1.  What is the Shorewalkers organization?
2.  How long has Shorewalkers been around?
3.  Why should I join Shorewalkers?
4.  How much does it cost to join Shorewalkers?
5.  What is a family membership?
6.  Can I become a Shorewalkers’ member or renew my membership online?
7.  Do any of your walks cost extra money?
8.  After I join Shorewalkers, will I receive a membership card in the mail?
9.  How does the Shorewalkers group use the money it receives?
10. How can I donate money or make grants to Shorewalkers?
11. Can I go on a hike if I am not a member?
12. How often do you publish The Shorewalker newsletter?
13. Can I receive the The Shorewalker newsletter by e-mail?
14. Can I receive The Shorewalker newsletter by snail mail rather than e-mail?
15. I joined Shorewalkers and have not received The Shorewalker newsletter, what should I do?
16. When does my membership expire?
17. Can I receive the newsletter if I am not a member?
18. Can I be added to Shorewalkers’ e-mail list if I am not a member?
19. Is your schedule of walks available online?
20. Where do most of your walks take place?
21. Are your walks accessible by public transportation? By car?
22. What should I bring with me on Shorewalkers’ walks?
23. Can children come on Shorewalkers’ walks?
24. Can pets come on Shorewalkers’ walks?
25. Can I ride my bike on a walk?
26. Is Shorewalkers responsible for my personal safety on a walk?
27. Can I lead a walk?
28. How can I volunteer?
29. What do volunteers do?
30. Can I buy a copy of the Batt to Bear map?
31. How can I purchase Shorewalkers’ hats and buttons?
32. How many members does Shorewalkers have?
33. What is the general age group of Shorewalkers?
34. Who is president of Shorewalkers?
35. What is the Great Saunter?
36. What is the Great Saunter Trail?
37. What is the WOTT?
38. What is the WOTL?
39. What is the Grand Harlem River Park project?
40. What is the Batt to Bear Trail?
41. How can I contact Shorewalkers?

Q: What is the Shorewalkers organization?
A: Shorewalkers, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit group that leads recreational walks exploring the varied and extensive shore areas throughout the New York metropolitan region and promotes environmental causes. Shorewalkers' mission is to enhance, enjoy and protect the parks, promenades, and paths along the waters in the New York metropolitan region. Volunteers do most of the work.

Q: How long has Shorewalkers been around?
A: Since 1982.

Q: Why should I join Shorewalkers?
A: To improve your health and stamina, to have fun on your feet while enjoying great walks, to protect our shore areas, to explore and learn about the Hudson estuary and other shore areas, and to meet interesting people along the shore.

Q: How much does it cost to join Shorewalkers?
A: $20 for an annual individual membership and $25 for an annual family membership. We expect to raise the individual fee to $25 in the Fall or Winter of 2007.

Q: What is a family membership?
A: A family membership enables you and everyone in your family (spouse/partner and children) to go on all our walks for free.

Q: Can I become a Shorewalkers’ member or renew my membership online?
A: Yes, go to www.shorewalkers.org/joinpp.html

Q: Do any of your walks cost extra money?
A: Our walks are free to members, but there may be extra costs including public transportation, food stops, museum visits, and the like. The description of each walk in The Shorewalker newsletter should indicate any extra costs.

Q: After I join Shorewalkers, will I receive a membership card in the mail?
A: No. Your receipt of The Shorewalker newsletter will confirm your membership.

Q: How does the Shorewalkers group use the money it receives?
A: The money is used to defray our operational and administrative expenses, including member correspondence; organizing walks; finding, training and corresponding with walk leaders; corresponding with directors; meetings of directors; meetings with volunteers; special events, memberships in other environmental and walking organizations; creating map guides; developing and promoting environmental proposals; organizing and promoting our annual Great Saunter; developing and printing The Shorewalker newsletter; postage for Shorewalkers' mailings, office maintenance; website maintenance; and other incidental expenses.

Q: How can I donate money or make grants to Shorewalkers?
A: You can become a Shorewalkers donor or sponsor by mailing your donation or grant to SHOREWALKERS, Box 20748, Cathedral Station, New York, NY 10025, or by making an online contribution at www.shorewalkers.org/joinpp.html. Shorewalkers, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit group

Q: Can I go on a hike if I am not a member?
A: Yes, you can. All non-members are welcome to join in any of our walks and are asked to make a $3 contribution each time (except for the Great Saunter which is $10 for advance registration and $15 for registration on the day of the Great Saunter).

