By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
Cazenovia Preservation Foundation (CPF) will present a Trail Appreciation Day fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 10 with a rain date of Oct. 11.
CPF is a private, non-profit organization that works to protect the historical, agricultural and natural resources in and around Cazenovia for the benefit of the community and the enjoyment of future generations.
The organization maintains approximately 13 miles of public recreation trails at five locations: the Gorge Trail, Burlingame Trail, Fairchild Hill Trail, South Trail and the Willow Patch/Carpenter’s Pond Trails.
For the past several years, approximately 75 percent of the organization’s regular operating expenses have come from membership dues, annual giving and community fundraising.
“In addition to regular operating expenses, CPF also actively seeks grant opportunities for special capacity building initiatives and on-the-ground projects, such as major trail repairs that are beyond the scope of our annual stewardship budget,” said CPF Treasurer Craig Buckhout.
Earlier this year, the foundation began planning a large fall fundraiser dinner, which has since been put on hold due to the coronavirus.
CPF has instead decided to focus its fundraising effort on its trails, which, according to CPF Executive Director Jen Wong, were used more this past spring/summer than in typical years.
“While [our] mission is much broader than hiking trails, we’re focusing on the trails for this fall’s fundraiser,” Wong said. “CPF’s trails have been an especially important resource for our community in recent months. We’re hoping that people will recognize that, and will come out and support CPF, learn a little more about the organization’s history and its ongoing mission, and have a fun fall outing with their families.”
On Trail Appreciation Day, families and individuals are invited to visit with CPF board and staff members and participate in activities at each of the five trail locations during the following time periods: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gorge Trail, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the South Trail, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Willow Patch/Carpenter’s Pond, 1 to 4 p.m. at the Burlingame Trail, and 1 to 4 p.m. at the Fairchild Hill Trail.
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the individual trails and the ongoing CPF projects at each location.
Activities will include a kid-friendly trail work project on the South Trail and a mini family portrait session (by appointment) with professional photographer Gene Gissin at the Burlingame Trail.
Light, individually packaged refreshments will be provided for event attendees.
Social distancing protocol will be observed, and masks will be required when a distance of six feet or more cannot be maintained.
An online fundraising opportunity will also be available for those who are unable to attend the event in person but still want to support the ongoing maintenance and stewardship of CPF’s properties.
Tickets for a prize drawing can be purchased online beginning Oct. 1. Tickets will also be available at the CPF table at the Cazenovia Farmers’ Market on Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 and at trail locations on the day of the event.
The prize list includes a week at an Adirondacks vacation property.
Additional details on all of the trail events, along with information on purchasing tickets can be found at cazpreservation.org/preservation.
“COVID-19 has shed a light on the importance of the community’s trail network, and there’s no better advocate for promoting conservation than people being out there and enjoying nature and the trails,” said Jack Stevens, CPF stewardship committee co-chair. “It’s a substantial undertaking to keep these trails in good shape and CPF is grateful to all the volunteers who help us to maintain them. We are actively recruiting individuals who are interested in adopting a section of a trail to help enhance that experience for the enjoyment of all.”
For more information, visit cazpreservation.org.
Donations to CPF can be completed online or sent through the mail to P.O. Box 627, Cazenovia, NY 13035.
