Volume 27 Issue 3 Summer Edition July-September 2007

Scouts Smith, Rasmussen, Clawson, and Irvine Complete Bridge and Trail Projects

The Crescent Trail continues to be a beneficiary of Boy Scouts of America merit badge and community service programs. So far this year four individual scouts have volunteered their time, leadership skills, and muscle to make trail repairs, improve-ments, and new linkages. The work of these scouts, supported by their families and troop members, contributes significantly to the attributes and public enjoyment of Perinton’s open space and network of footpaths.

Kendall Smith, an Eagle Scout candidate from Troop #207, accepted the chal-lenge of salvaging, repairing and reinstalling a footbridge near the junction of the Crescent Trail and the RS&E Trolley Trail in the hamlet of Egypt northwest of Charlie’s Casual Dining Restaurant. During a period of heavy rain last summer our trail bridge over a drainage swale at that location was swept out of position. It was damaged and jammed against mud, brush, and debris. Kendall investigated the problem, then prepared a plan to dismantle three structural components of the bridge and move them back into position. In the process he would refurbish, reinforce, and re-secure the bridge using concrete footers to better withstand future rain storms and flooding. Kendall and a Troop #207 work party completed the bridge repairs on May 19th. They also cleaned out the drainage swale under and on both sides of the bridge, and spread approximately 5 cubic yards of wood chip mulch along the trail south of the bridge. Kendall and the CTA thank the Perinton Department of Public Works for providing the wood chip mulch, and the Perinton Parks

Department for allowing the scout work party to borrow a large light-weight wheel barrow. According to scout Kendall, “The bridge repair project took a lot of careful planning and hard work, but the end results are worth it. Also, the new wood chip cover will prolong the life of that section of the trail. I am glad that I was able to help the Crescent Trail system, all while benefiting the community.” (continued on page 3)

Kendall Smith (in red shirt) and scout helper clear drainage swale under repaired bridge.

AFTER: Repaired, reinstalled bridge.

BEFORE: Damaged, dislodged

Applying wood chip mulch along the trail.

July-September 2007 Page 2

Jensen’s Stables and Crescent Trail Ultimate Cross Country Challenge

The Genesee Valley Harriers Running Club, Inc. (GVH) is now making final plans for a Saturday, October 20th long-distance, cross country race on sections of the Crescent Trail at Jensen’s horse farm, the Indian Hill Recreation Area, Thayer Hill, adjacent parklands, and several private properties. CTA Trailmaster Dave Schaeffer has been working with race director Dave Bischoff and coach Mike Reif of the Harriers, helping them lay out a cross country course and obtain Town and land-owner approvals for the event. The Harriers organization is dedicated to the sport of running in general, and particularly to the sports of cross-country, track, and road racing. Their main goal is to field full and competitive teams (male, female and “masters”) for regional and national competitions in cross country, road racing, and track events. Simultaneously GVH wants to help promote individual fitness, achievement, and success on a year round basis. Many members of GVH are familiar with and often run on the Crescent Trail. Dave Bischoff and Mike Reif are Perinton residents and avid supporters of the work of the Crescent Trail Association. Early this year Dave and Mike came up with the idea for GVH to sponsor and stage a cross country “challenge” on trails within the rugged terrain of lands bounded by Turk Hill, Pittsford-Palmyra, Thayer, and Steele Roads. They con-tacted Jensen’s Stables, the CTA, and Town officials to begin making specific plans. The October 20th event is now posted on the GVH website at: www.gvh.net The event will be based at the Jensen’s horse farm and will include activities for families and all classes of runners, both novice and experienced. The primary “ultimate” footrace will follow a cross country route approximately 10 kilometers in length, mostly on existing sections of the Crescent Trail. 200 to 300 runners are expected to register and participate. The Town has granted a Special Use Permit for GVH to use trails within Town-owned parklands, and GVH is obtaining letters of consent from landowners where the runners will cross private property. Race marshals will be posted at key locations and junctions, GVH and USA Track and Field are providing liability insurance coverage, and the Harriers will survey and cleanup the cross country course and trails after the event to restore all properties to pre-race condition and appearance. If CTA members or readers of this newsletter have questions about the event, or if they wish to participate as runners or as course marshals or volunteers, they should call Dave Bischoff at (585) 223-7382 or email <DBischof@rochester.rr.com>

Hike Schedule

The Sunday afternoon guided hikes listed below are organized and hosted by the Crescent Trail Association. Physically fit adults, teenagers, and youngsters supervised by an adult are welcome.

