Several of my neighbors and I have been discussing the state of the Oxbow Trail for some months. So it was a pleasant surprise to find a young man (and his dad) who had the same passion for this enchanted place. I met Ever Gavalis and his dad Eric a few weeks ago on the trail and we started discussing the state of the place. Eric told me his son had for some time thought The Oxbow was worthy of cleaning up. Of course it hit a chord with me, and as I happened to know the NYS Canal Authority Permit Engineer, I suggested we make further inquiries.
Ever suggested the The Scouts would love a project like cleaning up The Oxbow, so we suddenly had a work force. After getting positive feedback from both The Fairport School District and The Canal Authority, our project is now under way.
The Oxbow Project will clean up the debris and turn this beautiful neglected area into the tranquil natural beauty spot it deserves to be.
We’ll need some help. We’re going to need indigenous plants, gravel for the trail, bat houses, bird nesting boxes, and maybe help with mowing grassy areas. I’d like to rent or borrow a Bobcat or low loader, and a dumpster to ease the removal of logs, metal tanks and drums.
We’ll always need help with upkeep. So please let us know if you’d like to contribute. Maybe you’re digging up some plants like Beebalm and could donate them?
Here’s a great business specialising in NYS indigenous plants.
Hopefully all the authorities will come good and we can progress with this great project in the early Spring.
The Oxbow Blog 