{"id":112990,"date":"2020-09-17T11:01:01","date_gmt":"2020-09-17T15:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=112990"},"modified":"2020-09-28T11:43:10","modified_gmt":"2020-09-28T15:43:10","slug":"dec-36-bridges-replaced-along-100-mile-brookfield-trail-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=112990","title":{"rendered":"DEC: 36 bridges replaced along 100-mile Brookfield trail system"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"682\" height=\"853\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-112991\" data-id=\"112991\" src=\"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Brookfield-Bridges-Map.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Brookfield-Bridges-Map.png 682w, https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Brookfield-Bridges-Map-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Brookfield-Bridges-Map-120x150.png 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-112992\" data-id=\"112992\" src=\"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/DEC-Announces-36-Bridges-Completion3-900x506.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/DEC-Announces-36-Bridges-Completion3-900x506.jpg 900w, https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/DEC-Announces-36-Bridges-Completion3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/DEC-Announces-36-Bridges-Completion3-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/DEC-Announces-36-Bridges-Completion3.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-112993\" data-id=\"112993\" src=\"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/DEC-Announces-36-Bridges-Completion1-900x506.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/DEC-Announces-36-Bridges-Completion1-900x506.jpg 900w, https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/DEC-Announces-36-Bridges-Completion1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/DEC-Announces-36-Bridges-Completion1-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/DEC-Announces-36-Bridges-Completion1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">(Photos\u00a0courtesy of NYSDEC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Project\u00a0improves safety and access for hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and other activities and protects water quality during extreme weather events<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced Sept. 17, 2020, the completion of a&nbsp;three-year project to reconstruct 36 bridge crossings along the Brookfield Trail System in the towns of Hamilton and Brookfield in Madison County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The popular recreation trails provide more than 100 miles of opportunity for hikers, equestrians, snowmobilers and other outdoor enthusiasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cToday we welcome&nbsp;visitors new to the trails and long-time outdoor adventurers who have&nbsp;frequented&nbsp;the Brookfield Trail System for decades to join us in celebrating completion of this visionary project,\u201d Seggos said. \u201cDEC designed and constructed these&nbsp;new bridges to&nbsp;protect public safety&nbsp;and&nbsp;provide&nbsp;convenient access for trail users, as well as to&nbsp;help protect the trails and surrounding resources from future extreme weather events and flooding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;three-year, $250,000 bridge replacement project was funded through NY Works as part of Governor Andrew Cuomo\u2019s Adventure NY initiative. DEC designed the new crossings for enhanced safety, longevity and protection of water quality; all construction was completed by&nbsp;DEC&nbsp;Operations staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wooden boardwalks and bridges&nbsp;were replaced after&nbsp;age-related deterioration and flood damage&nbsp;made these structures unsafe. Many of these structures were upgraded to appropriate-sized culverts with earthen crossings to blend with the surroundings and improve natural stream flow even during high-water events, including two protected trout streams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 100-mile Brookfield Trail System traverses&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dec.ny.gov\/lands\/8225.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Charles E. Baker<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dec.ny.gov\/lands\/8243.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Brookfield Railroad<\/a> and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dec.ny.gov\/lands\/8255.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beaver Creek<\/a>&nbsp;state forests in southeastern Madison County and is open free of charge for hiking, horse riding, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and mountain biking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Seasonal restrictions are in place for horse riding and mountain biking on the trail system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other common activities available in the three state forests include fishing, hunting, trapping and camping. Campsites are available at Moscow Hill Assembly Area and Cherry Ridge Camping Area in Charles E. Baker State Forest. Several trails in Charles E. Baker and Brookfield Railroad are open for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dec.ny.gov\/outdoor\/2574.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ATV use by permit only for people with mobility impairments<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;More than ever, New Yorkers are taking the time to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us,\u201d said Senator Rachel May. \u201cThese upgrades to the Brookfield Trail System will help ensure that neighbors and visitors are able to explore some of our region&#8217;s nicest trails for years to come. Thank you to Governor Cuomo for making these upgrades possible. I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy them.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs the former supervisor of the town of Brookfield where this wonderful trail system is located, I am excited to see these improvements being made to a great asset that is enjoyed by so many,\u201d said Assemblyman John Salka of Brookfield. \u201cI want to thank the DEC for their efforts to improve this trail system. In times like these, it is more important than ever that people can get out and utilize this incredible outdoor venue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the state\u2019s ongoing response to COVID-19, New Yorkers across the state want and need to get outside for a nature break, which is good for physical and mental health. Before visiting the Brookfield Trail System, take the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dec.ny.gov\/outdoor\/119881.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PLAY SMART * PLAY SAFE * PLAY LOCAL pledge<\/a>, and promise to use common sense to protect yourself and others when enjoying the outdoors. Play Smart encourages New Yorkers to recreate safely, responsibly and locally this summer and to always treat fellow outdoor adventurers with respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under Cuomo&#8217;s Adventure NY initiative, DEC is making strategic investments to expand access to healthy, active, outdoor recreation; connect more New Yorkers and visitors to nature and the outdoors; protect natural resources and boost local economies.\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dec.ny.gov\/62.html\" target=\"_blank\">Read more about the Adventure NY initiative<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(Photos\u00a0courtesy of NYSDEC) Project\u00a0improves safety and access for hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and other activities and protects water quality during extreme weather events State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced Sept. 17, 2020, the completion of a&nbsp;three-year project to reconstruct 36 bridge crossings along the Brookfield Trail System in the towns of Hamilton [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23816,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-112990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ff","category-top-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=112990"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112990\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=112990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=112990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=112990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}