President’s Letter
by Anna Taylor, President Friends of Webster Trails
Welcome Spring!
Friends of Webster Trails (FWT) is building on our momentum from 2024 and jumping into 2025 with excitement and enthusiasm. To kick off the year, in addition to our annual Trail Project planning, we have turned our focus to the Hojack Trail. This much loved, historic trail is a Webster gem. In 2024 FWT participated in the New York Forward grant program as a Local Planning Committee member. This grant funding is for the Village of Webster Strategic Investment Plan. FWT advocated for grant funding to create a Hojack Trail Gateway where the trail crosses North Ave. Grant funds would be used to enhance the crosswalk, create a gateway feature and provide recreation amenities at the start of the trail. We will be following up as news comes back from the state on the selection of these projects.
In February 2025 FWT established our new Hojack Trail Committee, and in the next week we will be submitting our application for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trail Maintenance Grant. Our application is focused on improving the Hojack trail subsurface, surface and drainage from Holt Road to Drumm Road. Our application also includes a request for funding for plantings and signage. The signage would highlight connections to our larger trail network, and the New York Seaway trail on Lake Road. We are also requesting points of interest boards to showcase the historic nature of the trail.
This year FWT is welcoming 11 new Trail Stewards at our April Board Meeting. This is incredible news, and we are so grateful to have their help. In the pages that follow you will hear from our current Trail Stewards and read about our upcoming projects and initiatives. We hope that you will join us for a trail workday, group hike, and/or tree planting event. Please keep an eye on our website for the date of the Ribbon Cutting and Hike for our newest nature preserve: the Herman Rd Forever Wild Forest.
We understand families and folks are busy, and we hope you can take time to enjoy our Webster trails and open spaces. Our beautiful trails offer a place to gain a sense of peace and get your legs moving and your heart pumping with a great work out.
As always, we wish you all the best. See you on the Trails!
Hojack Trail Committee Gets to Work
by Mike Carmody, Committee Chair
The Hojack Trail is Webster’s premier trail and a valuable resource that connects to many of Webster’s other trails, along with churches, schools, and even businesses at the Village Center on its eastern end, and with the Seaway Trail. Friends of Webster Trails works hard to maintain and improve the trail with their partners: the town, village, and RG&E.
But comparisons to other rail-trails in Monroe County and emails we get from the community suggest that the Hojack could use some additional upgrading. Improvements might include creating a more durable surface that is also suitable for the maintenance vehicles that RG&E (the actual owner of much of the trail) must use to access their power lines along the trail. Other upgrades might be safer road crossings, historical and other signage, and improved parking.
To focus the work, FWT has created a new Hojack Trail Committee whose principal charges will be to work with the major stakeholders and owners and to identify and apply for improvement grant funding. Committee members include board members Anna Taylor, Sarah White, Ben Wisniewski, and Linda Siple, trail stewards John Boettcher and Matt Steiner, and new member and committee chair Mike Carmody. In its initial meetings the committee has created a vision of what it would like the best version of the Hojack to be and identified some key impediments to making that vision a reality.
The committee says, “We envision the future Hojack Trail as a protected public parkland and safe nonmotorized transportation conduit that connects Webster’s neighborhoods, schools, parks, and businesses directly with Sandbar Park and the Seaway Trail. It is the centerpiece of Webster’s trail system and a tool for teaching Webster’s history as well as a draw for health-conscious tourists. It enables cycling, walking, hiking, and running while still providing access to RG&E’s electrical distribution system.”
The major concerns would appear to be the condition of the trail infrastructure like bridges and culverts, erosion, and the quality of the trail surface. And it’s complicated by the many stakeholders. Of course, all of this takes money. We are currently seeking grant opportunities. Watch this space for updates!
Hojack Trail Survey Highlights Opportunities
by Sarah White
As you read in this issue, FWT has established a committee to look at the Hojack Trail, and to help direct that work, we recently completed a survey about the trail.
Distributed through various Facebook groups and via email to the FWT members, the survey reached thousands of people, and 230 responses were received in the week the survey was live.
In some ways, there were no surprises. Folks consider the trail a gem, albeit one in need of some polishing.
