Hyde Park Trail

Replacing trail directional signs at Winnakee’s Nature Preserve. Most of the signs were originally made by the Dutchess BOCES students about 15 yrs. ago. This sign was made by Karl Beard, who has run workshops for us on sign routing. You’ll notice these type of user-friendly trail directional signs along other sections of The Hyde Park Trail.

The May 25th Winnakee-Dutchess Trails Roundtable will feature the recent Ulster County’s Trails Advisory Commitee’s State of the Trails and updates on our local and regional trails.

Looking for something to do with your kids this spring break? How about joining your local community to create a fairy for the Vlei Marsh "Enchanted Forest" pr...oject or build an all natural fairy house to be displayed at popular stores throughout Rhinebeck. The illustrious Richard Prouse, Peggy Lubman of Hummingbird Jewelers and her neighbor Uma, a third grader at Red Hook Schools, have provided some inspirations. See our latest newsletters for more details and to read about Peggy's inspiration https://conta.cc/3cAkewM or contact Stephanie at [email protected].

Don't look now, but beech trees seem to be keeping an eye on you! Beeches have extremely smooth bark, so twigs and branches that dropped off long ago leave these haunting natural scars. Beeches are also extremely susceptible to disease, so any human damage to the bark can open the tree to premature sickness and death. So let's try to watch out for THEM the way they watch out for US!

Start your 2021 with a FIRST DAY HIKE at a Winnakee park or trail: http://www.winnakee.org/parks-and-trails/

It's the Audubon Christmas Bird Count; the nation's largest-running community science brid project. While you're out walking off a holiday meal, or before Jan ...5, take a photo of birds you see and contribute to this 120 year-old tradition, which offers an important snapshot of wintering bird populations. Winnakee is working to restore threatened bird habitats in the lands we protect. Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club, Dutchess County, NY #christmasbirdcount2020 To find out more on how to participate visit: https://ny.audubon.org/get-outside/what-winter-bird-counting

The Hyde Park Climate Smart Communities Task Force is seeking individuals to work as a volunteer on climate change issues. --An individual with a personal passion, background and track record who is willing to volunteer a small portion of their time to work in one of these areas: 1. Interacting and information exchange with other agencies/ organizations 2. Education and outreach ... 3. Outdoor lighting efficiency 4. Solar power system permitting 5. Stream bank protection and stabilization 6. Reforestation Contact Task Force Coordinator Richard P. Mattocks [email protected] More information here: https://www.hydeparkny.us//Climate-Smart-Communities-Task-

Hopeland Area in Staatsburg along Old Post Road is a new trail section on our WALKABOUT. Hopeland is part of the NYS Mills-Norrie State Park. Have you hiked it, yet? Well, you’ll have to if you want your free 2020-21 patch! Bring your binoculars to bird watch!

November 17th is Take a Hike Day. So, https://nationaltoday.com/national-hiking-day/

Golden leaves of tulip tree -- the logo of Hyde Park Trails -- decorate our trails. You can impress your friends (or maybe NOT) by remembering its Latin name: Liriodendron tulipifera. Tongue twister? Let's break it down: in Greek, "leirion" = "lily" and "dendron" = "tree". "Tulip" means what you think, and "fera" means "bearing". Putting it back together, it translates: "tulip-bearing lily tree" -- named for the tulip-shaped flowers that grow from its upper branches in May and June. So it even makes sense. Sort of. Except maybe for the part about the lily. The flowers really DO look way more like tulips. Watch for fallen flowers next spring. For now, enjoy the golden leaves.

Rockin' Hyde Park Trails! Hyde Park is all about Rock. But we haven’t said much about rocks lately. If you grew up in Hyde Park, you probably know this one: the Sliding Rock at Pinewoods. A place to climb and slide, or just hang out along the Crum Elbow Creek. Worn smooth by generations of young sneakers and butts. If you don’t yet know this special place, you’ll find it along the Pinewoods Nature Trail, marked with orange paint blazes.

In the "deep breath moment" of his Nov 6 NYS Coronavirus update, Governor Cuomo wrote about a mother-daughter team who, to help handle the stress of the pandemic, started a daily "hike streak" to unwind in the great outdoors. Amy Dawson and daughter Elizabeth, from Trumansburg, went on 200 consecutive hikes before their streak ended this fall. They logged 593.8 miles of trail while writing about their hiking journey. We applaud the Dawsons. There is no question that walking ...and hiking are good for physical and mental health. And we seriously recommend it. On the other hand, many parks are experiencing great increases in numbers, including some significant overcrowding. So we recommend staying close to home and visiting lesser known trails. Here in Hyde Park, our new Hyde Park Trails map/brochure will help you find the way. You can download it, or pick it up at a trailhead, ranger desk, or at the Hyde Park Rec offices. Walk and hike safely! https://hydeparktrails.com/462/Maps-Info See more