Safety at forefront for gorge crew NIAGARA FALLS — The rushing water of the Niagara River calls to thousands of tourists every year, and the CSEA members assigned to the Niagara Parks Gorge Trail Crew work every day to keep those tourists safe. Keeping tourists safe The eight crew members are assigned to a series of trails that go from street level down the side of an almost 300-foot ravine to the water’s edge. The crew works every day to build and improve more than 10 miles of trails, providing visitors with a spectacular view and a safe experience in the steep and rocky gorge. “A lot of people don’t realize how dangerous the river’s rapids can be if they make one wrong step or go off the trail,” said Chris Territo, a crew member. “The water can easily sweep them away if they fall in. The trails can be challenging and if From left, Niagara Parks Gorge crew members Jesse Hachee, Matt Allinson, Chris Territo and Patrick Josker prepare to carry in tools and equipment needed for the construction of a footbridge. The Lower Niagara River, a Canadian power plant and the Lewiston-Queenston bridge into Canada can be seen in the photo. it is wet they can be slippery. There is also a lot of poison ivy throughout the gorge.” Although similar to other park trail crews, the Gorge Crew is quite unique. They work exclusively in the very challenging, steep and often-hazardous terrain created by the Niagara River. The Gorge Crew positions are made possible through Greenway Funding for the New York State Parks from the New York Power Authority. “I’m very proud of the work we do,” said Jesse Hachee, a trail crew member for six years. “We get a lot of compliments from people who hike the trails. We don’t do it simply for the praise; we do it so hikers will be safe.” Weather a factor Trail conditions are always different from year-to-year and even from day-to-day, due to the ‘constant rock movement in the gorge.’ Weather also plays a role in shaping the trails and defining the workers’ priorities. After heavy storms move through the area, it is not uncommon for erosion to wash out a portion of the trail. On a recent day, an unexpected severe thunderstorm that morning took out a portion of a trail. As a result, the crew set out to build a new bridge over the damaged area so weekend hikers would be safe. They must carry in all their equipment, supplies and drinking water, since it’s impossible to get a vehicle down the side of the gorge. “It only takes one flash flood to wash out a trail,” said Matt Allinson, also a crew member. “It happens often and there is nothing we can do about it other than make the repair. This year, the heavy rains knocked down a lot of shale and did a lot of damage.” Pitching in Because of their expertise and specialized training, the crew has pitched in at other parks when needed. They recently helped out at Allegany State Park following devastating flash floods. Upon their return to Niagara, the crew got right back to work building and improving the trails. “Management has a lot of trust in our ability to identify what needs to be done and how we do it,” said Patrick Josker. “That trust is a great thing to have.” It’s physically challenging and laborious work, the workers said, but they enjoy it and they enjoy working in such a remarkable setting. “Every now and then, you catch yourself stopping to stare for a moment, just taking it all in,” Josker said. “It’s beautiful in the fall when the leaves change.” — Lynn Miller Chris Territo, front, and Matt Allinson construct a footbridge by hand along a trail in the Niagara Gorge after a storm made emergency repairs necessary. October 2014 The Work Force 7
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