$600,000 in safety improvements planned for Plotter Kill

Just one year after a teenager fell to her death while hiking at Plotter Kill Preserve, her family, friends and local legislators announced $600,000 in planned safety improvements to ensure a similar tragedy doesn’t happen again.

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) announced his office secured $350,000 in the state budget to implement safety improvements and other changes to the trails around the three waterfalls within the preserve. The funds will be combined with a pre-existing state grant for $250,000.

Officials said the death of Carly Sinnott last May was the catalyst for securing the funds, which will be used to create a handicap accessible trail overlooking the Upper Falls and multiple observation platforms along the Upper, Lower and Rynex falls. The improvements also include widening and improving drainage on the blue trail off of Mariaville Road that leads to the Kill, and improved signage for both direction and safety.

Officially called the Almy D. Coggleshall Plotter Kill Preserve, covers 632 acres owned by Schenectady County.

Santabarbara said plans also include the installation of anchors along the creek and ravine leading to the base of the falls that will assist first responders in emergency situations, and trails throughout the preserve will be realigned to provide better access to the base of the falls.

“Ultimately these improvements will mean a more interactive park, one that better informs visitors of their surroundings and where they are in the park,” said Santabarbara.

Last May 12, Carly Sinnott, age 17, was hiking with friends along one of the falls when they attempted to make their way down to the base along a steep and unofficial trail. Carly lost her footing on ground that was wet from a recent rainfall and fell 50 feet to the base of the falls.

Her longtime boyfriend scrambled down after her and performed CPR. It took first responders 17 minutes to reach the party, and a total of three hours to bring her out to an ambulance.

Carly was airlifted to Albany Medical Center around 10 p.m. and pronounced dead at 2:18 a.m.

Police said in their investigation that it was simply an unfortunate accident, and that there was no evidence the teens had been drinking or were otherwise fooling around.

Carly lived in Clifton Park and attended Mekeel Christian Academy in Scotia at the time of the accident.

“People are naturally drawn to waterfalls,” said Carly’s dad, Jim Sinnott, at a press event Thursday called to announce the funding for safety improvements. “Despite their inherent beauty, they present a particular challenger and danger. Visitors invariably want to view the falls from above, and then they want to experience the falls from the bottom.”

Jim Sinnott cited a trail consultant’s report after his daughter’s death that said there is currently no safe access or observation point that affords hikers a clear view of the falls from above or below. Instead, users must rely on unofficial and unstable trails down steep ravine slopes.

“Without clear and logical access to the water falls, users will forge their own way and will continue to unknowingly place themselves in unsafe situations,” said Jim Sinnott, reading from the trail report.

There have been at least three fatalities at the preserve, including Sinnott last year, James Oliver in 1993 and another in 1977. There also have been at least 10 falls that required rope rescues and an average of seven to 12 hikers get lost in the preserve every year, according to the Plotterkill Volunteer Fire Co.

“Over the years the Plotter Kill Preserve has gained in popularity, leading to a lot more foot traffic than we ever experienced in previous decades,” said Douglas Waddell, emergency services coordinator for Plotterkill Volunteer Fire Co. “With that comes the potential for incidents, sometimes incidents we can’t handle in an adequate way and sometimes incidents that don’t have an outcome that we would like to see.”

Waddell said Sinnott’s death was the precursor to the county securing the grant and other funds for safety improvements.

“My thoughts go to the Sinnott family,” he said, “I recognize the great personal sacrifice that you have felt through this whole thing.”

Schenectady County Sheriff Dominic Dagostino said the improvements will help minimize accidents at the preserve in the future.

“A tragedy occurred here but something good has come out of that. It doesn’t minimize the loss, but maybe it’ll prevent future tragedies and that’s important,” said Dagostino. “This is truly money well spent.”

Jim Sinnott said he and his wife, Lynn, have been advocating for safety improvements to the preserve for the past nine months, and Thursday’s announcement is a bittersweet moment for he and his family.

“We can’t emphasize enough the importance of what will happen at this preserve as a result of this generous funding,” he said. “The goal here is to help prevent a similar tragedy from befalling any other unsuspecting visitor to Plotter Kill Preserve.”

In thanking supporters and local legislators who worked to secure the funds, Jim Sinnott said in his statement that he and his wife’s faith has helped them cope.

“It’s important for us to share with each of you that it is God who has granted us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change,” said Jim Sinnott, choking back tears, “Carly we love you and miss you. And it is God who has given us the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference. We thank you all for your help along the way. May Carly’s beautiful spirit grace this preserve forever.”

“This can’t happen again,” said Lynn Sinnott, in an interview after the announcement.

When asked what they miss most about their daughter, Jim Sinnott said, “her light, her spirit. She lit up the room.”

Lynn Sinnott said of all her friends, Carly “was the vivacious one.”

Reach Gazette reporter Dan Fitzsimmons at 852-9605, [email protected] or @DanFitzsimmons on Twitter.

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