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NEWSLETTER & SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES (234)
January/February/March 2015
I understand that I participate in today’s outing entirely at my own risk. The volunteer leader will try to make the event enjoyable, informative and safe, but neither The
Urban Trail Conference Inc. nor its officers and leaders can be held responsible for accident or injury. The leader may reject from the outing anyone whose preparation or
conduct is inappropriate. I will comply with all applicable laws.
Announcements
Membership:
First Year Membership only $7. A great gift idea. Thereafter, membership dues are $10 for 1 year, or $18 for 2 years.
See contact information at the end of this schedule.
New Hike Leaders Are Needed:
Why not share a favorite walk with us? Contact us before the last month of this schedule to be listed in the next
schedule. After giving your 1st hike for our printed schedule you can then also post hikes via internet at short notice
for your convenience. Leaders get free membership plus an invitation to our annual dinner.
Extra Hikes Via the Internet:
In addition to our printed schedule, many leaders give unscheduled extra hikes via the internet. To receive
notification of them, send your email address to urbantrail2000@yahoo.com. If you have been receiving email
messages from the Urban Trail Conference, we already have your email address, SO DO NOT RESEND. Also,
check your “Spam” messages. We will list members only!
Cancellations, changes, etc.:
Illness, family emergency, and weather can cause a leader to cancel. Call the leader to confirm hike status, even
when not indicated. Also, re-check train/bus fares and schedules, etc. for changes. Look on back of the MTA’s “The
Map” available free at NYC subway fare booths.
Trail Ambassador Program (TA)
More than 2,000 miles of trails throughout New York and New Jersey are built and maintained by hard-working
volunteers of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. By joining this worthwhile organization, dedicated hikers
like you can support the efforts of these volunteers. Now, members of the Urban Trail Conference have the
opportunity to join the NY/NJ Trail Conference and get a free quality, durable trail map or 50% off the regular NY/NJ
Trails Conference membership rate. Join today by visiting http://www.nynjtc.org/ta-join and using Redemption Code
“TA36935.” Questions? Call Jennis at the NY/NJ Trail Conference, 201-512-9348 ext. 28. Your membership
includes a subscription to the quarterly Trail Walker newsletter.
☺ Welcome our new leader, Cheryl Heyman. Please join her on March 29. ☺
Start registering for the New York/ New Jersey Trail Conference Winter Meeting Sat, Feb 28. See write-up below.
Sat., Jan. 3 - HIGHLIGHTS OF CENTRAL PARK. An approximately 2 to 3-mile leisurely walk through some relatively little-known areas of Central Park,
including Harlem Meer, The North Woods, The Great Hill, The Ravine, Belvedere Castle, and The Ramble -- ending up around 1:00 pm for lunch, either at
the Boat Basin Cafe, or some other convenient restaurant, for a nice bowl of hot soup (or whatever). Take the No. 2 or 3 subway, or a northbound Madison
Avenue 2, 3, or 4 bus, to 110th St. & Lenox Avenue. Meet there at the entrance to the park at 10:30 am. Email me during the prior week or call me the
evening before (anytime), to make sure that the walk is on, and if you have any questions. Leader: Bob Susser; 212- 666-4371; rsusser@aol.com.
Non-members $3.
Sat., Jan. 10 - SLOATSBURG-HARRIMAN STATE PARK. 10 miles. We will follow some trails around to Pine Meadow Lake, then to Lake Sebago and
back to the station. Late return depending on train schedule (may be past 8:00 pm). Bring lunch and extra food and drink and a flashlight. Meet at Penn
Station at LIRR waiting room on lower level (as this is an easier place to find each other). We will take NJ Transit train to Sloatsburg and back. Purchase
round-trip ticket to Sloatsburg upstairs. Fare: $16.00 R/T. Start calling Wednesday night during the week for recorded message or email me at
nyhiker50@verizon.net any time up to one day before the hike. Leader: Mike Puder, 718-743-0920. Non-members $3.
Sun., Jan. 11 - CENTRAL PARK SOUTH & QUEENSBORO BRIDGE UNDERPASS. Meet at noon at the Time Warner Building Lobby at Columbus Circle.
We will explore the southern part of Central Park, possibly as far north as Belvedere Castle, and/or do the Central Park Zoo. We will then walk east on 60th
Street to First Avenue to see the Guastavino tiles in the Food Emporium under the Queensboro Bridge. Call if weather is doubtful; hike may be canceled for
rain, snow, or excessive cold and wind. Optional dinner after. Bring lunch, snacks, water. Leaders: Ken King, 631-991-8170, nhochike@optonline.net; cell
516-238-7694 (day of hike only); and Phyllis Spisto, 516-547-0497. Members only. No Meet-up or Time Out. Joint with NHOC, a long Island club.