The form of that polish, however, is the secret sauce.
While we are still reviewing the detailed results, the high-level view is that more than 90 percent of users are satisfied or highly satisfied with the trail and would strongly recommend it.
That said, nearly two-thirds of respondents thought there was room for making the trail better. Areas suggested for improvement were varied, but the most calls were for upgrades of the trail surface and drainage. Other suggested improvements included more parking, benches, restrooms, plantings, and connections; safer road crossings; and signage of various types.
We will be digging deeper into the results in the coming weeks and identifying priorities that Friends can tackle, in addition to using the data in our application for a trail improvement grant. We thank everyone who took the time to share their thoughts in the survey.
In Memoriam: Betty Wahl, Force of Nature
In an issue of the newsletter with a focus on the Hojack Trail, it is fitting to include this tribute to Betty Wahl, the matriarch of the Wahl family, whose generosity has benefitted all who have travelled on the Hojack Trail north of Drumm Road. Betty passed away in November last year, after a lifetime of sharing a love of the outdoors with others.
Even before the Hojack Trail was part of the town’s trail system, the family’s second driveway was a green thoroughfare. According to Betty’s son Mark, “In the late 70s we purchased part of the Hojack trail between Drum and Vosburg as a second driveway, and welcomed hikers, bikers and skiers. “
Betty was instrumental in the preservation of open spaces in Webster with her husband Bob. She was a naturalist, passionate environmentalist and common-sense advocate. Fellow early FWT supporter Chris Brick recalls, “I met Betty at FWT meetings in the late 1990s, and my first impression was that she truly lived nature. At that time, FWT maintained the Hojack Trail and Vosburg Hollow and dreamed of a future trail network connecting those trails to Webster Park. Betty and Bob attended these meetings and graciously allowed public access to their property between Vosburg and Drumm Roads that included parts of Hojack Trail and Vosburg Hollow. Now we are enjoying the fruits of their generosity with the existing ‘trail network dream’ to Webster Park.”
The realization of that dream began more than 40 years before, as Mark recalls, “My mother and father moved to Webster in 1948 all the way from Irondequoit where it was all dirt roads and a long distance phone call. They built their home on 30 acres in West Webster and for the first summer had no electricity or well so they used Shipbuilders Creek for the washing of dishes, clothes and bathing.”
Betty’s granddaughter Jonna Wahl shares, “They built their home here in the heart, down in the center of this hilly land. The Valley sprung into life as Betty connected with Mother Nature here and cultivated a bounty.”
With “two green thumbs,” Betty planted many saplings that have grown into a forest around the family home, including her favorites, white pines, birches, oaks, and maples.
But trees weren’t Betty’s only love, as Jonna notes, “When I would walk through the woods with my grandma, she would point out all of the fruitful plants she had harvested for decades there, the water cress, mint, cattails, wild ginger, raspberries and all the harvests of the forest. Not only could she identify any plant in the valley and describe to you its million uses, she would tell you each one’s story on how it got there.”
She loved birding, hiking, canoeing, gardening and dancing, and shared her love of nature with others. The walking group she founded, the Weekday Outdoor Walkers (WOW), explored wooded areas of Webster and surrounding areas.
Granddaughter Jonna notes, “I’m so thankful for the example she set for us and strive to live by it.”
That’s an example we can all strive to follow.
Membership Report
by Denise Bilsback
Membership has been steady over the last year (up from 235 to 238 year-over-year). Donations are up and down depending on the time of year. Our work hours have been up over the last year. Our trails stewards are working hard as we have added some new trails. Please think about joining us on one of our trail workdays. Information is on our website or follow us on Facebook.
Treasurer’s Report
Friends of Webster Trails ended 2024 in a strong financial position, thanks to the support of members and the community. Expenses for the year were up over 2023, in part from higher costs for project materials, but also because a bigger number of scout projects were completed this year, improving the trails for everyone.
Donation income was slightly down from last year, but grants made up for the shortfall, allowing Friends to continue their mission.
Trail Tips: Getting Ready for Spring Adventures
by Denise Bilsback
As we transition into spring, there are a few things to keep in mind to make your hiking experience more enjoyable and safe:
- Check the Weather: Spring weather can be unpredictable. Always check the forecast before you head out and be prepared for sudden changes. Layer your clothing so you can adjust to shifting temperatures.
