A Trail for Everyone

Dorothy's Equal Access Trail is an ADA-compliant nature trail at RPA's Poestenkill Community Forest. A passion project of PCF Steward and RPA board member Jeffrey Briggs, Dorothy's Trail allows people from all walks of life to enjoy the peace and inspiration of time in nature. 

​

Getting There

Dorothy's Trail is located at Poestenkill Community Forest, 200 Legenbauer Road, Averill Park NY 12018.

For a trail map and driving directions, please visit our main Poestenkill Community Forest page.

​

Parking

The trail has two dedicated equal access parking spots on Legenbauer Road, immediately across from the trailhead. These spots are large enough to accommodate a van and a small bus. Visitors are also welcome to park in the main parking area for Poestenkill Community Forest, where there is an accessible restroom.
 

About the Trail

From the trailhead, Dorothy's Trail runs approximately 600 feet out to a wetland overlook, and 600 feet back, for a round-trip length of just over a quarter mile.

The trail has a hard surface and is 48 inches wide, with the exception of one point where it narrows to 44 inches. The maximum slope is 9%, not exceeding 40 feet in length. 

​

About the Name

The trail is named for Jeff Briggs' mother, Dorothy, who relied on a wheelchair later in her life. Jeff remembers taking her for car rides and having few options for places to enjoy the outdoors together. That's when he started thinking about accessibility. "Now here we are," Jeff says, "with a trail for everyone."

​

Many Thanks

A very special thanks to:

​

• All of RPA's members and supporters 

• Jeff Briggs, for his tireless work and leadership on this project

• The Rensselaer Land Trust / Rensselaer Plateau Alliance volunteer trail crew

• McCrea Burnham of the New York State DEC for guidance on the trail route and regulatory issues

• Warren W. Fane, Inc., for donating gravel and loaning equipment 

• Callanan Industries, Inc., for donating stone dust

• Ingrid Effman, for donating a bench in memory of her father, John W. Solomon

• Lee King, for designing, building, and donating an accessible picnic table

• Jim Slavin, for donating materials and labor to complete the boardwalk