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The Town of Keene, the Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI), and the Paul Smith’s College adventure guides are providing information and education to hikers in the High Peaks through a new frontcountry steward program. Stewards will be positioned in the Town of Keene along Route 73.
Stewards are being stationed at the Marcy Field parking lot on the corner of Airport Road and Route 73, Wednesday through Sunday and on holidays. Stewards will be in the Roaring Brook, Giant, and Chapel Pond areas Friday through Sunday in the summer and weekends through Columbus Day with extended hours during busy weekends.
Frontcountry stewards will be available to educate hikers about Leave No Trace principles such as hiking preparedness and minimizing impacts to natural resources. Additionally, stewards are expected to inform hikers about the new no parking regulations along Route 73 and the temporary closure of the Garden parking lot for bridge construction.
The new program is sponsored by the Town of Keene and Paul Smith’s College and supported by a grant from the Adirondack 46’ers. The program is modeled in part after the 46’ers Trailhead Steward Program at Cascade Mountain.
Information about the Town of Keene Shuttle is available online.
More information on the Frontcountry Stewards is available online.
Information on parking restrictions along Route 73 is available online.
Photo of Marcy Field provided.
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This is awesome – thanks so much stewards, you’re helping enormously 🙂
So, basically, all these “stewards” are doing is correcting hikers and giving them orders. Will they wear uniforms and march?
Pablo,
Tough love could also involve Rangers simply not answering hikers’ cell phone requests for aid and letting them die because of their lack of preparation. A little discipline up front can be a good thing. We no longer have “trail teachers” due to lack of Ranger staffing. I agree it shouldn’t be necessary, but if it saves lives, reduces trail damage, and allows Rangers to respond to real emergencies, I am all for it.
The stewards are volunteers and are there to assist hikers and offer help and advice. How is that a bad thing?
Suji,
So far I haven’t heard of many hikers complaining about it, but it will take time to see how effective this approach is. Probably more critical in the non-summer months, but I would think this would help the Rangers and dispatchers in the summer months.
It would appear to be helping. Check out the article in the Adirondack Daily Observer:
Frontcountry stewards offer a point of contact in Keene
July 8, 2019 – LOCAL NEWS
Sorry I’m unable send a link, but you’ll be able to find it.