Tom Walsh, a Worcester outdoor enthusiast, volunteer trail maintainer, and cancer survivor who had a desire to give back to two organizations he feels strongly about - The Bassett Cancer Institute and Otsego Outdoors is back from his fundraising outdoor adventure.

Tom Walsh via Otsego 2000
Tom Walsh via Otsego 2000
loading...

Walsh embarked on an over 200-mile trek through Otsego County and its 21 state forests and 4 state parks with a goal to not only draw attention to all the outdoor beauty that Otsego County has to offer but to raise funds for the Bassett Cancer Institute (for additional patient support), to whom he feels he owes his life following his cancer diagnosis and coming near to death and surviving time in Bassett's ICU at one point. Walsh is also donating half the money he raises to Otsego Outdoors for trail improvements and maintenance in Otsego County.

After his near-death experience, Tom fully recovered, is cancer-free, and is a very healthy, 60-something-year-old man who is grateful and wanted to give back by doing this fundraising walk that he started on June 2nd and finished on June 20th. Walsh said he averaged around 12 miles a day, only taking two days off during the 19-day period. His goal was to raise $5000 but at this point in time, he's got a couple of hundred dollars to go. Walsh told me that he thinks he's at around $4600 or so at this point.

Below are the many locations along Walsh's Otsego County park and state land journey:

  • Decatur State Forest
  • Maple Valley State Forest
  • Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park
  • R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest
  • Bear Swamp State Forest
  • Honey Hill State Forest
  • Cherry Valley State Forest
  • Roseboom State Forest
  • Glimmerglass State Park
  • Oil City State Forest
  • Exeter State Forest
  • Plainfield State Forest
  • Basswood Pond State Forest
  • Hartwick State Forest
  • Texas Schoolhouse State Forest
  • Calhoun Creek State Forest
  • Jacob Morris State Forest
  • Wagner Farm State Forest
  • Gilbert Lake State Park
  • Milford State Forest
  • Arnold Lake State Forest
  • Susquehanna State Forest
  • Robert V. Riddell State Park
  • Hooker Mountain State Forest
  • South Hill State Forest

Walsh says it took a while for him to work up to his current fitness level and to be able to walk the number of miles that he can do currently. He encourages everyone to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of Otsego County parks, forests, and even country roads as they are able.

To help Tom reach his fundraising goal, you can click here to donate.

WDOS-WDLA-WCHN CNY News logo
Get our free mobile app

If what Tom Walsh is doing has inspired you to get outdoors even just a little, you can learn more and participate in the next Otsego Outdoors "Summer Octet Challenge" that starts on June 21, 2022. Otsegooutdoors.org will have all the information you need on that challenge.

Look: Love To Eat Outdoors at Restaurants? Check These Local Awesome Options

Central New York may be known for its changeable weather more than outdoor dining but because of the increase in popularity of eating in the great outdoors, more and more restaurants are offering it to patrons. Below are some awesome choices in Delaware and Otsego Counties.

Treasure Hunt At 12 Consignment and Thrift shops in Otsego County

Thrift and consignment shops have become very popular over the years and continue to gain in popularity since you can find some amazing clothing items or treasures that you just have to have. "Sky's the limit" on what you can find at any one of these awesome shops in Otsego County. Happy treasure hunting!

Stunning Mural Transforms Oneonta, NY Eyesore Into Eye Candy

A building that the City of Oneonta plans to demolish, and one of Oneonta, NY's biggest eyesores, has been getting a major makeover thanks to artist James R. Mcilroy, owner of Wolfhound Studio which is a tattoo and art studio at 269 Main Street, Oneonta. Mcilroy has been creating murals on the side of the former Oneonta Sales building on the corner of Market St. and Chestnut St. Extension - a building formerly used as storage by the Twelve Tribes group in Oneonta. Now, instead of focusing on the ugliness of this horrible structure, the eye is drawn instead to the beauty of Mcilroy's artwork. Talk about a transformation!

More From WDOS-WDLA-WCHN CNY News