Q: How often do you publish The Shorewalker newsletter?
A: Three times a year, towards the end of December, April, and August.

Q: Can I receive the The Shorewalker newsletter by e-mail?
A: Yes, if you are a member. Send your full name and e-mail address to mail@shorewalkers.org and we will add you to our e-mail list.

Q: Can I receive The Shorewalker newsletter by snail mail rather than e-mail?
A: Yes, please e-mail us at mail@shorewalkers.org and let us know that you prefer to receive The Shorewalker newsletter by snail mail. You will no longer receive it by e-mail after you request to receive it by snail mail.

Q: I joined Shorewalkers and have not received The Shorewalker newsletter, what should I do?
A: Sometimes we get overwhelmed with other things—keep in mind Shorewalkers is run by a small group of volunteers. If you signed up online and do not receive your newsletter within a week, please e-mail us at membership@shorewalkers.org and let us know. Allow at least two weeks if you signed up for membership through snail mail.

Q: When does my membership expire?
A: On the yearly anniversary of your original membership. If you receive snail mail from us, your expiration date should be on the bottom of your address label. If you are on our e-mail list, please e-mail your full name along with a request for your membership expiration date to membership@shorewalkers.org

Q: Can I receive the newsletter if I am not a member?
A: No. The Shorewalkers hike schedule, however, is on our website at www.shorewalkers.org/schedule.html. It contains all of our walks for the season. Receiving our newsletter by e-mail or snail mail is one of the perks of being a Shorewalkers member. If you wish to receive an e-mail transmission or snail mail hard copy, you should become a member (go to www.shorewalkers.org/join.html).

Q: Can I be added to Shorewalkers’ e-mail list if I am not a member?
A: No. The e-mail list is mainly used to e-mail members our e-newsletter. Receiving the newsletter is one of the perks of being a Shorewalkers’ member. If you wish to receive it, consider becoming a member (go to www.shorewalkers.org/join.html).

Q: Is your schedule of walks available online?
A: Yes, at www.shorewalkers.org/schedule.html

Q: Where do most of your walks take place?
A: Throughout the Greater New York Metropolitan Region along rivers, lakes and bays.

Q: Are your walks accessible by public transportation? By car?
A: Yes, all our walks are accessible by subway, train, or by bus.
If you come by car, there may not be parking in the immediate area of our hike meet-up spots (especially if they are in Manhattan). If you must drive, consider driving to your nearest train station, subway or bus stop, and taking one of those modes of public transportation to the hike meet-up spot. Consult www.mapquest.com for driving directions, and www.mta.info for your nearest train station, subway or bus stop.

Q: What should I bring with me on Shorewalkers’ walks?
A: Bring snacks, water, extra socks, and a hat. Check the walk description for any additional items.

Q: Can children come on Shorewalkers’ walks?
A: Children are always welcome, but most of our walks are too long, and at too fast a pace, for young children. Other walks are ideal for young children. It depends on the walk and the walk leader. When in doubt, call the walk leader whose telephone number will be indicated in the listing of each walk in our newsletter.

Q: Can pets come on Shorewalkers’ walks?
A: Generally, pets are not a problem. But in some cases, such as a trip to a wildlife refuge that does not permit pets, they would be completely inappropriate. It depends on the walk and the walk leader. When in doubt, call the walk leader at the telephone number indicated in the listing of the walk.

Q: Can I ride my bike on a walk?
A: Generally, walks are not suitable for bicycists. And, if you ride your bike on a walk, it’s not really a walk! When in doubt, call the walk leader. Also, the walk leader may know if there is a safe place to lock your bike at the start of the walk, so that you could bike to and from the walk (but not on it).

Q: Is Shorewalkers responsible for my personal safety on a walk?
A: No, it is your sole responsibility to make sure that you are medically fit, properly equipped and mentally competent to participate in any Shorewalkers activity. All Shorewalkers events are undertaken at your own risk.

Q: Can I lead a walk?
A: We welcome new walk leaders. Members who are interested in leading or co-leading walks, and who have attended at least two walks, should call us at 212-663-2167, e-mail us at mail@shorewalkers.org, speak to one of our current walk leaders, or fill out the form www.shorewalkers.org/hikeform.html.

