RIVERWALK SECTION OPENS

CLAYTON — The first stretch of the Clayton riverwalk — a scenic trail at the former Frink America site that wraps around the peninsula along the St. Lawrence River — has been completed and is open to the public.

Larry W. Aubertine, chairman of the Clayton Local Development Corp., said the site still needs some "housekeeping work" but the community is welcome to walk the trail and enjoy the scenic view of the river.

"It's an excellent walk of the perimeter over there," Mr. Aubertine said. "Eventually, there will be some benches so people can walk and then sit down for a while."

Mr. Aubertine said workers are cleaning up the site and seeding grass. Benches and light fixtures will be added along the walking trail as soon as funding is secured.

Landscape architects at Environmental Design & Research, Syracuse, designed the walking trail to subtly reflect the railroad tracks that once led into the village, Mr. Aubertine said.

"If you're on the walk, you can kind of see the resemblance," he said.

The riverwalk and the Frink site cleanup project are Clayton's most recent efforts to transform the village into a more attractive tourist spot. The town initially spent $2.5 million for the excavation of the Frink site before development could begin. The cleanup was then backed by six state grants, which covered $2 million of the cost. The rest was paid through private donations and town funds.

In May, the corporation hired Acts II Construction, Gouverneur, to build the 1,100-foot-long, 8-foot-wide brick trail along the St. Lawrence River.

Mr. Aubertine said the development corporation is planning a grand opening sometime in August, when area politicians and the community will celebrate the completion of the walking trail.