As announced this spring, the Town of Bethany has purchased 50.88 acres of undeveloped land from the Simpson family. While owned by the town, the Simpson Preserve will be managed by the Bethany Land Trust per a stipulation in one of the grants.
In addition to identifying exciting natural features and multiple habitat types, the Land Trust has begun work rerouting trails in the Preserve. All the existing trails in the Preserve have been severely impacted by motorized vehicle use, most notably ATV’s and dirt bikes. As readily observed in the Simpson Preserve, ATV and dirt bike use:
- displaces soil, leading to erosion
- damages or removes vegetation, including forest floor litter and plant roots, exposing the soil to erosion
- increases runoff and sedimentation, impacting water quality and aquatic ecosystems
- leads to trail widening and the creation of braided trails as riders seek alternative routes, further damaging vegetation and soil
- damages and fragments habitats, particularly wetland ecosystems
- generates noise and air pollution, affecting both human and wildlife
- creates potential safety issues with hikers and horseback riders
The rerouted trails, especially in the upland areas, avoid the old, severely eroded trails. The Land Trust Trail Crew has marked the rerouted trails with yellow blazes and has constructed a bridge over the stream that flows into Hockanum Brook. A map showing the new trails will be available soon.
Walk the rerouted trails in this wonderful preserve to see some of its natural features for yourself and help us by becoming an advocate for its restoration. While walking in the Preserve, damage from ATVs and dirt bikes is clearly visible. You can access the trails either from the Veterans Memorial Park parking lot or from the ends of Northrup and Lebanon Roads.
