Thank you for making the Great Saunter 2010 a success. Check out pictures from the event on Flickr.
Shorewalkers has a Batt-to-Bear Trail Rack Card
See your Batt-to-Bear page for more info.
Shorewalkers' president Cy A Adler and
Pete Seeger sing "The Shorewalkers Saunter"
Hello! The Great Saunter of 2009 was a huge success! Thank you for your support! For a list of upcoming Shorewalkers events, please check our hike calendar.
On April 18, 2009, Shorewalkers' president Cy A Adler sang "The Shorewalkers Saunter" with its co-writer, folk singer Pete Seeger. See below for a full news release, pictures and a recording of the performance.
PETE SEEGER PERFORMS AT THE GO-GREEN FESTIVAL
In excellent voice and upbeat demeanor, Pete Seeger sang and spoke at Teachers College’s GO-GREEN FESTIVAL on April 18,2009 .
Pete talked about the things he discovered while walking around Manhattan’s rim. With Cy A Adler he introduced a new song The Shorewalkers Saunter whose chorus is:
You don’t know, you don’t know this town,
you don’t know, you don’t know this town,
Till you join the Shorewalkers
and they get you walking around.
Soon to be 90, Pete will celebrate his birthday on May 3rd at Madison Square Garden, a day after the Great Saunter of 2009 on May 2nd. Over 100 singers and musicians will join him. Proceeds go to The Hudson River Clearwater group.
Pete said we have been lucky, so far, to have lived without a nuclear war. He looked forward to a brighter future with President Barack Obama leading the way.
Many sang along with Pete’s songs including : Turn, Turn, Turn, Give Up The Gun and She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain When She Comes (with sound effects.) The audience, which included lots of cute kids sitting in the bright sun, loved the performance. ###
Audio from the performance is pasted below. For an extended clip, click here.
Photos by Jens Schott Knudsen
ARCHIVED NEWS:
Greetings – Happy New Year and keep walking! Shorewalking will change your life for the better.
Thanks to all Shorewalker volunteers, especially Walt Wright for putting together this newsletter, with the help of Minor Bishop, Andrew F, myself, and others who sent in copy and corrections.
Thanks to our generous members for their contributions and for keeping the organization functioning. Special thanks to our wonderful hike leaders; and to volunteers Ulla Jorgenson, Ellen Juro, Dev Zetlan and our mailing party attendees.
Help use and rededicate the Batt-to-Bear Trail (see April 18th), and help designate the Great Saunter and Harlem River Valley Trails.
See you on the shore.
Cheers,
Cy A Adler
President
Shorewalkers Elects Board of Directors
At our annual meeting in October 2008, Louis Kleinman was elected to the Board of Directors; and the following members were re-elected: Cy Adler (president), Al Amateau, Frank Bamberger, Minor Bishop (treasurer), Nick DiNapoli, Emi Iwaida, Joan Lappin, Walt Wright (vice president).
90 Hikers Walked Off the Turkey
On 11/29/08, 90 hikers joined in Shorewalkers’ annual Walk Off the Turkey, from the Battery to the Little Red Lighthouse. This was a large turnout: Did the economic downturn encourage more people to enjoy the inexpensive, healthy pleasure of walking along the Hudson River on a crisp fall day? We welcomed 12 new SW members, plus the many guests who hiked with us on this beautiful route
Shorewalker lifetime member Pete Seeger, who will turn 90 in May, released a new CD this year: “At 89” (see appleseedmusic.com). We hope Pete will join us on THE GREAT SAUNTER of 2009, as he has on past Saunters. His new book, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone--A Sing-Along Memoir,” will be published in 2009.
MANHATTAN WATER-BOUND– 308 pg, second edition. Syracuse Univ. Press.
Shorewalker Ann Buttenwieser’s fascinating account of New York Island’s waterfront from the 17th century to the present is a comprehensive and well-written account of the many changes that have taken place since the Dutch West Indies Company first built piers on the East River. Ann examines how events like the container revolution, the collapse of the Westway project and the recent rise in environmental consciousness has changed NYC’s waterfront. Interesting and little-known facets of New York’s history, like Bellevue hospital’s floating sun deck, are brought to life with detailed photographs and descriptions. In fact, Ann has recently been involved in bringing another floating swimming pool to New York, see www.floatingpool.org. The book is available from Syracuse University Press.
