Pictured above: Jennifer Marotto Lutter snowshoes with her husband and their son at Lorenzo State Historic Site in Cazenovia, NY. | Photo by: Ben Cleeton
In the heart of Cazenovia, New York, Jennifer Marotto Lutter, a city planner and village trustee, has always cherished the outdoors, finding joy in exploring local trails. For outdoor enthusiasts like Jennifer, the winter landscape transforms their community into a haven. However, the harsh Central New York winters often render some areas inaccessible due to deep snow.
This changed when Peter Radosta, director of Friends of Stoney Pond (FROSTY), recognized the need for outdoor trail creation and maintenance.
“The region has extensive trail networks, which are ideal for snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing,” he said. “By partnering with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, landowners, and local organizations, FROSTY provides a common platform for snow grooming and year-round trail maintenance initiatives.”
In 2018, Radosta launched FROSTY to foster increased year-round outdoor recreation throughout Madison County. He began by initiating trail development and grooming operations at Stoney Pond State Forest, located just outside of Cazenovia in Erieville, New York.
The introduction of new trails and consistent grooming transformed land usage, making winter recreation more accessible. Encouraged by enthusiastic volunteers and significant public interest, FROSTY partnered with other local organizations to expand its efforts throughout Cazenovia in 2021.
Marotto Lutter explained that the grooming improvements made the experience on the trails “so much more enjoyable.” She fondly recalled snowshoeing with her son when he was an infant and wrapped against her chest while exploring the serene trails. Now at the age of four, he maneuvers the trails independently alongside her and her husband.
“It is so magical going out as a family,” she shared. “I feel so much more comfortable and safe because I know what trails will be groomed and know that they will be fully accessible for us.”
The impact on the community has been profound. Snow grooming efforts have resulted in unprecedented trail usage, evidenced by full parking lots, hiking groups and organized snowshoe events throughout winter. This surge in activity highlights the community’s desire for accessible outdoor recreational opportunities.
To help FROSTY further expand land usage and trail mileage, the Community Foundation provided the organization with a $10,000 grant to purchase a second set of snow grooming equipment, including snowshoeing gear that community members can rent out free of charge.
“Having a second set of equipment available for community use has resulted in a drastic expansion of the usability of trail networks on public and private land,” Radosta explained. “It’s also eliminated the need to constantly transport equipment, allowing our volunteers to groom trails more quickly.”
For Marotto Lutter, this means more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months. She has explored new trails that connect to familiar ones, enabling longer hikes and sparking greater interest among her friends of all ages and skill levels.
“Now that the trails are consistently groomed, I’ve brought along many friends who were initially hesitant, especially about visiting some of the more remote areas,” she said. “It’s been a huge accessibility improvement for our community.”
Beyond personal experiences, FROSTY’s efforts address financial barriers often faced by residents living in rural communities. Radosta explained that having access to the free snowshoeing equipment has lifted a frequent roadblock for families that might be looking for activities to do in the winter but are deterred by the cost.
He added that the economic ripple effect is also evident as increased trail usage brings visitors to local businesses. Families might spend the day outdoors and then visit nearby eateries, boosting the local economy.
“When a community has robust outdoor activities, there is a direct correlation to its vitality,” he said.
Reflecting on the journey, Marotto Lutter expressed admiration for Radosta’s vision.
“It’s so cool that one person had this really good idea and his drive has already positively impacted so many people,” she said. “By breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of belonging, FROSTY has created a model for how rural communities can enhance access to outdoor recreation.”
Through FROSTY’s efforts, the trails of Madison County have become more than paths through the woods; they’ve become avenues of community connection, health and economic growth.
Photos by: Ben Cleeton
