New Benches at Guiffrida - Kudos

[Chriss P]

Just got back from a bike ride to Guiffrida and noticed they had made new benches. Also dog walkers were at a minimum and I saw one obeying the laws. I have to say this is a good thing. About time I said something positive about the park and give some credit.

I also found all 4 geocaches in the park a while back (another kudos).

[jma]

I'm guessing that the word is out that a police officer lives there instead of a caretaker. Hopefully it just keeps getting better and better!

[SgtSludge]

Keep the bikes out of the trails! Trails are not for bikes - Roads are.

[jma]

The trails are there for both bikes and hikers, as long as both are considerate of each other. Besides, the way people drive today, I'd rather be off-road!

[cherrybarbs]

That’s good news, we haven’t been up there in a while, but it’s good to know someone’s listening. We’ll be talking to Walt this week; we don’t like the idea of giving taxpayers money to help fix up Hunters golf course. That land can easily be part of Guiffrida Park for people who want to bike or hike. The land there would make for some beautiful trails.;)

[Chriss P]

"Keep the bikes out of the trails! Trails are not for bikes - Roads are."

Whats wrong with heading out from Westlake down Atkins ST and travel up High Hill road and then by Baldwins Pond and by Flacon Field; take a left at the golf course and into the park up the steep ROAD!!!! hill.

Its amazing how we sometimes Assume things. I went to Guiffrida by the ROAD!!! PARA not POR

Ive been to the trail headquarters on Rt 66 here in Middletown. Ive discussed trail etiquette and consulted them about certain markings on certain trails with the lady in charge. I know the trail laws. I understand bikers should stay off the blue-blazed trails (but its not an actual law). I usually do stay of the blue trails; but occasionaly it cant be avoided if the trail crosses a bike trail. But we do have motorcycle and ATV's on the blue trail at Guiffrida and they rip up the traprock.

I took my trail bike up lamentation once and never again as the traprock almost ripped apart my bike. Had to walk the bike 50% of the way.

[Chriss P]

Thats good news Cherry. I agree with you 100%. I met Walt way back when I used to hang out with his sone if its the same Shamock. And Im assuming you mean Walt Shamock ( that was back in the Jacknife filming days). I knew him to be popular and the outdoors type.

[cherrybarbs]

Yes Chriss P it’s the same person, also do you know if they stock the reservoir at Guiffrida anymore, we know they did about 20 years ago or so. Also we went back fishing at Hanover pond; we figure a few punks won’t spoil something we love to do. We saw 8 to 10 Red Tail Hawks diving for herring or shad, what a sight to see, overall we never saw so many people enjoying the great outdoors before.:D

[Chriss P]

Cherry the state doesn't stock Guiffrida it would be up to the city to either request it or buy some fish and stock it privatly.

Now on to hanover. The info is actually shad or herring would be important. We know the herrings we put in will spawn as they were as ready as ever to do so. It would be most interesting to know if it was herring or shad the hawks were taking and also probably worth reporting to my boss.

Thanks for sharing that.

[cherrybarbs]

Sorry Chriss P there’s no way we can tell what school of fish the hawks were diving at. We were at the bottom of the dam and the hawks were above it. However in back of the American legion there’s a tributary going to arbor brook from the pond, we did see schools of herring they looked like alewife. So we must assume that the red tail hawks we saw, were feasting on them. Once we learn how to use this new digital camera we got, we are glad to post some pictures. Hanover pond as definitely made a come back. We're still waiting for the grand prize, to see an American eagle there, like we always say, it’s only a matter of time.;) Thank You

[Chriss P]

Cherry we had a long afterwork get together yesterday as my boss is going away Friday for 2 weeks. We had long discussions about the herrings and one thing that was expressed was we are trying to restore the desirable bird populations via the herring restoration project also.

It looks as if we have gain headway via your report; and will be mentioned as soon as I report in this morning (actually Im forwarding this to our staff).

Thanks for the update on Hanover; its very important to recieve feedback from the local population and thier data is taken quite seriously.

[collie]

All I would like to add is that I live about a mile north of Hanover Pond and I can attest, having lived here for years, that the hawk population is thriving. We took in a white dwarf rabbit (pet store variety) a few weeks ago that someone apparently abandoned. They never placed a lost ad and I wouldn't give him back now anyways!
I first noted this little white bunny sitting in my daffodil plants near the edge of my property where I have let wild raspberry bushes grow and spread. The white color was unusual and this little bunny sat in the OPEN all day. I had the kids go out with a bowl of water, strawberries when they got home from school to make overtures so we could get this lost soul in the house.
THREE hawks began circling; I swear one flew upside down cruising for that tasy morsel! The kids began to chase the bunny in earnest before he became a meal. It took them an hour but it was worth it; they saved the bunny! They told me the hawks had no problems sitting really close to the bunny/ chasing kids. They got a real close up look at them.
Anyways, it was off to the pet store for me to buy supplies, etc. The kids take "Skye" for walks in the yard with a small dog halter and lease. He is a very sweet little bunny with big black eyes.

[Chriss P]

Well thanks everyone. The office is more than appreciative of the kind words. And yes Cherry; shad was stocked in Hanover this week. Lets hope this fish population spawns and the young return in the coming years.