Eagle Scout restores Beaver Dam Trail
Local Eagle Scout restores Beaver Dam Trail in Clifton Park
CLIFTONPARK, N.Y. » A local Eagle Scout has added a unique nature walk to the town’s list of hiking options by restoring and improving a long neglected trail in Veterans Memorial Park.
Alex Bianconi, with support from his family, Elks Lodge 2466, several area businesses, and fellow members of Boy Scout Troop 246 worked for nearly the past two years on improving the park’s Beaver Dam Trail.
A dedication for the half milelong trail recently took place at the trail head near an information kiosk that was also part of the project. Taking part in the dedication were state Sen. Jim Tedisco, R- Glenville, Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, R-Ballston, and town Councilman Jim Romano.
To be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout must demonstrate supervisory skills, and though Bianconi may have had help with the physical work, it was he who did the planning, the design, and sought the approvals from the town to rejuvenate and lengthen the trail.
“I’ve always enjoyed hiking and camping and wanted to work on a project that would let others enjoy the outdoors,” Bianconi said. “My troop leader talked about doing some trail add- ons, maybe renovating some existing trails that were in poor shape but I thought taking people to the beaver dam would be more interesting than just a nature trail.”
The original trail was overgrown and had to be cleared of dense brush. To keep hikers from getting soaked in the spring in the wetter sections, 14 small bridges supported in a few places by cut logs had to be designed, built, and installed.
The trail head is beyond the ball field fences and winds its way in a gentle loop which gives hikers a chance to see many differ- ent signs of wildlife. Eventually, it arrives at the small mounds of dirt which were originally the beaver dam, not to be confused with a beaver lodge. The beaver are gone, having long ago moved on to better areas.
The final section of bridges or “puncheons” cross the top of the mounds which made up the beaver dam and one must stop and step off to get a good look at their work.
Having the trail as an addition to the town’s list of nature hikes was not lost on the public officials at the dedication.
“We have public access to forests and meadows and this trail will give people access to the wetlands. That’s a tremendous asset for the residents of Clifton Park,” Romano said.
Walsh, who knows about planning from her time on the Ballston Town Planning Board, referenced the benefits that public trails bring to a community and the rigor of the approval process.
“Recreational trails are needed in any town. Some, unfortunately, have fallen into disrepair and getting young people out there to bring them back to life is what’s
needed and you did that,” she said. ” This project was particularly difficult because there were a lot of steps. In addition to getting the materials and doing the work you had to get approvals so I really commend you for all the effort you put in.”
Tedisco, who walked the trail in loafers as a nod to the efficient planning,
noted the qualities of an Eagle Scout in his remarks.
“I’m sure this is just the beginning of all the successes you’re going to have in the future,” he said. “What you’ve done and accomplished represents the integrity we need, the honesty we need, and the team work we need (in the state legislature). We need you as a legislator. Just don’t run for my seat or Assemblywoman Walsh’s seat because we can’t compete with an Eagle Scout.”