Earth Day Cleanup a Great Success

Special thanks to Bobby J

TANNERSVILLE — Earth Day/24 held at the Mountaintop Library on May 4th was a great success. In addition to displays, presentations, workshops, plantings, and student environmental art, MTP encouraged residents and visitors alike to join together on Saturday May 18th at Rip Van Winkle Park - Tannersville - for trail cleaning and the removal of litter found on several local trails. The area was the park around Tannersville Lake, the playgrounds and beach area, and the trails that "reach out" from that location. Opened in 1998, "Huckleberry Trail" (Clean areas 1 and 2) runs 2.3 miles east and west from Tannersville Lake and Rip Van Winkle Park. The trail ends at Bloomer Road, Hunter on the west and at Clum Hill Rd., Haines Falls on the east. Area #3 is the public access are including the beach, playground and lakeside area. Area #4 is the connection trail from the Park to Main Street, Tannersville along the Sawkill Creek. The Sawkill joins the Gooseberry Creek at the park and runs into the Schoharie a bit further. This is a new trail area - presently being cleared and developed. Today it received special attention... and gave up its trash!   

The Trail cleaning took place over two hours and returned to the Park Pavilion at noon for a "Potluck" picnic. Pizza, Hot Dogs, cookies, cake, and other treats were offered and enjoyed. Meanwhile, the trash collected - recyclable material and standard trash - were separated and packed into trash bags supplied with gloves by the Catskill Watershed Corporation. These materials are made from environmentally friendly, biodegradable/compostable materials. As you can see in the group photo attached, the trash "haul" was quite the load.... 

And, the MTP group and its environmental volunteers.... including staffers from the Hunter Foundation.... smiled.... We encourage visitors and resident hikers to carry out whatever they carry in along the hike....  Leave no trash behind... "Carry In/Carry Out."