When Nature Calls: Rebuilding the Catskill's Baldwin Shelter Privy

August 26, 2021
Melissa Cascini
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

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When Nature Calls: Rebuilding the Catskill's Baldwin Shelter Privy
Baldwin Shelter Privy Project. Photo my Melissa Cascini.

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Meet Eric Friedman (above, left), a long-time Trail Conference shelter caretaker for the Baldwin Memorial Shelter on Mt. Tremper in the Catskills Forest Preserve.

The shelter's accompanying privy had fallen into disarray over the past few years so Eric, in coordination with the DEC, stepped into action using his years of carpentry experience to bring the privy back to working condition. With support from Trail Conference staff, Eric rallied the help of a group of volunteers along with staff and interns from DEC to carry in approximately 280 pounds of materials, tools, and supplies for a four-day work trip. Although Eric camped out in the lean-to for the full trip, new volunteers hiked up to the site every day to help get the job done.

Thank you to volunteers Eric Friedman, Frank Kazimir, Charley McIntosh, Ivan McIntosh, Joyce Gallagher, Jayme Mika, Ana Zelenin, Rebecca Stoltzfus, and Patrick Linsey, as well as support from the DEC Forester and staff.