Please join the Friends of Letchworth State Park and Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (WNY PRISM) for the 4th annual Stewardship Day. The event will take place on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 10 AM – 12 PM at the Letchworth State Park Humphrey Nature Center. Learn about common invasive species that impact gardens, agriculture and natural areas during our indoor presentation. Then, follow us outside to see some of these invasive species along the trails near the Humphrey Nature Center. Registration is required since space is limited due to social distancing practices, and masks will need to be worn during the event. Please email stewardshipday1@gmail.com to register for the event, and include your name, phone number and the number of people attending.
Trail Crew Build Stairs on Trail 7
The Friends of Letchworth Trail Maintenance Crew recently built a set of stairs enhancing accessibility on the Greenway Trail (Trail 7). Their next major project is to build a similar set of steps over a steep, washed out area on the Seneca Trail (Trail 12). Both trails are on the east side of the Park, an area that appeals to those hikers who prefer the roads less traveled.
These projects are just a couple of the trail crew’s latest efforts to enhance the hiking experience at Letchworth State Park. Working in coordination with Park management, they regularly blaze and maintain trails, remove fallen trees, and make minor access enhancements, like stairs that improve safety and accessibility. Crew members have observed an increase in trail use in areas where they have been working,
The trail crew consists of a steadily growing team of volunteers. Their efforts spring from “humble beginnings” according to the team leader, John Kantrowski. At first, the group was limited to “picking up sticks and using hand tools”, but a 2015 grant from Parks and Trails New York funded the purchase of safety equipment and chain saw training for half a dozen members. This allowed the crew to greatly expand stewardship of the trails and picnic areas in Letchworh.
Since then further training and more equipment paid for by the Friends of Letchworth from community support of our fund raisers, paid memberships and donations has allowed for steady expansion. In the past year, the team has been able to buy 2 chain saws, 2 pole saws, 2 weed eaters and a used DR2 combo chipper-bush hog to facilitate their work.
When weather permits, the trail crew works three mornings per week. If you are interested in helping, contact John Kantrowski at friendstrailcrew2@gmail.com. Donations to support their work are always welcomed.
In Memory of Judy Hamilton
We are sad to inform you of the passing of one of our members, Judith Hamilton. Judy was the wife of the late General Park Manager of Letchworth, Edward Hamilton.
The family is requesting memorial donations to be made in her honor to the Friends of Letchworth. You may do so easily here:
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Judith A. Hamilton
Portageville – Age 77, of Portageville, NY passed away peacefully on May 13, 2020 at the home of her son in Kinderhook, NY.
She was born July 10, 1942 in Suffern, NY daughter of the late John and Mary Dalton Piperato. Judy was employed for many years as a medical transcriptionist at the Wyoming County Community Hospital in Warsaw. She was a member of St. Isidore’s Parish where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and as a member of the Community Life Committee. She also was a bingo volunteer at the St. Mary’s church site.
Judy was very active in her community. She was an avid gardener belonging to the Perry Garden Club. She was a member of the Castile Wednesday Club, the Castile Historical Society and the Castile Silver & Gold Club. She was a longtime volunteer for Angel Action and was a member and volunteer for the Friends of Letchworth State Park. Judy loved reading and always enjoyed time with her family.
Judy was predeceased by her husband, Edward Hamilton who passed away on November 13, 2013.
Surviving are her daughter, Colleen (Jim) Proctor of Mt. Morris; her son, Edward (Anne) Hamilton of Kinderhook; grandchildren, Brandon (Morgan) Smith and Molly Hamilton; great grandchildren, Peyton Smith and Carson Smith; her brother, John (Amy) Piperato of Thiells; sister-in-law, Flora Piperato of Thiells; several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Paul Piperato.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Judy at a date to be announced in the future. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery, Portageville. Memorials in Judy’s memory may be made to Community Action for Wyoming County (Angel Action Network), 6470 Route 20A, Perry, NY 14530 (communityactionforwyomingcounty.com/our-work/action-angels) or Friends of Letchworth State Park, 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427(www.friendsofletchworth.com). Arrangements are being completed by Harmon-Watson Funeral Home, Castile. Online condolences at www.harmon-watson.com.
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published in The Journal News from May 15 to May 16, 2020.