Syracuse.com - New rules to consider when using the Oswego County Recreational Trail

[HuntingNY-News]

"We want to maintain the safety and integrity of the trail and ensure an enjoyable experience for all users and adjoining landowners," said Legislator James M. Oldenburg, District 14, chairman of the Oswego County Legislature's Infrastructure and Facilities Committee.

Kelly Jordal photoThe trail entrance of the Oswego County Recreational Trail on county Route 6 in the town of Volney.The following is a press release from the Oswego County Tourism Office:

The Oswego County Recreational Trail is open to the public with a new set of rules for users and law enforcement agencies.

“We want to maintain the safety and integrity of the trail and ensure an enjoyable experience for all users and adjoining landowners,” said Legislator James M. Oldenburg, District 14, chairman of the Oswego County Legislature’s Infrastructure and Facilities Committee. “We have identified vehicles that are allowed to use the trail and clarified prohibited trail activities. This will provide a positive experience for neighbors and visitors and aid the efforts of law enforcement.”

Vehicles that are allowed to use the trail include snowmobiles, snowmobile trail groomers, Oswego County Highway Department vehicles, and authorized emergency vehicles. ATVs are permitted to use only the eastern-most section of the trail between Toad Harbor Road and the Oswego-Oneida county line. Each of these vehicles will be referred to as “Authorized Vehicles” on all trail signage.

The new rules of the Oswego County Recreational Trail include:

• No use of firearms

• No overnight camping

• No open fires

• No alcohol or illegal drugs

• No feeding or disturbing the wildlife

• No cutting or removing vegetation

Trail users are also reminded that all New York State snowmobile rules and regulations apply to this trail. Riders should not enter private property adjacent to the trail unless it is clearly marked as an official snowmobile trail.

Oldenburg added, “This is a process and it will take time to educate both users and law enforcement personnel about the new rules. We will do this through trail signage and printed materials.”

The Oswego County Recreational Trail is approximately 25 miles in length. It runs between county Route 6 in the town of Volney, through the towns of Schroeppel, Hastings, West Monroe and Constantia, to the Oswego-Oneida county line.

The Oswego County Legislature’s Infrastructure and Facilities Committee oversees the Highway Department. In addition to Legislator Oldenburg, the committee includes Vice-Chairwoman Barbara Brown, District 8; and Legislators Daniel Chalifoux, District 19; Mark Fruce, District 24; Linda Lockwood, District 11; Milferd Potter, District 2; and Amy Tresidder, District 16.

For more information about the Oswego County Recreation Trail, contact the Oswego County Tourism Office at 315-349-8322 or visit the tourism office's Web site .

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog