Parks & Trails New York May June 2008 Enews

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	In This Issue Second Parks Advocacy Day a success Massive petition drive helps put North Buffalo Greenway back on track Chenango Canal Corridor Project leaps forward Suffolk County's Greenleaf Trail gathers momentum Parks & Trails New York's year-long advocacy effort results in largest capital infusion ever for State Parks First Annual Trails Advocacy Day brings trails to the forefront Canal Clean Sweep keeps growing Canalway Trail Celebration: Join Us on the Trail June 7! OPRHP and Parks & Trails New York host trail workshops Legislative Agenda Funding Trail Spotlight - Passport to Wellness Trail and Health Resources Parks and Trails in the News Calendar New and Noteworthy Joan Davidson appointed Chair of Quad Commission Joan K. Davidson, a member of Parks & Trails New York's Advisory Council, was recently appointed Chair of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission. In 2002, the State Legislature adopted a law establishing the Commission to plan and develop the 400th anniversary celebrations of the voyages of discovery made by Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain, as well as the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton's steamship voyage along the Hudson River to be observed in 2009. Ms. Davidson has for decades been a leader in the civic affairs of New York City, New York State, and particularly in the Hudson Valley. New York loses a parks giant Orin Lehman, the longest-serving commissioner of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, died in February at the age of 88. Appointed by Gov. Hugh Carey, Lehman opened new parks, improved many others, and strengthened the agency’s historic preservation mission. He also fought vigorously against budget cuts affecting the state’s parks. Dedicated to public service, Lehman called his commissionership "the greatest job in the world; you're always visiting wonderful places." Parks & Trails New York celebrates Earth Day! Parks & Trails New York was one of the sponsors of this year's Earth Day Lobby Day in Albany, at which Governor David Patterson was the featured speaker. The Governor declared that everyday should be Earth Day! Mayor cuts $15 million from budget for NYC Parks New York City's proposed budget cuts funding for parks by $15 million, representing the most significant cut to the Parks Department budget by the Bloomberg Administration since 2001. Ensure that this critical funding is restored by joining in New Yorkers for Parks' 6th Annual Parks Advocacy Day, May 14th from 9:00-11:00am at the New York County Lawyers Association, 14 Vesey Street. To register, contact Emily Antoniades at (212) 838-9410 x313. Another way to support NYC parks is to join in It's My Park! Day on Saturday, May 17. Participate in clean up and planting projects, enjoy free events, or just get outside and enjoy your local park. Supplies are provided for all projects. Rochester Trail receives national award Rochester's Genesee Riverway Trail was selected by the American Public Works Association as the National Public Works Project of the Year in the transportation category. Congratulations to Stantec Engineering, the City of Rochester and Crane Hogan. The project was honored with Parks & Trails New York's "Outside the Box" award at the statewide trails and greenways conference in September. *Spring edition of Parks & Trails New York GreenSpace* now available Read about the $95 million to go to state parks revitalization Explore the Erie Canalway Trail online though our new, interactive Cycling the Erie Canal website Find out more about the six new trail projects recently selecte to receive technical assistance See the results of the most recent Erie Canalway Trail count Learn about the New York State Trails Coalition's action plan Visit New York City's Hudson River Greenway Parks & Trails New York Annual Report 2007 now available online! The report highlights Parks & Trails New York's activities and achievements during the past year. Help us continue this success! Support Parks & Trails New York by becoming a member today! Got a Match? You can make twice the difference! You can help build, protect, and expand twice as many acres and miles of parks and trails throughout New York State! Your gift to Parks & Trails New York can be worth twice as much if your employer will match it. Check with your employer to find out about the matching gift program. Be sure that our E-News doesn't get sent to your junk mail folder. Please add Parks & Trails New York (ptny@ptny.org) to your safe senders list. Parks and Trails in the News Minnewaska reopens; outdoor burn ban lifted — Ulster County, NY Does it pay to get stoked about spokes?