Trails Day Saturday

On Saturday, hiking enthusiasts will mark South Fork Trails Day with a presentation about the more than 200 miles of trails in East Hampton Town.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell will be joined by Debra Foster, a former member of the town board and the town planning board, and Rick Whalen, a former planning board attorney and frequent hike leader for the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society, in an informal gathering at 10 a.m. at Chatfield’s Hole, on Two Holes of Water Road in Northwest Woods. They will deliver remarks about the trail system and its early years and recall some “successes and failures and many experiences both funny and sad,” according to a release.

Following the brief gathering, participants will be invited on one of two hikes, of 2 and 41/2 miles respectively, rain or shine. Lee Dion can be phoned at 375-2339 for directions to the meeting place or other information.

The trails society has also issued a call for people to join its maintenance efforts. Jim Zajac, the president of the group, said, “No experience is necessary, just the desire to pitch in, use your loppers and clippers to cut back low-bush blueberry and grapevines, paint blazes to mark the trails, cut up fallen trees, and walk in pine forests, laurel and hardwood forests, and be surrounded by bays and oceans.” Work is typically on Tuesdays, from about 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tips on avoiding ticks will be offered to newcomers. Howard or Judi Roth can be phoned with questions at 283-0759.