Senate Resolution No. 624

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMENDING the Tramp and Trail Club of Utica upon
the occasion of celebrating its 100th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by
its exceptional recreational organizations; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Tramp and Trail Club of Utica upon the occasion of its 100th
Anniversary to be celebrated on Saturday, April 24, 2021; and

WHEREAS, The Tramp and Trail Club of Utica, New York, was founded in
1921, by Meade Dobson, a businessman in real estate with a passion for
the outdoors; after placing an ad in the local newspaper, he quickly
gained 23 members, and within a couple of weeks, 51 members began
planning their first hike; and

WHEREAS, The first Tramp and Trail Club meeting was held on April 8,
1921, in the Utica Public Library; on April 30th of that same year, a
group of 17 hikers led by Abigail Diamond, a Utica resident, left the
Elm Street entrance of Roscoe Conkling Park in Utica and made their way
through the Cascade Glen to embark on their first hike; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of this momentous milestone, the Club will
replicate this original hike during its centennial celebration,
retracing the route to Utica's Cascade Glen; every month thereafter,
members will retrace a hike that represents a decade of the club's
history; and

WHEREAS, During the Tramp and Trail Club's humble beginnings, those
early outings took members to various locations north, south, east and
west of the Mohawk Valley; the intrepid "Tramps" used foot, trolley,
train, and later personal vehicles to travel to the destinations; on
week-long trips, they often engaged a cook to allow the members not to
have that burden to consider when planning each day's adventure; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Tramp and Trail Club of Utica has grown to
approximately 250 members from across the area, including Cazenovia,
Little Falls and all the way up to Watertown; and

WHEREAS, Over the past century, the Tramp and Trail Club of Utica
has kept many traditions alive while also greatly expanding its
activities to include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, biking, and
kayaking; each activity is rated on a scale from easy to moderate or
difficult through the hike leader's interpretation of the terrain and
length; and

WHEREAS, Over the club's distinguished 100-year history, its members
have seen it all, from the Great Depression and World War II, to the
conflict in Korea and Vietnam, and today's global pandemic; however,
through both good times and bad, the Tramp and Trail Club remains a

welcoming place where good friends can go to explore the great outdoors;
and

WHEREAS, The success of the Tramp and Trail Club of Utica is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its dedicated members, whose
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the
community it serves; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the Tramp and
Trail Club of Utica; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Tramp and Trail Club of Utica upon the occasion of
celebrating its 100th Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Tramp and Trail Club of Utica, New York.