—Brockport, NY Brush fire burns 7 acres in Harriman State Park —Harriman, NY Dutchess to make safety improvements at Harlem Valley Rail Trail intersection — Poughkeepsie, NY Roosevelt State Park getting facelift — Yorktown Heights, NY Jumpstarting the Greenways System — New York, NY Parks' chief has 700-mile vision to build, connect NY trails — Bear Mountain, NY Drawing bicyclists to canal trail may boost businesses — Rochester, NY Old Erie Canal swept clean in Jordan — Jordan, NY Environmental destiny and the parkway — Niagara, NY Gas Prices help fuel rise in camping at NY state parks ERIE CANAL: Bikes can bring business to canal area Walkway Underway with $8 Million Secured from State — Poughkeepsie, NY Parks funding to get boost from state — Saratoga Springs, NY Bike trail studied for I-287 service roads — Westchester County, NY Paddlers can explore New York City's Waterways With New Guide — New York, NY Plans finalized for trail work: Work to begin in several months on north section of Catharine Valley Trail — Watkins Glen, NY The goal: Parks that all can enjoy — Farmington, NY Effort starts in New Paltz to make highway crossing safer, easier for pedestrians — New Paltz, NY Woman’s efforts led to Grant Cottage visitor center — Wilton, NY State weighs in on overdue repairs — Bear Mountain, NY Fort Stanwix officials to run historic sites — Rome, NY Calendar May 14-16 - New York State Governor's Tourism Conference. Sagamore Hotel, Lake George, NY 14 - Canalway Trails Association New York (CTANY) Meeting of Board of Directors. Sims Store, Camillus, NY 15 - Foundation Center Proposal Writing Seminar for beginners and experienced grant seekers. Foundation Center, New York, NY 14 - New Yorkers for Parks NYC Parks Advocacy Day 17 - Celebrate NYC parks with It's My Park Day! 16 - National Bike to Work Day 30 - UTAP application deadline June 4 - Urban Forestry grants deadline 7 - Join us for the Canalway Trail Celebration! This event coincides with National Trails Day! 15 - The Kodak American Greenways Awards Program grant application deadline 27 - Transportation Enhancements Program (TEP) funding application deadline 27 - Hudson River estuary grant application deadline. 30 - Deadline for OPRHP municipal park grants July** 6-13 - Join us for the Cycling the Erie Canal bicycle tour! 12 - Tour de Per-RY bike ride through Letchworth State Park. (585) 237-6709 for more information. 19 - North County Access Program. All-abilities water sports recreation event to take place on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, Clayton, NY. Email for more information. August 1- Application deadline for National Parks Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (beginning the following fiscal year, October 1st through September 30th). 6-13 - Join us for the Great Hudson Valley Pedal 8-10 – 3rd annual Canal Splash, a celebration of the history, culture & recreational appeal of the NYS Canal System Ongoing Events Spring Events Bloom at NY State Parks! Spring has finally sprung in Western New York and the Office of New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has a full calendar of events to help everyone get back outdoors again! Designing Pedestrian Safe Streets The New York State DOT is hosting this series of workshops in May. This is an opportunity to work with two of the country’s top pedestrian safety experts to learn of engineering measures that will make your community a safer and more pleasant place to walk. A site visit to a sample location will help participants understand and identify obstacles to walking. There is no fee for the workshop. Schedule and locations: May 14 & 15 - Utica, Oneida County Workshops in Albany and Rochester will be scheduled for September 2008. Questions or RSVP: Christopher Hardej at 212 383-7253. Healthier Communities: Successful Strategies of Steps to a HealthierNY Steps to a HealthierNY is a federal Centers for Disease Control initiative occurring in four New York State counties. Each Steps county uses an integrated, community-based approach to reduce the burden of diabetes, obesity, and asthma by promoting physical activity, healthy eating, and smoking cessation initiatives. Workshop Participants will learn how to implement chronic disease prevention programs in their communities, identify partners to fight chronic disease, and develop school and worksite wellness teams. Dates and locations: May 28 - Greater NYC Area May 29 - Capital Region June 4 - Central NY June 5 - Western NY For more information contact Cheri Foti (716) 664.2802 ext 231, or ccsteps@jamestownymca.org. Parks & Trails New York is a member of Earth Share of New York, an alliance of leading nonprofit environmental organizations. Please look for Parks & Trails New York and Earth Share in your workplace giving campaign brochure. For more information about giving through Earth Share, or to learn how you can help your office set up a workplace giving campaign with Earth Share of New York, check out Earth Share of New York´s web site, www.earthshareny.org. Parks & Trails New York is a leader in efforts to improve the quality of life of all New Yorkers through the expansion, protection, and promotion of a network of parks, trails, and open spaces throughout the state.		