POTSDAM -- Volunteers from the SUNY Potsdam Wilderness Education Program recently joined members of other community groups to conduct maintenance in the Stone Valley Cooperative Recreation Area.

In addition to the SUNY Potsdam students, faculty and staff, representatives from the SUNY Canton Outdoor Adventures Club, the St. Lawrence Mountain Bike Club (SLIMBA) and the Laurentian Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club participated, along with other community members, for two days of trail work and clean-up.

Trail work projects included re-routes on the O'Malley Brook Overlook and sections of the river trail on the west side of Stone Valley, installation of chicken wire (a non-slip surface) over bridges, installation and repair of trail registers, and general trail maintenance.

Volunteers filled a dump truck to the brim with trash. The truck was provided and driven by Bob Scott, a local resident.

Brookfield Renewable Power provided safety equipment and refreshments for the event.

"Brookfield welcomes the opportunity to work with our host communities and recreation organizations to ensure the ongoing safety of outdoor recreation facilities like the Stone Valley Trail,” said Brookfield superintendent Dan Parker.

“It's great that the ADK and other volunteers help us keep it clean so that the public can continue to enjoy hundreds of hours of hiking on this trail system.”

Mark Simon, trail coordinator of the Adirondack Mountain Club in Stone Valley, thanked everyone who contributed to the effort, and to the Town of Colton, which disposed of the garbage at its transfer station.