Commissionors propose gate after vehicle drove onto Smiley Carriage Road trail

WAWARSING — Commissioners discussed a recent safety incident in which a delivery driver mistakenly drove from Mine Lane onto the Smiley Carriage Road trail head, tearing up the surface and prompting calls for simple physical deterrents.

Elena described encountering an Uber Eats driver two weeks earlier who had driven onto the trail and become stuck, damaging the trail surface. "He drove his car off the trail... the trail is all torn up over there because the car messed it up," she said. Commissioners said they had not seen photos but expected some spring repairs may be needed.

Members proposed low-cost, low‑fidelity solutions: signage to make the access clearly non-vehicular, or a simple vehicular gate or chain at the street-department access near the stockpile, which would allow private inholders with keys to pass while deterring unauthorized vehicles. George and others noted that a gate located at the village property line near the stockpile would be an effective deterrent and could also reduce squatting that occurred on the trail this year.

Why it matters: Vehicle incursions present a safety hazard for trail users and can create maintenance costs for the town. Several commissioners argued that an inexpensive gate and clearer signage would be a reasonable first step while longer-term engineering (e.g., the Smiley Road project) proceeds.

What’s next: Commissioners will forward the incident and the gate/signage suggestion to the mayor and public works to evaluate installation feasibility and cost. They also plan to monitor the trail in spring for repairs.