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murdockspur 120The Lansing Pathways Committee has been working for over a year on the opening of a new trail.  After careful review by the Town and after receiving commitments from the property owners for easements, the committee constructed a walking bridge across the creek, then cleared the trail of brush and limbs.  The new Murdock Spur connects Scoops Ice Cream to the Lansing Center Trail via the new walking bridge.

The new trail is called the Murdock Spur because part of it runs along the old Murdock railroad bed. The bridge and trail were funded and constructed solely by volunteers.  Scoops has enthusiastically supported this endeavor and is instituting a new punch card to encourage hikers to walk the spur followed by an ice cream treat (or the other way around).  Look for the ice cream cone blazes along the trail, all hand painted by committee members.

Lansing Loves To Read has partnered with Pathways to install a Story Walk along the new spur.  As you walk along the trail you read the posted heartwarming story, called Owl Babies.  Posted along the spur are trail maps, an historic railroad map, and a sign with information about honey bees.

murdockspur entrywayLansing Pathways volunteers putting finishing touches on the new bridge.

murdockspur aerialQuadcopter photo of Scoops and surrounding Lansing Center Trail by Sue Ruoff

The new spur is officially opening with a celebration day on Sunday, June 19 from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm with kids' activities including reading, rock painting and Story Walks along the trail.

The Lansing Pathways committee is responsible for maintaining the Lansing Center Trail across Auburn Road from the town hall.  Along with the volunteers on the committee, many other community groups contribute.  Projects have included:

  • Volunteers filling ruts with gravel, spreading wood chips on wet spots, mowing a short cut to avoid some of the wetter areas.
  • Our own dedicated committee member regularly mowing the trails.
  • NYSEG’s volunteers mulching the garden and donating log benches.
  • Eagle Scout project - Leopold benches placed along the trail.
  • Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch project collecting data and monitoring the bluebird nest boxes.
  • Adding to the Girl Scout Garden project with pollinator plants and educational signs.
  • Girl Scout monarch project planting milkweed.
  • Coordination with the Lansing High School Cross Country coaches and Steve Colt of Parks and Recreation to begin using the trail this season for practices as well as races in the fall.


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