In the Town of Keene, N.Y., dreams of a pump track for mountain bikers burgeoned into a much bigger vision for non-motorized community trails, the first phase of which opened Sept. 25. 

In 2021, the Center awarded a $2,500 grant to the Town of Keene Youth Commission through the Adirondack Community Recreation Alliance to fund planning and location assessments for a mountain bike skill-building trail known as a pump track. As the Youth Commission worked through planning with Barkeater Trail Alliance (BETA) and Peduzzi Trail Contracting, its goal evolved into a community trail system that would serve multiple uses, including hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and non-motorized winter travel. 

“Thank you for your early support to get this project started!” said Teresa Cheetham-Palen, a Town Council member in Keene. “I get completely emotional when I think about the people, the organizations and the steps in this process that made it happen. The trails are fantastic! It is so great to see a great idea become a reality. Pure joy!” 

The first phase of the East Branch Community Trails includes 2.5 miles of trail that starts from a public recreation area and creates the backbone of the trial system, which project leaders hope will increase to 7 miles of multi-use trail. Early inspiration for the project came from the town’s strategic plan, which highlighted the need to provide a safe, positive, and ecologically sound recreation experience for residents and visitors, citing bike paths and alternative trails as potential improvements to the town’s recreation structure. 

“We decided to make it a community trail system rather than solely mountain biking focused,” said Josh Wilson, executive director of BETA, which partnered with the town on the project. “We started with 2.5 miles of trails expertly designed and machine-built by Luke Peduzzi of Peduzzi Trail Contracting, with assistance from the BETA Trail Crew and volunteers.”  

Luke Peduzzi grew up in Keene and had worked in professional trail building mostly in the Catskills before returning to the area and opening his own business. “Luke grew up down the road from these trails, and he was a perfect fit for this project,” said Josh. BETA has traditionally done most of the construction on projects it is involved with, but started working with contractors to be able to take on more projects explained Josh.  

The trail system concept still calls for building a pump track along with future phases of trail development. All trails will maintain a natural character by being built sustainably with an effort to blend with the natural landscape. Pumptracks include a series of rollers and banked turns designed to be “pumped” by the bike rider in order to maintain or even gain speed without pedaling. These user-friendly tracks give riders room for growth in physical fitness, balance, and bike-handling skills.  

Residents got their first look at the new trails Sept. 25, 2022. “We had an excellent turnout of kids on bikes and community members for the first official ride,” said Joseph P. Wilson, supervisor of the Town of Keene. “The grant from Center to the Keene Youth Commission provided funds for the organizing committee to create an initial design and set the whole process in motion. We all genuinely appreciate your support.” 

The first phase of the project cost $90,000 or about $7 per mile of trail. The Adirondack Foundation provided the first grant toward project planning. BETA invested $50,000 from its Sterling Watchorn Trail Fund. Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family donated $25,000, community members donated $10,000, and local businesses and others rounded out the fundraising.  

“Planning and fundraising is underway for Phase 2, which will include new mountain-bike specific, gravity-oriented trails,” said Josh Wilson. “We hope to implement these projects in 2023, contingent on available funding.  Readers can follow the project’s progress online.