10/06/2026
CCETS Celebrates Completion of Major “Protect the Wetlands” Trail Project with October 6 Ribbon-Cutting
New sustainable trail improvements in North Harmony State Forest advance Chautauqua County’s long-term vision for connected outdoor recreation, conservation and tourism
NORTH HARMONY, N.Y. — The Chautauqua County Equestrian Trail System (CCETS), in partnership with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), will celebrate the completion of the North Harmony “Protect the Wetlands” Trail Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 6.
Members of the media, community leaders, project partners and outdoor recreation advocates are invited to attend and see firsthand how this major trail investment is protecting sensitive wetlands while strengthening Chautauqua County’s growing outdoor recreation network.
The completed project rerouted approximately 1,300 feet of multi-use trail away from a designated wetland and improved approximately 3,955 feet of trail overall in North Harmony State Forest. Improvements included trail preparation, heavy-duty geotextile stabilization fabric, approximately 800 cubic yards of gravel, and professional grading, crowning and compaction to improve drainage and long-term durability.
The project represents an investment of more than $246,000 in grant support, including a $206,975 matching grant through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund Parks & Trail Partnership Grants Program, administered by Parks & Trails New York in partnership with the NY State Parks & Historic Sites; $25,000 from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds through the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo; and a $15,000 Friends of Chautauqua County Greenways Fund matching grant through the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth.
More Than a Trail Project
The completion of the Protect the Wetlands Project also represents progress toward a much larger vision established in the Chautauqua County Greenway Plan.
The Greenway Plan envisions Chautauqua County as a four-season destination for outdoor active living supported by public/private partnerships, with an interconnected system of greenways serving equestrians, cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts. The plan specifically recognizes the opportunity for trails and greenways to support tourism and economic development.
Its trail-development goals call for maintaining and upgrading existing trails, improving connectivity, providing trails for multiple user groups and evaluating camping opportunities that support long-distance trail use.
The plan also identifies Equestrian Trail System Expansion and Growing Mountain Biking in Chautauqua County among its priority demonstration projects, underscoring the potential for a connected trail system to serve a broad outdoor recreation community.
The Protect the Wetlands Project demonstrates what that vision looks like on the ground: conservation, sustainable trail construction, outdoor recreation and partnership working together.
The project was spearheaded by former CCETS President Missy Whittington, with grant-writing assistance from Audrey Hager, CCETS volunteers and project partners. Construction was completed by Blum Property Services LLC, with project oversight from CCETS board member Terry Weiser and coordination with NYS DEC.
