Trail advocates seek drainage, expanded access near Hicksville wellfield

Jennifer Doctor, representing the Hicksville Trail Association, told the council on Aug. 19 that volunteers have added trees, benches, birdhouses and flowerbeds to the association’s trail area and that a Port‑a‑John is now onsite.

Doctor said future plans include more trails crisscrossing the field, a boardwalk across places that become muddy in rain, a privacy fence around the Port‑a‑John and a second entrance that would connect the trail to the cemetery sidewalk. She flagged a spot near the trail entrance that is “always wet” and asked the village for help providing drainage before the problem worsens. Because some of the land the association hopes to use is around the village’s new wellfield, Doctor said council approval will be required; she told council she will provide a drawing or picture of the proposed expansion.

The association also noted that the area currently contracted to a local farmer is being planted in cover crops (no pesticide use), and said a larger, more developed trail design would be easier to maintain, could serve as an educational resource, promote eco‑tourism and benefit future generations. No formal action or vote on the trail proposal was recorded; council members asked for a design and additional details before any decision.

The presentation came during the public update portion of the meeting and was made available to council packets and the Fiscal Officer’s office per meeting notice procedures. The council did not vote on the land‑use request at the meeting; Doctor said she will return with a drawing for council consideration.