Senate Resolution No. 4843

BY: Senator O'MARA

RECOGNIZING the profound historic significance of
the Keuka Outlet Trail, and paying tribute to the
members of Friends of the Outlet, Inc. for their
tireless dedication to the preservation of this
natural wonder

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the
continuing welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly
enriched and reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of
organizations and individuals who are committed to the preservation of
our natural environment and the enhancement of the appreciation of the
distinctive features of our surroundings, and to the economic well-being
of the areas in which they exist; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
recognize the profound historic significance of the Keuka Outlet Trail,
and pay tribute to the members of Friends of the Outlet, Inc. for their
tireless dedication to the preservation of this natural wonder; this
momentous occasion will be celebrated in conjunction with the observance
of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 2, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Friends of the Outlet, Inc. is a volunteer, non-profit
organization that owns a nearly 6-mile long trail along the Keuka Outlet
between Keuka and Seneca Lakes; the trail sits on the former rail bed of
the Fall Brook Railway, built on the towpath of the Crooked Lake Canal,
which operated in the early 1800s between the two lakes; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization works with the community to
preserve, protect and develop its properties along Keuka Outlet Creek to
provide an area for natural, physical, outdoor and historic oriented
recreation and education; and

WHEREAS, The Keuka Outlet is the only natural waterway between two
Finger Lakes, and since 1989, volunteers have worked to preserve the
history and natural beauty along this corridor where some of the first
post-Revolutionary war settlers made their homes in the late 1700s; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Keuka Outlet supplied power to dozens of
mills and early industry of the new frontier; because of this rich
history in the gorge, the property is now listed on the National and
State Historic Registers; and

WHEREAS, Today, large rusting gears sit silent by beautiful rushing
waterfalls as sections of the trail meander through remnants of cut
stone walls; while on this gentle trail, it is easy to appreciate the
beauty of a countryside that hosts fields of farms and vineyards, and at
the same time invokes the ghosts of 19th-century industrial America; and

WHEREAS, The success of Friends of the Outlet, Inc. is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its President, Gwen Chamberlain, 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, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of organizations such as the Friends of the Outlet, Inc.
which work tirelessly on behalf of protecting our natural surroundings
for the benefit of present and future generations of New Yorkers; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize the profound historic significance of the Keuka Outlet Trail,
and paying tribute to the members of Friends of the Outlet, Inc. for
their tireless dedication to the preservation of this natural wonder;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Gwen Chamberlain, President, Friends of the Outlet, Inc.