UPDATES
2025 Annual Report
OUR CREW LOGGED 3,700 VOLUNTEER HOURS THIS YEAR
In 2025, we expanded our project list by adding steps, landings, and riprap to the new Nawahunta Brook Bridge on the Appalachian Trail in Harriman State Park. This effort was made possible in collaboration with the Open Space Institute, and we would like to give a big shout-out to the Cadets of West Point, MA.
We constructed forty-nine steps with landings on the Anthony's Nose Ascent Trail off Route 9D in Garrison. We express our gratitude to the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference for inviting us to collaborate with them again.
Steps, landings, and walkways were constructed on Pollepel Island—home to Bannerman Castle—on the Hudson River in Fishkill, New York. We thank the Bannerman Castle Trust for the opportunity to contribute to the island's restoration.
This year, we accumulated more than 3,700 volunteer hours, valued at over $130,000. We facilitated over 1,150 hours of workshops, involving 25 crew members who trained individuals from nine other volunteer organizations, ranging from El Yunque National Forest to Highland Falls, NY, including both young middle school students and adult volunteers from the U.S. Forest Service.
2024 Annual Report
OUR CREW LOGGED 2,500 VOLUNTEER HOURS THIS YEAR
The Jolly Rovers constructed a staircase on the Wilkinson Memorial Trail, which leads to Mt. Beacon from the Route 9D trailhead in Fishkill. This project was part of the first phase of Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail construction, focusing on the Breakneck Connector and Bridge. Following the Nimham Trail's opening in 2021, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP) worked on stabilizing the approach trails to address erosion and trail braiding. Thirty-six steps were added to the trail, along with additional gargoyles and treads. The Jolly Rovers teamed up with other crews on this important project to enhance hiker circulation
4 WORKSHOPS TAUGHT THIS YEAR STONE WORK AND RIGGING Wilderness Skills Institute - Pisgah National Forest (NC) NYS OPRHP - Keewaydin State Park & Taghannock Falls State Park (NY) Appalachian Trail Conservancy & The Nature Conservancy - Natural Bridges State Park (VA)
A dry stone walling workshop was held at Vassar College in collaboration with the Dry Stone Conservancy, one of the country's leading stone organizations, and the Rovers rebuilt 30 feet of stone wall. Later, crew members enjoyed a private tour of Opus 40 Sculpture Park in Saugerties (NY), guided by an expert stone mason and restoration artist.
2023 Annual Report
OUR CREW LOGGED 3,348 VOLUNTEER HOURS THIS YEAR
WE HAVE SHARED THE ART OF STONEWORK ACROSS 4 STATES. 27 organizations benefited from the 7 workshops we held this year. We established a new partnership with 1 organization. 4 clients engaged us to work on other parts of their parks. 10 recruits completed their training, and 50 crew members volunteered their time.
7 WORKSHOPS TAUGHT THIS YEAR Our crew members assisted in training trail crews across the country. We collaborated with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Crew (GA), the Wilderness Skills Institute (NC), Thacher State Park (NY), Minnewaska State Park (NY), Artpark (NY), Taughannock State Park (NY), and Seton Park (NYC).
