Macedon Trails Committee

The Macedon Trails Committee is a group of local volunteers dedicated to the development of a comprehensive trail network within the Town of Macedon. Founded in 1992 the committee builds and maintains recreational trails in accordance with the Master Trail Plan under the umbrella of the Town of Macedon. Trails are used to preserve green and open space, provide a natural respite, limit soil erosion and buffer wetlands and wildlife habitat along waterways. They can link historic heritage sites within our community or connect several public parks. The Committee works in conjunction with the appropriate Village, Town, County and State agencies, Parks and Trails New York and other regional trails coalitions and groups to coordinate a cohesive network of trails. We also work to obtain the necessary easements from private land holders to ensure the integrity of the trail system.

First to be completed was the one mile loop trail that connects the NYS Canalway Trail to the Erie Canal Lock 60 Historic Site. Parking is available at the corner of Quaker and O’Neil Roads.

 

The committee coordinates the Adopt-a-Trail program for the New York State Erie Canalway Trail, and several members of the committee have adopted sections of the trail. We also mow the edges of the Canalway Trail from Aqueduct Park to Wayneport Rd., the Lock 60 site and other park sites and tend flower gardens at those various locations. Members of the committee also are involved at the Lock 60 Historic and Aldrich Change Bridge sites, the Genesee Land Trust’s Ganargua Meadows project, were instrumental in the creation of the Greenway between the canal and NYS route 31 east of O’Neil Road and the publication of the Macedon’s Canal Heritage Brochure.  The Committee also hosts a ‘canal stop’ for the annual Cycling the Erie Canal bicycle trip.    

Local businesses and organizations have supported the efforts of the Committee in a variety of ways. Representative supportive groups include, but are not limited to, Waste Management of New York; Elam Sand and Gravel; Lozier Associates; Macedon-Palmyra Chamber of Commerce; Wayside Garden Center; Flaherty’s Three Flags Inn; Gananda Rotary Club; Palmyra-Macedon Rotary Club; Boy Scout Troop #166; the Town of Macedon & Highway Department; the Village of Macedon and Public Works Department; the New York State Canal Corporation and the State of New York.

The committee would like to remind everyone that the trails and sites are ‘carry-in carry-out’ and  close at dusk, that motor vehicles, including ATV’s, dirtbikes and snowmobiles are prohibited, and to clean-up after their pets.

Our meetings are held monthly and open to all. If you would like to attend a meeting or become a member of the Macedon Trails Committee in these efforts, please contact Pete Henry at 315-986-2289 or moldamar@msn.com.