Volunteers and staff map 1,900 acres for Oneonta Creek trail network; committee encouraged to build coalition and pick pilot section

Volunteers and staff presented an initial plan to organize and sign a multi‑mile Oneonta Creek trail network that would follow Oneonta Creek from Wilbur Park and the downtown corridor north past the high school and Wilbur Lake toward the town line. Presenters said the full corridor encompasses roughly 1,900 acres of city‑managed land with many existing informal trails and several areas that would require clearing, limited boardwalks or easements to create continuous multi‑use connections.

Presenters (Bill and other volunteers, with DPW staff support) showed an interactive map identifying existing loop trails (several already in use and in some cases well built), proposed connector segments and difficult cross‑sections where private parcels, pipelines or wetland areas interrupt a creek‑front alignment. Staff and volunteers described two principal types of impediments: (1) physical — wetland areas, logging debris, and creek crossings that might need boardwalks; and (2) logistical — multiple landowners and agencies with jurisdiction across the corridor (city departments, school district, state land, private owners, airport and county or town parcels).

Speakers recommended a phased approach: select an initial pilot segment where trails already exist or require modest cleanup (the group suggested parts of Wilbur Lake/Wilbur Park), install signage and a kiosk, organize volunteers for trail work and buffer maintenance, and use that early success to build constituency and funding momentum. Presenters emphasized that city staff do not currently have capacity to build and manage the whole network and encouraged formation of a trail association or coalition that would coordinate volunteers, fundraising and stakeholder outreach. DPW staff said they would support limited tasks (for example, clearing logs at a logged section) if volunteers mark the work and coordinate with DPW for equipment use.

Speakers identified potential funding and planning avenues including the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) and county or state trail grants; they also noted the regional rail‑bank/rail‑trail corridor (the former Ulster Delaware rail bed) as a long‑term link that could connect Oneonta to a much larger recreational network. Committee members recommended pulling together a short proposal and talking to key stakeholders (school district, state DEC for state parcels, county planning, the town and adjacent landowners) and bringing a concise package to council for endorsement and for clarity about what resources the city can commit.

Committee agreed to keep the trails item on future agendas, asked presenters to prioritize a pilot section (Wilbur Lake area suggested), and urged outreach to the mayor’s sustainability/economic development task force and to regional trail partners. No appropriation or formal municipal commitment was authorized at the meeting; presenters requested city letters of support where property is city‑owned and recommended forming a volunteer organization to sustain trail work and fundraising.