Susie Wood posted on September 30, 2009 08:26
by Phoebe Dembs
TILT’s nature trails are a point of pride for the land trust and trail maintenance was a prominent element of TILT’s summer 2009. Otherwise, with constant use and without attention, the trails become rough and the edges overgrown. Each of TILT’s hotspots for outdoor activity, including the Grindstone Island Nature Trail, the Macsherry Trail, the Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail, and Potters Beach, had work done. Thanks to the help of TILT’s volunteers, trustees, and staff, improvements were made at all of the locations.
Grindstone Island Nature Trail
Improving the trail conditions on the Grindstone Island Nature was a huge undertaking this summer. Extensive repairs were done from the trail head at Baseline Road, to both ends at Canoe and Picnic Points. Large holes that filled with mud after a rainfall were packed with logs then covered with gravel. TILT was very fortunate to have the use of a T300 Bobcat donated by Equipment Rental of Watertown, NY. The heavy equipment enabled the trails to be graded, and cut the time shoveling gravel in half.
Volunteers also played a major role in helping with the Grindstone Nature Trail this summer, including Jefferson Community College Service Group and Grindstone Island residents.
Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail
This 27 mile multi-use trail, connecting several towns in northern Jefferson County, was also on the repair radar this summer. Several stretches of the trail were regraded to eliminate rough sections and areas where water pooled, in addition to routine mowing and trimming. TILT continues to work with the local ATV clubs; the Indian River ATV & Snowmobile Club, the Lodge ATV Club, and the Rivergate Wheelers ATV Club to maintain up the Rivergate Trail system. Special thanks are given to Scott Sears, owner of Timberland Excavating, for donating professional excavating services.
Macsherry Trail
At the Macsherry Trail, TILT’s Summer Stewards conducted regular maintenance at least twice a month, which included weed-whacking and trimming the edges of the trail. In August, about ten volunteers from the Indian Point Home Owner’s Association helped with a maintenance day, its focus being to trim TILT’s portion of Indian Point Road to improve driving conditions.
Potters Beach
On Sunday, September 13, a group of volunteers, including members of Thousand Islands Young Leaders Organization (TIYLO) and the Rivergate Wheelers ATV Club, trekked out to Grindstone Island for a clean up on Potters Beach. The volunteers cleared trash and brush from the beach, and cut selected branches from the abutting woods. After the work was done, burgers and hot dogs were served for lunch. It’s not unusual for a TILT maintenance day to end with food!
A lot of trail work was accomplished this summer, but a lot still needs to be done! Keeping up with the trails is a job that never ends. Thank you so much to all of our donors, and especially to our hard-working volunteers!
We wouldn’t be able to do it without you! This summer’s trail maintenance was also made possible by RJ Marine, French Bay Marina, and Northern Marine.
If you are interested in volunteering for trail maintenance during the summer of 2010, please contact the TILT office at (315 )686-5345 or by email at
info@tilandtrust.org.