The Town Board is moving ahead with the construction of a mile-long nature trail in the new Stony Creek Town Park off Moe Road.
The board, at Monday’s meeting, approved the creation of plans and specifications so the project can be put out to bid.
The looping trail will include small bridges across wetlands and a small parking lot near the Moe Road entrance to the trail, which has been in the planning and discussion stages since early 2008.
There are also trail entrances off Thoroughbred Way at Horseshoe Turn and Liberty Way.
Back when the trail system was first proposed, some residents of housing developments in the area said they were concerned about their safety and privacy being compromised by the trail running behind their homes.
The Town Board met with the residents at that time and walked some of the sections of the proposed trail, which will stretch through about 12 acres of a 48-acre wooded parcel that was donated by Amedore Homes in exchange for building Countrymen Estates.
Brian Easton, chairman of Stony Creek Park District No. 1, said he hopes work can start on the stone dust trail this construction season.
He said the trail is being designed for walking and hiking and will be off limits to motorized vehicles of any kind. Easton said there will be boardwalks and small bridges where the trail crosses over wetlands.
Paul Olund of Environmental Design Partnership, the local firm hired to prepare plans and bid documents, explained some fine points about the trail at the board meeting in Town Hall.
The town is still negotiating with a property owner on Thoroughbred Way about access to a section of the trail. This access section will be built once the legal issue is settled, according to town officials.
Town Supervisor Philip Barrett described the trail as a passive nature trail for hiking, jogging and cross country skiing in the winter.
The Town Board is the chief financial officer for all of Clifton Park’s 14 park districts and must approve all the districts’ major capital expenditures.
It was estimated in 2008 the trail would cost about $200,000 to complete, including the design and other soft costs. Part of the trail design includes a small loop that would be handicapped accessible.
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