HEALTHY TRAILS, HEALTHY PEOPLE Free Training - Learn how to assess the accessibility of trails in your region! Apply by May 30 for Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) Training Parks & Trails New York will be hosting its third, free, two-day Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) training for up to 16 selected individuals on Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16 at Gilbert Lake State Park, Laurens, New York. The training will consist of both classroom instruction and outdoor trail sessions. UTAP was developed by Beneficial Designs, Inc., as a system to assess trails for visitors of all abilities. The Federal Highway Administration, the NYS Department of Health, and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation endorse UTAP. If you are interested in joining us in furthering the goals of our Accessible Parks & Trails Program to address the needs of individuals who seek information about the physical accessibility of outdoor recreational trails in New York State, please consider becoming a UTAP-certified trail assessment coordinator. Download and fax (518-427-0067) or mail your application to Parks & Trails New York, 29 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207. Applications must be postmarked by May 30, 2008. Selection will be based on attaining a statewide regional distribution of attendees and a demonstrated willingness to commit to trail assessment after the training. For more information, call 518-434-1584 or email Fran Gotcsik. Parks & Trails New York's year-long advocacy effort results in largest capital infusion ever for State Parks Parks & Trails New York‘s Campaign for Parks achieved its first major success with the inclusion of $95 million in the new state budget for parks revitalization - the largest capital infusion in the history of the State Park system! Total budget appropriation for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) increased by 2.6 percent over last year and included funding for 32 new positions. The $95 million in revitalization funds will be invested in nearly 300 park capital projects - to rehabilitate aging buildings and infrastructure, create new recreational opportunities, address health and safety concerns, and conserve natural and historic resources in 100 state parks and historic sites. "Our job is just beginning - we must ensure that this is the first phase of a multi-year effort to meet the $650 million backlog of infrastructure repairs and rehabilitation," said Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Robin Dropkin. The complete list of projects is available on the state parks website. Massive petition drive helps put North Buffalo Greenway back on track Despite numerous setbacks, support for the North Buffalo Greenway continues to grow among residents of the University district of the city. In 2004-2005, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) surprised trail advocates by selling two of three sections of the 2.5-mile corridor to private developers, even after the City had received $1.2 million in federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funding for greenway design and construction. While NFTA required each of the developers to retain a 30-foot easement for a trail within the corridor, greenway advocates were concerned that the trail would be relocated apart from the former rail bed and that a width of only 30 feet would not allow for the creation of a greenway and linear park as initially envisioned. Recently, when the third and largest section of corridor was also threatened with sale, a loosely-knit neighborhood group organized a petition drive that gathered more than 1,100 signatures of residents who supported the idea of a natural greenway on the 30-acre site. The group presented the petition to the City which has decided to put their plan to sell the corridor on hold. North Buffalo residents will now focus on urging the City to restart the greenway planning effort. In 2004, Parks & Trails New York chose the North Buffalo Greenway as one of its Healthy Trails, Healthy People (HTHP) projects because of the citizen interest and support for the greenway; the alarmingly high rates of cardiovascular disease in Erie County; and the multiple opportunities to link to bus routes, a light rail metro station, schools, health centers, parks and other community resources, including the Tonawanda Rail Trail (also in the planning stages and a newly-selected HTHP project). Chenango Canal Corridor Project leaps forward Some months ago, citizens from the Madison County towns of Madison, Eaton, and Hamilton, led by Diane Van Slyke of the Chenango Canal Association (CCA), began to envision a trail that someday could stretch nearly 100 miles from the Erie Canal near Utica to the Susquehanna River along the historic route of the 170-year old Chenango Canal. Subsequently, the CCA, which already manages a five-mile trail along a surviving stretch of the old Chenango Canal in Madison and Eaton, requested help from Parks & Trails New York's Healthy Trails, Healthy People (HTHP) program to extend their trail another five miles southward to the Village of Hamilton. Independently, residents of the Oneida County Village of Clinton, a few miles to the north, also sought HTHP program assistance to establish a trail along the Chenango Canal route linking the village to an existing rail trail in the Town of Marshall. Further south in Chenango County, Parks & Trails New York has already been assisting the Chenango Greenway Conservancy with their efforts to establish a trail in the City of Norwich along the Chenango River, near to the former canal route. Calling it the Chenango Connections Corridor, the area’s citizens are now working in conjunction with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation; the NYS