- Stay Hydrated: Remember to carry enough water, and if you’re heading out on a longer hike, pack snacks to keep your energy up.
- Watch for Mud: Spring is the season for muddy trails, so be prepared for some slippery spots.
- Leave No Trace: As the trails get busier, it’s even more important to be mindful of our environment. Stick to the paths, pack out all trash, and respect wildlife.
- Be Aware of Ticks: Ticks are already out on the trails, so use tick repellent before hiking and check yourself for ticks after any hike.
Upcoming Workdays
Warmer weather means it’s workday season for Friends of Webster Trails. From April through October, you can find volunteers hard at work on the trails, making things better for everyone. You can find a complete list of events online with registration information. All events are 9am to 11 unless otherwise noted.
April 12 – State Road Nature Preserve trail clean up
April 26 – ReTree Earth Day Potting Event
May 17 – State Road Nature Preserve trail building
June 21 – Bird Sanctuary Trail, building puncheon/boardwalk
July 19 – Four Mile Creek Preserve trail stabilization with gravel
August 15 – Gosnell Big Woods brush clearing
September 20 – Herman Road Forever Wild Forest trail work
October 18 – ReTree annual tree planting event
Steward Reports from the Trails
Bird Sanctuary Trail – Linda Siple
Bird Sanctuary Trail weathered the winter and only had 1 or 2 downed trees. This year we are hoping to add several puncheons (a type of boardwalk) to the northernmost end of the trail near Rt. 250 to address the many muddy areas. If you are a frequent user of the Bird Sanctuary Trail, watch for a workday on June 21 and come help improve the trail.
Finn Park – Rebecca and Bernie Bonn
Last fall a puncheon was installed in the northeast corner of the trails and 15 native trees donated by RG&E were planted around the field. This year we’ll continue to cut back the multiflora rose and pick up garbage this spring. For those not familiar, Finn Park is a quaint trail offering the cover of beautiful beech trees and the expanse of a large field. Worth checking out!
Herman Road Forever Wild Forest – Ben Wisniewski
In 2024, its first year as a preserve, HRFWF benefited from an initial trail buildout and construction of multiple puncheons and boardwalks, a parking lot, and a kiosk and bench at the trailhead on Herman Road. This year we plan to finish the new green trails, improve boardwalks on yellow trail, and improve benching and trail alignment throughout the park.
So far in 2025, the Steward and his two young helpers have already closed off and abandoned the dead-end spur of Green Trail that was completed last fall, opting to instead connect the trail back to the low point of the Orange Trail. We also added a 12-foot puncheon to the new portion of Green Trail, and started work on a longer puncheon at the low point of the Green Trail between the Cell Tower Trail and the Yellow Trail.
You might also spot orange flags heading north from the Yellow Trail and south from the Pink Trail. These flags mark a new branch of Green Trail that will follow the opposite side of the wetland where the now-abandoned green trail was initially proposed. This change will make hikers and nature happier by reducing trail density in the central portion of HRFWF. Signage and trail maps will be finalized in both HRFWF and Whiting Road Nature Preserve once the trail installation is complete.
Finally, later this year we will be holding a grand opening ceremony and hike, and a trail workday is planned for September. All are invited to both events.
Hojack Trail – John Boettcher
I am the FWT steward for the two ends of the Hojack Trail. The east end goes from Holt Road to Phillips Road and is flanked by commercial properties. I have concerns about vehicles being parked very close to the trail, considerable litter at the Rt. 250 intersection, and the recent development near Phillips where two new businesses have made driveways across the Hojack Trail. This portion of the trail is in the Village, not the Town of Webster.
The west end of the trail goes from Van Alstyne to Lake Road. This is a beautiful section with a lot of woods and several stream crossings. Regarding the woods, RG&E has been doing considerable clearing in order to maintain access to their power lines and to prevent growth from disrupting power supplies. There have been numerous trees down on this section of the trail. The thaw of late has gotten rid of the thick ice deposit left by the February snows, but now we have to deal with the mud in some spots.
