Archive: Around Town

Perhaps you have noticed that there is a new bridge over the stream just to the east of the Scoops Ice Cream shop. This bridge, built by volunteers, is part of the Murdock Spur, a new addition to the Lansing Center Trail system.  The Murdock Spur is only 0.2 miles long, but it connects with the Lansing Center Trail. Walkers can choose to cover over 4 miles by taking every option on the Lansing Center Trail, likely enough to walk off at least some of the calories from one of the delicious Scoops ice cream treats. The markers for the Murdock Spur are either yellow posts or ice cream cone blazes.


A Brief History

In the spring of 2010, a group of Lansing citizens interested in developing trails formed and petitioned the Town Board to become a recognized Town committee.  In September of that year the Town Board passed a resolution supporting trail development in our town.   As an initial trail project, a group walked the Town Lands across from the Town Office.  After this exploration, Roger Hopkins and the group proposed the development of a trail that would mainly skirt the periphery of the Town lands and the existing fields on the land.  When permission was granted, volunteers began trail development, with some limited help from the Town.


The original Center Trail passes farm fields, wetlands, intermittent streams, old hedgerows, older growth forest, relics of old stone walls, and therefore presents a picture of the varied functions and landscapes of Lansing.  Because of the variety of the landscape, the land is host to a wide range of plants and animals.   The loops on the original trail make it possible to limit the length of a walk along the Trail for those not wanting to do the entire 3.5 miles.  One reason to call this the Lansing Center Trail, rather than just Trail, is that even from its inception users had several options for paths to follow.  More came soon.

The Short Line Spur
In the summer of 2012 Dave Miller developed a trail along the Short Line Spur railroad bed as part of his Eagle Scout project.  The Short Line Spur is 0.33 miles long and intersects the original Center trail at several points.  This Short Line Spur provides delightful shade in the summer and ends in a lovely old growth forest.  Because it was a railroad bed, the Short Line Spur is elevated.  Markers for the Short Line Trail are red-topped posts.  Several signs along the Short Line Spur point out features of the environment or history.


There was a second proposed rail line that ran very close to the Short Line, called the Murdock Spur.  It is this railroad bed that has just been developed into the new 0.2-mile long trail.  And yes, this is a bit confusing!  A map of the different railroad lines is posted in the kiosk at the head of the Center Trail and along the Murdock Spur.   There are also pamphlets with maps of the whole trail system at key points along the trails.  Volunteers are in the process of posting maps at key trail junctions.

Lori Molinari, proprietor of Scoops, has plans for a special Murdock Spur sundae and a punch card entitling the owner to a free sundae after a certain number of hikes.  If the September weather cooperates, the sundae may be on the menu soon!

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