Lewis County Non-Motorized Winter Recreation Plan Updates

LOWVILLE, NY – Lewis County Recreation, Forestry and Parks, in collaboration with planning and design firm SE Group, are currently working to create a plan for winter recreation amenities at the Commons Trail Area. Previously in this process, the project team held two community engagement sessions in March and received input via a community survey. The input received in March has helped inform the two working concepts for recreation improvements at the Commons Trail Area.

Engagement Opportunities

Public participation is crucial to shaping the future of winter recreation at The Commons. Community members are encouraged to attend the following events to provide input and help guide the planning process:

• Tuesday, June 17th | 6:30 PM-8:00 PM – Open House & Presentation @ Pine Tree Inn (7796 Brantingham Road, Grieg)
• Wednesday, June 18^th | 7:30 AM-11:00 AM – Plan review & Office Hours with the Planners @ Brantingham Station (5508 Partridgeville Rd, Brantingham NY 13312)

These engagement sessions offer opportunities for residents, motorized & non-motorized trail users, and stakeholders offer input on the concept designs, interact with members of the project team, and shape the future of sustainable and accessible non-motorized winter recreation in Lewis County.

Can’t make it to the open house events? Take the survey by July 3^rd instead:

• Take the Survey: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8343771/New-Survey

About the Concepts

The Open Houses and Survey will present two concepts for new and existing recreation amenities at the Commons. Concept A: All-Out Activity includes rerouted snowmobile access and includes several proposed elements, including new snowshoeing/fat-biking trails, a new ice ribbon trail, and new cross-country ski trails. Concept B: Racing, Events, & Art Installations preserves existing snowmobile access and includes designs for new snowmobile trail connections, new cross-country ski trails and a race course, and art installations. There are also two associated trailhead designs that feature amenities such as a warming hut, restrooms, ski racks, seating areas, storage buildings, and food truck/tent areas. The Open Houses and Survey are seeking input on which concept design the community prefers overall as well as input on specific features of both concepts for the trail systems and trailheads.

Project Overview

The Lewis County Non-Motorized Winter Recreation Plan is underway, presenting a unique opportunity to enhance the Commons Trail Area as a place to ski, fatbike, hike, or just enjoy some winter solitude in the towns of Greig & Lyonsdale. Spearheaded by Lewis County Recreation, Forestry, and Parks, and funded by an ADK Smart Growth grant, this initiative will provide detailed, actionable recommendations for trail development, winter operations, maintenance, and wayfinding within the Commons Trail Area while serving as a framework for non-motorized winter recreation improvements across the county.

While the area is well known for its extensive snowmobile trail network, this plan will focus on expanding non-motorized opportunities, ensuring that skiers, snowshoers, and other winter trail users have improved access and enhanced experiences.

The plan aims to:

• Identify winter-specific trail opportunities at the commons
• Assess trail uses and maintenance patterns
• Support and expand non-motorized winter recreation through:
  • New & refined trail alignments
  • Wayfinding improvements
  • Access enhancements

Learn more at the project website:

https://lewiscountyny.gov/departments/recreation-forestry-and-parks/winter-recreation-master-plan/