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Miles Of Public Trails On Long Island's East End Now Marked For Hiking

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Hikers take note: miles and miles of new trails on Long Island's East End are now open.

As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, it's all part of an effort to get people to enjoy the natural treasures in our own backyard.

Every week members of the Southampton Trails Preservation Society walk the public trails dotting the landscape from Southampton to Bridgehampton, but until now, you had to know the way.

"If you're a newcomer, but you see the green blazes you will not get lost," said Susan Colledge, with the Southampton Trails Preservation Society.

The Green Blazes Trail Club markers now mark the way along the winding trails that connect many of the East End's hamlets.

The hiking club put up the markers along with several maps to show where you are along the trail.

The preservation group encountered some initial resistance to marking the trails that border homes, but it evaporated when residents realized most trail visitors only come to enjoy the natural surroundings, Carlin reported.

"It's a completely different view than from you car," said Colledge. "I've lived here a while but it wasn't until I entered the woods that I realized what we had."

"We see the woodlands, the pond, the ocean from certain points," said Ken Beiger, with the Southampton Trails Preservation Society.

Beiger is a retired chemist who along with other club members, maintains the trails by cutting down brush and removing any trash left behind by visitors.

"I'm 89 years old, I walk these trails, I cut these trails," said Howard Roth.

Roth said the secret of his long life is all the exercise he gets trimming the trails. His message to anyone thinking about a hike? C'mon down, the water is just fine, Carlin reported.

And if you'd like to follow the path now marked in green, you can join in as early as this weekend. The first public hike with the new green markers is set for Saturday morning.

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