Greenway Trails Top 100
At its Jan. 20 board meeting, the Hudson River Valley Greenway, (HRVG) announced the designation of the Marbletown O&W Rail Trail, in Ulster County, as part of the Greenway Land Trail. The Rail Trail is an 8.7- mile segment that connects to the Hurley Rail Trail and is part of over 324 miles of designated riverfront trails throughout the Hudson Valley. The Greenway Land Trail system has over 100 individual designated trails running along both sides of the Hudson River from the Capital Region to Manhattan.
“The Greenway is pleased to add this trail segment to our trail system,” said Mark Castiglione, HRVG acting executive director. “Community trails are important for many reasons,” continued Castiglione. “They help to drive the economy, increase the quality of life, and connect natural and cultural resources throughout the Valley. Trails like this one provide alternative forms of transportation and help connect communities together.” Designation by the HRVG recognizes the regional significance of the O&W Rail Trail as a destination for experiencing the natural, scenic, cultural and historic resources of the Hudson River Valley. It also recognizes that the trail is an important link in the Greenway Trail System. “The … Rail Trail is a beloved asset in the Town, allowing everyone … to enjoy walking, running, biking, skiing and horseback riding surrounded by the beauty of the woods and fields we all treasure,” said Marbletown Supervisor Brooke Pickering-Cole.
The Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley is a public benefit corporation established by the Greenway Act of 1991 to continue New York State’s commitment to the preservation, enhancement and development of the scenic, natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources of the Hudson River Valley, while emphasizing appropriate economic development activities. One of the Conservancy’s primary objectives is to establish a Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail system linking cultural and historic sites, parks, open spaces and community centers, and provides public access to the Hudson River.
Additional information may be found at http://www.hudsongreenway.ny.gov/ (for the Greenway and its programs); www.hudsongreenway.ny.gov/Trailsandscenicbyways/LandTrail.aspx (for Greenway Trails) and http://www.hudsonrivervalley.com/ for the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.)