Canal Corporation; and Parks & Trails New York staff, as part of the HTHP program, to shape a vision and implementation plan for the corridor that spans three counties and multiple villages and towns. Already they have taken steps that may result in pieces of the trail extension to Hamilton opening by the end of 2008! A recent meeting of stakeholders and potential partners in Hamilton yielded broad agreement on the desirability of linking the current towpath trail with Hamilton. The Village of Hamilton purchased land along the canal right-of-way, creating an opportunity to connect to trails in the village and at Colgate University via an existing rail trail and the abandoned O&W Railroad bed. During field exploration in April, Diane Van Slyke and Parks & Trails New York staff "discovered" an unpaved access road that will further facilitate a Village of Hamilton connection. Suffolk County's Greenleaf Trail gathers momentum In January, Parks & Trails New York selected the Greenleaf Trail in Suffolk County, New York, to receive technical assistance through its Healthy Trails, Healthy People program. The proposed trail, spearheaded by the Tuthills Creek Alliance, will consist of 15-20 miles of multi-use paths that would use existing and proposed trails to connect Bayport, Blue Point, Patchogue, Sayville and Holbrook in the towns of Islip and Brookhaven. Since launching the project three years ago, community sparkplug Ed Silsbe has been able to garner support from a wide variety of organizations and individuals, including New York Assemblywoman Ginny Fields, Concerned Long Island Mountain Bicyclists (CLIMB), Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference, Long Island Sierra Club, and a number of civic associations that represent residential subdivisions near the proposed trail. Much of the proposed Greenleaf Trail system is composed of lands already in the public domain because when housing subdivisions were constructed in the town of Islip, the town required developers to set aside land for future use as Municipal Purposes either in a natural state or for the installation of bicycle paths. Trail supporters are also looking forward to working with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) as the foundation for the proposed Greenleaf Trail will be the existing paved trails along LIPA right-of-ways. Working closely with Parks & Trails New York, the Tuthills Creek Alliance is currently engaged in project promotion and meeting with the Town of Islip Planning Department to best determine where and when Phase I of the project will begin. The alliance has also been communicating with the local Police Academy and the Suffolk County Police Department's 5th Precinct about trail patrols. Second Parks Advocacy Day a success Parks & Trails New York held the second annual Parks Advocacy Day on March 4. Representatives from park and historic site "friends" groups came to Albany from near and far to meet with key legislators. The advocacy message for the day was two-fold. First, that the state park system is facing a $650 million backlog in capital funding that will require significant yearly investments over the next five years, and second, that the boost in capital funding contained in the proposed Executive Budget for fiscal year 2008-2009 must be included in the enacted budget. First Annual Trails Advocacy Day brings trails to the forefront The focus was on further enhancing the state’s trail system and the accomplishments of its many trail groups when members of the New York State Trails Coalition joined Parks & Trails New York staff in meeting with lawmakers during the first annual Trails Advocacy Day in March. At the meetings, Senators and Assembly members and their aides heard directly from trail groups across the state how important trails are within their communities and how much the grants program for park and trail not-for-profits could benefit their efforts. "I was delighted to have the opportunity to sit down face-to-face with other trail advocates and New York's representatives to discuss grants for parks and trail groups. I felt a synergy that enabled us to build support and extend our influence," commented Anne J. Gold, Executive Director of the Purchase Environmental Protective Association. Parks & Trails New York also brought along a letter signed by 30 Trails Coalition members urging lawmakers to vote for the EPF, the grants program for park and trail not-for-profits, and the Community Trails Initiative bill. Canal Clean Sweep keeps growing More than 60 clean-up events held along the NYS Canal System In it's third year, the annual Canal Clean Sweep, a coordinated series of "spring cleaning" events throughout the New York State Canal System corridor, expanded to more than 60 individual projects in communities from Tonawanda to Albany and Whitehall to Oswego. With beautiful spring weather prevailing across the state, hundreds of volunteers turned out on the weekend of April 19-20 to spruce up canal banks and canalside parks and trails in recognition of Earth Day and in preparation for the 183rd consecutive canal navigation season. In the words of Nancy Prarie of the Minetto Beautification Committee, "We are rewarded by going through town today and seeing the clean park and water front. Community