East Hill Notes: Happy Trails in 2023

Happy New Year and thanks for reading East Hill Notes, as this version of a hike enters its 21^st year. I am grateful when readers reach out with comments or suggestions – my e-mail address below – and I’m thankful to Tompkins Weekly for the space twice a month.

My annual Jan.1 resolution is to learn something new about where I have lived and worked for the last 30 years. (The previous 35 included a Canandaigua childhood, followed by some college, then many years of newspapering near and far.)

The other day I was taking a Cornell student for a walk along the Black Diamond Trail and he asked why it was called that. I stumbled through an answer, kind of, but also knew this might be my first educational upgrade in 2023.

As noted on the invaluable, informative “Out on the Trails” https://ithacatrails.org: “This Rail Trail is part of the old line that was once the flagship passenger line of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Known as the Black Diamond Express, a luxury passenger service ran from New York to Buffalo from 1896 until 1959.”

Virtually every trail in and around Tompkins County has an interesting back story, sometimes tied to railroads, sometimes not, and inevitably evolving. Within that the mix are quiet effective partnerships, led by area volunteers and governments, including Cornellians and shared land-use interests.

One case in point is the Dryden Rail Trail https://drydenrailtrail.org led by a task force https://dryden.ny.us/?page_id=203, with a diverse and engaged community members, including Cornell’s Natural Areas Director Todd Bittner.

A related descriptor:

“The Dryden Rail Trail is a 10-mile, multi-use trail that is both a recreational trail and a commuter route that spans across the Town of Dryden. The trail was historically part of the Lehigh Railroad system, but now welcomes pedestrians, bicycles, and horses within scenic natural settings. The trail also passes through Cornell Botanic Gardens’ Pervis Road Wetlands Natural Area, which contains active beaver dams and various wetland habitats, making it an ideal site for wildlife viewing, particularly for migrant and wetland birds.”

“The western section’s terminus is currently at Route 13 and runs towards Game Farm Road. Here it crosses two refurbished historic railroad trestles before meeting the paved East Ithaca Recreation Way, which leads to the Cornell campus “

I am fortunate enough to meet new area residents on a regular basis, including on the Dryden Rail and other trails. Inevitably the local campuses come to the fore, but I tend to focus on this lead fact:  “The real beauty of Tompkins County is the nature that surrounds us, and town-gown work to make it accessible to everyone.”

These efforts, among many, reflect the grace and talent of our local leaders and volunteers, and their shared commitment to the common good.

Happy trails in 2023, and as always. thanks for reading East Hill Notes.