Trails Presentation @ 6OTS, 3/10, 7 PM

[JCP]

Trails Presentation & Discussion at 6OTS
For Oxford Community

OXFORD – The Promote Oxford Now (PON) community group is holding a discussion meeting on Wednesday, March 10th, 7 PM at 6 On The Square (6OTS). Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend the presentation by guest speaker Marjorie Grap. Marjorie will share her trail experiences in a PowerPoint presentation. She will discuss how the Oxford community could develop their own hiking trails, what the many great benefits are, and ultimately what could develop from there.

Marjorie Grap is a multiple use trails specialist from the Headwaters Youth Conservation Corps. She assisted the Chenango Greenway Conservancy's efforts in developing the Chenango Riverwalk in Norwich, and will explain how Oxford can build upon these efforts in their own community in contributing to the Chenango Canal Heritage Trail which is envisioned to connect Binghamton to Utica.

Oxford may have been ahead of its time regarding the walking trails idea. PON members developed plans nearly a decade ago for four health conscious walkways, looping around both East and West sides of Route 12, connecting natural and historic features that would reflect Oxford's sense of place.

Some headway was made on the "River Walk" trail in 2003 by the Oxford Garden Club joined by the Headwaters Youth Conservation Corp., directed by "The Place" in Norwich. Unfortunately flooding destroyed progress made, but this can serve as an example to learn by.

Many towns are getting involved in trail development in Chenango County. With the assistance of Marjorie’s educational background, hands-on experience and guidance, Oxford’s time is now. It is important that community service organizations, social groups, youth clubs, and all individuals come to this meeting and learn the possibilities and benefits that hiking trails could offer. Get involved and be heard; come raise questions, offer help, and share ideas!

Working on trails would offer a great opportunity for groups in the area and concerned individuals, young and old, to unite to achieve a wonderful addition to the Oxford community. It would also offer young people a chance to do some community service and meet representatives from all the service organizations and clubs that are seeking membership. Everyone would become more invested, reflecting pride in their community.

Refreshments will be served.

Just preceding this meeting, from 5 – 7 PM, is an opening reception for artist Jill S. Kraft at 6OTS. Please feel free to come early, meet the artist, see her artwork and enjoy some refreshments.

Promote Oxford Now, or PON, is a nonprofit organization, mostly made up of local business people that seeks to promote the Oxford business community, to recognize and maintain Oxford's historic nature and to respect its hometown character and culture. All bimonthly PON meetings (held the 2nd Wednesday, every other month), begin at 7 PM, in 6 On The Square (6OTS), 6 LaFayette Park, in downtown Oxford.

To read about Promote Oxford Now (PON), visit the “Business” section of OxfordNY.com .
For questions, please contact PON at: membership@oxfordny.com or call (607) 843-2121.
###