As the largest inland paddling trail in the United States, the 740- mile long Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) successfully connects over fifty communities from Old Forge to Maine while also tracing historic Native American travel routes through the area.
Recently, the NFCT recognized the Town of Webb as one of the four Trail Towns along the route.
Trail Towns are trailside and gateway communities that understand and leverage their recreational assets as drivers for both economic development and broader community well-being linked to active relationships between people and places.
Other Trail Towns include Richford, VT; Errol, NH; and Stratton/Eustis, ME.
According to CAP-21 Executive Director Nick Rose, a committee was recently formed to create a plan with NFCT to publicize the trail and the communities along its way for the benefit of all involved.
The plan will support the agendas of Old Forge and Inlet as well as the Central Adirondack Association.
“The whole idea is to make sure that there is a better understanding of what the trail is and what is around it,” Rose said.
Old Forge marks the beginning of the NFCT system. It incorporates the 90-miler canoe trail which is currently the most popular stretch enjoyed by paddlers.
However, a lack of awareness of the trail and lack of signage along the way is a cause of concern for the committee.
“This is one of the most heavily paddled sections of the trail and they are trying to get more people to come, stay longer, do more things, and really use the trail as an economic driver for other recreational opportunities within the town,” Rose said.
Among the committee members are Town of Webb BoardMember Mary Brophy-Moore, representatives from Mountainman Outdoor Supply Co. and Tickner’s Canoe, as well as representatives from Adirondack River Outfitters.
Completed in the spring of 2006, the NFCT was formed as a nonprofit organization to manage the trail and engage local communitiesalong the route to help develop the trail.
The idea is to support the region’s economic vitality, strengthen trailside communities and build a community of northern paddlers.
With thirteen mapped contiguous sections that offer campsites, portage routes, signage and access points along the entire route, the NFCT helps to connect people to the trail’s natural environment, human heritage, and contemporary communities.
It stewards and promotes the trail and hosts various paddling themed programs for all ages.
