RUSSELL -- An 11-mile multiple-use trail system is now open for public use in Downerville State Forest in Russell.

The state Department of Environmental Conservations has set an open house Saturday, July 26.

The St. Lawrence Mountain Biking Association is credited with having a hand in getting the trails developed.

The forest, just east of the hamlet of Russell, has 14 new trails with a variety of lengths and difficulty levels, plus an information kiosk, trail register and new parking lots among its 1,443 acres in the Town of Russell.

DEC Commissioner Joe Martens credits the St. Lawrence Mountain Biking Association (SLMBA) with playing a significant role in creating the multiple-use trail system.

“The SLMBA, formed in 2010, has been working closely through a DEC Volunteer Stewardship Agreement to develop a mountain bike trail system in Downerville State Forest,” said SLMBA President Jim Akins. “The trails are mostly intermediate in difficulty, but contain some technical elements that will test expert riders as well. SLMBA is looking forward to maintaining and improving this trail system so it can become a mountain bike destination in St. Lawrence County.”

SLMBA members cut trees and graded DEC-marked trails, and also contributed funds to purchase lumber for small footbridges and other materials. DEC operations crews constructed a new parking area and kiosk using approximately $1,500 in Environmental Protection Fund stewardship dollars.

There will be an open house on Saturday, July 26 at 10 a.m, when participants may gather at the kiosk near the Grasse River to meet with representatives of the SLMBA and take guided bike rides and hikes.

The 14 trails range from one-tenth of a mile to 2.2 miles in length, and difficulty levels range from beginner to advanced technical. Downerville offers other outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, canoeing, nature viewing and also overnight camping at two primitive campsites. Undeveloped frontage gives visitors access to 2.9 miles of the Grasse River and 1.5 miles of the North Branch of the Grasse River.

Downerville State Forest is downstream from and right next to the Grasse River Wild Forest, next door in the Town of Clare in the Adirondack Park.

The newly opened trail system is just east of Russell, off St. Lawrence County Route 24. There is a DEC sign at the intersection of County Route 24 and the Donnerville Road. Turn onto the Donnerville Road and travel 1.7 miles east to the intersection with the River Public Forest Access Road. Turn right on to the Access Road and travel past the Gravel Bed parking area on the left at 0.3 miles. Continue descending towards the North Branch of the Grasse River and reach a kiosk and trailhead parking on the right at the one-mile mile mark from the Downerville Road.

More information about Downerville State Forest is available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/97736.html.