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Happy trails
Ulster Publishing
by Anne Pyburn
February 9, 2006

Proposed trails project includes routes for hiking and other outdoor activities in the area

Representatives of several interested organizations and some local residents came to the BOCES conference center Monday evening to offer input on the Trails Project, perusing large maps that showed proposed routes for hiking, biking and other outdoor activities throughout New Paltz, Lloyd, Marlboro, and Plattekill.

Organized by the Southern Ulster Alliance, the meeting featured a presentation by Eugene Ninnie, an engineer with Civil Technologies and Engineering, P.C. The Wappingers-based firm has been retained by the Alliance to inventory local trail possibilities and desirable locations.

"We hope to establish a strategic overview of trails and links," explained Ninnie, "and expand it with public input, which will stimulate new ideas. Residents may know things we don't. A comprehensive, well defined plan can put you at the top of the list for obtaining grant monies for execution." Well-planned trails, he explained, can help to preserve open space and enhance quality of life and property values.

The map laid out on tables around the room, Ninnie explained, had been compiled from state trail maps and interviews with residents. Many of the planned trails were envisioned along roadways, thereby utilizing existing rights of way rather than delving into murky areas of purchase, property rights and eminent domain. "We want to work with residents, not alienate them," he explained.

The map included existing trails -- mostly the rail trails in New Paltz, Gardiner and Lloyd -- and desirable possibilities, such as a trail along the Marlboro Ridge that would offer Hudson River views and a walking bridge linking the Wallkill Valley rail Trail to the Ulster County Fairgrounds. "The trails would probably be dirt, suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and horses," Ninnie said. "We need to know what you want -- you are the customer."

The customers had plenty to say. "You're proposing using a right-of-way along Route 299," said Gardiner resident Leon Steiner, "and that area is being developed. It's likely to end up a Miracle Mile type of place. Have you consulted with the DOT?"

"They say they want to use 299 as a corridor for trails," said Ninnie. A trail along the highway right-of-way would likely resemble that currently existing alongside Route 209 north in the Town of Ulster, he explained, utilizing recycled road reconstruction materials as a surface.

Dan McLaughlin of the Hudson River Watertrail Association raised the question of public river access north of Newburgh, and seemed surprised to learn that the Town of Marlboro was planning to add public access north of the West Shore Marina. "We hope for three viable spots," said Ninnie.

Several people urged the engineers to consider alternatives to routes 299 and 44/55. "Any widening could create a sense of a major thoroughfare, and lose the aesthetics of a country road," said Al Wegener of the Scenic Byways Association. "There are secondary routes, through Gardiner for example, that could enable people to enjoy views of the mountain without cars and trucks whizzing past at 55 to 60 miles per hour...I'd hate to see six-foot shoulders on both sides."

Ninnie explained that the map and draft plan had been developed by interviewing local public officials and "driving around," and that input from organizations and residents such as those attending as well as the Greenway, Scenic Hudson and others would be very welcome as the plan moved forward.

Ulster County planning chair Dennis Doyle offered the possibility of collaboration. "I'd like to offer you the means to put this plan on-line," he said. "It would be helpful to include hamlets on the map...Did you find any areas where no link was possible? Maybe communities going through the master plan process could bring those rights-of-way into their negotiations with developers. I also represent the Ulster County Transportation Council, and we are forming a county-wide trails committee. We would like to provide a forum to make this regional; we are having that discussion too."

"We would like to be part of that," Ninnie responded.

Enthusiasm was expressed for the incorporation of outstanding local features such as the Walkway Over the Hudson and local farm stands, and it was clear that down the road lies a debate about whether or not to allow motorized vehicles such as snowmobiles and RVs. Offering landowners tax breaks in exchange for rights-of-way also came up.

"When a house goes on the market in New Paltz, rail trail access is a selling point," said a resident. "I don't see why it should be such a big deal."

"When a Rondout Creek access trail was proposed, somebody brought in an organization called the Property Rights Foundation of America and out came the pitchforks," recalled someone else. "Be aware."

To get a look at the proposal and offer input, contact CTE at 297-2165, or visit www.CTE1.com and drop them an e-mail.

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