Call Voice Mail (585) 234-1621 for more information

September 9 - White Brook and Mason Valley. Meet in the White Brook Nature Area parking lot, on east side of Aldrich Road (approximately halfway between Ayrault Road and Pitts-ford-Palmyra Road). Explore mostly flat trails around wet-lands, meadows, and ponds.

October 14 - Hamlet of Egypt History Hike with Perinton’s Town Historian Jean Keplinger. Meet at Egypt Park parking lot (off Victor Road, near Lollypop Farm). Learn about Perinton pioneers and “the year without summer.”

November 11 - Powder Mills Park. Meet in the parking lot next to the Fish Hatchery, off Park Road. Follow park trails through glacial hills and valleys and along Irondequoit Creek.

All hikes start at 1:30 p.m.

Healthy Trails, Healthy Communities Trails and Greenways Conference

Parks & Trails New York will hold its third statewide trails and greenways conference, September 28 and 29, this year in Rochester, NY, at Monroe Community College. The title and theme for the conference, Healthy Trails, Healthy Communities, recognizes the important contribution that trails can make to individual health, quality of life, and the environmental and economic health of New York’s communities. This conference is the only one of its kind to be held in our state. The conference will include workshops and panel discus-

sions associated with designing, build-ing, maintaining, and promoting trails that support active living, tourism, and economic development. In addition, there will be field trips to showcase the Genesee Riverway Trail, Erie Canalway Trail, Genesee Valley Greenway, and the Auburn and Lehigh Valley Trails. Keynote speakers at the conference will include Carmella Mantello, Di-

rector, NYS Canal Corporation, and Carol Ash, Commissioner, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Ms. Ash oversees the state’s more than 200 parks and historic sites. One of the goals of Ms. Ash’s administration is to forge “connections” through green corridors, trailways, bike paths, waterways, and enlightened stewardship of private lands, to create integrated networks of protected lands for nature and people. To learn more about Parks & Trails New York, the trails and greenways conference, or how to register for the conference, go to: www.ptny.org or call (518)-434-1583.

“Running is a way of life. Have fun while becoming the best you can be.”

- Mike Reif

July-September 2007 Page 3

Boy Scout Service Projects . . . . . . . . . . (from page 1)

On the same day that Kendall Smith was working on his project in Egypt, Clark Rasmussen of Troop #469 was busy with construction of new bridges and footpath improvements at the Horizon Hill Conservation Area. Clark’s community service project for Eagle was a significant achievement, helping us complete several major tasks associated with our plans for Nancy’s Glen. As reported in the prior issue of our newsletter, the May 2nd Day of Caring volunteers had planted trees and shrubs and opened a new footpath leading to the Glen. Now we needed to build a footbridge at each end of the new pathway.

We wanted to construct the two bridges in advance of a scheduled June 10th work party that would add woodland plants and begin work on wood chip pathways at the Glen (see article on page 4). Clark had signed up for the Horizon Hill project earlier in the year, working closely with his fa-ther and with CTA Trailmaster Dave Schaeffer to design the two bridges and figure out what lumber, hard-ware, and tools would be needed. One bridge would have a span of about 16 feet and would be supported on 4x4 posts. The other bridge would be only 10 feet long and would rest on the banks of the small stream at Nancy’s Glen. During the week before his Troop’s May 19th work party, Clark assisted Dave and Trail Boss Howie Newton in selecting and picking up lumber, loading it onto our CTA trailer, then transporting it to Clark’s home so that Clark and his dad could organize and pre-cut the lumber for the bridges.

Clark (center) and several team members on photo break after placing and leveling joists and end pieces for the Glen bridge.

Clark Rasmussen (holding banner) with several members of his Troop #469 work party.

Clark’s dad (standing) watches progress on alignment and installation of decking on the

Glen bridge.

Scout Mike Clawson, at Nancy’s Glen, next to his excavation for future path.

