FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE05-52
December
14, 2005
Contact:
Ian Michaels
(718) 595-6600
Hamden
Hill Ridge Riders and DEP Reach Agreement on Access
Agreement
Gives Snowmobiling Club Continuing Use of Historic Trail
Commissioner Emily Lloyd of the New York City Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) announced today that the DEP has given the Hamden
Hill Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club permission to maintain and use
an established snowmobile trail that crosses a parcel of land in
Hamden that was recently purchased by New York City. The
site is located near Hamden Town Hall and will give the Club better
access to the emergency sled that is stored there.
“Today’s announcement is the result of a working collaboration
between DEP, the Club and the Town of Hamden, with input from the
New York State Snowmobile Association and Delaware County Planning
Department,” said Commissioner Lloyd. “We hope
we’re able to reach similar agreements with other groups
which will make the City’s property even more accessible.”
DEP purchased the 146-acre Covert Hollow Road property from Dorothy
Court, who had previously allowed the Hamden Hill Club access over
the property on a designated trail. This trail is part of
76 miles of trail that the Hamden Hill Ridge Riders maintain in
the region.
“My attitude toward DEP did a 180-degree turn when I heard
this was happening,” said club president Gerry Wright. “It’s
never encouraging when land with a trail on it changes hands, but
we are pleased with the land managers at DEP and their willingness
to try out snowmobile use on this property. Former club president
Joe Caso was very diligent and worked hard at putting together
this agreement with DEP and we are proud of the way he brought
it about.”
The Hamden Hill Club is a non-profit snowmobile club dedicated
to furthering the sport of snowmobiling in the Hamden area. They
have a membership of over 200 people including individuals and
family members. The Club obtains permission from private
and public landowners to construct, maintain and mark snowmobile
trails for use. They also promote snowmobile safety among
members and the general public.
“The Town of Hamden supports the efforts of the Hamden Hill
Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club in its activities for the safety and
enjoyment of snowmobiling and for the economic vitality of the
Town of Hamden and Delaware County," said Town Supervisor
Wayne Marshfield, " I would also like to thank DEP for working
with us on this important issue and hope that further arrangements
can be made on other appropriate City-owned parcels in the future.”
DEP’s Land Acquisition Program has been purchasing qualifying
watershed lands, as well as conservation easements, from willing
sellers in a nationally-recognized effort to protect sources of
drinking water in New York State. Some of these landowners
have generously allowed portions of State-sanctioned snowmobile
trails to cross their lands in the past. The DEP has been
working with local snowmobile clubs to make sure that such arrangements
can continue after the land has been protected for water supply
purposes.
“We recognize the economic importance of snowmobiling in
the watershed region and are happy to contribute as a landowner
in partnership with local groups,” said Commissioner Lloyd, “I
understand that private landowners buying properties in Hamden
and elsewhere will sometimes stop all uses by the public and shut-down
longstanding snowmobile trails, but with this model for allowing
such trails on City-owned land, concerns about trail closures can
be diminished region-wide.”
For snow conditions and other information regarding the Hamden
Hill Ridge Riders, please visit their Web site at www.hamdenhillridegeriders.com. For
membership information, contact Hank Groth at (607) 746-7705. For
information on recreational opportunities on DEP water supply land
visit nyc.gov/watershed.