA
See Black River Canal Museum

Tangled to Trail in NY

Bill Zimmerman and Jersey

from the Central New York Chapter newsletter, May 2011, by Bill Zimmerman

Anyone who worked on convertng the LVRR former rail-bed, which had been abandoned for 40+ years, to a fine trail from Nelson Road West to Cottons Crossing, [near Cazenovia, NY] will remember the tangled mess of grapevines, downed trees and honeysuckle bushes. Work was slow, as the narrow path was cut into the thick brush and only a few volunteers could cut at the lead with others passing the cut brush to the rear. Other folks worked on finding and clearing places to pile cut brush off to the side.

Today, this trail winds gently and is still very narrow, meandering along the Canastota Creek. With much of it barely four feet wide, it doesn’t have the appearance of an old railroad bed. To begin with, the new trail was rough and needing improvements to the walking surface including removing stumps, surface vines and some fallen trees. People have been slow to find this trail but usage is steadily increasing in number including hikers, dog walkers, cross country skiers and even some horses.

Horses are not authorized for the trail because it is very narrow and the walking surface can’t support them. This past year, I requested, received, and put up a trail register box which is about 100 yards West of Nelson Road. It was exciting to see an entry the same day the box was installed. Most entries are just a date and name but some are interesting.

Even though Jersey and I walk this trail almost every day, the new register shows more folks are using it than what we have seen or thought. The trail register is a good tool to gauge the usage of a trail. So if you want a different hiking experience, please come to Nelson Road West-Cottons Crossing. Parking is available at both trailheads.

See Central New York Chapter of the NCTA

Use Issues Continue on NCT/ Link Trail

if you like this article, click the Blip chiclet!
by Al Larmann, excerpted from the Central New York Chapter NCTA newsletter, Jan 31, 2010

Background:
NY Parks has title to the right-of-way lands of the former Lehigh Valley RR between Bingley Road near Chittenango Falls State Park and a point south of Canastota, except for former RR property in the greater Perryville area owned privately. Following significant planning and related work by us, development of part of their lands as a foot trail was permitted to us in 2001, with the remaining lands permitted to us in 2006. Establishing the North Country/Link Trail was a challenge—both in terms of the value of labor contributed, donations from a number of sources, a RTP grant, and funding from both the National Park Service and NCTA HQ. The total for the 2001-2007 span approximated $296,700, with work ongoing since then for maintenance purposes.

Developments:
A composite of political pressures we deemed to be without merit and an initiative within NY Parks resulted in their imposing upon us a one year “horse use pilot evaluation” on the trail section between Nelson Road and the trailhead access at Oxbow Road in August 2008. The “horse use” advocates subsequently stated in a wide distribution broadcast letter that weather conditions had limited their use of the authorized trail segment; in addition, they requested access to additional segments of the trail that are demonstratively unsuited for any purpose other than foot-travel—evidence to support this concern was supplied to NY Parks.

In mid December, CNY representatives met with County Planners. The results:
The “horse use pilot plan” evaluation by NY Parks resulted in a no significant impact judgment. Since horse use had been restricted by its supporters by choice, we term the results to be inconclusive and will continue our monitoring accordingly. Available data show that a basic incompatibility exists between significant horse traffic and foot-travel use on single path trails, particularly when drainage is an issue.

Snowmobile use— Several hikers had been told by local sources that snowmobile use was a “done deal”. These reports were reinforced- a use permit had been requested by a local snowmobile club and that a decision would be made shortly. A few days later, we were notified that a permit had been issued to the Tri-Valley Snowmobile Club with an effective date of January 1.

NY Parks set forth stringent conditions for snowmobile usage for the trail segment between Nelson Road and the trailhead at Oxbow Road, including an addendum to the standard snowmobile regulations intended to minimize impact to the trail surface and adjoining properties privately owned. One stipulation, states that “a minimum of 6 inches of packed base must be present for trail to be open for snowmobile use." The section of trail authorized for snowmobile use was inspected on foot on two dates— January 10 and 17. The 10th was a cold day, a modest amount of snow was present— snow depth on the trail surfaces traveled by the snowmobile was only an inch or so in most areas. The 17th was warmer, with air temperatures above 32F. Many areas of the trail had no snow cover at all. Snowmobiles were using the trail. Also, damage to the gates at Nelson Road was extensive. Photographs documenting these conditions were taken and supplied to Tom Goetzmann, our designated NY Parks contact, for his appraisal.

