Riders venture onto Trail 7 Climb at East Branch Community Trails in autumn, 2025. (Provided photo)

LAKE PLACID — Two Adirondack trail projects that will expand mountain biking opportunities and make outdoor recreation more accessible have received funding through the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Program.

The grants will support the completion of the East Branch Community Trails in Keene and the first phase of implementing the summer trails master plan at Mount Pisgah in Saranac Lake.

“This is a big step forward for outdoor recreation in our communities,” Executive Director of the Barkeater Trails Alliance Glen Glover said. “These projects will create places where kids, families, and riders of all ages can get outside, learn new skills, and connect with the landscape that makes the Adirondacks special.”

BETA received funding directly to complete the East Branch Community Trails network in the town of Keene, a project developed in partnership with the town and Essex County. The work will add approximately one mile of new multi-use trails, build a series of short jump trails designed for youth and novice riders, expand the trailhead parking lot, refurbish the existing picnic shelter and improve pedestrian safety where visitors cross state Route 9N from the overflow parking area.

Located on county reforestation land just outside the hamlets of Keene and Keene Valley, the East Branch Community Trails have quickly become a popular places for mountain biking, walking and youth programming. Completing this phase will finalize the master-planned trail system and provide a durable community recreation asset designed for riders and trail users of many ages and abilities.

A second Smart Growth grant was awarded to the town of St. Armand, working in partnership with BETA, to begin implementing the Mount Pisgah Summer Trails Master Plan. The project will modernize the recreation area’s aging summer trail network by creating new beginner-friendly trails, improving climbing routes, rerouting unsustainable sections and improving drainage, resulting in a more welcoming and sustainable trail system for riders of all experience levels.

Davina Thurston, supervisor of the Town of St. Armand, emphasized the importance of expanding outdoor opportunities for young people.

“Outdoor recreation is one of the things that makes our community such a special place to live,” Thurston said. “Creating trails that welcome beginners and young riders helps more kids get outside and builds the next generation of people who care about these places.”

Construction timelines will be announced once grant contracts are finalized with the state.