ENFIELD, NY (CortacaToday) – A new spot to hike near Ithaca is officially open for public use.
On Friday, October 18, 2024, the Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) and the State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation cut the ribbon at Margaret’s Woods, a 140-acre property adjacent to Robert Treman State Park. The site was donated to FLLT in 2022 by the Margaret Bald Estate on behalf of its late namesake, who wished to preserve the area.
Bald, who passed away in 2020, was a Tompkins County resident whose family owned the property since 1950. The property included the historic fieldstone home, sold separately in November 2022, and which has funded multiple other conservation projects.
“This is truly an incredible gift,” said FLLT President Andrew Zepp. “Margaret’s Land is a wonderful addition to the Emerald Necklace, a growing network of conserved land that extends in an arc around Ithaca. We are honored to have a role in helping to continue her tradition of stewardship”
During the summer of 2024, FLLT staff and volunteers installed 1.4 miles of walkable trails on the property, including a connection with the Finger Lakes Trail.
In honoring Margaret’s wishes, FLLT will donate the property to the state as an addition to Robert H. Treman State Park. It has a mix of fields and forested areas with healthy sugar maple and hickory trees thanks to a friend of Margaret’s, local forester Mike DeMunn. He was the caretaker and manager of the woodlands for nearly three decades.
“These woods are very special to me, and I put so much care into the health of the trees,” said DeMunn. “Now I can rest easy that they will remain into old age. I’m so thankful that it will be protected.”
Margaret’s Woods is now open year-round from dawn to dusk for walking, hiking, and nature observation. A trailhead is accessible from Stonehouse Road in Enfield.