Newsletter & Schedule of Activities (234) – January/February/March 2015
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Sun., Jan. 11 - QUEENS WATERFRONT, PART 1. 12 to 13 miles, moderate, steady pace. Meet at southwest corner of Vernon Blvd and 50th Avenue,
Long Island City, at 9:00 am, Vernon Blvd-Jackson Ave. train station, number 7 line. Check to be sure that the number 7 train is running. If the number 7 is
not running meeting place is still the same. MTA will provide a shuttle bus to meeting place. Walk the Queens waterfront from Long Island City to Flushing,
at least as much of it as we can get to. Pass Socrates Sculpture Park, Steinway mansion, and Lent-Riker-Smith homestead (circa 1654). Drop-off points
available. Important: bring water and lunch (food and water not available where we will have lunch). Leader: Bill Wrublewski, cell: 646-369-0279; email:
summer.time101@verizon.net. Non-members $3.
Sat., Jan. 17 - ROCKWOOD HALL. A moderately-paced walk of around 2-3 miles mostly along the Old Croton Aqueduct from Scarborough over the former
site of Rockwood Hall, one of the largest mansions ever built in the U.S.-- of which only the foundations remain. Large interesting trees and fine views over
the Hudson. Lunch in the cafeteria of Phelps Hospital (very reasonable). Take the 9:20 am Metro North Hudson Line train from Grand Central Station,
arriving in Scarborough at 10:16 am. This train may also be boarded 9:40 am at the Marble Hill station. Sorry, but no pets and no smoking. Email me
during the prior week or call me the evening before (anytime) to make sure that the walk is on, and if you have any questions. Leader: Bob Susser, 212-6664371; rsusser@aol.com. Non-members $3.
Sat., Jan.24 - PELHAM BAY PARK vicinity, Bronx Circular hike, 5 to 6 miles, moderate pace, mixed flat on paved paths and wooded areas where hiking
shoe needed for rough wet or slippery spots. Bring lunch and beverages-lunch outdoors. Meet at 11:00am. Light snow okay, rain, ice will cancel. Be
prepared for winter trail conditions! You must call or email for status, meeting place and route starting the day before the hike. Leader: Vic Scelzo,
718-652-9075, urbantrail2000@yahoo.com. Cost: You may need your Metro-card transfer for another bus in morning. Non members $3, but new members,
today only, get first year’s membership for $5.
Sat., Jan 31 - CONNETQUOT RIVER PARK PLUS BAYARD CUTTING ARBORETUM. Two options, 6 or 10 miles. Flat, brisk pace, NOT for slow hikers. A
winter hike to an interesting Connetquot Park Preserve. See ponds, river fish hatcheries and wildlife. Drop out after 6 miles if you wish or continue exploring
the beautiful Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Bring water, lunch, hot beverage and wear hiking boots. Rain, snow cancels. Take the 9:16am LIRR train from Penn
Station to Great River. Fare $25.50 round trip/ seniors $17.50. Leader will meet you at Great River station at 10:33am (Check mta.info\LIRR for current train
schedule). Leader; Quyen (Quinn) Pham, 631-234-5486, 8pm to 10pm and on morning of hike. Also email, qwpham@yahoo.com. Non members $3
Sun., Feb. 8 - HEMPSTEAD LAKE STATE PARK. 6 to 7 miles, moderate pace. We will walk ½ mile through streets to get to the park. Take the LIRR train
to meet the leader at 10:45 am at the Rockville Centre station, in the downstairs waiting room (at printing, train arrived at 10.38 am, but take earlier train if
necessary). Check www.mta.info or 718- 217-LIRR for train schedule. Bring lunch and water. Cancelled if raining/snowing or if icy snow on the ground.
Leader: John Socolick, 516- 359-1591; serious calls only, please. Emails preferred for information and hike status at socolickvl@aol.com. Non-members $3.
Sun., Feb. 8 - MUSEUMS AROUND CENTRAL PARK. Meet at 1:00 pm in Lobby of the Church of the Heavenly Rest at 2 East 90th Street, just across from
the park entrance at 90th St and Fifth Avenue. Bathrooms, lunch, snacks, beverages available. Depending on weather we will either do the new Cooper
Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum at 91st or walk north on the east side of the park to end at 103rd Street, where will end at either the Jewish Museum or
the Museum of the City of New York. Call if weather doubtful; hike may be canceled for rain, snow, or excessive cold and wind. Optional dinner after. Bring
lunch, snacks, water. Leaders: Ken King, 631-991-8170, nhochike@optonline.net, cell 516-238-7694 (day of hike only); and Phyllis Spisto, 516-547-0497.