Ms. Buttenwieser’s engrossing history complements Cy A Adler’s WALKING MANHATTAN’S RIM: THE GREAT SAUNTER, which is available to Shorewalkers for only $10. Visit GreenEaglePress.org for details
Significant Grants & Donations Given
Durst Corporation and Con Edison gave significant grants to Shorewalkers in 2008.
In April, the Durst Corporation donated to help Shorewalkers organize a symposium on the Harlem River Valley Recreation Area (HRVCA). The symposium, held in September and attended by state and city governmental officials, addressed the many potential advantages of transforming the Harlem River into a 6-mile long water spine surrounded by more than a dozen existing parks, playgrounds, and historic properties, and connected by greenways.
Con Edison donated funds to Shorewalkers, as they have done so generously for several years. Con Edison is an important source of funding for our annual Great Saunter.
Shorewalkers appreciates the support of these corporations, as well as the significant donations that are given to us each year by so many of our individual members.
Bicycling Across the Country, Part II By Walt Wright
In the last issue of The Shorewalker I reported on the first half of my bike trip, 2,200 miles from Seaside, OR, to Pierre, SD. After a 10-day vacation in Pierre and the Black Hills, I climbed back on my bicycle and headed toward NYC. My route took me east from Pierre through Minnesota, then northeast through Wisconsin to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, southeast to Ontario, across Ontario to Buffalo, NY, and then home to Brooklyn.
Prior to this trip I had been to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario, flying in and out of major cities on business trips, but traveling by bicycle gave me a chance to really see them for the first time. I was charmed by 19th century towns of Minnesota, such as Walnut Grove, Sleepy Eye, Mankato, Red Wing. Bike-friendly Wisconsin was a pleasure to pedal thru, and I enjoyed the friendly people, beer, and food in the somewhat scruffy fishing/hunting and lumbering towns in the north woods. Michigan turned out to be a water wonderland, from the desolate north shore of Lake Michigan on the Upper Peninsula, to Mackinac Island, to the tony coastal vacation towns in the Lower Peninsula. I crossed the St. Clair River into Ontario, then thru lush vegetable farms, fruit orchards, tobacco fields (who knew?), and little port towns on the shore of Lake Erie.
After crossing the Peace Bridge into Buffalo I was joined by Steve Libby, friend and fellow-Shorewalker. We followed the Erie Canal (a wonderful, scenic bike and walking route!) to Albany, then the Hudson to NYC. On October 2, after 4,538 miles, I ended my coast-to-coast trip at the Atlantic Ocean, at Coney Island.
SEE OUR SCHEDULE FOR INFORMATION ON UPCOMING WALKS
The Great Saunter of 2008 was a huge success. We received fantastic press coverage in the U.K.'s Guardian, among other places. The Great Saunter of 2009 is scheduled for Saturday May 2. Hope to see you there.
Shorewalkers president, Cy A Adler, was recently profiled in the NY Daily News.
Some upcoming events:Shorewalkers' annual meeting and party is set for Friday, October 24th at Central Park West and 92nd St (see newsletter). Please RSVP if you intend to come.
Walk Off the Turkey (WOTT) after Thanksgiving on Saturday, November 29th: walk from the Battery to the Little Red Lighthouse.
Shorewalkers is advocating for several environmental and greenway projects (see The Shorewalker, page one). We are sponsoring a symposium on the Harlem River Valley on September 19th to promote and enhance parks, historic sites, and greenspaces along the river. Governor David Paterson and Manhattan and Bronx borough presidents are among those who will be represented.
Shorewalkers recently submitted a proposal to create rack cards for the Batt-to-Bear Trail. Your suggestions are most welcome for this and future proposals.
HUNDREDS ENJOY THE GREAT SAUNTER OF 2007
Roughly 600 enthusiastic walkers took part in the Great Saunter of 2007, and more than 175 completed the entire route. We were pleased that the Taiwanese government recognized this as a way to demonstrate its interest in physical fitness and global health issues, and registered 150 participants. Also, in a program that we hope will expand in the future, the Humanities Prep High School participated with a number of walkers, and 11 students, plus their principal, walked the entire route. We thank all the many volunteers and sponsors who contributed to the success of this event.
