The current Friends of Webster Trails (FWT) newsletter popped up in my email box the other day, my quarterly reminder of how lucky we are to have this organization in our community.
I know that most of you are not FWT members, so when I get my newsletter I like to share pieces of it with you, highlights from all of the amazing things these dedicated volunteers do to make our trail system something Webster can be proud of.
One of the Friends’ main points of focus this year is the Hojack Trail, a five-mile long former railroad bed that stretches from Lake Rd. at Forest Lawn to Phillips Rd.
Recently the Friends put out a survey to residents who use the trail to get their take on how it might be improved. They received 230 responses (thank you to everyone who participated), which helped them focus their future plans.
Last year they threw their hat in the ring for part of the New York Forward Grant program to improve the Hojack’s North Ave. trail head by enhancing the crosswalk, creating a gateway feature and providing recreation amenities at the start of the trail. More recently, they’ve applied for another grant to specifically address improving the stretch from Holt Rd. to Drumm Rd., improving its subsurface, surface and drainage, and adding new plantings and signage highlighting the trail’s connections to other trails and points of interest to showcase the historic nature of the trail.
In response to the survey responses and email feedback, the Friends will also be looking at making safer road crossings, adding other historical and other signage, and improving parking.
Efforts to improve the Hojack Trail are just a small part of what the Friends of Webster Trails are planning to accomplish this year. Here are a few highlights from the newsletter:
- In just its first year, the Friends have created and developed the new Herman Rd. Forever Wild Forest with several trails, puncheons (mini-boardwalks), a kiosk, bench and parking lot. Plans this year are to improve the boardwalks, add more benches and realign some trails. Stay tuned for news about an official ribbon cutting and community hike later this year.
- At the Bird Sanctuary Trail, several new puncheons will be added this year to make the gushier spots easier to hike through.
- At Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve, look for a new bridge and boardwalk later this year, thanks in large part to the support of five WRNP new trail stewards.
- Trail stewards at Finn Park will continue to cut back the multiflora rose and pick up garbage this spring.
The Friends are adding and updating Trails at such a rapid pace, you want to make sure to check the online interactive trail map before you head out to see what’s new. And click here to check out the newsletter for yourself for more details about all of this stuff, updates on the Habitat Preservation Project and the ongoing Re-Tree initiative, and upcoming trail workdays (when they can always use some extra hands).
And by the way, if you are indeed one of those people who are still not members of the Friends of Webster Trails, please consider becoming one. Check out their beautiful new website, and when you’re there, PLEASE hover over that “become a Friend” tab and drop $10 (or $15 per family) to become a member and help the Friends of Webster Trails continue to do great things for our community.
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(posted 4/24/2025)
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Thanks for the info on the Webster trails. Just joined as a friend.
Oh, thank you so much for doing that! If everyone who used our trails were to become members, they could do SO much more!