Central & Western NY Outdoors
 September 2005 

 ~~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~~              

    Once Railroads, Now Trails

    Ridgewalk & Run

    Rochester City School District Collaboration Day

    Wilderness Workshop

    Planning For a Pet Bird

    Once Railroads, Now Trails by Sue Freeman

Early in the 20th century many railroad and trolley lines criss-crossed Central and Western New York. Pulled by steam engines, the trains hauled products from farms, factories, and mines to market and fueled an economic boom. Likewise, electric trolleys transported people to work and to exotic vacation locales such as Canandaigua Lake and Niagara Falls. 

But economic hardship befell the rail lines in several ways. The development of cars, trucks, and a system of roads competed for their freight and passenger business. The depression dampened the trade of goods. The rail lines changed ownership many times and struggled to survive. When hurricane Agnes ravaged this area in the early 1970s, it tore up many of the tracks. The railroads were too financially unstable to rebuild, so many of the rails were torn up for scrap metal. The 1980 deregulation of the railroad industry allowed companies to swiftly abandon unprofitable lines.

Power companies purchased many of the corridors for utility right of ways. Today, local towns and volunteer organizations are purchasing the land and building trails for all to enjoy on bicycle or on foot. 

One of our major railways was the Lehigh Valley Railroad that ran from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario through the Lehigh River Valley. It was built in 1891 to transport cargo (mainly high-grade anthracite coal, nicknamed black diamond) to steamships. It carried passenger trains between Buffalo & New York, which reached speeds of 80 mph. The Black Diamond Express was a plush train with a polished mahogany library, smoking rooms, velvet upholstery, and beveled French-plate mirrors. Today, portions of this rail line form the Lehigh Valley Trail, spanning from Victor, through Mendon to Rush. Another segment can be found heading north out of Naples to Middlesex.

Another rail line, the Lake Ontario Shore Railroad, became known as the Hojack Line when a nameless farmer’s mule-drawn buckboard stopped halfway across the tracks as a train was coming. The farmer shouted “Ho Jack! Ho Jack!” to get his mule to move. The amused trainmen picked up the chant, and the name stuck. Three segments of this line were converted to trail in Webster, Hilton and Hamlin.

The Rochester & Auburn was the first railroad east of Rochester. It opened in 1840 and closed in 1960. An 1845 cobblestone pump-house, used to pump water for the steam engines, still stands in Fishers – the oldest railroad building left in the country. This is now the Auburn Trail in Victor. Work is progressing to connect it to the Lehigh Valley Trail.

The Ontario Pathways trail is built on the railbed of the Canandaigua Corning Line. Farther east, the Penn Yan & NY Railway was built in 1884 after the Crooked Lake Canal was abandoned along the outlet between Keuka and Seneca Lakes. The railway was abandoned and today this stretch of trail is steeped with the history of old mills and factories.

The Genesee Valley Greenway was once the Pennsylvania Railway and abandoned Genesee Valley Canal. Many trail sections are open and will eventually cover 90 miles from Genesee Valley Park in Rochester to Hinsdale in Cattaragus County. A recent upgrade to the bridge over the Genesee River now connects this trail to the Lehigh Valley Trail. For more on this, see A Major Trailway Completed in the January 2005 newsletter.

Two Electric Trolley Lines crossed through Rochester. The Rochester, Syracuse, & Eastern Trolley and the Rochester & Eastern Railway. The RS&E operated from 1906 to 1931, from Rochester to Auburn, but never made a profit. It was part of the Beebe Syndicate – a group of 12 high-speed interurban electric trains. In 1908 the fare from Fairport to Rochester was $0.15 one way, $0.25 round trip. The Rochester & Eastern Rapid Railway operated from 1903 through 1930 and served towns from Rochester, through Victor to Geneva.

We recently rode the new Catherine Valley Trail from Montour Falls south to Millport which follows the old Chemung Railway bed. (Watch for it in our next guidebook.)

These, and many other area rail-trails are described in Take Your Bike! Family Rides in the Rochester Area and Take Your Bike! Family Rides in the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley Region.

Pick up a copy, hop on your bicycle or lace on your hiking boots, and explore this area’s history on your own. Along the way you’ll see cement pillars with a “W” telling the conductor to blow the whistle. You’ll find old battery boxes, tunnels under the New York State Thruway, pump houses, water towers, and an abundance of nature. 

    Ridgewalk & Run 2005

 
Sunday, October 16th, 2005
Wellsville, NY

Spectacular trail walks, or competitive runs all showcasing the stunning fall beauty along the highest ridge in western New York.  Ridgewalk & Run offers walking distances of 6, 9, or 14 miles, or a casual 2 mile road walk. Bring a family member or friend to compete for prizes and awards in the 5K, 10K, (road) or the 14 Mile Trail Run.
This event is a great family outing, accessing remote trails on private land with a variety of educational signage. 

All events finish on a horse farm with festivities including refreshments, music, kids' activities, health clinics, and wine & cheese tasting at the Jones Memorial Hospital "Finish Line Arena." Awards ceremony 2:00PM.  Entrants are then bused back to registration/parking area in
Wellsville. 

Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York.  13th Annual. Pre-registration only. Entry cap 900. Pre-event buffet dinner with keynote speaker at Powell Campus Center, Alfred, NY, Saturday evening.

All proceeds benefit Allegany Co. United Way and Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce. See www.ridgewalk.com for on-line entry and details or call Wellsville Chamber at 585.593.5080.

Challenged by difficult factors, the Rochester City School District (RCSD) is gathering two schools who have merged programs for outdoor activities on September 6th.  This year Wilson Magnet and Madison High School will be joining forces to improve the performance of the school. The schools will be sharing administration and other resources in an effort to provide a better quality of education for the students.

            As part of the effort to improve collaboration in this new merger, the teachers and staff, 240 of them, will meet for a one half day experience in Genesee Valley Park.  The day will be filled with interactive experiences and discussions. Fifteen years ago, Michael Occhino’s first day on the job at Wilson included a similar experience.  He credits that day with part of the reason he got off to a positive start at Wilson that has lasted until today.  When the merger happened he pondered how to bring together such a huge and disrupted system.  Part of the answer was to gather everyone together to share in collaborative exercises, to stimulate the values and dynamics that the group hopes to continue throughout the year.  Michael gathered together sixteen “promoters” from within both schools to help gain commitment and generate feedback for the day.

For more information on this and similar activities, contact info@packpaddleski.com

Many individuals and organizations are supporting our Citizens' Wilderness Proposal for Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest (http://www.pawild.org/exec_summary.html) which proposes the protection of more than 54,000 wild acres of the ANF as part of America's National Wilderness Preservation System. 

Now here's your chance to learn what you can do personally to help make these proposals a reality. Friends of Allegheny Wilderness and The Wilderness Society are co-sponsoring a two-day Allegheny National Forest Wilderness Workshop in Ridgway, Pennsylvania on the weekend of September 24th and 25th of this year. Activities will include hands-on workshops, esteemed guest speakers, and an outing to the wonderfully wild proposed Clarion River Wilderness Area!

There is limited space for this event, so interested persons will want to sign up early to ensure that space does not fill up. There will be a small fee of $20 per individual to help cover food, housing, and other associated costs. Those interested can contact Friends of Allegheny Wilderness by telephone, mail, or email for further details, or simply print & fill out the form below and mail it in.

Allegheny National Forest
Wilderness Training & Volunteer Weekend
September 24 & 25th, 2005
Ridgway, Pennsylvania

Sponsored by Friends of Allegheny Wilderness and The Wilderness Society

=====================================
REGISTRATION FORM

PLEASE COMPLETE AND MAIL TO APPROPRIATE ADDRESS BELOW

Name:_____________________________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________City______________State_____Zip____

Phone:__________________________________Email:_______________________________

___ Enclosed is my $20 registration fee for the Allegheny National Forest Wilderness Training & Volunteer Weekend
Registration fee covers lodging and meals. 

Yes, I will need lodging: ____ Friday night ____ Saturday night

All meals on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday will be provided to all registered participants. 
Please check here is you prefer vegetarian meals ____ 

Please make your check out, and mail your registration form to: Friends of Allegheny Wilderness, 220 Center Street, Warren, PA 16365 


-- Friends of Allegheny Wilderness 220 Center Street Warren, PA 16365 (814) 723-0620 alleghenyfriends@earthlink.net     http://www.pawild.org

    Planning For a Pet Bird

Pets are a delightful divergence from the tensions of everyday life. They add humor, love and warmth to any home. Cats and dogs are the usual choice, but birds offer an excellent option and require less care. Birds are very colorful, funny, and can be taught many tricks. First time bird owners and experts alike, would do well to do some homework before bringing their new pet home.

Before purchasing a bird, try to find out the type of bird that would match your lifestyle. Buying a bird is expensive, so keep your budget in mind. Take advice from current bird owners. You could also surf the Internet for relevant information and chat with bird owners, experts, and those interested in birds.

Before bringing your bird home, you will need to have a few things on hand. You wouldn't imagine bringing a baby home to a house without a crib, so you shouldn't expect to bring your new bird home without a cage and toys to enjoy. Contrary to popular belief, a small bird should not have a small cage. Remember, your cage is your bird's home, so you should provide your new feathered friend with the largest cage your budget allows. Also, you will want to provide your bird with  exercise equipment, such as rings or ladders. You may also want to purchase toys, mirrors, bells, or balls for your bird to enjoy. Keeping your bird active while it is in the cage will ensure your bird is happy. 

Finally, purchase a cover that will fit your bird's cage. Many birds require darkness in order to sleep, so a cover will serve as a window shade to block out light.

The water and food dish for your bird should be large. Different breeds of birds require different types of food. Consult your veterinarian or bird breeder for the ideal food for your pet. Some birds require iodine-containing blocks or mineral blocks.

The right equipment, proper care and attention will help your pet  thrive and will add joy to your life.

Vigilate Pejar is the owner and operator of www.birdwatcher.com bird watcher, inc. which is a premier resource for bird information. For questions or comments, go to www.birdwatcher.com

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