It is a great art to saunter
. - Henry David Thoreau, 1841
Great Saunterers approaching Inwood Hill Park.
THE HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SHOREWALKERS
The following is from the current draft of the history of Shorewalkers, being written in celebration of our 25th Anniversary celebration. Pick up your copy at the party on December 1!
BEGINNINGS: PIONEERING WALKS ALONG A CHANGING URBAN WATERFRONT
The Shorewalkers was formed in 1982 after a few curious New Yorkers set out to explore the waterfronts and shorelines in the greater New York Metropolitan region. In the 1980's, large sections of the shoreline were inaccessible and several piers were inhabited by homeless people who set up shacks in their darkened recesses. To Shorewalkers, the City’s waterfront was, and is, a breath of fresh salt air, exciting, scary at times, and ever-changing.
"The Shorewalkers intend to hike the entire coast of NYC..." read the introduction in the first, brief Shorewalkers’ newsletter. The Village Voice and other local weeklies listed our first monthly walks. A few brave, curious souls came along to explore the virtually unknown waterfront.
Since its founding, Shorewalkers has led some 2500 year-round walks and hikes exploring extensive shore areas throughout the greater New York metropolitan region.
Shorewalkers’ first hike took place Sunday, December 12, 1982 along the west coast of Manhattan. Our announcement read:
"Explore the changing Hudson River Coast, Battery Park, the Westway Route, active piers, through Penn-Central railroad yards and into Riverside Park. Lunch stop in Harlem. Wilderness above the George Washigton Bridge, wind up in an Irish pub in Inwood"
We walked through Penn Central Yards, which then were active railroad freight lines between 59th St. and 72nd St. The rail yards have since been converted to blocks of dull condominiums and a strip of green called Riverside Park South. And it really was wilderness north of the George Washington Bridge along the deteriorating waterfront through little used parks, one of which is still unnamed. At the time, Irish Inwood bars dispensed beer at 15 cents a glass, a price that shocked several lawyers who walked with us. "Westway" was the highly-debated proposed highway in a tunnel from 42nd St. to the Battery, built on landfill. It would have added at least 300 acres of parkland to the Hudson River Park. It was never built, alas.
Since 1982, Shorewalkers has been a leading advocate of environmental and other quality-of-life projects in the New York City Metropolitan Region, emphasizing the opening to the public of waterfront property. Some of Shorewalkers’ projects are to:
Increase shore access for walkers and others; encourage youth to walk.
Expand shore trails in-and-around the New York archipelago.
Pedestrianize all New York City bridges.
Create the Grand Harlem River Park Recreation Area by integrating the parks and playgrounds around the Harlem River, connecting them with a greenway, and forming a unique urban park surrounding the six-mile, 250-acre salt water strait.
Establish and popularize the Great Saunter Walking Trail around Manhattan.
Dedicate and Popularize the unique, historic 56-mile Batt-to-Bear Trail from the Battery to Bear Mountain, which has been
developed by Shorewalkers.
New York Times: The Saunterer Tries the Bronx (August 28, 2005)
by Francis X. Clines(Click on image to read)
HISTORY AND VISION
During the past 22 years, Shorewalkers created waterfront hiking around the NY area, and in the process, improved the health and stamina of thousands of walkers, as we led them where they had never been before – sometimes cul-de-sacs and dusty dead end paths.
Shorewalkers is dedicated to protecting open space and scenic trails for all to enjoy. We lead over 100 free, guided hikes each year. Volunteers have donated over 10,000 hours to improving the environment and showing people where to walk in nature.
Our map of the 56-mile Batt-To-Bear Trail (Battery to Bear Mountain) is free on our website. Two guide books by Shorewalkers' President Cy Adler, Walking Manhattan’s Rim, & Walking the Hudson, Batt-To-Bear are acknowledged as unique, and in demand.
HARLEM RIVER VALLEY MAP/GUIDE PUBLISHED JANUARY 2007. We have created a 4-color map guide which gives details of the parks, historic sights and schools and bridges in the area. Now we seek help with printing and distribution of the map. Help distribute the map and develop support for the Grand Harlem River Park.
