Project commissioned survey of residents
The Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail (HHFT) says that a poll it commissioned found that 87 percent of respondents who had heard of the proposed 7.5-mile linear park between Cold Spring and Beacon expressed some or strong support for it. Nearly 90 percent said they had a somewhat or very positive view of the project.
The Harris Poll in April surveyed 400 adults who live in Cold Spring, Philipstown, Beacon and Fishkill and 400 residents of surrounding communities. The respondents were selected from people who had previously agreed to participate in Harris polls.
Of the 400 locals, 77 percent said the trail would help manage tourism while 23 percent disagreed, saying it will burden “an already stretched community.” The top reasons for support were that the trail would be “designed in an environmentally conscious and resilient way,” allow “residents of all abilities to enjoy the outdoors,” make the community safer for hikers and boost the regional economy.
Of those locals opposed, the top concerns were its impact on the environment, an increase in visitors, disruptions because of construction and a fear it will change the area’s character.
The sample data is accurate to within plus or minus 8.4 percent in the project area and 6 percent outside, using a 95 percent confidence level. The Harris Poll said the data was weighted by gender, race/ethnicity, education and marital status to reflect proportions in the larger population. The full results are posted at hhft.org.
The Fjord Trail, which is scheduled for completion in 2031, is a public-private partnership between the nonprofit HHFT Inc. and the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The only honest thing about the survey is that Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail (HHFT) posted the raw results on its website. In the raw results, on page 79, there’s a question: “In what city, town, or village do you live?” The totals shown are: Cold Spring (14), Garrison (7), Nelsonville (0), Philipstown (9), Newburgh (132), Peekskill (115) and Wappingers Falls (115).
Given that there are 800 respondents, the number of (or weighting given to) residents who would be most greatly impacted by the trail is miniscule. Additionally, the survey methodology states: “Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Poll surveys.” Yes, people sign up to do Harris Polls and are given rewards based on completed surveys.
Given all this, it’s 100 percent incorrect to conclude, as Amy Kacala does in the full press release, that “the vast majority” of residents expressed support for the project since most of the respondents are not residents who would be directly affected.
In fact, it’s 100 percent correct to conclude that you can’t trust Scenic Hudson or HHFT, as evidenced by the way they recently packed the Visitation Data Committee with three new members from Beacon and three from Fishkill so the majority of the committee no longer represents the communities that would be most greatly impacted.
According to Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail Inc.: “The survey included 100 responses in each of the four municipalities in the project area – Cold Spring, Philipstown (excluding Cold Spring), Beacon and Fishkill. The survey also included 400 responses from the municipalities around the project area for a total of 800 responses. The data was then combined and weighted to reflect the relative populations of those areas within the project area (400 responses), and again within the surrounding Hudson Valley region. Since Cold Spring represents a smaller population compared to Beacon and Fishkill, the weighted number, 14, looks smaller, but still accounts for 100 individual responses among residents. This is standard practice for generalizable and scientific survey research.”
The question is not do you support the Fjord Trail or not. This project is too complex for an all-or-nothing question like that. For a survey to be productive, it should be more nuanced and actually try to understand what the main areas of concern are or what locals value about the project.
I, for one, am happy with a good portion of the project, but I’m strongly against it starting at Dockside and the environmental disruptions that would come with the Shoreline Trail connection to Little Stony Point. Does that mean I’m completely against the Fjord Trail? No. Does it make me all for it? Absolutely not. I hope that we can soon move past the current divisive climate of putting people in opposing camps and start having productive conversations.
It’s amazing that The Current has blithely announced “widespread support” for this using a poll commissioned by none other than the marketers of the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, without bothering to check the facts. The lengths to which Scenic Hudson has gone to deceive the public is, frankly, astounding. I will add this latest deceit to the pile, including its promise to eliminate invasive plants, do proper critical impact studies of endangered species and build a bikeable trail from Beacon to Cold Spring. I could go on, but the list is too long to print.
I would very much like to see the actual questions (or issues) used in the most recent survey touted by Fjord Trail proponents, as well as the choices of responses. Were the answers to be true or false, yes, no, maybe, some percentage, like or dislike. As they say, figures don’t lie, but liars can manage figures.
When an entity hires a consultant to do its own popularity research studies, the assumption is the results will be subjective and unfairly skewed, which is why the farcical Harris Poll should be dismissed out of hand. It is customary for consultants to deliver desired results as a matter of placating their client, otherwise they stand to lose business. That is why Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail’s public relations should be regarded with skepticism as suspect propaganda.
The Harris Poll’s findings are farcical, even ludicrous, owing to its unreliably skewed calculations, which could not be more counter to those on the street or other parallel studies that refute its findings. My understanding is that in regulated commerce such conflicts of interest are not permissible. How is the HHFT juggernaut any different? From many comments I read, such developments do little more than serve as propaganda that foments a growing sense of distrust among local constituents.