Members only. No Meet-up or Time Out. Joint with NHOC, a long Island club.
Sun., Feb. 8 - ROCKLAND RAMBLE. 10 miles, moderate steady pace. Ups, downs and rocks. Hiking boots needed. Long Path from Nyack to Piermont.
Optional add-on: abandoned railway right-of-way to Sparkill. Bring lunch, water, snacks; no access to eateries at lunchtime. Meet at Port Authority Bus
Terminal, South Wing, by the white commuter statues at 7:50 am for 8:15 am Rockland Coach bus. O/W Nyack Fare $9.25/seniors $4.25. Joint hike. Awful
or dangerous weather cancels. Leaders: Cricket Giese Parker, 212-924-2171; cgiese7@gmail.com. and Oliver Wayne, 201-840-4145. Members only.
Sun. Feb. 8 - RIVERSIDE PARK. A leisurely stroll of around 3 miles in Riverside Park from 116th Street to 66th Street, followed at around 12:30 pm by
some hot soup (or whatever) at the new Ollie's, 67th Street & Freedom Place. Meet 10:45 am inside the Broadway & 116th St. subway station, but outside
the turnstiles. Email me during the prior week or call me the evening before (anytime) to make sure that the walk is on, and if you have any questions.
Leader: Bob Susser, 212-666-4371; rsusser@aol.com. Non-members $3.
Sat., Feb 14 – VALENTINE’S DAY Walk in Massapequa Preserve, Long Island. 6 level miles, moderately paced. Meet 10:30 am at the Northeast
Corner of Massapequa LIRR station parking lot in Nassau County. This is the entrance to the LI Greenbelt trail. The station parking lot is East of Broadway,
North of Sunrise Highway, and North of the tracks. Bring liquid and lunch. Hiking boots not required. NO go in rain, snow, sleet, or hail. There is a heated
restroom near the beginning and end of the hike. Leader: Joanne Tow, 516-931-2073; call cell ONLY if lost, 516-503-3069. Non-members $3. PLEASE
NOTE: Due to the Massapequa Station Improvement Westbound customers will board the first six cars of trains and eastbound customers will exit from the
last six cars of trains. Non members $3.
Sat., Feb. 21 - BRONX BOTANICAL GARDEN. No flowers, but plenty of snow-clad trees (maybe) in this winter wonderland. Around 2 miles at a very
relaxed pace. Take the 9:23 am Harlem Line train from Grand Central, arriving at the "Botanical Garden" Station at 9:42 am. Fare OW $4 with "City Ticket."
Alternatively, take the 4 or D subway to "Bedford Park Blvd." and then the #26 bus east to the Mosholu Gate entrance - or, the 2 subway to "Allerton Ave."
and then the #26 bus west to the entrance. Meet just inside the Mosholu Gate at 9:45 am. Admission to the Garden is free on Saturdays until 10:00 am (but
visiting the conservatory -- optional -- will set you back $20/$18 seniors -- unless you're a member). Lunch in the cafeteria. Sorry, but no pets and no
smoking. Email me during the prior week or call me the evening before (anytime) to make sure that the walk is on, and if you have any questions. Leader:
Bob Susser, 212-666-4371; rsusser@aol.com. Non-members $3.
Newsletter & Schedule of Activities (234) – January/February/March 2015
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Sun., Feb. 22 - PARKS OF MID-WESTCHESTER. 11 miles, moderate steady pace. Ups and downs - mostly on trails. Hiking boots needed. From
Cortlandt station, walk through village of Crugers to Oscawana Island Park via Shore Line Trail. Several bushwhacks to Brinton Brook Audubon Sanctuary.
Continue on white trail to Jane A. Lytle Memorial Arboretum. Out to Croton-Harmon station via local roads, Senesqua Park and Waterfront Esplanade.
Bring water, lunch & snacks. Meet Grand Central Terminal at 7:20 am for 7:43 am Hudson Line train. O/W Cortlandt Fare: $21.50/seniors $14.25. Joint
hike. Awful or dangerous weather cancels. Leader: Cricket Giese Parker, 212-924-2171; cgiese7@gmail.com. Members only.