We accept that NY Parks owns the lands involved and can dictate its permitted uses. We also acknowledge that snowmobile based recreation is a major factor. NY Parks and others often cite the benefits of multiple use trails. We concur that compatible uses on trails that are properly sized, constructed accordingly, and used properly offer benefits. However, some uses are not compatible.

Our intent is to continue to perform per the terms of the permit issued to us to provide a foot trail that brings to its users a sense of solitude, escape from the pressures of a noise laden society, and healthful exercise as a bonus. We request that the task of overseeing trail management of those segments with basically conflicting uses and sharply different personal philosophies held by the user groups be pursued on a pro-active basis by NY Parks on an open basis.

This segment is on NCTA map TNY-04

See Central New York Chapter NCTA

Finger Lakes Critical Easement from an Interesting Landowner

Jean Pitt (photo by Mary Coffin)

based on an article in the Finger Lakes Trail News, Summer 2009, by Mary Coffin

A small, but critical, segment of the Finger Lakes / North Country Trail is now permanently protected through an easement granted by Mrs. Jean Pitt of Delphi Falls, New York.

The easement allows passage of the trail across 2/3 of a mile which connects the Onondaga Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail to the Highland Forest County Park. From Highland Forest, the North Country Trail proceeds to the east.

Mrs. Pitt (nee Grimes) has emerged as one of the more colorful landowners along the trail. Her father was a son of slaves, and he was the first African-American to purchase land in the town of Pompey. The Grimes family became prosperous farmers, despite the difficulties facing black families in the early 20th century. Using information from Cornell University publications the family raised high-quality produce and eggs, often purchased by Syracuse University.

The land of her childhood memories is important to Jean. She recalls wildflowers and berry picking. She mentioned a year where pockets of late snow allowed the family to make ice cream to eat with their berries.

Jean went on to Syracuse University, and then to Case Western for graduate studies. She had a forty-year career as Director of Social Services at the VA hospital in Syracuse.

Generally speaking, the Finger Lakes Trail has led the way in teaching the North Country Trail folks how to build relationships with landowners. Hikers can undo those relationships quickly when they ignore landowner requests, such as "no camping," "no passage during hunting season," etc. Good trail courtesy will help ensure that the trail will be there for hikers far into the future. In many cases, the trail is allowed across private property only by a handshake agreement. One disrespectful hiker can sour a landowner for a long time.

We all thank people like Jean Pitt who value trails and are willing to enter into a legal arrangement to preserve connections for hikers.

Finger Lakes Trail

CNY Chapter Does Drainage Maintenance

Jill Borgstede and Mary Dineen begin work on a culvert inlet near Old County Road. Drainage here is compromised by improper runoff from the north section of the former Old County Road. (photo from the CNY newletter)

from the July newsletter of the Central New York Chapter of the NCTA, used with permission

The former Lehigh Valley RR branch line that connected Canastota and Cazenovia was built about 1871— most of the line was dependent on a complex culvert system, one that had three levels of culverts in some locations, to maintain system integrity. The section between the former Old County Road and adjacent to the trailhead on Oxbow Road has many culverts—including a number that the Chapter installed in 2003. West of Nelson Road, there are major drainage issues where the railroad was at the bottom of two drainages. Leaves, earth slides, and other debris clog the surface drainage— hence, the periodic need to perform clearings. Work was done on June 25th— we will be doing some follow-up work shortly.

Volunteers removed leaves and other debris from a ditch that is part of a drainage to the north. Leaves and other debris were moved off the trail. As soon as we get some good drying weather, we will use a member owned, highpowered backpack blower to clear a good share of the leaves away from crucial areas. Culvert openings were cleared with shovels.

We shall return again— the work is never-ending.

See Central New York Chapter of the NCTA

Reporting Illegal Activities on the NCT

including portions of an article by New York State DEC Ranger Jim McPherson as published in the Central New York Chapter newsletter, April 2009

A valid question one might ask is, "To whom should I report a non-emergency problem or illegal activity that I observe on the North Country Trail?" While it would make perfect sense for there to be one agency to handle such reports, such is not the case.

The answer lies in the management paradigm. For one agency to handle all issues there would need to be something known as corridor management to be in place. This means that no matter what political land division the trail traversed, that some width of right-of-way would have the same rules and the same management authority for the entire length of the trail. In reality, there are over 150 land owners along the length of the trail, and each has their own rules and enforcement agency.

