Improvements at our Public Preserves
In our ongoing effort to make nature more accessible to all residents, Otsego Land Trust offers a variety of recreational and educational opportunities. Each year we strive to improve our six public preserves – all of which are open for free public access and enjoyment from dawn to dusk daily.
New Trails at Brookwood Point
At the Brookwood Point Conservation Area, a wooden pedestrian bridge provides access to two new trails on the north side of the property. A new mowed trail traces the old carriage drive through the woods on the north side, then loops back through the woods on the south side. A new gravel trail curves along the lawn to a new boardwalk and paddling launch on Otsego Lake.
The new walking trail and paddling launch will provide safer and easier ways for people of all ages and abilities to connect to nature. The new trail and boardwalk provide better and safer access for paddlers in canoes, kayaks or rowing shells. The improvements have received broad support from Otsego Land Trust’s partners including Otsego Area Rowing (OAR), and the Otsego Sailing Club.
The north side improvements were spurred by grants from the Scriven Foundation, the Black Family Foundation and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. To bring the project to completion, community members Faith Gay and Francesca Zambello stepped up with a generous donation in honor of Jane Forbes Clark.
Brookwood Point, New Boardwalk
In a recent interview, Faith and Francesca spoke of their love for the region. “Our desire to build a home and life here began with our love of Otsego Lake and its magnificent natural surroundings. Brookwood’s gardens, woods, wetlands, and lakeshore setting exemplify the region’s beauty, and its mission provides a unique opportunity for public access to its exquisite eco-diversity.”
“Jane Forbes Clark’s concern for and generous stewardship of conservation in our region and on Otsego Lake in particular inspired us to support the addition of the Brookwood dock, and with great pleasure, we do so in her honor.”
“Otsego Area Rowing and Otsego Land Trust share a mission of responsible and environmentally sound public access,” observed Faith and Francesca. They expressed hope that “this enhancement to Brookwood, which is essential to the key goals of accessibility and safety of Otsego Area Rowing (OAR), will not only make three-season rowing safe for all, but will encourage young people to discover and deepen their love of rowing, and will facilitate adaptive rowing in our area.”
Places to Rest at Parslow Preserve – for People & Birds!
One sunny afternoon this October, a group of direct descendants of the former owners of the Parslow Road property gathered to dedicate two benches along Oaks Creek. The wooden benches were donated by Candice Brown in honor of family members and their connection to the land.
Candice Brown grew up in the house adjacent to the preserve and remembers fondly spending time on what is now the Parslow Preserve. Candice’s grandparents owned the tree farm that created the unique set of ecosystems seen from the trails at the property. At the dedication ceremony, Candice’s two sons cut the ribbon to access the benches and were excited to try fishing from the new bench locations.
Candice Brown (blue shirt behind bench) and family
The Parslow Preserve is a prime spot to view native and migratory birds throughout the seasons. With support from the Community Foundation of South Central New York, Otsego Land Trust recently erected fifty new birdhouses and nesting boxes to the property.
Birds provide critical ecosystem services to humans consuming agricultural pests, balancing the ecosystem as predators, acting as pollinators, and dispersing the seeds of native plant species.
By offering safe nesting spaces, the project supports biodiversity. The project helps to enhance the nesting and breeding spaces for bluebirds, wrens, kestrels, screech-owls and wood ducks in a protected area within a key natural habitat. Many of the birdhouses and nesting boxes are easily visible from the trail. Some are located high and others are placed low to suit the needs of different species.
Busy Beavers at Lordsland Conservancy
When you visit the Lordsland Conservancy Preserve in Roseboom, you may notice that the uppermost beaver pond has gone dry. The pond emptied when a big rainstorm in September washed out a section of the beaver dam. Luckily, the beavers are not easily discouraged and they relocated farther down the string of ponds. The upper pond will likely refill eventually as it has in the past.
Beaver, Lordsland Preserve, Photo by Heather Roland
Lordsland is home to at least four beaver dams, as well as a series of lodges. Neighbors, visitors and local photographers enjoy observing the work of the beavers who, as “nature’s engineers” as major contributors to the unique wetland ecosystem at Lordsland.
Rest in the Forest - Fetterley Forest Preserve
While on the trail, take a moment to appreciate the forest from the new bench donated by Peg Odell and her children Becca, Jack and Emrys in honor of John Odell and their many hikes together. The wooden bench sits among the trees in a beautiful and quiet spot. We highly recommend taking the time to enjoy the site.
Know Where’s You’re Going, and Where You’ve Been
We have made it easier to plan your hikes at all six of our public-access properties. New signage in the kiosk at each trailhead tells the story of the property, outlines the trail options, and suggests some of the flora and fauna you might observe. The new kiosk panels were made possible by a grant from the Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District.