One group that appears to be underrepresented in recent surveys, and could potentially be most affected by a Dockside entry point to the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, is the residents of the Village of Cold Spring.
In February, the Village Board pledged to conduct a survey of residents to gauge opinions on the Fjord Trail and “create space for villagers to be heard,” according to Mayor Kathleen Foley. Indeed, the village hosted a public session on May 1, where residents, in an open forum and via Zoom, voiced their opinions. But this forum was limited to comments on informational sessions hosted by HHFT on March 11 and April 3. (To date, there appears to be no village collation or analysis of the opinions offered at the meeting, other than a YouTube video of the meeting itself. The most recent minutes posted online are from the April 24 meeting.) While a public meeting is helpful, as Trustee Eliza Starbuck noted in February, a written survey would enable residents who are not comfortable speaking in public to voice their opinions.
Whether a survey of residents would impact construction remains a question, but it would provide the board with data on what its position should be to represent residents, rather than board members stating their individual positions. Shouldn’t the Village Board, most ethically and appropriately, honor its pledge to conduct a survey for its residents?
We are getting it whether we like it or (mostly) not. I don’t think Cold Spring can handle the kind of crowds they want, regardless of the extra infrastructure they add. It will be very popular and the law of induced demand means it will most likely attract a lot more people than they think.
You can’t out-build traffic. The more you try and the easier you make it, the more cars you entice to be on the road. Big money always wins, and asking residents how we feel is just lip service. It’s coming regardless. And why do they insist on calling the boardwalk picture a trail? [via Facebook]
Greetings from the “wheelchair guy.” I was going to stay out of the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail debate, but after attending a few meetings and talking to a few people, I decided to stand up (no pun intended) and say something.
As a handicapped person, it would be difficult for me to get down to Dockside Park and the start of the Fjord Trail. The Metro-North elevator doesn’t really work, and the road going over the tracks is a big challenge for me in my power chair.
You see, I’m not just sitting down and being wheeled around by a motor. I’m in rough shape. I can’t see very well. My hands shake and I can’t talk well. It’s difficult for me to concentrate. So, in brief, there are many levels to being handicapped. And it’s not just handicapped people. Imagine a woman with a stroller and a baby. Getting to the start of the Fjord Trail at Dockside is going to be tough.
I propose that we have a good sidewalk along Route 9D to Little Stony Point and a sidewalk on Fair Street going to Little Stony Point. Start the Fjord Trail at Little Stony Point. The views there are amazing, and it would be a great place to start a great trail.
I’m all for the Fjord Trail. It would be great for someone like me. I could go to Beacon and — if I survive the bars there — I might make it back. (Just kidding, but it would be a great way to see and enjoy the river.)
On another note, my family has been here since 1968. As a kid, I used to play in Constitution Marsh. We used to take our canoes all around Cold Spring. I’d often jump from the canoes and land in the muddy waters. I was a river rat. What was alarming was what came out after my feet went in the mud. It was all this silver stuff. I’m not sure I would drive pylons into that sediment. I imagine the bottom is like asbestos tile. It’s fine undisturbed, but when you break into it, there’s going to be problems.
All just thoughts from a guy in a wheelchair. I have a lot of time to sit around and think about things.
Brian Nice says it simply and directly: “Start the Fjord Trail at Little Stony Point. The views there are amazing, and it would be a great place to start a great trail.” He described how starting at Dockside Park in Cold Spring doesn’t work for many people. Let’s hope the wizards at the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail read Brian’s letter and realize how much sense he makes for all of us, whether we use wheelchairs or not.
Mr. Nice makes salient points that I have also tried to (futilely) alert the trail developers to for years. That the developers would tout the untenable idea that a tourist ramp from Dockside is ADA accessible beginning at the Metro-North station is wholly ill-conceived and misrepresented: Based on geography, infrastructure, and logistics, the Dockside ramp access design is absolutely not ADA accessible, a fact would be borne out by the construction drawings should the developer deign to share their design. By the time a person in a wheelchair completes the arduous trek from the station to the bridge, they would be fairly exhausted even before they traverse the concrete ramp to the old dump site. That said, his idea of enhancing alternative existing approaches is the sanest I’ve heard since before the megadeveloper started calling the shots. All of this is independent of the notion that such a ramp is also ill-conceived prima facie.
I am writing to convey my heartfelt support for the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail.
The trail will be an amazing resource for locals like me. I know I will enjoy being able to safely walk and bike along the shoreline with my family and friends, and I will be grateful decades from now that the Fjord Trail will allow me to take in the views and interact with nature without having to climb a steep, rugged trail.
Beyond the personal benefits, I am passionate about sharing access to the beautiful public lands along the river with families with young children, individuals with limited mobility, and those who are not fortunate to live so close to nature.
