Accessible Trail Surfacing Begins

After months of planning and researching, it’s now easy to see the progress that’s being made on Pfeiffer Nature Center’s accessible interpretive trail.  Thanks to hours of work by dedicated volunteers and board members Ed Reisman, Mike Canada, and Jeff McMullen, about half of the trail is now surfaced.

Our accessible interpretive trail is designed for people with mobility or visual impairments, but it will benefit everyone.  Whether you push your toddler in a stroller, use a wheelchair, or just don’t walk as fast or as far as you used to, you’ll want to visit this trail once it’s done.  (We’ll announce the formal opening this summer.)  The work will begin at the parking lot, where we’ll have a designated handicapped parking spot, moving to the kiosk and then down Griffin’s Way almost to Tapline.  (If you’re not familiar with our trails, that’s about one-quarter mile.)  There will be resting benches, interpretive signs, interactive displays, and more to tempt you to travel its entire length.

Right now, the back half of the trail, from Wendy’s Tree to the end, is graded, leveled, and surfaced.  This portion of the trail required the most work to make it smooth, level, and stable, and most of it is covered with crushed limestone (which will be compacted before the trail’s done).  The first half of the accessible trail will be easier to accomplish, and more of it will remain the current hard-packed earth surface.

Updates on the trail will be posted regularly.

Thanks again to Jeff, Ed, & Mike, who ended their work last week in a downpour!

This trail is made possible through generous donations from Assemblyman Joseph Giglio, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and the Olean Association for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.

by Peg Cherre, Executive Director