Sat., Feb. 28 - NY/NJ TRAIL CONFERENCE MEMBERS and FRIENDS WINTER MEETING (9:00 am – 1:00 pm). Shake off the “winter blues” with a great
day of Fun Hikes, Nature and Trail Talk, Brunch and more. Suggested basic registration is $10 or $15 with food. Register online or by phone,
http://NYNJTC.org/Event/2015wintermeeting or 201-512-9348 X 28. VERIFY INFORMATION IN THIS WRITE-UP BEFORE REGISTERING, BECAUSE
EVENT HAS NOT BEEN FINALIZED AT PRINTING. Planned schedule of events is:
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•
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9:00 am
9:30 am
10:30 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm
SIGN-IN AND COFFEE
BUSINESS MEETING
BRUNCH AND KEYNOTE
CLOSING REMARKS
HIKES (bring a bag lunch to enjoy on the trail)
Place: Manhattan College School of Engineering, 3825 Corlear Ave, Riverdale, NY (near Van Cortlandt Park). Travel: Take the #1 train to 242nd Street in
the Bronx (last stop). Walk south on Broadway to 240th Street, then 1 block west to Corlear Avenue (3825 is one block south). Limited parking available
adjacent to the building and directly across the street.
Daylight saving time begins, Sunday, March 8
Sun. Mar. 8 - ROOSEVELT ISLAND TO ASTORIA. 6 miles, slow pace; no fast walkers please. Meet 11:15 at Penn Station or 12 noon (before lunch)
outside the “F” train on Roosevelt Island . We will stop at the Roosevelt Island Town Square for brunch (several restaurant choices) or bring lunch and eat
outside on benches. After, we will walk the footbridge from Roosevelt Island into the Astoria and onto the Astoria Waterfront, for magnificent views of the
NYC skyline. We will visit Astoria Park , Socrates Sculpture Park , and several smaller parks along the way, to Ditmars Blvd. for the train back to Penn
Station, and an optional dinner. Bring snack, water and lunch. No Dogs. Leaders: Ken King, 631-991-8170, nhochike@optonline.net; cell phone 516-2387694, morning of hike only, and Phyllis Spisto, 516-547-0497. Members only.
Sat., Mar. 14 – HIGHBRIDGE PARK AND THE HISPANIC SOCIETY OF AMERICA. About 4 miles, moderate pace with ups and downs. Hiking shoes
needed for some rough and/or wet terrain. Walk from Swindlers Cove at Dyckman St. through Highbridge Park to 155th St. B’way and end here or visit the
Hispanic Society before it closes at 4:30pm. C or #1 train at B’way at end of walk. Bring Lunch and drink. Lunch outdoors may not be sheltered. Meet 11am
but you must call or email for meeting place, starting Friday morning before hike. Rain, snow or temps below 32F cancels. Leader: Vic Scelzo. 718-6529075, email urbantrail2000@yahoo.com. Non members $3, but first year’s membership for $5, today only!
Sun., Mar. 15 - PORT WASHINGTON TO SANDS POINT PRESERVE. 8 miles, moderate, steady pace. Walk from Port Washington train station to the
harbor, then along the harbor through Sands Point to the Sands Point Preserve to see the only remaining intact Gatsby-era estate. The 216 acre Sands
Point Preserve is the former estate of the Guggenheim family. Take the 9:18 am LIRR from Penn Station to Port Washington, arrive at 10:05 am. Fare:
$16/$11 senior, round trip. Meet leader at Port Washington LIRR train station. Heavy rain cancels. $2 admission to the Sands Point Preserve. Important:
Bring lunch and water. Leader: Bill Wrublewski, cell: 646-369-0279; email: summer.time101@verizon.net. Non-members $3.
Sun., Mar. 22 - CLOISTERS, FORT TRYON , INWOOD PARK. 3-5 miles, slow pace; no fast walkers please. Meet 11:15 am at Penn Station or 12 noon
(before lunch) at by the benches at the entrance to Fort Tryon Park on Margaret Corbin Circle (190th Street and Fort Washington Avenue). Walk to New Leaf
Cafe for restrooms, optional brunch ($20), or bring your own lunch and eat outside the cafe. We will then walk through Fort Tryon Park , to the highest point
in Manhattan, and then to the Cloisters. Admission is “pay what you wish”. The Cloisters has a fine collection of medieval European art and statuary,
housed in reconstructions from cloisters from France , Italy and Spain. After the Cloisters we will walk down the hill to Dyckman Street and either end there
or go through Inwood Park, depending on lateness and how we feel. Directions: take the "A" train to 190th Street and then the elevator up to Fort
Washington Avenue - or take the #4 bus directly to 190th St. and Fort Washington Ave. Bring snacks, water and lunch. No dogs. Leaders: Ken King, 631991-8170, nhochike@optonline.net, cell phone, 516-238-7694 on morning of hike only and Phyllis Spisto, 516-547-0497. Members only.
