Trail talks raise issues, concerns and benefits

Trail talks raise issues, concerns and benefits

The public had its first opportunity to have a say about potential development of the former New York Central Westshore Railroad alignment during a meeting August 14. About 30 people attended the public information session held at the Gillam-Grant Community Center in Bergen. Many of those in attendance own property adjacent to the alignment which is being considered for development as a multi-use recreational trail.

Several property owners expressed concerns over vandalism, security and potential damage to their properties. Byron resident John Sackett owns farmland on either side of the trail. He said he was on the Byron town board when the trail property was acquired and at the time he thought it was a good idea, but now he is not so sure about developing the area, "I see it as a contamination of private property," he said. Sackett explained he has had problems with ATV's and four-wheelers that currently use the trail. He said they go off-trail and have done extensive damage to neighboring fields.

Howard Brew, a Bergen resident, also expressed concerns about safety and security along the trail. He said ATV's and four-wheelers can pose a danger to trail users. He has also been bitten by dogs while walking the trail. "You're going to have a change of culture by developing the trail," he said.

Several people from all four municipalities involved - Churchville, Riga, Bergen and Byron - spoke about the perennial problem of ATV use, dirt bikes, property damage and vandalism that occurs when users of the alignment go off-trail and onto private property.

Lu Engineers of Penfield is working on the Trail Feasibility Study. Project Engineer Fran Reese gave a presentation on the trail during the meeting. She responded to concerns of residents and encouraged everyone to offer input about every facet of the trail. "Many times getting young people involved in building and maintaining the trail can help cut down on problems. Community involvement is a big factor," she said.

"As trail use increases, those who use the trail tend to keep an eye on things," Reese said. She explained that users don't put up with trouble makers and often report abuses to authorities. Those abusing the trails soon realize they can't get away with it.

Bob Torzynski, program manager for the Genesee Transportation Council, said if the trail received funding from federal or state governments, ATV's would not be allowed to drive on it. Snowmobile use would be permitted, he said, because the sleds travel on the snow and do not damage the trail surface. Local snowmobile clubs currently maintain the trail and use it extensively in the winter months.

Officials from the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society also expressed concerns over people leaving the area of the trail that goes through the Bergen Swamp. They are worried that the delicate environment could easily be damaged or that people could become lost. They invited Reese to attend their next meeting so that she could address their concerns. She agreed.

Reese gave a detailed presentation about the trail during the meeting and emphasized that for the project to be successful it must have "strong local support and advocacy." She discussed the project location which runs for 12 miles from the Village of Churchville to the Byron/Elba townline. Reese said recreational trails have many benefits. "A trail system would do a lot to improve quality of life." Other benefits included preserving community character and natural heritage, providing an enjoyable place for people to experience the outdoors and opportunities to educate young people about the environment.

Reese described recreational and community linkages along the trail that would help to enhance the experience of users. Places like Churchville Park, the Bergen Swamp, the Byron Dig and Trestle Park in Byron were among recreational linkages. Community linkages included town and village halls, the Newman Riga Library in Churchville, historical societies in Bergen and Byron and the Gillam-Grant Community Center in Bergen. Reese explained that the trail alignment is mainly intact and is largely in public ownership. Small portions of the alignment are now privately owned and include the Star of the West Milling Co. and a residential property in the village of Churchville and property in the hamlet of Byron. Reese said a storage expansion project at Star of the West will mean that the property cannot be used for the trail or the trail head and an on-road alternative will have to be considered. It is possible that the other properties could be purchased or easements could be acquired. If that failed, alternative routes would have to be considered, Reese said.

She said an active group of trail users is already maintaining and advocating for the trail and that communities along the trail recognize that it is an asset for recreation and the local economy. The trail would create many opportunities, according to Reese. "New business niches for hotels/motels/B&B's, outdoor supply shops, bicycle repair shops and snowmobile sales and supplies would be created," she said. "Existing businesses would also benefit from trail usage. Opportunities for things like outdoor classrooms, archaeological study, and scenic views are also created by the trail."

Reese also discussed difficulties and challenges involved in developing the trail for multi-purpose recreational use. There are concerns over the impact to the Bergen Swamp and other sensitive environmental areas. There currently is a lack of amenities along the trail, things like public toilets, benches and picnic areas. Reese said permits would have to be obtained for all trail improvement activities within or adjacent to New York state freshwater wetlands and federal wetlands. High traffic crossings exist at Route 19 in Bergen and Route 237 in Byron and poor drainage is an issue in sections of the trail that run through Byron and Bergen. Other issues and concerns include a lack of signage, little demarcation of private versus public areas of the trail, few defined parking areas, safety, security and accessibility for emergency response.

Engineers will continue to seek public input on issues like where crossing points are that need to be maintained, where access should be restricted, where trail head and parking should be located and how many people currently use the alignment. Engineers also want to know how people would like to use the trail. User groups include snowmobilers, equestrians, pedestrians, bicyclists, and cross country skiers and snowshoers.

Maps were available for residents to mark areas of concern. She said the next step will be for the steering committee to meet and digest all the information it received from the public. Contact Reese at 377-1450 or Torzynski at 232-6240 for information or to make suggestions.