Q: How can I volunteer?
A: If you wish to volunteer, please fill out our brief survey form at www.shorewalkers.org/survey.html and indicate which committee you are interested in volunteering for. Volunteering can change your life!

Q: What do volunteers do?
A: We have several committees for volunteers to serve on, including committees on membership, finance, social events, newsletter, publicity, fund raising, the Great Saunter, Friends of Batt-to-Bear Trail, and the Grand Harlem River Park.

Q: Can I buy a copy of the Batt to Bear map?
A: We have not yet printed the Batt to Bear map. However, you can download and print the map for free at www.shorewalkers.org/BTBTmap.html

Q: How can I purchase Shorewalkers’ hats and buttons?
A: Shorewalkers buttons are $1 each; Shorewalkers hats are $5 each. To order, please mail us a check payable to Shorewalkers along with an indication of what you want and how many you want to: SHOREWALKERS, Box 20748, Cathedral Station, New York, NY 10025.

Q: How many members does Shorewalkers have?
A: Over 1300.

Q: What is the general age group of Shorewalkers?
A: Our membership ranges in age from the 20s to the 80s.

Q: Who is president of Shorewalkers?
A: Cyrus Adler, who has written several guide books on walking including Walking Manhattan’s Rim, The Great Saunter, and Walking the Hudson, Batt to Bear: From the Battery to Bear Mountain. See www.greeneagle.org for more details. These books are available to members at a discount (see www.shorewalkers.org/joinpp.html).

Q: What is the Great Saunter?
A: The Great Saunter is Shorewalkers premier annual event, an all-day walk on the Great Saunter Trail around the perimeter of Manhattan. This 32-mile walk, which takes place on the first Saturday of every May, has won praise from civic leaders and legislators. See http://www.greatsaunter.org/ for more information.

Q: What is the Great Saunter Trail?
A: The Great Saunter Trail is the route Shorewalkers follow on the Great Saunter. It begins at Fulton and South Streets in the South Street Seaport, proceeds clockwise south to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, through Battery Park, north through the Hudson River Park, Riverside Park, Riverbank State Park, Fort Washington Park to the George Washington Bridge, continuing north to Inwood Hill Park. The Great Saunter Trail then follows the Harlem River south to the East River, and continues south along the East River to the South Street Seaport for food, drinks and camaraderie at the Heartland Brewery on the corner of Fulton and South Streets.

Q: What is the WOTT?
A: The WOTT stands for Walk Off The Turkey and usually takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This 11-12 mile walk goes from the South Ferry to the Little Red Light House (the first half of the Great Saunter trail). This is the perfect way to prepare yourself for the next Great Saunter!

Q: What is the WOTL?
A: The WOTL stands for Walk Off The Lamb and usually takes place the first or second Saturday after Easter. This annual trek goes down the east coast of Manhattan along the Harlem and East Rivers (the second half of the Great Saunter Trail). This walk gives us a chance to explore/plan the route for the coming Great Saunter, which is always the first Saturday in May. The distance varies from about 8-16 miles depending on where people decide to drop out. This is a perfect way to prepare yourself for the next Great Saunter!

Q: What is the Grand Harlem River Park project?
A: The Grand Harlem River Park is a proposal to connect with greenways the dozen parks on both sides of the Harlem River in The Bronx and Manhattan to make one big park. See www.shorewalkers.org/ghrp.htm for more details.

Q: What is the Batt to Bear Trail?
A: The Batt to Bear Trail, from the Battery to Bear Mountain, connects New York and New Jersey communities to scenic wilderness 50 miles to the north. This winding pathway was scouted by the Shorewalkers in 1984. Shorewalkers’ president, Cyrus Adler, has written a guidebook on the Batt to Bear Trail (see www.greeneagle.org/btbjacket.html), and a free map of the Batt to Bear Trail is available for download at www.shorewalkers.org/BTBTmap.html. See www.shorewalkers.org/batt.html for more details.

Q: How can I contact Shorewalkers?
A: You can either e-mail us at info@shorewalkers.org, or write to us at:
SHOREWALKERS, Box 20748, Cathedral Station, New York, NY 10025
Or telephone us at 212-330-7686, or fax us at 212-316-7650.