The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG), in cooperation with the New York State DEC and the Chautauqua County Parks Department, has announced that Phase V of the Chautauqua County Overland Trails Revitalization Project is complete. Phase V focused on updating the Earl Cardot Eastside Overland Trail in Boutwell Hill State Forest, just outside of Cherry Creek. The work was completed by Trail Construction Associates (TCA) without any issues, thanks to relatively dry weather during the months of July and August.
CCPEG Trail Consultant Jacob Bodway says, "This marks the fifth year that TCA has been working on the Overland Trails and its familiarity with the scope of work is evident in the finished product. Updating this section of the Eastside Overland Trail was a monumental undertaking, with numerous stretches of incredibly wet soil that wouldn’t dry until late summer. However, TCA managed to build four key reroutes that not only added sustainability and necessary drainage to the trail, but which also relocated the trail along beautiful sections of the State Forest."
Bodway added that TCA also remediated other stretches of trail, which will assist with drainage and accessibility. He says Phase V will especially benefit the Boutwell Hill Ski Club, as updated sections of trail will remain far drier in the winter.
Phase V was funded through the generous support of local and regional foundations, including the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation; Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo; Jessie Smith Darrah Fund; Lenna Foundation; Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation; and Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation.
Phase VI of the Overland Trails project will focus on both the Canadaway Creek Wildlife Management Area in the Town of Arkwright and Mount Pleasant State Forest in the Town of Chautauqua in 2027. Phase VI will be the final phase of the Overland Project, which initially began in 2021.
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