Herkimer County HealthNet and College Foundation Fund Improvements to Nature Trails

The Herkimer County College Foundation and Herkimer County HealthNet have partnered to fund improvements to the nature trails at Herkimer College.

The project is funded with a $4,500 grant from Herkimer County HealthNet and $4,500 in matching funds from the Foundation. The intent of the HealthNet grant is to increase awareness of the trails among local residents, students and employees, and to encourage use of the trails to attain a healthier lifestyle.

Improvements completed include three pads with picnic tables and signage placed at various entrance points. Assistant Director of Facilities Tom Stock said, “At the pond/bridge location, two picnic tables were placed, and these will make a nice location for trail users to sit and take in the quiet location. Not far from those tables, another table is located at a wild flower bed. The bed was seeded this fall and in hopes that next year, the 10 varieties of wild flowers in the seed mix will offer a nice addition to the area.”

Additional ‘trail head’ signs are planned, as well as directional signs pointing trail users to various sections of the trail system.

A portion of the trail was washed away and the pedestrian bridge destroyed in a flood in 2017, blocking access to portions of the trail system. The Foundation funded a rehabilitation to build an engineered bridge and return the area to the condition it was prior to the flooding. The project was designed by LA Group from Saratoga and constructed by Horender Construction of the Little Falls area.
The interpretive nature trail, located just beyond Wehrum Stadium on the Herkimer College campus, is used for instructional purposes by the college and local schools. Community members also use the trail for dog walking, hiking, running, nature watching, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, bicycling, photography, bird watching, and more.

Herkimer County HealthNet works to improve the health and well-being of individuals who live, work, play and learn in Herkimer County and the Mohawk Valley. In their commitment to improve community health, Herkimer County HealthNet partners with organizations to help improve the health and well-being of our area.

“We are grateful to Herkimer County HealthNet and the Herkimer County College Foundation for their generous investment and support of this wonderful community resource. We welcome the community to utilize the trails for their health and wellness activities, and to enjoy the serenity and beauty of our campus,” said Herkimer College President Cathleen McColgin.

Established in 1967 as a not-for-profit corporation, the Herkimer County College Foundation, Inc. helps Herkimer College secure private resources to support student scholarships and address the College’s most important priorities.

Photo: Dr. Thomas Curnow and Elyse Enea with Herkimer County HealthNet recently presented a check to the Herkimer County College Foundation to help fund improvements to the nature trail. Pictured from left: Nicholas Laino, Sr. Vice President for Administration and Finance, Herkimer College; Julie Lewis, Director of Business & Finance, HCC Foundation; Tom Stock, Assistant Director of Facilities, Herkimer College; Dr. Thomas Curnow, Executive Director, Herkimer County HealthNet; Elyse Enea, Program Coordinator, Herkimer County HealthNet; Rob Fowler, Executive Director, HCC Foundation; Bob Woudenberg, Director of Facilities Operations, Herkimer College.