The Peru Gazette

L-R Kregg Bruno, Jim Douglass, Janet Duprey, Peter Glushko, Adele Douglas, Brandy McDonald, Donald McBrayer

Story by John T. Ryan

Photos by Tim Mitchell

Developing a walking trail in Peru’s hamlet was first suggested in about 2005. On Sunday, October 5, 2014, years of discussions, planning, grant writing, financing, and construction climaxed at a Ribbon Cutting Opening Ceremony for the Little Ausable River Trail. Click here for individual photos. Click here for slideshow. 

An estimated 125 people gathered to begin their 1.25 walk to Heyworth/Mason Park. The ribbon cutting took place at the Route 22 entrance to the trail. At Heyworth-Mason Park Master of Ceremonies Garry Douglas welcomed Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, Supervisor Peter Glushko, James Dawson, a Board member of Parks and Trails New York, and Karen Derusha, Clinton County Health Department’s Principal Educator.

Thanks were extended to the generous donations of property easements by landowners Winnfried and Stephanie Holderied, Cortland Forrence, John and Penny Clute, James Clute and Michael Thompson.

The Federal Transportation Enhancement Program, the Federal Recreational Trails Program, Parks and Trails New York and the Town of Peru funded the project. The Peru Lions Club, Stewart’s Shops, The North Country Chamber of Commerce Community Development Fund and Peru’s Aubuchon Hardware also gave generously to fund trail amenities. Steven Fuller Excavating constructed the trail. Town of Peru employees put the finishing touches on the project.

Garry Douglas took the occasion to present a bouquet of flowers to his wife Adele who wrote the Town of Peru’s grant applications for the $1.06 million project. Grants funded approximately 75% of the total project cost.

The Peru Gazette is grateful to Tim Mitchell for his wonderful photos.