X

Old cross-country ski trail at St. Lawrence State Park in Oswegatchie re-opens

Posted 1/29/16

From left are Rev. Thomas Patterson, an Ogdensburg resident who helped to build the cross-country ski trail more than three decades ago; Mark Spaulding, deputy Thousand Islands regional director of …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Old cross-country ski trail at St. Lawrence State Park in Oswegatchie re-opens

Posted

From left are Rev. Thomas Patterson, an Ogdensburg resident who helped to build the cross-country ski trail more than three decades ago; Mark Spaulding, deputy Thousand Islands regional director of the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Peyton Taylor, Thousand Islands regional director of the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Sen. Patty Ritchie; and Ogdensburg resident Rhonda Roethel.

OSWEGATCHIE -- St. Lawrence State Park’s cross-country ski trail has reopened after a period of non-use.

The trail, in the state park in the Town of Oswegatchie on the St. Lawrence River between Morristown and Ogdensburg, was once a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, but in recent years became overgrown and cluttered with downed trees and branches, according to the re-opening announcement from the office state Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton.

Ritchie has been working with local volunteers to reopen the ski trail. In response to requests from newly elected Ogdensburg Mayor Wayne Ashley and local resident Rhonda Roethel, Ritchie reached out to New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey, who agreed to have state maintenance crews work to reopen ski trail. Ritchie expressed her gratitude to Harvey.

On Friday, Ritchie joined local leaders and community members to mark the trail’s reopening with a ribbon-cutting.

“Finding enjoyment in our North Country winters is all about embracing the cold, snowy weather by getting outside and taking advantage of opportunities to have fun, stay active and appreciate the natural beauty of our region,” said Ritchie.