Mike Clawson of Troop #469 needed a project to qualify for his boy scout community citizenship merit badge. The requirement was to find a non-profit organization, do some research on it, and volunteer eight hours of service to that organization. He chose the Crescent Trail Association! On June 13th Mike excavated a shallow trench within the east half of Nancy’s Glen at Horizon Hill. This prepared that area of the Glen for later addition of wood chip mulch to make a pathway that will loop around the beds for woodland plants. The topsoil that was dug from the trench was spread on the adjacent planting areas. Mike finished the job in less than eight hours, so he then worked on placing mulch around shrubs and trees that had been planted on the Day of Caring. Mike also volunteered to help us in the future by doing a few extra jobs on the Crescent Trail. (continued on page 6)

On the day of the work party, Clark divided his volunteers into two teams, one to work on the small bridge at Nan-cy’s Glen, and the other to build the more complicated bridge at the down-stream end of the access path. In addi-tion to constructing the two footbridges, Clark and his scout friends worked on clearing the treadway and cutting back vines and brush along the path between the two bridges.

July-September 2007 Page 4

Peter Whitcombe (with spade) works on pathway at the Glen while other June 10th volunteers plant daffodil bulbs and ferns.

One of the two new benches (left foreground) at the Glen. Photo also shows footbridge built by scout Rasmussen (see page 3).

New sign for Glen entrance.

Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra) shrub in bloom next to lower bridge.

Update on Nancy’s Glen at Horizon Hill

They arrived with spades, rakes, trowels, kneeling pads, garden gloves, watering cans, and boxes, buckets, and bowls filled with woodland plants garnered from home gardens. Sixteen vol-unteers reported to the Horizon Hill parking lot for our June 10th work party on the Nancy’s Glen memorial project. This was a CTA scheduled event, in celebration of National Trails Day. Among the enthusiastic contributors, Judy McNulty brought a half dozen different plants, in-cluding dicentra, oenothera, and jack-in-the pulpit. Jacqui Wensich brought a tubful of daffodil bulbs. Dave Schaeffer brought ferns donated by a neighbor as well as a half-dozen Solomon’s Seal plants contributed by Joan Koehler. We also planted more than thirty nursery-grown native wildflowers and ferns that CTA purchased from Amanda’s Garden in Springwater, NY. During the week before the work party, the Perinton Highway Department delivered a small truckload of rough-ground wood chips to a staging area close to Allan’s Walk. Then trail volun-teers David and Janice Coon transported their home tractor and bucket loader to Horizon Hill, constructed a wood chip footpath at the lower bridge, and moved the remaining chips up to the Glen area. On the Sunday 6/10 work party, most of the men worked on clearing pathways and laying down wood chips, while the ladies concentrated on getting the plants safely into the ground. Thanks to arrangements by Chairperson Jeanne Cole, the CTA provided the volunteers with plen-ty of chilled bottled water. As a return gesture, the volunteers drew water from the nearby stream to water all the shrubs and small trees that had been planted on the May 2nd Day of Caring. The dogwood, redbud, and river birch saplings at the Glen are doing especially well.

In the weeks since June 10th, Jeanne Cole has added wild geranium (a.k.a. cranesbill) plants moved from her Perinton backyard, and Jeanne and Dave S. have planted about a dozen mayapple tubers donated by Karen Crandall. Other accom-plishments include construction of two simple benches at the Glen, using sections of willow stumps as support structures. We also purchased all-weather signs to mark each of the two entrances to the Glen. The signs are now mounted on posts, ready for installation. By the end of August we plan to get another load of wood chips to add to existing and new pathways in the Glen (see scout Mike Clawson’s project, on page 3). Most of the spring-flowering specimens we planted have now gone dormant and have virtually disappeared. But you can guess from the upper right photograph, there is still room for many more shade-tolerant plants. We welcome transplanted or nursery-grown varieties, especially if you are willing to help with planting them. Call our CTA voice mail number, 234-1621, or Dave Schaeffer, 223-3878, for suggestions and guidance. □