progress in working together is a big reward!" Organized by the NYS Canal Corporation in collaboration with Parks & Trails New York, the 2008 edition of the Canal Clean Sweep welcomed a new sponsor, the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation. Again this year, the Canal Clean Sweep also served as a vehicle for disseminating an educational message to the public about the importance of keeping pollution out of state waterways as part of the "Connecting the Drops" campaign. Pollution and litter that drops on roads, parking lots and other areas eventually reaches the waterways that connect us all. Canalway Trail Celebration: Join Us on the Trail June 7! The fifth annual Canalway Trail Celebration is just around the corner. Timed once again to coincide with National Trails Day, this year's Celebration will take place on Saturday, June 7. Designed to increase awareness and enjoyment of the Canalway Trail system as a world-class recreation resource and tourist destination for New Yorkers and visitors alike, the Celebration is a coordinated series of special events in communities all along the Canalway Trail. The theme for National Trails Day this year is "Join Us on the Trail," which accurately describes the aim of the Canalway Trail Celebration, as well. This year, 35 events, ranging from family bike tours, boat rides, and interpretive history walks to arts and crafts festivals, a "planting party", and a concert of canal music, will draw thousands of trail and canal enthusiasts. Events are planned across the state from Lockport, Brockport, Spencerport, and Fairport to Liverpool, Rome, Schuylerville, and Queensbury, where the annual Canoe & Kayak Race takes place. Just a few of the other events scheduled include "Canal Boat Building of Yesteryear" in Chittenango, the Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride, Canal Days in Phoenix on both Friday and Saturday, and the Fairport Canal Days Festival, which takes place throughout the weekend. The Canalway Trail Celebration is organized by Parks and Trails New York, the New York State Canal Corporation, and the Canalway Trails Association New York (CTANY), with additional support from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. OPRHP and Parks & Trails New York host trail workshops The New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and Parks & Trails New York recently wrapped up a series of five regional trail workshops around the state. The workshops were developed to provide the public an opportunity to review an inventory and maps of multi-use rail trails, canal trails, and historic corridors completed by OPRHP; offer information on new opportunities to create connections between communities, parks, and ecological communities; and express a vision for trails in their area. OPRHP plans to synthesize trail data the agency has collected with the input of workshop participants to develop a state-wide map of multi-use trails. Parks & Trails New York emphasized that connections are more than physical - it takes strong partnerships and an energized community to ensure successful trail development. Keep an eye out for trail surveys near you - State parks will be conducting a comprehensive trail study at 8 multi-use trails around the state. Chautauqua Rails to Trails Genesee Valley Greenway Catharine Valley Trail Lehigh Valley Rail Trail Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail D&H Canal Trail North and South County Trail Erie Canalway The survey, developed in cooperation with Parks & Trails New York, will be available at key locations along the trails listed above. OPRHP is currently developing a website and trail guide, slated for unveiling later this year. Legislative Agenda Environmental Protection Fund approved at record $255 million - parks and trails grant program nixed The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), which funds many diverse environmental programs in New York, was approved at $255 million, a $5 million increase over last year. Unfortunately, a $125 million EPF "sweep," or transfer of EPF funds to the General Fund, proposed by the Executive to bolster the state budget bottom line this year, remained intact. Parks & Trails New York, in conjunction with the Friends of New York's Environment, a coalition of 200 other environmental organizations, strongly opposed this transfer. While the EPF holds much good news for park and trail advocates—including $21.2 million for the popular municipal park grant program and nearly $66.6 million for open space acquisition - a $500,000 grants program for park, historic site, and trail non-profit groups, to be administered by Parks & Trails New York, did not make the final cut. Elimination of the non-profit grants program was disappointing, but Parks & Trails New York pledges to work with park and trail groups to ensure that the program is included next year when the EPF will by law increase from this year's $255 million to $300 million. Funding Grants available to Hudson River estuary communities Applications are available for grants from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program, a unique regional partnership founded on the principles of ecosystem management leading to the restoration of the Hudson River and its