BRLA saddles up for the spring

A new boardwalk bridge, with rider. BRLA built and repaired eight bridges over the past year. BRLA PHOTO

By JEFF MORRIS

The Bedford Riding Lanes Association has been busy over the past year — and not just with horses. There’s been lots of activity leading up to its annual spring cleanup event scheduled for Sunday, March 30.

Lindsay Hearon, the executive director, says last year was a huge one for the BRLA in terms of investment in the trails. “We built and repaired over eight bridges throughout the trail system and welcomed 150 new members — a record number,” said Hearon. “The craftsmanship of our bridges, as well as our expanding trail system, are getting noticed. We’ve reclaimed and opened more than five new miles of trail in the past two years — with more on the way.”

Hearon described some of the most significant trail expansions and resurrections. One is Indian Hollow, a trail that she said existed decades ago, running out of Indian Hill and meandering through the woods connecting to the back corner of Coker Farm. 

“The trail was permanently closed by a landowner who was angry about an incident in the ‘70s or ‘80s involving an unleashed dog and a bunch of his defenseless chickens,” Hearon said. “Needless to say, it did not end well for the chickens.” 

She said for years, different BRLA reps reached out for permission to revisit the closed area but to no avail. 

Pictured from top, riders at the starting gate for the 2024 Spring Hunter Pace. Kelly Crummy at the Bedford Free Library's Tales on the Trails storytime in the woods series. One of the new bridges, with a distinctive design. BRLA PHOTO

“When the property traded two years ago to a BRLA-friendly family, an arrangement was quickly struck to design a reconnection and reopening. Several bridges and beautiful trails later, the connection has been restored and both riders and walkers are completely thrilled.” 

One of the property owners, though preferring not to be named, told The Recorder, “We were thrilled to reopen an expansive portion of old BRLA trails, which now allows riders and walkers the chance to go from Coker Farm practically all the way to the Bedford Post. Working with the BRLA team was a dream from start to finish.”

Around the same time, Hearon said, residents of the Sarles Street/Marsh Sanctuary area were “also nudging us to re-blaze some long dormant trails in their area. Together with neighbors Anne Niemann and David Small, we explored the old trails, barely evidenced out in the woods. Shredded by thorns and pricker bushes throughout our exploration, we were able to discover the remnants of long-ago trails, and came up with a phase 1 and phase 2 plan of attack.”

According to Hearon, phase 1 reestablished a 1.5 mile BRLA “loop” that included Marsh Sanctuary, allowing for parking and partnership, and last fall they completed the phase 2 section, extending the loop all the way to Butler Sanctuary. 

“An exciting component of this expansion,” Hearon noted, “is that BRLA members can now pick up the Butler trails there and continue on even more substantial journeys, even making their way all the way over to Westmoreland across the 684 footbridge.” She called it a wonderful project that many people contributed to, adding, “We›re thrilled to have it back.”

A smaller but significant project, in cooperation with the Bedford Historical Society, is one Hearon says they are close to finishing. “It is another exciting trail addition that involves a new, small loop around the field adjacent to the Bedford Oak,” she said. “While the trail itself is careful not to go near the beloved tree, BRLA rider and walker members will be able to admire it from a new perspective as they enjoy the trail. In addition, an offshoot of this trail will also extend north through stunning private property towards Aspetong Road.” She said they aim to complete the project by summer.

BRLA events

Because winter was historically a “flat” season for BRLA, Hearon says they kicked off the past two New Years with Winterfest gatherings that included snowy hikes, bonfires, s’mores and hot toddies. 

“January is a great time to get families out and having some fun together,” Hearon said. “We all spend enough time on the couch.” 

This coming Sunday, March 30, is the annual Spring Trail Clean-Up & Lunch, which Hearon says many consider a favorite. “Folks are invited to sign up for light/medium/or hard work on a team for 90 minutes of trail clean up in different spots around town. Afterward we meet at the BRLA barn for a big lunch.” 

Hearon says this event truly kicks off their busy season. “Many people enjoy this type of hands-on work and find that clearing sticks and branches from winter’s wrath is satisfying. Even little kids get out there and clear debris and cut back thorny sprigs. We encourage the whole community to join us.” Participants should sign up at bedfordridinglanes.org.

The next big event is the 5K Family FUN Run on Sunday, April 6. “We’ve put a spin on the 5K and added surprise obstacles throughout the course,” said Hearon, “prompting a revised event name of Family FUN Run.” She said their 10K continues to bring out an amazing group of adventurers as well. Registration for the regular 5K and the Junior race are at bedfordridinglanes.org.

Hearon said they’ve experimented with other small niche events, including a Duck Derby race, “where kids sail numbered rubber duckies down the Stone Hill River to a finish line.” This year’s Duck Derby will be Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m., with registration also via the BRLA website.

Other upcoming events, some still in the planning stages, include the Spring Hunter Pace on May 18; the Summer Nature Series starting on June 1, that will include tours of local wildflower gardens and guided trail walks, “with folks like Murray Fisher who make every inch of nature fascinating” according to Hearon; “a meditation event on Mother’s Day that offers a quiet walk and discussion lead by our friend John Baitsell”; and for Father’s Day, a Survivors Hike on June 15, which Hearon says, “is sure to be a fun father/child outing on the trails. It will include demos and lessons from our trail manager, Adam Nappi, about how to stay safe in the woods under a number of potentially wild circumstances.”

Tales on the Trails is a series of three short, kid-friendly trail hikes plus storytime in the woods with Bedford Free Library children’s librarian Kelly Crummy. The first is May 6, with registration through the library. 

At the other end of the spectrum, Tavern on the Trails has become BRLA’s signature summer fundraiser, which Hearon describes as “a traveling cocktail party through the woods between three houses.” She says this year “will once again not disappoint”; they recently locked down the three hosts and are very excited to start the planning. 

Onward to fall

There is also a Fall Hunter Pace being planned for Sept. 7, and then the Fall Country Fete on Sept. 20. “We are plotting a big night under the stars for Sept 20,” says Hearon. “Details will be announced soon.”

“I have really enjoyed planning varied and unique events over the past several years and regularly try and attract different groups within our community that may enjoy the trails in different ways,” Hearon said. “None of this would be possible without the incredible support we get from our landowners, who continue to allow us to exist on their private property, and our members, who support us annually in exchange for legal access to all of the trails and programs. We have a great partnership with both and are excited for all that 2025 will bring.”