Options weighed for Rail Trail projects

The Dryden Rail Trail Task Force discussed options for a variety of small projects on the Rail Trail last Thursday in a committee meeting.

One particular project involves building a spur trail on the west side of Route 13 down near Fall Creek and through some of Cornell University’s botanical gardens, Task Force Chairman Bob Beck said.

The majority of the area Beck described includes wetlands, which also includes a recently built bridge and a walkway for community members.

Beck discussed a possibility with Rail Trail Task Force member Todd Bittner of putting in either a boardwalk or a fill-and-culvert system — based on the cost — for community members to walk or ride bikes to the spur trail. Beck added that a kiosk providing information on the Rail Trail could be installed in the near future.

The Rail Trail Task Force’s decision with the project remains to be seen, but Beck anticipates the fill-and-culvert system “makes the most sense.”

“This will help diffuse the flow of the wetlands,” he said.

Beck will look for advice from New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation on the spur trail project. Beck mentioned it could be OK to “divert the water through two to three culverts, disperse through the culverts and feed the wetlands to the west.”

Bittner anticipates that the cost of cleanup to build the spur trail and other related small tasks could be around $95,000. Beck, however, said it’s possible the cost will be covered by the state park grant the town of Dryden received for the Rail Trail project, which has coverage of $182,000 from the state.

Beck and the Task Force are also continuing talks with the DEC after an agreement was made to gain use of 2,700 feet of land adjacent to the DEC-owned Reynold’s Game Farm, an area used to raise pheasants for hunting.

The agreement, which was made in January, is part of the west end of the Rail Trail project. It will allow for connection from Dryden’s Rail Trail to the East Ithaca Recreation Way — which is on the town of Ithaca’s trail — via Game Farm Road in between the two trails.
The agreement is followed by a list of tasks the Task Force is looking to get approved by the DEC.

Beck said the Task Force is looking to get the green light for official public use of the land.

Bittner mentioned estimates are needed for trestle renovations and trail surface work, which would then be directed to Rick Young, the town of Dryden Department of Public Works superintendent. The estimates will allow Young to figure out labor costs for the cleanup of the land, which will be once again covered by the state park grant.

Beck is hopeful work on the land near the farm will start around April 1.

The 10.5-mile trail, which opened in 2016, is a multiuse, nonmotorized path in the Lehigh Valley Railroad corridor. It will connect to the East Ithaca Recreation Way at the Ithaca town line on Game Farm Road and provide access to Ithaca and Cornell University. It will pass through the hamlets of Varna and Etna and the village of Freeville, ending at Route 13 in the village of Dryden, where it will connect to the Jim Schug Trail.

IN BRIEF:

Village of Dryden to hold public hearing on proposed police reform

The Village of Dryden Board of Trustees has scheduled a public hearing via Zoom on March 24 at 7 p.m. to hear comments from community members about the proposed police reform.

A special Board of Trustees meeting will follow the public hearing to discuss any possible action or additions needed for the reform. Public comments can be submitted or sent in advance of the hearing to the village office on 16 South St. or by email at info@dryden-ny.org.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued executive order No. 203 on June 12, 2020, which requires each municipality in New York state to prepare and adopt a community policing plan by April 1.

The plan will outline details on a partnership between the village and its police department, demographics of the village, community engagement, transparency and the complaint process, average crime rates, outlined policies, nonlethal weapons, and department and field training.

Chicken and biscuit dinner in the village of Freeville

The village of Freeville Methodist Church is running a free chicken and biscuit dinner drive-thru/take-out event March 20 starting at 4:30 p.m. The church is located on Main Street in Freeville.

The dinner includes chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes, vegetables and dessert. The event will serve up to 100 separate dinners. Call (607) 280-1277 to leave a message with a phone number and reserve a dinner.