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Will Finally Make Good

I have to tell you about the things that are going on at Rockland Preserve. To many people, Rockland Preserve is just 640 acres of wilderness in North Madison, and that may have been the case when we first bought it from Ruby Vine. But in the intervening years, because of the dedication of Joe Oslander and many other people who have worked diligently to develop trails and camps there, it has become a well-known Madison attraction. From its origins as a favorite Boy Scout camping place it is being developed into a facility that we can be proud of.

Initially, there was an entrance in the neighborhood of Renee’s Way and another on Route 79, but Renee’s Way was the most used. The trails that meander into the woods past Coan Pond were the beginnings of what is becoming a sophisticated system. In the past several years, due to the determination and dedication of Jason Engelhart, there is a single-track bike trail that extends over 10 miles and is accessed from the Route 79 parking lot.

Last week we doubled the size of that lot and are now preparing to create a pump track and a natural playground that will differ from other playgrounds in town, but will finally make good on the promise to make more recreational space in North Madison.

We owe a debt of gratitude to people like Joe and Jason whose dedication is making North Madison a better place.

First Selectman Tom Banisch

Madison

Tom Banisch (R) is running unopposed for first selectman.