Join Shorewalkers; explore the city around its edges, meet new friends; help us conserve our parks and greenways; help develop new places to walk in nature.
Membership is still only $20 per year.
WALKING MANHATTAN'S RIM, THE GREAT SAUNTER
If you plan on doing The Great Saunter of 2005, be sure to get a copy of Cy A Adler's most recent book about the Great Saunter and Manhattan's waterfront. "Exploring our great City at 3 M.P.H. is just the right speed for me!"-Mayor Mike Bloomberg. "One of the most informative books on Manhattan, a masterpiece of info"-C. Virginia Fields, Manhattan Borough Pres. "This book is an extraordinary tour de force. The consummate guide for walking the shore of Manhattan."-Ruth Messinger, Manhattan Borough President in the 90s. "Thought-provoking, always interesting, on the waterfront Cy is king of the road."-Dave Lutz, NOSC. "This treasure is an invaluable resource for energetic visitors and tourists to NYC eager to master its secrets." -Malcolm Spector, NY-NJ Trail Conference.
Shorewalkers who renew can order a copy for $10. Send checks to: Shorewalkers, Box 20748 NY, NY 10025, or visit www.shorewalkers.org/join.html to order online.
WALKING IS GOOD FOR YOU
Older adults, who regularly walk, improve significantly on tests of high-level “executive” functions. Aerobic exercises appear to increase neurotrophic functions which protect nerve cells from damage.
MORE GREENWAYS/FEWER CARS
Mayor Mike Bloomberg and a bipartisan coalition of U.S. mayors have committed to accomplishing the goals the Kyoto Protocol. This coalition includes over 132 mayors from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Denver, New Orleans, Austin, Portland, and Providence. Combined, these cities represent roughly 30 million citizens. Each mayor pledges to have his/her city meet the U.S. Protocol requirements, i.e. a 7% reduction in Green House Gas emissions by 2012. The Bloomberg Administration plans to reduce NYC’s emissions by investing in hybrid electric-gasoline powered vehicles…. We would also like to see all cross- town buses powered by quiet battery power. Electric buses could be assembled in the city to create jobs as well as clean, quiet power. We commend our mayor’s efforts to improve our town’s environment.
HARLEM RIVER VALLEY MAP/GUIDE
In January 2007 Shorewalkers published a map and guide to the Harlem River Valley. This four-color map/guide displays the many attractions along the six-mile stretch of the Harlem River. It features a trail, charted by Shorewalkers, that takes the walker under and over the spectacular bridges spanning the River and to the many cultural, recreational, educational and other attractions in Upper Manhattan and the West Bronx. Shorewalkers’ HRV MAP/GUIDE will be of great interest to educators, developers, environmentalists, walkers, businesses, visitors, and government. The HRV MAP/GUIDE will encourage people to visit the area, frequent its businesses, and enjoy its recreational opportunities.
Among the letters of Letters of Support we have received for the map are those from Hon. Adrian Benepe, NYC Parks Commissioner; Hon. Adolfo Carrion, Bronx B.P.; Hon. Helen Foster, Chair of Parks Committee of the NY City Council.
We thank the Littauer Foundation, NYC Councilperson Helen Foster, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, and NYC Environmental Fund for grants supporting this project. We welcome other persons and groups who would like to help print and distribute the HRV Map/Guide.
Copies of the Harlem River Valley Map/Guide are available at $4.00 each, plus $1.50 per copy for shipping and handling. Shorewalkers also has a small number of complimentary copies available to nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WALKS —
BECOME A HIKE LEADER!!Many of us have hikes we think of as our own. Introduce other hikers to some of your favorite places by volunteering to co-lead a hike. We welcome new hike leaders—not that there’s anything wrong with our current ones—we just need more of them! Members interested in co-leading or leading hikes, and have attended at least two hikes, please call 212-663- 2167, or e-mail us at mail@shorewalkers.org. Speak to current hike leaders.
For more complete information
join Shorewalkers.Send only $20 for a year's membership and free access to all Shorewalkers events.
Help us develop Shorewalkers projects.
