Trail of the Fallen Revitalization Project

Grant Nawoichyk

Eagle Scout Project

Agenda

• Purpose

• Location

• Concept

– Current State - The Torne Memorial to the Fallen and Trail

– Project

– Benefits

• Requirements

– Personnel Requirements

– Materials

• Way Ahead

• Help Required

• Questions

Purpose

To rehabilitate the current informal memorial and trail dedicated to fallen Service Members on the Torne Mountain vicinity of Bear Mountain. When complete, the project will formalize the trail with the Palisades Park Commission, clearly designate the trail head with an information kiosk, provide reflection benches and greater information on the fallen, clear direction for hikers.

Current Memorial

Location

Concept

• Current State of the trail

• Project concept

– Trailhead Kiosk

– Reflection Benches

– Trailblazing

• Benefits

Current State - The Torne Memorial to the Fallen and Trail

• Trailhead for both the 1777/1779 trails and informal memorial not well marked vicinity of Mine Torne Road/Torne Mountain (confirmed by surveys of hikers)

• Major intersections are confusing at points

• No designated area for rest and reflection for current informal memorial

• Memorial not formalized

• Hikers, including military members, cadets, and community members, use it as a means to recognize those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation

• The top of the Torne Mountain provides an excellent rest and reflection area for people hiking the current trails

• Currently memorial identified on hiking sites, but not formalized. Examples include:

– Local Hikers: http://pjneary.com/hiking/2011/11/popolopen-torne-nov-27th-2011/

– Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popolopen

Project Concept

• Goal: Enhance the current 1777/1779 trails and formalize the Torne Mountain Memorial to the Fallen

• Trailhead Entrance (follow on slide)

– Standard trail kiosk that fits into the regional Palisades Park design

– Provide a map of trails, information and current location

– Identify purpose and location of the memorial

– Clearly marks entrance area to trail head off of Mine Torne Road

• Place two benches on the top of the mountain vicinity of the current Memorial to the Fallen (follow on slide)

– Create a designated rest and reflection area along current trails

– Overlook the West Point Training Area and Hudson River Valley/Bear Mountain Bridge

– High tech virtual tombstones to tell the story of the fallen

• Trail markers (follow on slide): Improve current markers in accordance with standard trail blazing procedures for the 1777/1779 trails

• Register memorial on trail sites

• Develop trail map for area vicinity of the Torne

Trailhead Kiosk

• Clearly mark the entrance of the current trail off of Mine Torne Road

• Regional approved design by the Palisades Park Conservatory to fit into the Palisades Park designs

• Provide the background of the “Trail of the Fallen”

– Intent

– Tradition of carrying the rock

• Trail map developed during project

• Sign in log

Reflection Benches

• Provides reflection site for hikers and visitors to the current memorial

• Design blends into the natural rock (rough edges when possible, local rock)

• Intent is to place high tech virtual tombstones vicinity of the benches to tell the story of the

fallen

Proposed Sample Benches

Trailblazing

• In accordance with Trails Signage Technical Guidance from Palisades Parks Commission • Designed to clearly mark the trail • Use all weather spray paint •Templates to ensure all the same

Benefits

• Official Beneficiary: Palisades Parks Commission

• How it helps:

– Improves current trail head vicinity Mine Torne Road

– Enhances current trail systems

– Pays tribute to Service Members who paid the ultimate sacrifice

– Provide an opportunity for the public to learn

– Formalizes current informal memorial

• Who it helps:

– Hikers

– Local community

– Military members

– Fallen Service Members’ family and friends

Way Ahead

• Concept approval by Palisades Park Commission - Complete

• Concept approval by Eagle Review Board - Complete

• Fundraising for supplies, kiosk material and benches

– Beneficiary

– Relatives and friends

– Members of troops

• Design and gather materials for trailhead kiosk

• Sign up volunteers

• Execution of plan/construction (target end of March to middle of April 2014)

• Trail opening and dedication (target early May 2014)

Help Required

• Fundraising/Donations – Goal is $5000 – Supplies (paint, food, water, etc) – Materials (lumber, nails, bolts, etc) – Benches – Virtual Tombstones – Legacy fund for trail maintenance and upkeep

• Manpower assistance: – Carpentry (Kiosk building) – Heavy lifters (Movement of granite benches (340 lbs total)

to top of the Torne) – Trailblazers (marking trail) – Trail maintenance

Questions