Friends of Webster Trails
November 14, 2011
Board Meeting
PRESENT: Hal Harris, Larry Yost, Shari Gnolek, Rich Morrill, Dennis Kuhn, Sharon Galbraith, Craig Pratt, Alisa Kokx, Buzz Weetman
Agenda and minutes of 10/10/11 accepted.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Craig Pratt. Total funds as of 11/14, $5867.78. Ken Lou grant, $4200 (less $581 for FMCP bridge project). 501 c. 3. application still pending. Discussion of whether donations are tax deductible - persons making donations have asked. Hal will check with attorney.
MEMBERSHIP: Dennis Kuhn. 136 members; 2 new ones.
COMMUNICATIONS: LinkedIn, Shari Gnolek. 30 people have associated.
Facebook - Norma Platt and Denise Bilsback will administer the new page that Jenna is working on.
Emails - question on four Mile Creek: could this be designated a catch and release site? This would be up to the DEC, not us. We are not supportive. Hal will respond.
Nigel Kent's photos have been shared via LinkedIn and the Board.
SUNDAY HIKES: Sharon Galbraith
No one attended the October hike.
Penfield Trails Group Hike, GBWP was a great success. Alisa reported that 39 people attended. An ADK group of 21 was also hiking BW that day.
Discussion on Family Fun Hikes. Participation has been poor or nonexistent for some time. For now we will discontinue scheduled hikes, except for the Nov. and Jan. hikes which are already listed.
Instead, the Parks and Rec Program Guide will announce that we will lead hikes upon request by interested groups. We will post this on the web site also. We may organize special hikes as the opportunity presents, probably not Sunday afternoon. Further discussion will take place in January.
Proposed Cocoa Hike, during full moon, Jan. Parks and Rec Police and neighbors must be notified. To take place in WRNP, the Blue Trail. Open to membership, scouts, LinkedIn group. Final discussion, Jan. Shari Gnolek is spearheading this.
HABITAT PRESERVATION: autumn olive removal continues.
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES: Alisa Kokx's Project List update. To be sent out to Board before next meeting for input.
SCOUTS:
Matt Miller has completed the first bridge at FMCP. Alisa will see to the plaque.
Sam Lewis has signed up to do benches and tables on the WRNP Green Trail “overlook”, 2012. Craig Lewis (father) will mentor.
Graham Price, Eagle candidate, will do the second bridge at FMCP in early spring. Mentor TBD.
Wes Britton, kiosk at GBWP, 2012. Steve Turberg to mentor.
Others: Matt Corvin has signed up to do the next section of the Green Trail for his senior project, 2012.
Sara Gnolek is painting a rock announcing that the Heritage Christian Day Habilitation is maintaining garden at the GBWP kiosk near the parking lot.
Creative Arts Group will maintain the planting at WRNP kiosk.
TRAILS, future projects:
Hojack rail removal - maybe in the spring.
Chiyoda - Hal to talk to Mark re. when will Parks and Rec put in the trail?
FMCP - try to get something open; parking lot is the issue. A West loop trail will be a focus for 2012.
WRNP - Orange Trail extension into woods, southwest corner. Green trail extension.
Leaf-blowing - BW done; Midnight and Whiting to be done. Trails easier to follow and less slippery when roots are visible.
Dogs - Dog Warden in plainclothes has been patrolling the trails and ticketing owners of unleashed dogs.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS:
Museum Christmas Tree - Craig made a motion that we decorate a tree for the Festival of Lights. Sharon seconded. Motion carried. Craig will coordinate.
New brochures have been printed.
Webster Park Master Plan -no meeting date yet. Shari will make a GPS map of the park trails.
OPEN HOUSE REVIEW - all members reported favorable comments. Discussion of how to increase participation/attendance. Suggestion that it be held in the Rec. Center. Attendee feedback: Alisa reported that people had suggested we have trail work 2 days a month. Also that we involve schools for hikes and trail work and education.
MEMBER-AT-LARGE - Robert Weetman (Buzz) asked to be considered for the position. Motion made by Shari; seconded by Alisa. Board members will vote at the next meeting.
Next meeting - Project priorities for next year. Webster Park Master Plan, will FWT support shared trail use with bikes?
Next meeting will be held January 9, 2012 Chiyoda Rec. Center