Projects and Progress Park Entrances We hope to create an effective and uniform signage scheme to be placed at all entrances that, together with continued landscaping efforts, will provide an attractive welcoming to park users, a memorable impression for passersby, and a general awareness of the park’s existence and boundaries. Trails Project A trail system that does not interfere with golfers would make the park usable to many more residents and welcome new park users to the City of Troy. Nearly three miles of trails have been mapped with the assistance of trails planners of the Hudson River Greenway Commission.  Construction of the first segment, a trail around Wright Lake, was initiated in 2005. Safety and Access Improvement The Conservancy tries to make the park safer and more accessible to its users. Projects include blacktopping the walkway from Frear Park Road to the parking area north of Wright Lake, repainting the crosswalks at Oakwood Avenue and Frear Park Road, repairing the playground fence, assessing the North Lake Avenue entrance, and exploring a Humiston Avenue pedestrian entrance. Fountain Rehabilitation Rehabilitation of the fountain at Frear Avenue and 15th Street was a founding objective of the Conservancy. We will continue to work collaboratively with the city to accomplish this project in the near future. Cleanup, Restoration, and Beautification The Conservancy has helped to pick up litter and refuse throughout the park and its waterways, and to restore and beautify the park in general. Recent projects include a spring cleanup by RPI students, an Earth Day cleanup and brush removal, and communication regarding the dump site north of the Piscatawan Creek. Flower Beds The Conservancy and its volunteers actively maintain the bulbs and perennial gardens planted at the Oakwood entrance, around the fountain and pavilion, at the playground, and the golf course parking areas. In an ongoing multi-year effort to bring color and reduce maintenance on the golf course, wildflowers were seeded near the third tee. Additional areas have been identified and will be seeded later this year. Golf Course Maintenance Assistance Frear Park Conservancy provided funding for a new fertilizer spreader/top dresser implement to improve golf course maintenance and also for the new pins and positional flags on the golf greens.  This funding was a direct result of revenues received from the 2004 Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament. Continual liaison is maintained with the golf course superintendent to improve the park comprehensively. Bluebirds Project The Conservancy has placed 26 bluebird houses which successfully brought bluebirds to Frear Park. This past winter, houses were treated with linseed oil for protection. Two new houses were installed to replace those vandalized. Reforestation Frear Park is graced with a variety of majestic old trees, but many of those trees have reached the end of their lifespan. The Conservancy is working to systematically reforest the park to ensure continuous healthy tree stock for the future. In recent years, more than 50 trees have been added to the boulevards approaching Frear Park, on the golf course itself, and throughout the park environs.  Individuals can make a direct contribution toward this effort through the Adopt-A-Tree/Bench program.