Measuring trail popularity in the Hudson Valley
Here's a heatmap showing Mountain Biking activity at 909. The "hotter" lines (brighter, thicker lines) show where there is more recorded...
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The DEC has proposed CLOSING SIX TRAILS at Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Area, also known as "The 909".
How you can help:
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Contact the DEC: R3.UMP@dec.ny.gov
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Print a flyer and post it in your local business
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Mail a letter to the DEC (address below)
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Share this page!
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Then paste to your email
DEC Division of Lands and Forests
21 South Putt Corners Rd.
New Paltz, NY 12561
Over 75% of trail users at 909 are visitors from other towns, and they dine at local restaurants, refill their tanks at local gas stations, and visit local shops and businesses for their gear and supplies. Reducing quality and quantity of trails will only negatively impact the number of visitors, who may choose to go elsewhere for their outdoor activities.
Trails to be
CLOSED:
Beaver
Timbuk2
Mary Murphy
Burn Trail
Outer Gut
Pirate Creek
4 of the Top 10 most popular trails at 909 are on this list.
These trails have been in use for over a decade, and have been included in DEC official maps for several years.
Closing trails will lead to overcrowding, overuse, erosion, and increased maintenance on the rest of the trail network. Overall, closing trails will diminish the experience of trail users, and might discourage people from visiting the area.
Contact the DEC
Or download the form letter to print & mail
Click one of the icons below to download the form letter in your preferred format.
DEC Division of Lands and Forests
21 South Putt Corners Rd.
New Paltz, NY 12561
Sample letter:
To whom it may concern,
I am writing in opposition to closing trails at the Taconic-Hereford MUA in DEC Region 3.
These trails are very popular with many user groups including runners, hikers, cyclists, equestrians, snowshoers, skiers, and snowmobilers. These trails are on the DEC’s own website and have been for at least a decade.
Users have been enjoying these trails for over 15 years. Why close them now? COVID showed we should be increasing trail access not decreasing it. Huge increases in park and trail use statewide during the pandemic led to trail over-use issues and crowding.
If these trails are closed, it will lead to overcrowding and over-use on the remaining trails, increased erosion, and increased maintenance. If anything, trails should be added at this and other Multiple Use Areas to accommodate the increase in outdoor recreation demand we’ve seen in recent years and we expect to see in the future.
Sincerely,
A concerned trail user
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