Page 5 July-September 2007

“Weed Walk” at Horizon Hill Finds Examples of Nuisance and Invasive Species

The weather on June 23rd cooperated for an exploration of meadow, shrub, and woodland areas of Horizon Hill, looking for nuisance, invasive, non-native plants. The outing was organized and hosted by Christine Sevilla, local photographer and envi-ronmental journalist. Special guests included Brian Eshenaur, Elizabeth Hane, Karl Korfmacher, and June Summers - all who contributed botanical expertise and wisdom (see affiliations and bonafides information below left). Christine had scouted the property in advance and labeled individual or colony examples of invader plants that flourish along Horizon Hill trails. Weed-walker participants examined multiflora rose, autumn olive, swallow-wort, bush honeysuckle, oriental bittersweet, and garlic mustard. These villainous plants grow profusely along many sections of the Crescent Trail and complicate the mowing and maintenance of the trail. Homeowners and gardeners should learn to identify the above cited and other invasive species and, wherever possible, destroy them before they displace desirable plantings or become domi-nant monocultures. A brochure on invasives that particularly plague Mon-roe County can be obtained through the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County at telephone (585) 461-1000. Ask for the Garden Villains brochure. Although not studied on the June 23rd Weed Walk, Christine later dis-covered and reported several specimens of Tree of Heaven growing in the Horizon Hill meadow not far from the Harris Beach LLP rear parking lot. Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a very prolific seed producer,

grows rapidly, and can overrun native vegetation. Once estab-lished, it can quickly take over a site and form an impenetrable thicket. Ailanthus also produces toxins that prevent the establish-ment of other plant species. We have consulted internet sources as well as Holmes Hollow horticultur-ist Andrew Fowler. Before the end of this summer’s growing sea-son, we plan to cut down the Ailan-thus trees and saplings, then imme-diately treat the stumps with a combination of Triclopyr and 2-4-D herbicides. Hopefully, we can eradicate or at least control this awful pest before it spreads to oth-er areas of Horizon Hill. □

CTA Trailmaster Dave Schaeffer (arm outstretched) helps weed-walkers get their bearings at Horizon Hill.

. . . . . . . 6 inch scale

Typical leaflet of Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

Also known as Chinese sumac or stinking sumac, Tree of Heaven is a rapidly growing, deciduous tree that can reach 80 feet or more in height. It has smooth stems with pale gray bark, and twigs which are light chestnut brown. Its large compound leaves, 1-4 feet in length, are composed of 11-25 smaller leaflets. Each leaflet has one to several glandular teeth near the base. In late spring, clusters of small, yellow-green flowers appear near the tips of branches. Seeds are produced on fe-male trees in late summer to early fall, in flat, twisted, papery structures which may remain on the tree for long periods of time. All parts of the tree, especially the flow-ers, have a strong, offensive odor, which some have likened to peanuts or cashews.

Brian Eshenaur, Cornell University Extension NYS Integrated Pest Management Program Western New York Ornamentals IPM Educator

Elizabeth Hane, PhD, and Karl Korfmacher, PhD Professors, Department of Biological Sciences Environmental Science Program, R.I.T.

June Summers, environmental science educator and President, Genesee Valley Chapter National Audubon Society

Another find at Horizon Hill !

A pair of reading eyeglasses, with brown frames, was found along the Allan’s Walk

trail at Horizon Hill. If they belong to you or someone you know, please call CTA

voice mailbox 585-234-1621.

Photo of one of the Ailanthus trees Christine found at Horizon Hill.

Page 6 July-September 2007

NEW ACCESS

TRAIL

Completed trail and emergency access, linking Thayer Road to the main orange-blazed Crescent Trail at Thayer Hill

(see location noted on map below) .

Sam installed posts, panels and “You Are Here” maps, per this illustration, at the summits

of Thayer Hill and Indian Hill.

Another Scout Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (from page 3)

We conclude our report of boy scout projects with this summary of work com-pleted by Sam Irvine of Troop #209. As part of his project, Sam pre-constructed two post and panel assemblies to be used for displaying “You Are Here” maps at Thayer Hill and Indian Hill. On June 2nd, Sam organized and equipped a work party of scouts, leaders and family members from his troop to begin cutting and removing brush, weeds, vines, brambles, and poison ivy along the route of an old farm lane that goes up the hill from Thayer Road. It was sunny and 90-degrees, so Sam brought plenty of chilled water and softdrinks to keep his team hydrated. Sam’s work party cleared a trailway about 8 to 10 feet wide, which provides enough clearance for a small truck or utility vehicle. One of the objectives of Sam’s project was to open up an emergency access from Thayer Road to the open areas at the top of the hill. Immediately after Sam Irvine’s first work party, CTA Trail Boss Howie New-ton mowed the new access trail. Then, on June 9th, Sam returned with a few of his scout friends to do additional trimming and install several wayfinding signs to mark the new trail connection. The final tasks were hauling the post and panel assemblies, post-hole digger, spade, ready-mix concrete, and other materials to the top of Thayer Hill and Indian Hill, and installing the You Are Here maps.

