by Bea Peterson
On Friday afternoon, June 12, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held on the Hoosic River Greenway opening Skorupski Landing to the public. Family spokesperson Ginny Skorupski said she and her 14 year old son, the third John Skorupski, drove from southern Georgia to take part in the dedication. [private]
She expressed the appreciation of the “widespread and large Skorupski family” for remembering the first John by naming the piece purchased from him as Skorupski Landing. She explained that the first John arrived by himself as a teen from Lithuania in 1907. The many factories and jobs available brought him to Hoosick Falls where he put down roots and later owned his own business on Clay Hill. As an outdoorsman, John wanted this property to remain a natural habitat and have it open to the public, she said, adding that now that the factories are gone the River is cleaning itself up.
Hoosick Falls Mayor David Borge welcomed the crowd to the ribbon cutting and said there are many more plans for the Greenway, including signs and kiosks with information about the Greenway, benches and an amphitheater at the Northern end. “The job is not over,” he said. He thanked Hoosac School for adopting the Southern end of the Greenway and keeping it clean and St. Mary’s Academy and Immaculate Conception Church for adopting the Northern portion and doing the same.
Long time Greenway advocate Margaret Casey explained that 13 years ago the NYS Health Department visited Hoosick Falls to see where there were walkable areas and the dream of a Greenway was born. More than 10 years of meetings culminated with the purchase of most of the Greenway land from the railroad. Thanks to significant grants other pieces of property were purchased and the entire trail was leveled and cleared. “People in this community made it happen,” she said.
Shelly Stiles, a member of the Friends of the Greenway, talked about the many bedrock outcroppings on the trail as well as the oak, sycamore and black cherry trees that line it. A variety of birds also inhabit the Greenway. “There’s an old stone mileage marker on the trail,” she said. “This will always remain a natural habitat,” she concluded.
Mayor Borge expressed appreciation to the Reynolds Foundation, Saint Gobain and the many others who contributed to the Greenway.
Before the event Martha VonShilgen played lovely summertime music on the violin. After the program refreshments were served, and many of those attending strolled around the beautiful property.
