 The trail looking handsome after Van Wie's recent work on Green Jacket and Gold Jacket Progress Update
Dusty, Kyra, and Luke Peduzzi of Peduzzi Trails have all been working at Craig Wood for a bit over two weeks now. Our primary efforts there have been to remedy persistent wet areas by hardening the tread and improving drainage near the Cobblewood Connector/Air & Stone intersection and lower Scott’s Cobble. Improving the drainage will also help reduce erosion in the system, which has been especially problematic because of the silty-loam soil and shallow bedrock at Craig Wood. Starting Next Week The crew is nearing the end of that work and will pivot to a new project within the system starting next week. Peduzzi will move to the Jackrabbit Trail to work on a reroute for one of the more brutal climbing sections. This reroute will enhance the riding experience by adding switchbacks to the steepest sections of the climbing trail, making it more enjoyable and approachable to all users entering the system from town. While the reroute is under construction, the existing trail will be largely untouched and will remain open to users (just be alert for heavy equipment out and about). This work is slated to begin on Monday, 06/03, but the relocation process will begin later this week. Green & Gold Jacket Trails While Dusty, Kyra, and Peduzzi have been working at Craig Wood, Max Van Wie of Backslope Trail Building has been busy nearby doing seasonal maintenance on Green Jacket and Gold Jacket. Last year, Van Wie worked with BETA on the original build of Green Jacket and Gold Jacket – we’re grateful that he’s returned this season to keep them in tip-top shape and make sure they’re aligned with the original vision. We know you’ve been waiting patiently for these trails to reopen (thank you!) and your wait is finally over. Green Jacket and Gold Jacket are fully open to riders starting today, 05/29. A transformational trail project in Keene is getting a boost from a $125,000 Smart Growth grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The funding will allow the town, in partnership with BETA and the Keene Youth Commission, to move forward with planned expansion of the East Branch Community Trails this summer. In a press release announcing this year’s Smart Growth and other state grants, Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Smart Growth grants represent a vital investment in our communities, fostering sustainable development, economic prosperity, and enhanced quality of life.” The East Branch Community Trails are on a 113-acre tract of county land off State Route 9N between Keene and Upper Jay. Now in its third year of trail construction, the project began as a vision of the Keene Youth Commission seeking opportunities to foster physical activity for kids through mountain biking and outdoor recreation. That vision took form as a trails plan laid out by Luke Peduzzi, of Peduzzi Trails, with support and guidance from BETA in 2021.  Trail building during Phase 2 at East Branch Community Trails. Thank you Peduzzi + volunteers! In 2022 and 2023, BETA raised over $100,000 of donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund work with Peduzzi, BETA staff, and community volunteers including youth. During this period almost three miles of trail were completed, which quickly became popular with walkers, runners, and mountain bikers. The next phase of the planned 7-mile shared use trail system will be built in 2024 and 2025 with funding by the Smart Growth grant and $63,000 of donated cash and labor matching from BETA. Joe Pete Wilson, Keene Town Supervisor said, “I want to thank Governor Hochul and NY State DEC for supporting grassroots recreation projects like the East Branch Community Trails with a generous Smart Growth Grant. These very successful multi-use trails are the result of motivated families in the Keene Youth Commission program leading the effort to develop biking and recreation opportunities for local kids. The grant will help build on a solid foundation of trails developed and constructed with support from local businesses, Essex County, BETA, the Town of Keene, and many volunteers.” “This project shows the importance of trails in building healthy, connected communities and the high level of use is evidence of the strong demand in our region for sustainable shared-use trail systems accessible by beginner and intermediate mountain bikers, walkers and trail runners. We are very thankful for the support from the Town of Keene, Essex County, Keene Youth Commission, Governor Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation in this effort,” said BETA Executive Director Glenn Glover. “This important effort is another example of the public/private partnerships by which BETA helps to build and maintain the trails that strengthen the communities in our region,” Glover added.  Ribbon cutting for the grand opening of the Phase 1 trails, September 2022 For more information about East Branch Community Trails, the impact they have already had in our area, and our plans for the future, read some of our previous blog posts:
East Branch Community Trails Overview Young Voices A Heartfelt Thank You and More Trail Updates A Mid-Summer Trails Update (2022) |
RSS Feed
Live Chat Support
×
Connecting
You:
::content::
::agent_name::
::content::
::content::
::content::