At East Branch, BETA is Building More Than Trails

INTRODUCTION
“I can’t go anywhere without people saying, ‘Oh, I was out on those trails, they’re so nice. I love them. We come all the time,’” said Joe Pete Wilson (pictured, photo by Eric Teed), supervisor of the town of Keene, about the new and clearly popular East Branch Community Trails network. Land managers like Joe Pete play a crucial role in the development of new trails in our region; their approval is essential from the outset. 

“In just a few years, we went from nothing there to trails that now people really count on to get outdoors and have a safe, fun adventure and get exercise,” he continued, adding that the trails have become “an integral part of our community.” 

Without his confidence in BETA’s ability to make his town’s vision a reality and his understanding of the culture of stewardship in the mountain biking community, East Branch Community Trails would likely not exist today.

​East Branch Community Trails (often shortened to just “East Branch”) is a story of powerful community buy-in, knowledgeable partners, and a user group coming together for purpose-built trails. The sense of community such an undertaking can create gets at the very heart of BETA’s purpose and mission.

Volunteers walking across the field at the trailhead of East Branch, 2022

TAPPING BETA'S EXPERTISE 
Joe Pete explained, “When we engaged in our community master planning in Keene, one of the top focus areas we identified was community recreation.” As the planning process continued, the Keene Youth Commission started pushing for more mountain biking trails. “There was nothing [in the area] for a kid or a family who wanted to try mountain biking.” Joe Pete observed. The Keene Youth Commission was incredibly motivated by this community demand and instrumental in securing the initial funding needed to create a visionary plan. From the start, they turned to BETA as an experienced and trusted partner.

“We realized we needed a partner with technical skills and with a real network of support.” Joe Pete said that BETA was the clear choice, especially given the organization's trail building accomplishments in the neighboring towns of Wilmington and Elizabethtown. “They’re the [local] leader in developing bike assets and multi-use trails – not just building, but making them a part of the community and having community involvement to maintain them.” ​

Luke enjoying the East Branch trails with his trusty pal, Spud.

To begin this project, BETA partnered with Luke Peduzzi of Peduzzi Trails. He created a Trail Master Plan and then led the charge on designing and constructing the network with BETA staff and volunteer support. Luke is a graduate of Keene Central School, and as such he brings a sense of hometown pride to East Branch in addition to his impressive technical knowledge as a professional trail builder.

Having a trail plan in place helped community leaders, local residents, foundations and BETA members see the vision for a new trail system on an all but forgotten 113-acre parcel of county land on State Route 9N – and inspired them to give generously. In 2024, the town and BETA secured more than $100,000 in state funding through a NYSDEC Smart Growth Grant. 

“Everything kind of falls to the supervisor in a small town, so there’s only so much I can do and so many things I can be an expert in,” Joe Pete lamented. “Having an organization that can step right in and bring so much, it’s fantastic.”

A Community Vision
Anyone who has pedaled, walked, or run at East Branch since the first trail opened in 2022 knows it offers a different experience than other trail systems in the region – and it continues to get better each year. 

The shared-used network was planned to provide fun experiences for a wide range of users, everyone from tiny striders to hikers to absolute air hogs. In addition to the trails themselves, East Branch boasts an exceptional trailhead that kindles community and connection. People can comfortably practice bike skills in the field before heading out on the trails. The large pavilion offers shelter and seating for maximum pre- or post-trail snackage. Designated fire pits can come to life in chilly evenings, inviting people to congregate after using the trails.

When asked about his own experience riding at East Branch, Joe Pete exclaimed, “Oh my God, it was so much fun.” He was especially entertained by Downriver, the first downhill-only trail of its kind in the region, with flowy turns, rollers, drops, and berms. Downriver is known to elicit spontaneous whoops of joy while the gentle rock outcrop at the top of the climbing trail offers a sense of reward, and, let’s be honest, a moment to catch your breath.

The Power of Stewardship
Joe Pete explained that trail networks like East Branch that are designed, maintained, and used by a local group of mountain bikers are perfect for a town like his because bikers come from a culture of stewardship, where taking care of the resources and respecting the neighbors is standard. 

“They promote that to new users and they bring those new people into the organization. [They] teach them how to build and maintain the trails. I think that makes them better stewards because they see what happens when something is damaged because they were involved in repairing it or maintaining it.” 

Since the construction at East Branch began, Keene locals have become a bigger part of the fabric of BETA as a result of this cycle of stewardship. “The local people who are involved with BETA are really invested – not just for that day’s ride, but for next week and next season and the season after that.”

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Volunteers on the slopes of East Branch, 2022

THANK YOU
East Branch is a much-loved resource for the residents of Keene and a destination for visitors thanks to extensive initial planning and local support as well as the ongoing stewardship initiatives that help keep the network in incredible condition. As we wrapped up our conversation and said our goodbyes, Joe Pete reiterated, “We couldn’t do [this] without BETA as the backbone. Happy to do anything I can to help.”

The feeling is mutual. BETA appreciates working with land managers like Joe Pete across our region and we are excited to imagine what is possible through those partnerships. Thank you, Joe Pete, and thank you to every land manager we have the opportunity to collaborate with.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this story. It is the third in a series you’ll see through the end of the year that features a handful of incredible community members with a variety of stories and perspectives. We’re excited to share them with you as part of our Double Your Donation campaign.

DOUBLE YOUR GIVING POWER
A generous anonymous donor has pledged to match every dollar of community donations, up to $12,500, made to BETA between November 15th and December 31st, 2024.

Give now to support advocacy efforts and partnerships that make incredible trails systems like East Branch Community Trails possible for current and future generations to enjoy.

All gifts received by December 31st are eligible to be matched up to a total of $12,500, worth $25,000 if fully matched!

Together, we can ensure that our trails continue to be a source of connection and joy for our community.

Join us in making a difference.

Volunteers on their trek into East Branch, 2022