submitted by Elizabeth Wagner
Since April, local Scout Troop #222 has worked during its weekly meetings on the construction of a beautiful trail kiosk for Cherry Plain State Park. On Monday, August 24, the kiosk was officially installed at the trail head of the charcoal kiln trail, which also leads into the expansive Capital District Wildlife Management Area’s (CDWMA) trail system.
The kiosk provides a large scale trail map of Cherry Plain and the CDWMA made by local map expert Gary Thomann, bear and campground information as well as free smaller copies of the trail map. All the materials that went into the kiosk were kindly donated by Burdick Building and Landscaping. Thanks to the Scouts’ efforts, thousands of Cherry Plain State Park annual visitors will have an easier time exploring the beautiful land that surrounds the campground.
The boys are now very close to their woodworking badge after all the time spent on this project. “One thing is for sure, that they can all use a measuring tape and a square handily now!” said Assistant Scout Master Joe Burdick, who is also the father of two of the Scouts.
“We really appreciate our local Scout Troop’s putting their service time towards Cherry Plain State Park,” said Park Manager Melissa Miller. “They’re clearly exemplifying the Scout saying to ‘do a good turn daily!’” The Scouts had also completed trail work on the eroded Charcoal Kiln trail in the Fall of 2009.
The scouts meet most Monday evenings at 6 pm in the Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center. For information on joining the Scouts, contact Chuck Riccardi at 518-733-9855
For more information about hiking opportunities at the Park, please call the Park Office at 733-5400.
