Southampton Town officials announced today the release of the long-awaited
Southampton Trail Guide.
Developed by the Town’s GIS Department (Geographic Information Systems), the guide charts all of Southampton’s more than 300 miles of hiking trails, with separate versions for areas east and west of the Shinnecock Canal. This trail guide highlights trail systems such as the Paumanok Path, while differentiating between marked and other known trails. The guides gives parking locations as well as other important features like restrooms, kiosks, and water access points. This guide is meant to be used by trail enthusiasts of all experience levels.
Councilwoman Bridget Fleming, who serves as liaison to the Trails group, said, "The guide will help community members stay healthy while enjoying Southampton's unique and beautiful open spaces and natural resources. We are deeply grateful to the tireless volunteers and Town staff who worked together to bring the guide together."
Southampton Trails Preservation Society President Glorian Berk said, "STPS is very excited that a town wide trail map will now be available for purchase. This is a tool that we will use and one that hikers often asked about when we led hikes in the past. We thank the Southampton GIS team for their hard work on this project."
The information for the maps was collected by GPS and aerial imagery using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The development team was composed of Ross Baldwin and James Gormley of the Town’s GIS Department. The collaboration also included the Southampton Trails Preservation Society (STPS) and the Town Trail Advisory Board. STPS is a not-for-profit organization which maintains many of the local trail systems, especially those in the eastern portion of the Town. The GIS Department was very thankful for all of the valuable input the Southampton Trail Preservation Society provided. "We couldn't have put these maps together without all of the local trail knowledge they possess", said GIS Manager Ross Baldwin. More information can be found at their website at: http://southamptontrails.org/ . The Town Trail Advisory Board was also an integral part in making this happen. The Advisory's Board commitment to advocating for trails here in Southampton is next to none.
The guide is available at the Town Clerk’s office at 116 Hampton Road in Southampton, and at the Parks and Recreation Department at 6 Newtown Road in Hampton Bays. The cost is $10 for one map and $15 for the complete set of east and west maps. A free interactive and mobile enabled version of the map can be found at: http://infocenter.southamptontownny.gov.