A new pavilion at the Huck Finn Trailhead is now open to the public, thanks to a heartfelt donation from the Ek Family and the ongoing work of the Friends of the Catharine Valley Trail.
The pavilion will serve hikers, bikers, and birdwatchers using the Catharine Valley Trail and the adjacent Ek Birding Trail, which was developed by Rick Ek, the late patriarch of the family. Ek spent years building the trail system and encouraging people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors.
The story behind the donation is as touching as the structure itself. After Rick Ek passed away, his granddaughters — known as the “Sisters Council” — each received a small inheritance. Instead of spending it on themselves, they pooled their funds to support something their grandfather deeply cared about: the trails he helped create.
Their donation allowed the Friends of the Catharine Valley Trail, in partnership with NYS Parks, to purchase and install the new pavilion.
Several members of the Ek family traveled from out of state for the dedication ceremony. Bette Ek spoke at the event, along with her daughter Kirsten and Ron Roney of NYS Parks, who recalled Rick’s “Go Big or Go Home” attitude during the early days of trail building.
The pavilion is part of a larger wave of upgrades happening along the Catharine Valley Trail this year. Recent resurfacing work has improved the path from Smith Road south to the Huck Finn Trailhead.
New brochures are also available, thanks to the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, along with a mobile app that provides an audio tour of historic sites along the trail. The “Catharine Valley Trail” app is free to download on Apple and Android devices and is offered in multiple languages.
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