•1. Who owns the Hurley Rail Trail?
The trail running through Hurley has two owners. The section from the Hurley-Marbletown trailhead south to the Town of Marbletown is owned by the Town of Hurley. The section north from the Hurley-Marbletown trailhead along route 209 to the Esopus Creek is owned by New York State and administered by the NYSDOT. The Town leases this land under permit from the NYSDOT. As such we need to comply with NYSDOT regulations, including wearing proper safety gear when working on the berms, as well as signing the NYSDOT waiver.
•2. Who installed the berms and the plantings?
The Town of Hurley Highway Department built the berms to NYSDOT specifications. The plantings were designed and installed by NYSDOT.
•3. If my organization adopts a berm, what are my responsibilities?
We welcome berm adopters to encourage community interest in the rail trail, as well as to keep the berms looking neat. The initial construction and planting represent a significant investment, so our concern is to ensure proper maintenance and health of the plantings. Primarily, the berm adopter is responsible for controlling weeds. This consists of weeding the berms and trimming the space at the foot of the berm, where the mowing tractor cannot reach. Second, the berm adopter is responsible for informing the rail trail committee when plantings are not doing well. Third, the berm adopter may plant ground cover or bulbs - no shrubs or trees.
•4. How do I access the berms to perform maintenance?
Proper traffic safety precautions are required. Vehicles may unload and load equipment and materials at the berm site, as long as: a) the vehicle is parked off the fog line and on the side of the berm facing route 209 b) no more than several vehicles are parked by the berm at one time c) all participants are wearing proper safety gear (vests and hard hats). We do not want to encourage trail users to park along route 209; parking by the berms is not permitted for other than brief periods and only for unloading and loading equipment and materials.
•5. What is the time period for berm adoption?
Berm adoption is similar to the Adopt-A-Highway program. A sign will be placed on your berm with the name of your organization. The berm is yours until one of two conditions occurs: a) you inform the trail committee that your organization can no longer perform the duties needed to upkeep the berm or b) neglect of the berm causes an unsightly condition and action is taken by the trail committee to reassign the berm.
•6. What resources do I have to assist with berm maintenance?
The Town of Hurley will provide safety attire for all berm participants. In addition, the Town will provide water trucks to water the berms, based on the growing season and drought conditions. The Town will also mow the trail and as close to the berms as possible. The Town will also provide chips to use as mulch on the berm, as long as a supply is available. NYSDOT will provide replacement plantings as required. Bluebird boxes and benches will be installed near selected berms by volunteers and as scout projects. The benches will be built to uniform standard. The Hurley Rail Trail committee is your contact point for any concerns or questions.
Who Are the Current Berm Adopters?
| Berms numbered from Esopus Parking area proceeding south to Russell Rd |
| Berm |
Sponsor |
|
|
|
Contact |
|
| berm1 |
Hurley Heritage Society |
|
Fred Haldeman |
| berm2 |
Never Alone |
|
|
Max Maurer |
|
| berm3 |
Hurley Republican Club |
|
John Perry |
| berm4 |
Brodhead Family |
|
|
Tom Brodhead |
| berm5 |
Cook Family |
|
|
Wally Cook |
| berm6 |
Lyke Family |
|
|
Doreen Lyke |
| berm7 |
Mid Hudson Valley FCU |
|
Bill Spearman |
|
| berm8 |
Hurley Reformed Church |
|
Natalie Woodard, Shirley Burns |
| berm9 |
Hurley Mt Inn |
|
|
Steve Nekos |
| berm10 |
Stone Ridge Chiropractic |
|
Diane Dobstaff |
| berm11 |
Ulster County Supreme Court's Clerks Office |
Debra Brewster |
| berm12 |
Kelly Family |
|
|
Dot Kelly |
|