Thurs., Mar. 26 - LAMONT OBSERVATORY TO NYACK. 7 miles at a moderate pace. We’ll meet by 8:50 am to take the 9:10 Rt.9A bus from the George
Washington Bus Station. Return will be by bus from Nyack with an early out at Piermont. Mostly flat, but we’ll be on woods trails where boots are best.
We’ll walk through the woods, through Piermont, and onto the Rail Trail to Nyack. Round trip bus fare $16.40, less for seniors. Because of construction at
the GWB station, let’s meet in the temporary ticket place on the corner of Ft. Washington and W. 179th Street . Call after Tuesday; no calls after 9:30 pm,
but you must call to make sure hike is on. Leader: Pat Belanoff, 212-568-2052 or padaulton@gmail.com. Joint hike with Outdoors Club. Members only.
Sat., March 28 - LOWER 3RD AVE, BOWERY And More. 2 miles, easy pace. Meet 2:30 pm after lunch. We will note the history of area, changes on lower
3rd Ave. and other places, St. Mark's and Astor Places. Optional visit to the New Museum of Contemporary Art at 235 Bowery near Prince St. Meet at 14 St.
and 3rd Ave., SW corner; 12:30 pm; have lunch and use a restroom BEFORE walk.( Many in area; Barnes and Noble at 17St.& Union Sq ). Take any train to
Union Square station and walk one block east to 14 St. and 3rd. Leader: Susan B, 718-275-7654. Call to confirm; dress for weather. Joint walk but NO
“MEETUP” groups. Non members $3.
Newsletter & Schedule of Activities (234) – January/February/March 2015
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Sun., Mar. 29 -FOREST PARK and FOREST HILLS GARDENS. 6 miles, moderate pace. Discover the hidden charms of European style Tudor lanes, and
cul-de-sacs as we walk through FHG to Forest Park. We will be walking on paved surfaces, over gentle hills to Forest Park, where we continue along
woodland trails. Architectural and natural history points of interest along the way. Lunch at Victory Fields. Optional refreshments afterwards at local pub.
Bring water, lunch and walking shoes. Meet @ 11:00 am, in front of Vitamin Shoppe on SW corner 71st& Queens Blvd. Take E, F, R, and M to 71stContinental Ave. Exit front of train. Leader: Cheryl Heyman, cfheyman@verizon.net. Cell (day of hike) 347-749-1452. Non-members $3.
Sun., Mar. 29 - MID-MANHATTAN TOUR. 3 miles. We will walk at a slow, steady pace, except for numerous stops to see interesting things such as an
unused sky-bridge, a street without sidewalks or auto traffic and a battleground between two great artists who were probably neighbors. Meet on the
southwest corner of 34th Street and Seventh Avenue at 11:00 am. Bring lunch and beverage. Leader: Bob Ward, 718-471-7036; call after 8:00 pm. Joint
with other clubs. Non-members $3.
Sun., Mar. 29 - SPUYTEN DUYVIL AND RIVERDALE. 5 miles moderate terrain with some wilderness with ups & downs. Follow the route of the Spuyten
Duyvil Creek that separates Manhattan from the Bronx. Then go north the length of Riverdale Park and cross Fieldston, ending at the subway. Bring water,
lunch and hiking boots. Take the No. 1 train to 225th Street and meet 10:30 am at McDonalds across Broadway from the subway exit. (Alternately take the
Metro- North to Marble Hill). Cost: Metro-card fares apply. Rain cancels. Leader: Joel Pomerantz, 212-691- 3844. Non-members $3.
Remember: SAFETY FIRST. Be aware of motorists and bicyclists.
……………..… CONTACT US ……………………
Please send your membership renewal of $10 for one year, or $18 for two years to:
The Urban Trail Conference Inc., P. O. Box 264 Bronx, NY 10463-0264
Make check payable to The Urban Trail Conference Inc.
Your membership renewal date can be found on the mailing label of your envelope. (New members only: your first year membership is $7)
FOR SCHEDULES AND CLUB INFORMATION:
Email: urbantrail2000@yahoo.com Web Site: www.urbantrail.org 718-652-9075 (before 9 p.m.) or write to the above address.
Non-members pay one day dues $3. Members do not pay fee.