To the Editor:

On a lovely spring morning, May 4, several elected officials and two dozen members of the public gathered at the Knox town park for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the park’s new wetlands trail.

Town Supervisor Russ Pokorny opened the ceremony by mentioning three recently completed local projects, namely: an array of solar panels located on Street Road near the town park that help offset the electricity used by town buildings; an erosion control project on a steep embankment on Street Road south of the wetlands; and the improved wetlands boardwalk accessible by those with mobility impairments. The new walkway improves upon an existing boardwalk and platform built in 1997.

Elected officials participating in the ceremony were Colleen Williams of Congressman Paul Tonko’s office, who offered congratulations and spoke about these projects as examples of the achievements we can reach when our respective levels of government work together.

State Assemblyman Chris Tague thanked those gathered for their help in making the project happen and noted that he is proud to represent the town of Knox. Albany County Executive Dan McCoy’s representative, Jeff Jamison, said the county looks forward to a continued partnership with us in the future, and he promised to help bring attention to this valuable resource.

June Springer and Dennis Cyr of the Knox Town Board also attended to lend their support.

As a Knox Conservation Advisory Council member, I spoke about the many values and benefits of wetlands including reducing flooding and erosion and creating wildlife habitat and noted that this resource will provide opportunities for nature study and appreciation for generations to come.

I also spoke about its importance as an educational resource; that when people learn about something and understand it, they can appreciate and value it and then they will preserve it.

Special recognition was given to those who funded and supplied labor for the projects, including the Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District, which awarded a grant to support the walkway and the erosion-control project, and Albany County Department of Public Works, which supplied staff to repair the eroded embankment.

A grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority funded the solar array and the Capital District Regional Planning Commission helped navigate the mechanics of the grant.

Eric Marczak, who chairs the Knox Conservation Advisory Council, was the driving force behind the walkway project and Ray Weiler did preparation and installation work for the walkway and repairs to the wetland trail kiosk.

Knox resident Tom Payne used his graphic artistry to help with the panels on the kiosk, and Knox Highway Superintendent Matt Schanz delivered stone.

After the trail was officially opened, Mohawk Hudson Bird Club President Tristan Lowery led the public on a “birdwalk boardwalk.” Approximately 40 species of birds were seen and heard over the course of the morning, including a black vulture, two solitary sandpipers, a Virginia rail, and a possible goshawk in migration.

The Knox Wetlands are a noted birding “hotspot” and have been nominated for inclusion on the New York State Birding Trail. More than 125 species of birds have been seen at the wetlands property.

Birdwatchers from around the Capital District and neighboring states visit the wetlands to see and photograph certain marsh-loving birds. Use of the property has been increasing since access to Black Creek Marsh in Voorheesville was recently restricted.

The public is invited and encouraged to visit the town park and the new Knox Wetlands Trail, which is located at 491 Street Road in the town of Knox. The park and wetlands trail is open daily from dawn to dusk. Knox Wetlands is a carry-in, carry-out facility.  

Dave Nelson

Knox