Greenway Organization to Survey Trail this Weekend

The Friends of the Greenway Trail will survey the trail this weekend for damage, but has not specifically cautioned people against using the trail.

Charlie McAteer, chairman of the Friends of the Greenway Trail, said the overall condition of the trail has not been determined. He surmised there are sections of the trail that should be passable because they are not heavily tree-lined, such as near the "critter section" and the sand pits.

"It's the same as walking on the residential streets," McAteer said. "I don't think we should say [the trail] is closed, but I think people should just be aware of what's there."

The trail did not incur heavy damage during Irene in August of 2011, though at least one Patch reader reported seeing trees down across the trail this week.

When Friends of the Greenway surveys the trail, McAteer said, the volunteers will determine what can be cleared using their own manpower and what may require the help of the state Department of Transportation. But, he said, the trail is not a high priority.

"Everybody's still trying to wait for their power back," McAteer said. "The priorities are trying to get the lines fixed [and] road access. The DOT and the persons that are cutting trees, they need to be performing work on the roads.
That would be the higher priritiy and we understand that."