The Friends had a very successful and fun work detail on the Byway on Saturday, November 8. This was a great first step in the project to improve recreational access to the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve one of the key assets on the Mohawk Towpath Byway. Eight volunteers spent over two dozen hours clearing brush from the historic farmers bridge abutment just east of Clutes Dry Dock. This will make it easier for the design team to obtain access to the site to begin detailed design of a replacement bridge.

 I was only able to help out for an hour and a half. But I was totally amazed at just how much work got done between 9am and 10:30 when I left. There was a huge pile of cut brush and limbs at the north side abutment and I think Paul, et al were just getting warmed-up!

I can’t wait to get back down there and see what it all looks like. Maybe we can plan another one in the spring.

– Bill Gutelius

Meanwhile, at the other end of the Preserve another crew was clearing an access from the end of Ferry Drive for a car top boat launch into the Mohawk River.  A crew of five volunteers devoted 11 hours to this portion of the project.

These two efforts made a significant contribution and an early start to a project to improve recreational access on the Mohawk Towpath Byway.  The volunteer effort becomes a part of the local match for a Federal Highway Administration Byway Grant administered by the New York State Scenic Byways Program at NYSDOT.