What should the trail behind Buckland Park in Brighton be named?

[9/7/21 Buckland Park. Third grade Brighton Bruin (middle) and two budding Bruins whose mother suggested the trail be named the Brighton Bruins Trail, adding that she is biased. Except where indicated photos by David Kramer]

Today, for the first time I cycled the entire trail behind Buckland Park that ends at South Winton Road. Town of Brighton Parks and Recreation Department staff members explained that the Town maintains the section on its property, while the Faith Temple maintains the stretch on its land. Actually, the staff suggested that Town residents vote on a name for this still unnamed grassy long path.

One man frequently enjoys jogging and skiing on the trail. He mentioned that, especially in the spring, standing puddles form, but is glad the Town lays down wood chips to help drain the water. Brighton Town Supervisor William Moehle told him more improvements are forthcoming. The jogger/skier nominated the Amos B. Buckland Trail.

One woman was taking nature photos, mostly of birds. At various times, she has spotted a falcon, a Great Blue Heron. a red tailed Hawk and an American Kestrel. She’s heard from others that horned owls live on the path.

The woman was not particularly keen on The Brighton Bruins Trail or The Amos. B. Buckland Path. She thinks the name should not be Brighton or Buckland specific, rather it should be nature related. She’s working on a final nomination.

To learn more I turned to Supervisor Moehle who weighs in on my naming proposal:

The trails you describe are separate. The trail that is a loop with connections to the existing loop trail around the improved portion of Buckland Park is a Town trail The other is a prayer trail built by Faith Church on land the Church owns.

I would have to talk to our Parks and Recreation and Community Services Committees before coming up with a naming plan for the Town trail. I have simply been calling it the Grass Trail because it is just mowed through the field for the most part.

So we will say Bill provisionally nominates The Grass Trail. I nominate The Leo Dodd Trail.¹

I returned at sunset to see if, like my naturalist friend, I too could spot rare birds. Lo and behold, I observed a tropical cockatoo never before seen in Brighton.

PLEASE LEAVE A NAME NOMINATION IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW AT END

NOTE
After reviewing the nominations (see COMMENTS below) Brighton Town Historian Mary Jo Lanphear writes:

Leo Dodd spent a great deal of time over there, photographing and sketching, so I lean toward that name. He was responsible for the preservation of the house as well as the archaeological dig that took place there in 2006-2007. We have been hopeful that a nature trail could be named for him. If not, then Bobolink Trail for the birds that he documented in his work.

That said, Max Gonsenhauser owned the land for many years yet his name is not associated with the property. Amos B. Buckland is commemorated in the name of the park and the house.

POSTSCRIPT:

At the Veterans Memorial in the park, I noticed a very moving tribute to American soldiers who died overseas following the 9/11 attacks. The flag flies at half mast.

SEE 

The inscribed brick pavers at Buckland Park in Brighton

On the trail behind Cobbs Hill Village

Site says Brighton is best place to live in New York