ON THE TRAIL...
AT NEWTOWN BATTLEFIELD RESERVATION STATE PARK

     The trail system at Newtown was originally developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.  Over the years, it had fallen into disrepair, becoming overgrown with underbrush and blocked by fallen trees and limbs.  Many sections of the trails were no longer recognizable as such. 

     A few years ago, Duane Saxton, a Civil War re-enactor and a friend of both CVLHC and the park, decided to do something about it.  He began formatting a plan to clean up and revitalize the trail system.  He began the project by marking the trails and identifying the areas needing to be cleared.  Once this was completed, he organized some work teams to assist with the heavy work.  A team from the Southside High School Booster Club, equipped with chainsaws, weedwhackers, brush trimmers, and axes started clearing the trails.  An Eagle Scout candidate from Boy Scout Troop #47 took on part of the development of the trails as his Eagle Scout project.  He and the Scout Troop raked the trails, picked stones, filled in low areas with soil, made and placed trail name signs.  Two brand new trails were created as a means to connect the primary trails and make it possible to connect the North Park to Monument Hill with walking paths.  The young people from AmeriCorps, who worked on the Indian Village in the park, also helped with the excavation of these two trails.  It was a wonderful team effort that yielded fantastic results. 

     The majority of the trails run north and south, with several connecting trails running east and west.  It is now possible to hike from one end of the park to the other on footpath trails.  The trail surface in most instances is a soft, wide-berth trail with varied foundations consisting of grass and forest soil.   The main trails are a mowed grass surface. 

     Many trails are suitable for the novice hiker or a person wanting a light stroll through the peaceful woods.  More challenging trails are available for those who want a more aerobic workout.  The revitalized trail system has approximately 5 miles of trails that interlace the park's wooded areas.

     After completion in the summer of 2004, the trails were inaugurated in September by the pounding of hundreds of running feet during the first-ever high school "Newtown Battlefield X-Country Invitational" running event.  This was followed closely, in October, by the STAC Cross-Country Championships, with 19 high school teams from around the Southern Tier of New York participating.

     Thanks to Duane and his teams of workers, Cross-Country at the Park was off and running!

Click here for a map of the trails.