John Ungar Nature Trail and Michael A. Johnson Nature Preserve – Norma Platt
This is going to be short and sweet: These trails are a short distance away, pretty short in length, and they couldn’t be sweeter.
Splendid isolation and nature await along the banks of Shipbuilders Creek. Benches offer perfect places for sitting or enjoying a picnic. In the last year, two new benches were added as an Eagle Scout project, funded through a grant from Webster Rotary.
The Habitat Preservation Committee and ReTree Webster have been actively removing invasive plants and planting native trees. A group of third graders from St. Rita’s School enjoyed their first field trip visiting JUNT last October.
Boardwalks along the creek are back in place after floating away during the September flash flood (an exciting eight-foot surge).
I encourage you to come do some ‘forest bathing’ at John Ungar and Michael A. Johnson. Peace and beauty await, along with wildflowers, birds, mushrooms, lichens, and sedges.
Whiting Road Nature Preserve – Ron Happ
The trails at Whiting Road Nature Preserve came through the winter in fairly good shape. The fall and winter were challenging with the many trees that came down in the wind. Many thanks to those that reported downed trees, and the pictures sent were especially helpful.
This spring we will be replacing one of the old “cobbled up” bridges leading to the Herman Road Forever Wild Forest with a new boardwalk. This will be done as an Eagle Scout project.
I am hoping that the ATVs that have torn up the trails over the last two years will stay out this year. While they are usually out there at night, if you do see them please call 911 and report it.
We have added five new trail stewards who have stepped up to watch over individual trails. If you are interested in becoming a trail steward please contact us contact@webstertrails.org .
Interactive Map
by Denise Bilsback
Friends of Webster Trails has added several new trails and is continually creating more. We are currently updating our kiosks and installing signage for some of our newer trails. To ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date trail information for your adventures, please be aware that the maps displayed on the kiosks along the trails may not reflect the latest updates. For the most current trail maps, route changes, and important information, visit our trails page of the website.
Additionally, our interactive map can be accessed on site to show your real-time location on the trails.
Call for Volunteers! Habitat Preservation
by Norma Platt
The Habitat Preservation Committee is resuming work this field season. We’ll meet and work for hour or two on Friday mornings. Early projects will be removal of Garlic Mustard from Bird Sanctuary Trail and areas in the Gosnell Nature Preserve.
We will, again, coordinate with ReTree activities, keeping track of and replanting our native trees! Join us for the 2024 season!!
- Good company
- Good exercise
- Making a difference
Contact Norma Platt if you’d like to participate: 260-5221 contact@webstertrails.org
ReTree Grows Up
by Sarah White and Norma Platt
The longer days of spring might not mean the snow is finished, but it does mean ReTree is preparing for another year of building resilience in the preserves of Webster, with greater diversity of species and improved habitat for the many creatures that call this area home.
Since 2022, ReTree has added more than 500 native trees and shrubs to Webster’s preserves, with the assistance of hundreds of volunteers. To do that, we’ve established a bit of a conveyor belt for the plants: putting seedlings into the ReTree Nursery in the spring, keeping them safe and watered all summer, and then in the fall planting the largest seedlings from the prior year in our open spaces.
What’s Coming Up
The conveyor belt begins this month with our annual potting event on April 26. Join us to refill the ReTree Nursery with seedlings sourced from Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, along with seedlings started by members of the community. This family-friendly event is an investment in the future forests of Webster.
Later this spring, we will have an event sponsored by RGE to plant larger specimen trees – greater than four feet tall – for Arbor Day. The exact date is still in the works, so watch your email and social media for details. Friends of Webster Trails is extremely grateful for the continued support of this project by RGE and their employees.
This autumn we will have our major tree-planting event on Oct. 18, where seedlings graduate from the Nursery to their forever homes.
Be Part of the Action
Volunteers are the magic that builds Webster’s Future Forests. You can help by attending any of the events listed above, with many hands making light work.
Or be a part of the action behind the scenes. Join the ReTree committee and help make all of this happen. We meet just a few times a year for planning, and then get our hands a bit dirty throughout the season with the events and ongoing work in the Nursery. contact@webstertrails.org to be a part it.