The Schapiro Reserve is 39 acres of unimproved land donated to SMHT in January 2017 by Susan Schapiro and Sally Schapiro Vernon.  SMHT made the property accessible to the public in 2017 with a small place to park, a display board with site information and a hiking trail. Aerial photo showing trail

     The approximately 3/4 mile loop hiking trail is an easy to moderate, multiple surface hike that most people should have little difficulty completing. However, there are two steep slopes leading from the trail along the feeder canal to lower land.  Use caution when navigating these slopes.  The trail winds through tall grass fields, past the wetland, and along the berm of the West Branch Feeder of the Chenango Canal. We hope to extend the trail to and along the O&W Railroad bed.

     The scenic view from the parking area itself is spectacular.  This newest addition to the Southern Madison Land Trust is another step in providing educational and recreation opportunities while conserving natural resources in Southern Madison County.

The Reserve is open from dawn to dusk. 

The Reserve has many characteristics that meet SMHT’s criteria for conservation.

Historic features:

• Abandoned railroad bed once owned by the New York, Ontario and Western Railway. More...
• West Branch Feeder of the Chenango Canal; More...

Physical features:

• Wetlands reputed to have been the location of an ice pond in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries – anecdotal evidence - supposedly drained in the 1930s WPA program.
• Viewscape across the valley includes part of Colgate University campus
• Protection of steep slopes, canal, open space