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MAYVILLE -- The Marden E. Cobb Waterway Trail is unique to Chautauqua County with three sections of trails totaling 55 miles.
Existing debris issues, however, are causing safety and canoeability concerns.
On Monday, Chautauqua County Parks Commission members Tom Erlandson and Tom Dawes came before Public Facility Committee members to discuss debris and maintenance issues with the water trails. Dawes told legislators people expect to go out and canoe on a nice afternoon, but parts of the trail are unaccessible and not safe.
"Parts of the waterway (trail) are just spectacular," Dawes said. "We need to prioritize this. It's too valuable to let it go to the wayside."
The Cassadaga Creek Paddle Trail is 28 miles long with a launch point in south Stockton. The trail meanders south through the Cassadaga Creek Preserve of wetlands and forest and ends south of Falconer.
The trail passes Interstate 86 north of Falconer, connects to the Chadakoin River and meets at the Conewango Confluence. There's also a lean-to campsite at Kimball Stand.
Erlandson and Dawes acknowledged that issues with the water trail need to be looked at as more maintenance is needed to make it accessible and safe for users.
The other sections of the waterway trail include the Conewango Creek Paddle Trail, which is 25 miles long. It starts north of Kennedy and flows south to the Allegheny River in Warren County, Pennsylvania. The trail has launch sites in Poland, Frewsburg and Kiantone.
The Chadakoin River Paddle Trail is two miles long and begins at Falconer Millrace Park, heading east.
Erlandson said the water trails are used heavily. He proposed opening up a capital account to develop a program for yearly maintenance, as well as upgrades for launch and lean-to sites. Legislators agreed that water trails need maintenance and could either be funded through a resolution if funds are needed this year or through a 2018 capital account.
George Spanos, public facilities director, said the parks department's income comes from timber sales in the county. Spanos said the funds could be used for water trail upkeep. Legislators said costs need to be evaluated to see how much the cleanup would cost.