Since its beginning in 2018, Kirkland Trails, Inc. has accomplished a great deal. In partnership with the Town of Kirkland, we obtained a New York State permit to develop the first section of our anticipated trail system using the town’s historic railroad beds. As of 2020, the first three miles section of trail is open to the public, and it has become quite popular with walkers, runners, and bicyclists. The trail heads south from the intersection of Rtes. 12B and 233 to Rte. 315 in Deansboro, where it directly connects to the Town of Marshall’s three-mile Towpath Trail. Combining these two trails creates a six-mile continuous trail, one way. An easy access point to the Kirkland Trail is along Dugway Rd., just off Rte. 12B south. As additional trail sections are developed in Kirkland, they could connect to railroad and canal corridors in surrounding areas, including the Empire State Trail.

Kirkland Trails is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, elected annually by our membership. The board meets monthly and has multiple active sub-committees. As of May, 2020, we gained IRS designation as a public charity and are tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)3.

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Our website has lots of important information. Please read on to learn more about our board members, updated nature blogs about wildflowers and birds seen along the trail, and even occasional fairy houses! Information about how to donate to Kirkland Trails also is available. We depend upon our members for direct financial support, so please consider becoming a member and supporting Kirkland Trails!

Give online here or you can also donate by check. Please make checks payable to ‘Kirkland Trails’ and mail them to: PO Box 86 Clinton, NY 13323. 

Please consider becoming a Kirkland Trails member or sponsor. Your membership and donations go directly to materials for the trails (gravel, bridges, culverts), insurance, costs associated with land surveys and titles, and grant applications.

Thank you for your support!

E.H.Williams Nature Observations – October 1st, 2023

October 11th, 2023|Comments Off on E.H.Williams Nature Observations – October 1st, 2023

This final nature update for 2023 and all photos are from my walking the trail the morning of Sep 29. A standard set of birds was present – goldfinch, song sparrow, catbird, robin, crow, [...]

E.H.Williams Nature Observations – September 1st, 2023

September 20th, 2023|Comments Off on E.H.Williams Nature Observations – September 1st, 2023

The trail is now providing a mix of late summer and fall sightings. It’s a season with asters, goldenrods, and numerous other flowers, some of which have just opened and some of which have [...]

E.H.Williams Nature Observations – August 1st, 2023

August 1st, 2023|Comments Off on E.H.Williams Nature Observations – August 1st, 2023

All the photos below were from the trail this morning, July 31 (except the wood ducks, flicker, and oriole). Birds seem less numerous now, but yellow warblers, yellowthroats, catbirds, and song sparrows are always [...]

E.H.Williams Nature Observations July 1st, 2023

July 1st, 2023|Comments Off on E.H.Williams Nature Observations July 1st, 2023

What can you see along the trail now? Song sparrows, yellow warblers, catbirds, and red-winged blackbirds remain numerous, with many other birds seen and heard; I can find at least 25 species on each [...]

E.H.Williams Nature Observations June 1st, 2023

June 1st, 2023|Comments Off on E.H.Williams Nature Observations June 1st, 2023

What can you see in early summer along the trail? All the photos below were taken May 30. The most abundant flowers right now are Dame’s rocket and chervil, with buttercups close behind and [...]

Clinton & Kirkland Awarded $10million DRI Grant!

March 4th, 2023|Comments Off on Clinton & Kirkland Awarded $10million DRI Grant!

Exciting news for our community!  On Thursday New York State Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez announced the awarding of the 2022 $10,000,000 Regional DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) Grant for our region to Clinton & Kirkland [...]