Many have heard of or read the book "Last Child in the Woods" wherein Richard Louv chronicles the nature deficit disorder our youth have. Their eyes and attention are focused on their "iThings."
The proposed 90-mile Adirondack Rail Trail from Old Forge to Lake Placid through pristine Adirondack back country would be a start on a cure for this type of disorder. But kids and young adults like their nature mixed in with a little action. A hiking or biking trip through all or part of this trail would certainly provide the action. The natural surroundings would do the rest. Nature is best absorbed in small doses by poking, smelling, touching and close examination. What better way than for families or groups to poke along the trail with frequent stops for nature or history "lessons?"
A recent study by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy predicts significant economic impact from the proposed rail trail, more than 240,000 overnight visitors spending close to $20 million per year. This would create up to 2,600 new jobs, if numbers from a University of Wisconsin study are a good guide. All this at very minimal cost.
Yet some would like us to believe the extension to Tupper Lake of the existing Adirondack Scenic Railroad from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake would be more beneficial. They would run one or two trains per week for eight to 10 weeks in the summer.
These die-hards are keeping 240,000 people from enjoying our resource all under the guise of "providing a necessary service to the community." It is past time we had a look at the best use for this corridor.
Doug Ralston
Chagrin Falls, Ohio