On New York State lands controlled by the Department of Environmental Conservation, eg. State Forests, we now have a definitive answer as to whom to call with reports of illegal hunting, motorized vehicle use, cutting, dumping, etc. That answer is given by NYDEC Ranger Jim McPherson:

While hiking the Finger Lakes Trail or The Link Trail/ North Country Trail on DEC lands, should you encounter illegal activities reporting to the appropriate police agency will help to get that situation corrected. The DEC grants “care, custody and control” of DEC managed & administered lands to the New York State Forest Rangers. Forest Rangers are police officers who specialize in enforcement of the state’s Environmental Conservation Law and all other laws in order to protect the public using those lands and the state’s environment. Rangers are also authorized through legislation to conduct search & rescue operations and to handle wildfire suppression & wildfire management incidents in the fire towns and fire districts of New York State.

Report any in progress violations or incidents on DEC lands as emergencies to the DEC Ray Brook Emergency Dispatch Center @ 518-891-0235. They will dispatch the Forest Ranger assigned to that district, or if unavailable the closest available DEC officer, to handle the complaint.

Central New York Chapter

Larmann Stands Up for Closing Trail Segment to Snowmobiles

based on a news release of CNY Link (Eagle Newspapers, Syracuse, NY), "Trail closed to snomobiles," by Margo Frink, Jan 22, 1009

The Canastota, New York, Link Trail segment along the CSX railroad tracks has been closed to snowmobilers. The village had just paved this portion of the trail last year with $30,000 received from CSX after a train derailment.

However, in December the village entered into an agreement with Tri-Valley Riders, a snowmobile club, to allow access to ride beside the paved Link Trail. Snowmobiles are supposed to stay off the paved portion. The club posted 25 mph speed limit signs and a sign was erected asking snowmobilers to stay to the left of the Links Trail and off the pavement.

However, the agreement is not being upheld by riders. Canastota Police Chief, James Zophy, said that recently a snowmobile traveling at a high rate of speed failed to make a turn and ended up at the bottom of a retention pond. The rider was injured.

Al Larmann, of the Central New York Chapter of the NCTA, attended the Jan 21 village board meeting. Ever prepared, Larmann brought pictures of snowmobile tracks on the pavement and also showing that riders had been climbing the embankment.

“I witnessed snowmobiles traveling at a high rate of speed while people were walking on the trail,” Larmann said. He added that in time the North Country Trail would become a regional and local asset to the community. He said bicyclists and people pushing baby carriages could take advantage of that asset, and that hikers use post offices in local towns to receive mail and packages. The trail also is used for cross-country skiing. “We want to certify that section [of the trail] so that it meets Park Service standards,” Larmann said.

Larmann cited not only snowmobiles as being a problem but all-terrain vehicles, that he said, frequently use the walking trails. Motorized vehicles and horses are prohibited from the trails. Larmann said he felt the signage was not adequate and could have been more defined. “The signs didn’t go up until after it snowed. You couldn’t see the blacktop.”

The Riders club also has a liability problem. A portion of their trail was closed in the town of Lincoln, and the village administrator reported that legally this means that the entire trail is closed, which causes liability to fall on the village of Canastota.

“We are forced to close [the trail]” said Trustee Scott Rapasadi. “We don’t want the liability.”

Mayor, Todd Rouse, said that now the problem will be to remove snowmobiles from the area. It’s difficult to police a trail from a car, and Rouse offered his snowmobile for use by patrols. Zophy suggested the use of cameras. It was noted that Canastota is the only village in Madison County that still allows snowmobiles on its streets.

Once again, Al Larmann, has appeared at the right place to be a strong voice for the North Country Trail. It could be noted that in the most recent issue of North Star, the magazine of the North Country Trail Association, Al is the leader for all-time volunteering, with 8197 hours given

See Canastota NY Negotiates Agreement with Snowmobilers
SeeCentral New York Chapter

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.

NY DEC Pilots Equestrian Use of NCT/Link Trail

from the Central New York Chapter newsletter, Oct 2008

Notwithstanding our experience based concerns about the basic non-compatibility of a shared significant use equestrian-hiking trail, per their intentions stated on April 28th, NY Parks has issued a plan encompassing the trail section from Nelson Road eastward/northward to the trail head area on Oxbow Road. Some sections of this trail segment are relatively narrow and others have a fragile soil base.

The plan includes stipulations and options that can be exercised only by NY Parks— all of which are intended to provide both clarifications and a measure of protection of the trail environment. A new gate is being installed on the east side of Nelson Road by NY Parks, one that will permit horse passage. Our concern is that is should be an effective deterrent for ATV and snowmobile non-authorized use as well. The plan states that horses will not be permitted on the trail west of Nelson Road now.

We will continue our liaison with the designated NY Parks contacts, both for the trail segment involved in this pilot plan and the other trail segments permitted to us via the Revocable Permit in force. There are a number of issues that require mutual attention