Rover Renewal - Annual Kick Off Party a Success

It was a cold and cloudy day, but that did not deter the Jolly Rovers Trail Crew from coming out of hibernation to think about spring. On Saturday April 7th, more than half of the crew’s 41 members gathered at Industrial Arts Brewery in Rockland County to welcome new board members, hear about work projects for the season, share a meal, and meet the youngest members of the crew.

During the business meeting, Board Chair Andy Wong summarized the annual report and nominated two new board members to broaden the skill and scope of the board, bringing board membership up to seven. Next up, Executive Director Chris Ingui announced that the upcoming season holds 11 full crew trips to 2 major project sites, and numerous ‘splinter trips’, or smaller trips to other sites led by different crew leaders. The two main projects will be a return to the Ice Caves at Sam’s Point in Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County, and a new site at the Mianus River Gorge Preserve in Westchester County. Chris emphasized that this year’s focus will not be on skill building. Both projects incorporate elements of stone work that pose challenges to the Rovers, such as working in narrow crevices and building extensive dry stone retaining walls. The first work project of the season is delayed by the late spring, with working conditions unsafe in slippery ice and snow – but the schedule has been rearranged to keep the same number of trips.

After the business portion of the meeting, the fun continued! Rover couple Tom and Emily Ludorf passed around the youngest Rover, Teddy (4 months old). Stories flowed about winter hiking adventures. Rovers made new friends with curious bystanders, including a troupe of girl scouts selling cookies. Many a glass was raised, and the crew left renewed and ready for the season. To learn more about this season’s work projects, or support the crew, visit jollyrovers.org, or follow the Jolly Rovers Trail Crew on Facebook and Instagram.