Volunteers, library and trustees back a loop trail at Bustamante Preserve in Montauk

Volunteers and library representatives urged the East Hampton Town Board on May 12 to authorize a new loop trail at the Bustamante Preserve in Montauk, and the board voiced support for drafting a resolution to proceed.

Rick Whalen of the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society described the flagged route, GPS fieldwork performed by land‑management staff, and site constraints that steer the trail onto higher, drier ground to avoid wetlands. "The proposed trail would come off of existing trail... which ties to the Montauk library," Whalen said, noting a short connector from the library parking lot to the Palmetto Path and then into the preserve.

Whalen and other volunteers highlighted local historic features along the route including a remnant stone wall and Jack Crafts Pond. Library archivist Amy Lusty told the board that library patrons were enthusiastic about closer trail access. The trail society confirmed it will maintain the path and conduct minimal initial clearing while preserving natural and historic resources.

Board members from multiple seats praised the volunteer effort, asked basic safety questions (including pond depth) and agreed land‑management and ocean rescue would be consulted for winter/ice safety and life‑ring placement where appropriate. The supervisor directed staff to draft a resolution to authorize the land steward and the Trails Preservation Society to finalize access and maintenance arrangements.

Next step: a resolution will be drafted and circulated to land stewards and the Trails Preservation Society for implementation planning.