Chairman Roger Bennett of the St. Lawrence County Multi-use Trail Committee was honored recently as he stepped down from the position he has held for the last 14 years.

In 2003, an organized group of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders approached the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators for help in developing a safe and legal trails system for ATVs, and the county created an informal committee to study the issues involved.

The ATV users, having been excluded from all other trails, were adamant that their trails should be multi-purpose – open to anyone who would enjoy them. Soon the committee began to study the future of all trails in the county.

In 2006, the Legislature formed the Recreational Trails Advisory Board and Bennett was chosen to be chairman. The committee began to develop a multi-use trail system that would cross the entire county, addressing the desire for thoughtful, organized development which would eventually connect with adjoining counties to create a regional tourism draw, such as those enjoyed in many other states.

During his years as chairman, Bennett, aMassena resident, led the committee through the grand opening of 22 miles of the pilot trail in 2008.