The New Yorke State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been improving trails, campsites, access roads, and trailhead parking lots to make state lands more welcoming and safe for visitors.
Many of these small projects enhance public safety and convenience, ensure access to state lands, and help reduce harmful impacts to wild places.
This year, two projects took place in Moose River Plains Wild Forest to improve access to Helldiver Pond and Mitchell Pond, two sites that provide accessible recreation opportunities in the Adirondacks.
These projects are funded by the Environmental Protection Fund which was specifically allocated by the legislature as a dedicated source of revenue for areas in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks that accommodate more visitation, relieving pressure on other high-use areas.
Helldiver Pond’s accessible features include a primitive campsite, privy, hiking trail, and hand boat launch. Mitchell Pond has an accessible primitive campsite and accessible fishing pier that can be reached by trail from a parking area.
Individuals with disabilities can apply for a permit to use a motorized vehicle to reach Mitchell Pond’s accessible features through the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities. Over time, the parking lots and roads leading to Helldiver Pond and Mitchell Pond had developed rocky, uneven surfaces and pooling water.
DEC’s Region 5 Northville office worked with the Town of Inlet to make repairs to improve access. The Town of Inlet’s Highway Department improved runoff and removed obstacles on access roads. In each site’s parking area, the Highway Department spread crushed stone to create an even surface.
Photo: access road to Helldiver Pond after repairs by the Town of Inlet’s Highway Department (provided).
Source link
