Glenville eyes gift of property for trails

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Goot

Town officials are optimistic about the potential recreational uses of a 48-acre open space property at the corner of Droms and Onderdonk roads deeded to the town in 2008 by Jeffrey Christiana.

Open Space Committee member Mark Storti said the committee’s idea is to construct a four- to six-car gravel parking lot to provide access to the land and have the neighbors and volunteers work to maintain the trails.

Storti recalled walking in this property as a child. He said it has a unique setting as part of the Indian Kill and has been used by residents for recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting and trapping.

“A number of neighbors go back there and look for turtles or their kids play in the beaver pond,” he said. “It’s a great asset to this neighborhood.”

The neighbors have already cut a rough trail through the property that wraps around the beaver pond, Storti said.

“It makes a great cross-country ski trail, snowshoe trail in wintertime.”

Further down the line would be a project to link this property with Indian Meadows Park. Storti said neighbors like the idea and would be willing to help construct these trails.

The next step is to come up with a draft of rules and regulations for the use of the open space. Also, the town would have to provide signs with information about the property, Storti said. Another idea is to put maps of its open space on its website. Storti said these passive recreational areas are typically inexpensive to maintain.

“What you need to provide is information and access,” he said. “I think this is a home run for the town.”

Director of Operations James MacFarland said the area has traditionally been used for trapping because of the nature of the wetland area. Shotgun hunting would not be appropriate but bow hunting potentially would.

Supervisor Chris Koetzle said he did not have much of an issue with the proposal.

MacFarland said the plan would have to be reviewed by the Glenville Environmental Conservation Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission before ultimately being adopted by the Town Board.