Champlain Area Trails to Develop New Hiking Trail in Wadhams in Honor of Franz Leichter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 25, 2024

  

Contact: Amber Adamson, 518-962-2287, Amber@champlainareatrails.com

A picture of CATS volunteers working on a local trail

  

Champlain Area Trails to Develop New Hiking Trail in Wadhams in Honor of Franz Leichter

  

WADHAMS, NY—Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is developing a new hiking trail in Wadhams to honor the late former state legislator Franz Leichter. This project follows his family’s generous donation of a permanent trail easement and the conservation of his property in collaboration with the Lake Champlain Land Trust. CATS will host a volunteer project to create the tentatively titled “Leichter Trail” on Saturday morning, November 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

  

“This trail will feature views over our farm and forest landscape and go through small woods along and above a rocky creek,” said Tony Thoman, Director of Trails and Land Management of CATS. “It also goes on the edge of a large field with opportunities to see grassland breeding birds. This part of the trail could be part of a future town-to-town trail connecting Westport and Wadhams, but for now, we are creating this stand-alone trail where people can enjoy a short walk in nature.  It will make an interesting loop through the woods as it takes people by a couple of little rock outcrops looking over the woods.” 

  

CATS invites people of all ages to come out to clear the trail. Volunteers will cut tree limbs and saplings, remove fallen logs, and create a level surface where the trail traverses a hillside so people can enjoy hiking on the trail.   

  

“Franz Leichter advocated for and sponsored laws establishing the Riverfront and Hudson River Parks in New York City. He supported affordable housing, domestic partnerships, legalized abortion, and the rights of women, consumers, and tenants,” said Chris Maron, Executive Director of CATS. “He fought for legislative reform and ethical standards and introduced the country’s first ‘pooper-scooper’ law, which requires dog owners in New York City to clean up after their pets. Creating this trail in honor of Franz is wonderful, providing residents and visitors with a fantastic new place to hike.”

  

The Leichter Trail Project begins at 8:30 a.m. and will last until about 12:30 p.m.  Volunteers should meet at Dogwood Bread Company in Wadhams, to carpool and caravan to the trailhead on Young’s Road, 0.4 mi west of the Lewis Wadhams Road.  Please bring gloves, loppers, and hand saws.  CATS will also provide tools. 

  

“We invite people to arrive early to get some scones, cinnamon rolls, and coffee at Dogwood. That helps advance the ‘promoting economic vitality” part of our mission of making trails, saving land, and connecting people with nature,” said Maron.

  

For further information, please contact CATS at 962-2287, email info@champlainareatrails.com, or visit www.champlainareatrails.com.

  

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About Champlain Area Trails: Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is an accredited land trust founded in 2009 to create and maintain trails, protect land, connect people with nature, and promote economic vitality in the Champlain Valley. CATS has created and maintains over 98 miles of trails, protected 992 acres of land, and hosted hundreds of hikes, outdoor education outings, and volunteer events, attracting thousands of visitors annually.