Potsdam receives $80,700 for trail

POTSDAM — The village has received more than $80,000 from the state to develop a canoe and kayak trail on the Raquette River from Potsdam to Norwood.

The village secured the $80,700 grant through the state Department of State Local Waterfront Revitalization Program in 2008, but a contract releasing the money was signed just recently, according to Potsdam Planning and Development Director Frederick J. Hanss.

Mr. Hanss said the money will be used to help improve the Raquette River Corridor along a roughly 10-mile stretch of water where there is an estimated eight feet of vertical drop at each of the four hydroelectric generating facilities.

"I developed a concept paper for the creation of a blueway trail, that is referred to as the Log Driver's Trail, along the Raquette River and focused it on that portion of the river within the town of Potsdam with the hope that other communities or organizations would extend the trail north and south along the river," Mr. Hanss said. "The hope is that we'll create opportunities for tourism and support businesses like Where-on-Earth, local food service establishments or other retail outlets."

Plans for making the river more tourist-friendly include refurbishing canoe carry trails, clearing brush, installing erosion controls, improving trail markers and adding directional signage, Mr. Hanss said.

"We also proposed to develop a map and trail guide for people wishing to do all or a portion of the trail," he said.

Potsdam's announcement that it has state money in hand to begin improvements between its two villages is part of a broader initiative involving the town of Colton and other communities along the 170-mile Raquette River Corridor from Blue Mountain Lake to the St. Lawrence River.

"One of the objectives of the corridor's Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan was to encourage towns and villages along the Raquette River to develop their own strategies and action plans with a very local focus that would support the larger plan," Mr. Hanss said.

He said if the blueway project is completed, it will be possible for a "determined paddler" to launch a canoe in Blue Mountain Lake and paddle to the St. Lawrence River at Akwesasne.

Mr. Hanss said the village is looking for six people to form an advisory committee to begin making plans for improving the Potsdam-to-Norwood stretch of the Raquette.

He said the advisory committee will coordinate and conduct public planning sessions and direct the development of a draft revitalization plan for consideration by the village Board of Trustees.

Those interested in joining the committee can call Mr. Hanss at 265-1670 or e-mail fhanss@vi.potsdam.ny.us.