To the Editor:

Saturday, Nov. 6 saw the gathering of a diverse group of individuals at Higley Flow State Park: Clarkson and SLU Nordic Ski Team members, ADK’ers, summer campers, winter cross country skiers and snowshoers; youth being carried on parent’s backs and octogenarians.

All were gathered with a common purpose- to put the forest trails at the Park in the best possible condition for all trail users.

Some members of the SLU team came marching in carrying a variety of equipment used in the waxing of skis. They hauled out approximately 60 pairs of rental skis and undaunted by the long line of skis, turned on their music and proceeded to hot wax, scrape and polish the bases of all 60 pair while dancing through their tasks to the likes of “Cotton Eyed Joe”.

While they were waxing, other team members worked alongside the Clarkson Team and a substantial contingent of adults and youth who did everything from pulling seedlings, to spreading wood chips provided by the Park, trimming back spindly, encroaching beech trees, putting out signage and clearing the debris from previously felled hazard trees. Two new short access trails were buffed out, ready for use.

It was a great turnout out on a perfect day to be in the woods. Several years of trail work have created a network that makes for a beautiful hike spring through fall and an exceptional cross country trail network. Participants left with the satisfaction that they had in some way enhanced the experience for trail users in all seasons.

The day is sponsored annually by the Friends of Higley Flow State Park, a group of people who enjoy the Park in all seasons. The organization grooms the trails in the winter months for cross country skiing and snowshoeing and maintains the gardens in the spring. Upcoming events include a family weekend in January, adult and youth cross country ski lessons, school lesson programs, an educational wildflower walk in the spring and a mushroom and fungus walk in the fall of 2022.

The group welcomes anyone who enjoys the Park. Those interested in joining the group may do so on the Friends’ website: higleyfriends.org

Joan Trivilino
Colton