SARANAC LAKE — Want to help maintain the Adirondack Rail Trail? A Volunteer Stewardship Agreement reached between the Adirondack Rail Trail Association and state Department of Environmental Conservation recently now allows ARTA to share stewardship and management responsibilities with the state.

The agreement empowers ARTA to actively maintain the soon-to-open trail owned and managed by the DEC.

ARTA is inviting the “Adirondack Rail Trail community” to join them and sign up to be stewards of the 34-mile Adirondack Rail Trail connecting Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid.

ARTA Executive Director Brian Woods said this will be similar to the agreements the state has with the 46er Trailhead Steward Program or ADK Mountain Club and he wants ARTA to follow in the footsteps of these stewardship models.

To get signed up, fill out an individual volunteer application at tinyurl.com/4hwwpv97 and email it to info@adirondackrailtrail.org.

Volunteer work will include spring cleanups, storm cleanup, grass cutting and trash removal, clearing fallen trees, trail brushing, inspecting and replacing trail markers and signs and cutting branches. Woods said the state has tight budgets so they hope to help out with things like wayfinding signs and portable toilets.

“The VSA is a significant step toward preserving, maintaining and enhancing the Adirondack Rail Trail,” Woods said in a statement. “Your involvement is crucial in our mission to ensure the longevity and vibrancy of this remarkable trail. … Your contribution will leave a lasting impact and help maintain the trail for our community.”

Woods said ARTA began seeking this agreement right after he started as executive director in October 2022. The group talked about what ARTA was going to be in this next iteration of the rail trail as construction began ramping up — a trail maintenance and rail trail community organization.

The group applied for grants through Parks and Trails New York’s Partnership grant program for things like funding to create new positions or purchase materials and were told the grant issuers wanted to see a formal designation in place — like the VSA.

Woods said they went to the state seeking a formal designation as a trail stewardship organization, but back then, the DEC wanted to wait until the rail trail was nearing construction to enter into a VSA.

ARTA missed out on grants last year but got approval this year right around when the grant window was open, Woods said.

Now, he said the support from the DEC helps show grant issuers they’re serious.

Woods said they plan to station trail ambassadors at intersections to do ecological education and assist users. He said they got trail counters through a North Elba LEAF grant to get an idea of how many people are using the trail, but said ambassadors will also be gathering information on who is using it and for what types of use.

Woods said there are plenty of trail options for the able-bodied in the Adirondacks, but the flat, scenic rail trail offers an option for people who are not able to hike mountains or bike.

“In this area that can be so severe and rugged, having organized well-being and fitness community gathering opportunities, at no cost, in an accessible forum, is really kind of rare,” he said.

He said ARTA plans to organize events around these communities.

“Let’s unite as a community to preserve this beautiful trail and secure its status as a cherished community asset for years to come,” Woods wrote. “Your support is instrumental in shaping the future of the Adirondack Rail Trail.”

In October, Keith Carrow, a DEC forester in charge of the rail trail corridor, said it’s likely Phase 1 of the rail trail from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake will be completed by Nov. 20, in time for the snowmobile and cross-country skiing season.

From Dec. 18 to March 31, construction of the other two phases will stop to allow for snowmobiles and winter use. The other phases — from Saranac Lake to Floodwood Road in Santa Clara and from Floodwood to Tupper Lake — are scheduled to finish in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

The first phase was initially projected to be finished earlier, but was delayed for a variety of reasons.

The DEC is asking the public to stay off the trail until it’s done.