River Eroding the Kress Family Trail at Orzech Family Preserve

The Roxbury Land Trust is launching a fundraising campaign to help cover the cost of restoring a riverbank along one of its most popular trails – the Kress Family Trail at the Orzech Family Preserve.

Being scoured away by the Shepaug River at a big bend at the start of the trail, the eroding riverbank threatens the collapse of the trail which runs along the historic Shepaug Valley Railroad bed.

The $100,000 “Save our Rail Trail” campaign will encompass direct outreach and a special fundraising event at the Mine Hill Distillery on July 25. Details about the event will follow closer to the date.

“This rail trail along the Shepaug River is beloved by people of all ages, but Mother Nature is taking her toll on the river embankment especially with the intense storms we’ve seen in recent years,” said John Smoliga, president of the Roxbury Land Trust. “Regular maintenance is no longer enough to save the trail. This is a large restoration and stabilization project necessary to preserve the trail now and for future generations. We hope we can count on the generous support of the public.”

Accessed from the parking area off Botsford Hill Road near the iconic blue barns, the Kress Family Trail is used by people who want a wide, flat trail for hiking, walking their dogs on leash, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and other recreation. The scenic two-mile trail connects to the Golden Harvest and Erbacher Preserves, as well as to the River Road Preserve via a footbridge over the Shepaug River. Together, these four preserves protect in perpetuity nearly 600 acres and offer more than six miles of trails.

Engineered by long-time RLT board member and civil engineer Brian Neff, the riverbank restoration project will start with excavation and installation of formed cement footings.  A headwall will then be constructed to armor the riverbank at an existing granite box culvert that runs under the railbed. Additional reinforcement and stabilization of the riverbank will also be done as part of the project.

“Unfortunately, recent storms have caused significant erosion on the riverbank. The impact has been substantial, creating instability that now poses a serious risk to the integrity of the trail,” noted Mr. Neff. “Without intervention, there is a very real possibility that a section of the trail could cave in, which would ultimately require us to close it permanently,” he added.

Due to heavy equipment and an active work site, the Kress Family Trail will be closed for the duration of the project with a “Last Hike” scheduled and publicized when the start date for the project is known. The connecting nature preserves will remain open for public enjoyment.

As part of the Roxbury Land Trust’s “Save Our Farms” campaign, the 112-acre Orzech Family Preserve was acquired in 2002 from Edward F. Orzech and Elizabeth M. Orzech, whose family established their farm there in 1924. The blue barns and homestead are now privately owned within a conservation easement envelope. The rail trail was named for the Kress family to honor a significant donation made by George and Marcia Kress to the “Save Our Farms” campaign.

Since it was established in 1970, the Roxbury Land Trust has preserved approximately 4,200 acres of farmland, woodlands, wildlife habitats, watercourses, wetlands and open space in Roxbury and neighboring communities. The non-profit organization maintains 32 preserves with 32.5 miles of hiking trails, three active farms and historic iron and granite mines, as well as offers a range of educational programs. 

For more information about the Roxbury Land Trust or to donate to the “Save our Rail Trail” campaign, visit www.roxburylandtrust.org or call 860-350-4148.