Cut, saw, drag and toss, but beware of poison ivy!

New sign at junction of access trail and orange-blazed Crescent Trail.

Sam Irvine installs trail marker at Thayer Road.

Page 7 July-September 2007

Crescent Trail Association Exhibit at High Acres Open House

For the past several years, Waste Management of NY has invited the public to an annual Open House and Information Fair at their landfill and recycling sites, this year including both the Mill Seat facility in Riga, and High Acres landfill in Perinton. The Crescent Trail Association was invited to be an exhibitor at the August 8th event at High Acres. Hundreds of interested residents and area visitors showed up, and most of them stopped by the CTA and Perinton “Trail Town” table to pick up a trail map, ask a few questions and

have their green Raf-fle Entry card punched. The Means family, visiting from Wayne County, agreed to have their photograph taken (left) with CTA’s Chris Fredette (behind the table). A unique exhibit by WOWEE (World of Wildlife Educa-tional Encounters) was adjacent to our CTA table. They had live animals including an Argentine horned frog, a binturong, gi-ant millipedes, a

dwarf African hedgehog, Patagonian cavy, Mata Mata turtle, and other assorted peculiar species. The WOWEE menagerie provided an excellent “draw,” bringing people to our display of information about Perinton trails. □

Karen Barriault (tallest, in back) and Nature Explorer students after their search for wildflowers at White Brook. New trail crossing sign.

White Brook Nature Explorers Program Ends a Successful Season

Fourteen girls and boys, ages 7 to 10, signed up this year for the final week of Nature Explorers, a popular summer nature camp program sponsored by the Perinton Recreation Department. The instructional and fun program makes good use of the White Brook Nature Area’s facilities, ecosystem, and diverse plant and animal life. Program leader Karen Barriault pre-planned and prepared a variety of mind-stretching activities to keep the explorer-students busy and challenged. Karen has assembled a wonderful album of her close-up photo-graphs of butterflies, beetles, spiders, dragonflies, frogs, turtles, and other critters, all digitally “captured” in their White Brook habitats. The photo album portrays dozens of different species, and Karen has carefully identified and labeled each one. CTA Trailmaster Dave Schaeffer was invited for a brief visit with the youngsters on Thursday, August 9th. Dave led them through an exercise to identify common wildflowers — first, using worksheets indoors to match specimens with field guide information, then going outdoors to find the wildflowers where they grow in White Brook meadows and wetlands. □

Boneset (Eupatorium)

The next time you drive in a line of traffic during the Pittsford-Palmyra Road improvements project within the hamlet of Egypt, look for the two new HIKERs+arrow signs recently erected near the Golden Phoenix Restaurant where the Crescent Trail crosses the busy road. Thank you, NYS/DOT! Also, new sidewalks along the recon-structed and widened highway allow Crescent Trail and Trolley Trail users to walk more safely to the Mason-Loud Road intersection where a new traffic light will soon be installed. □

Trails vs. Road Project in Egypt

INSIDE Page

Boy Scout Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Hike Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Other Autumn Events . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Nancy’s Glen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Weed Walk and Ailanthus . . . . . . . 5 High Acres Open House . . . . . . . . . 7 White Brook Nature Explorers . . . . 7

The Crescent Trail News News News News Volume 27 Issue 3 July-September 2007

“The Crescent Trail – A Footpath in Perinton”

Editor: Hayward Allen P.O. Box 1354, Fairport, NY 14450

(585) 234-1621 bluelake12002@yahoo.com

2007 The Crescent Trail Hiking Association, Inc.

The Crescent Trail News News News News is published quarterly as a service to members

of the Crescent Trail Association.

CRESCENT TRAIL ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 1354

Fairport, NY 14450

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Milkweed

photo by: Christine Sevilla

June 2007 at Horizon Hill

June 10th work party at Nancy’s Glen (see article on page 4)