On May 29, 2026, IMPACT installed an Adirondack-style shelter in the Phillips Creek State Forest at a location overlooking the beaver pond on Trail 4. Participating in the installation were local DEC Foresters; Andover High School Environmental Technology instructors and students; IMPACT directors ; and HOW MANY WHAT KIND OF volunteers.il

The shelter—the first to be built in the West Almond Forests since WHEN— is open for use year-round during the day or for overnight stays, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Amenities at the shelter site include a latrine and a picnic table.

Two community partnerships made this project possible. Andover High School instructorsEnvironmental Technology students constructed the shelter from timber over the course of

—h on the wish-list of trail improvement projects is adding rest shelters along the trail system. For the first shelter, IMPACT is partnering with Andover High School Environmental Technology instructors, Zach Owen and Tim Demster, and current students to add an Adirondack style lean-to shelter overlooking the beaver pond on trail 4. The shelter is being built at the high school shop over the winter of 2025/2026. NYS DEC will prepare the site and offer logistical help moving materials for final on-site shelter assembly in May and June of 2026. This project would not be possible but for the financial and material assistance of community donors including Martin Eddy of Eddy Lumber, and fundraising efforts of IMPACT. We hope it is the first of many!

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