Northside Stream Restoration: Experiencing the Brookwood Project
BEFORE: Stream restoration site
Imagine walking through an old forest of towering trees and listening to the sound of a babbling brook next to you. You discover a charming wooden bridge, cross the brook and begin to see the forest opening up into a lovely meadow.
As you continue a little further down the trail, Otsego Lake comes into view. A few minutes later you arrive at what was once the former home site of the Brookwood Point mansion. You now have an uninterrupted view of shimmering Otsego Lake and are treated to an unexpected view of Kingfisher Tower.
Turning south you cross a second bridge over the creek that connects you to the historic gardens and garden house on the other side of Brookwood Point. This side of the creek has been the primary destination of visitors since the property became a public access land.
In the last twenty years, few have experienced the pure bliss of the “brook” and “woods” that gave the property its name: Brookwood. It is Otsego Land Trust’s vision to create an easily accessible trail through the woods and along the brook for visitors to reconnect and enjoy this part of the property again.
This is the intent of the Brookwood Northside Project, a multiphase project that will create a walking trail loop on the north side of the property.
Realizing this vision requires us to restore eroded portions of the streambanks, bring back native flora, enhance wildlife habitat, establish a trail and construct two new bridges.
You will be pleased to know that we have acquired some of the resources to begin the work but we still have a long way to go. Here’s the scoop…
AFTER: Stream restoration site
Exciting news: the Northside Project is underway
Otsego Land Trust is pleased to report that Phase One of the Brookwood Northside Project is now complete thanks to funding from the Scriven Foundation, Black Foundation, and the Upper Susquehanna Coalition.
This summer two badly eroded sections of streambank along Brookwood Creek were stabilized to reduce erosion and sedimentation in Otsego Lake and to accommodate a future public access trail through the woods.
OLT will also coordinate an effort to re-plant areas with native species this fall and next spring in order to further stabilize the slopes and to enhance the property’s stream, lake shore buffer and animal habitat.
Working in collaboration with the Upper Susquehanna Coalition and Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District, and with funding from Delaware Otsego Audubon Society, OLT will remove invasive species such as barberry, multiflora rose, honey suckle, and buckthorn from areas of the property. The cleared areas will then be replanted with native species such as black willow, shagbark hickory, smooth alder, and button bush.
Enhancing the stream buffer with plant species native to New York will improve wildlife habitat and improve water quality before it enters Otsego Lake. It also sets the stage for Phase Two of the Brookwood Northside Project. During this stage we will reconstruct the bridges, establish the walking trail and transform our vision for access to the north side of the property into a useable reality.
Still a ways to go: getting over the river and through the woods
The construction of new bridges is critical for allowing visitors to connect with the proposed north side trail. Materials and design details for the proposed bridges will replicate features of the original structures, providing a visual and architectural connection to the property’s rich history.
Earlier this year OLT submitted a grant application and we hope to receive good news in December. The grant would partially fund the replacement of the two deteriorated bridges that would connect visitors to the north side of the property. If the grant comes through it will make raising the funding needed to complete the project much more manageable.
Proposed bridges
The future trail will follow the historic drive alignment to the extent possible. Additional trail routing will comprise a complete loop and connect with an enhanced parking area at the visitor kiosk. Interpretive signage highlighting historical, cultural and natural features is also proposed to further enhance the experience.
Story & Photographs by Marcie Foster
Interested in seeing access to the north side become a reality?
Why not volunteer or donate? The Brookwood Northside Project vision is one that will open up a free public hiking trail through a property with unparalleled scenic, cultural and natural significance. OLT will need your support to make this vision a reality through donations and volunteer efforts.
Please consider making a donation to Otsego Land Trust now to help realize this vision >>