watershed. Grants for 2008 will focus on projects that further the Estuary Action Agenda of river restoration and help New York prepare for the 2009 Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial celebration. Municipalities and not-for-profit corporations are eligible to apply for $10,000 to $100,000. Three public information workshops will be held in May to further explain the program. The deadline for applications is June 27, 2008. Urban Forestry Grants fund community tree programs Matching grants are available from NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Urban and Community Forestry Program to encourage communities to actively enhance tree cover along streets and in parks or open spaces; properly care for and maintain community trees; develop tree inventories and management plans; and inform residents of the value and benefits of urban trees. Municipalities, public benefit corporations, public authorities, school districts and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply for $2,500 to $75,000, depending on municipal population. Applications must be postmarked or delivered by 4:00 pm on June 4, 2008. BJ’s provides grants for community programs BJ's Charitable Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations that promote the safety, security, and well-being of children and families; support education and health programs; and provide community service opportunities. The remaining 2008 application deadline is August 8. Trail and Health Resources Network for Good Learning Center provides free online fundraising and marketing resources Learn best practices of online fundraising and donor communications in workshops and online courses offered by Network for Good's new online Learning Center. The Learning Center features hundreds of articles in six areas: Online Fundraising, Social Networking, Website 101, Email 101, Donor Database, and Nonprofit Marketing. Much of the content comes from nonprofit professionals, coaches, trainers, bloggers, and consultants who are working everyday to improve fundraising and marketing effectiveness. Toolkit helps communities implement smart growth The Smart Growth Leadership Institute has produced a Smart Growth Implementation Toolkit that offers practical tools to check if your community's policies, regulations, and projects are creating safer, healthier, more livable neighborhoods. Case Studies aimed at improving safety of cyclists The Federal Highway Administration has published more than 50 case studies aimed at showcasing treatments or programs that have been undertaken around the country to improve the safety of cyclists. While many of the studies address issues of on-road bicyclists, several are aimed at situations affecting trail cyclists. DEC launches free electronic newsletter for all New Yorkers The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has launched a new family electronic newsletter named "DEC Outdoor Discovery." Every two weeks, subscribers will receive information on a seasonally-oriented environmental or nature topic and family-friendly events at DEC's environmental education centers. Trail Spotlight Town of Penfield - Passport to Wellness The Monroe County Town of Penfield, on the eastern periphery of metropolitan Rochester and bordering rural Wayne County, has an extensive network of trails consisting of a dozen multi-use trail systems; water trails, such as Irondequoit Creek and Irondequoit Bay; and connections to trails in adjacent communities. Trails are located in both Town of Penfield parks and Monroe County parks, as well as on private land. Parks & Trails New York recently presented its 2007 Corporate Partnership Award to the Penfield Recreation Department and Wegmans Supermarkets for the creation and promotion of the innovative "Wegmans Passport to Family Wellness" program, developed as part of the town’s wellness initiative and in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Penfield Recreation. The goal of the program is to increase the community's awareness of the town’s extensive trail system and ultimately promote a healthier, more active community. Participants travel the town's trails collecting unique rubbings for their Passport from special trail markers along each trail, allowing them to receive a free t-shirt and become eligible for prizes. Wegmans continues to provide funding, advertising, and visibility as a corporate sponsor with an established positive reputation. The volunteer-based Penfield Trails Committee, comprised of representatives of various boards, groups, committees, and individuals of the town, organizes guided hikes, maintains approximately 15 miles of hiking/biking trails in the town, and is also involved in building new trails, guided by the Penfield Trails Master Plan, updated in January 2007. The Plan helps prioritize implementation strategies, acquisitions, and easements necessary to complete a townwide network of trails while also helping to establish a regional trail network through links with the neighboring towns of Perinton, Brighton, and Webster, as well as with Wayne County. New trails are identified in general areas where they appear practical according to set criteria. These trails will be built as deeds, easements, or permits are obtained from property owners.