This project is important on a societal level as it will help cultivate a deeper sense of investment in protecting our planet. Studies show that access to and connection with nature foster a greater appreciation of our natural world. Engaging young people is crucial, as they are the future stewards of our environment. By providing them with the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Hudson Highlands, we inspire a generation that is committed to protecting our planet.
Restoring and preserving the delicate ecosystems along our shoreline is of utmost importance. It is encouraging to see the planners taking great care to ensure the Fjord Trail will be ecologically sensitive and sustainable, safeguarding the vitality of this shoreline for future generations to enjoy.
The needs of residents are also an important consideration, and I have been heartened to see the HHFT inviting community input throughout the planning process. I believe the Fjord Trail project, with its dedicated off-road parking areas, and additional entry points to the public lands, will help make the traffic less congested and the parking situation will be much safer than it is now. The Dockside entry will give hikers and others a safe way to reach the mountain, and sidewalks on Fair Street will mean that pedestrians won’t have to dodge sinkholes and traffic as they do now.
The Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail promises to be a valuable asset for our community, providing safe, accessible, and enjoyable ways for residents and visitors alike to connect with the stunning natural landscape of our region. I urge everyone to get informed and become part of the conversation about this important project, so we can ensure its successful implementation for the benefit of current and future generations.
Every time my husband and I come down the hill into town and see the sparkling Hudson at the bottom of it, we comment about how incredibly lucky our little family is to call this place home. While we are privileged to live alongside the Hudson and have such easy access to all that it offers, we recognize that it is not inherently “ours” just because we pay the premium to live on its shores.
We see the Fjord Trail as a direct benefit for our life, and for the lives of our neighbors and local business owners. The idea of future family bike rides up to Beacon and running on a dedicated, flat trail with amenities and no cars just makes me think of cherished memories from my own upbringing in a small town, and of healthy routines for myself and loved ones. But, I understand the trepidation some neighbors might have that this dreamy proposition will attract more outside visitors.
As a former main street business owner (Wyld), I can assert with confidence that we need this. If we cherish the Main Street business community that we have, we cannot take for granted that those businesses require more than just local footfall to keep their doors open. At the same time, the trail with a pedestrian entry at Dockside will help ease some of the burdens that a heavy visitor flow creates, as it will improve the functionality of our village by providing visitors with an additional way out of the village.
We have a choice now to advocate for the strengthening of Cold Spring’s riverfront ecological stability and amenities for all generations of Cold Springers, along with the long term economic and societal benefits this trail would offer our town. It doesn’t matter much whether you’ve got 30 years of Philipstown tax records behind you or in front of you; it’s our collective future.
I moved to Cold Spring in 2010 to be close to family. I live on Fair Street. As an avid walker, I became excited about the Fjord Trail concept as soon as it emerged. I attended all the initial meetings and was hopeful that it could become a reality. Breakneck was growing more popular as a prime hiking destination, and I noticed more and more hikers passing by on weekends. Sundays became an especially busy day of the week given that parking was allowed on one side of the street and walkers would spill over into the streets due to the narrow sidewalks. I started to worry that someone might get hurt with residents pulling cars out of their driveways and having to look through parked car windows to see oncoming cars and people in the street. I had a couple of close calls myself. I even wrote a letter to the Fjord Trail folks (Amy Kacala, then senior planner for Scenic Hudson) to alert them to the potential dangers, especially if bicycles, etc. were added to the mix. At that time, Fair Street was seen as the only entry route to the trail. That was in 2016.
Things have changed, of course, with the Fjord Trail having expanded into a different design and the number of hikers and tourists continuing to grow. The hikers typically walk down Fair Street in the direction of Breakneck and the tourists usually go in the opposite direction, towards Main Street from the Fair Street municipal parking lot. Without exception, I have found these visitors to be courteous, joyful, and focused on their Cold Spring adventure. We exchange pleasantries and, at times, a kind-hearted visitor will halt vehicles and pedestrians just to allow me to pull out of my driveway.
Clearly, the Fjord Trail is going forward. I am hopeful, fingers crossed, that the Breakneck train stop will lessen crowds of hikers on the Fair Street sidewalks and street. Nevertheless, the future Fjord Trail is going to be a major East Coast attraction for a lovely walk along the Hudson River, and we will continue to have visitors coming to Cold Spring just for the village itself. Visitors emerging from the Cold Spring station, with no alternative, will take the most direct route to the Fjord Trail, i.e., Fair Street, which is a narrow thoroughfare and even narrower with weekend parking. It is already a stretch for Fair Street to accommodate current numbers of weekend pedestrians and vehicles. The Fjord Trail envisions a larger and more complex array of visitors (e.g., bikers, baby strollers, walkers, hikers, runners, persons in wheelchairs) as future users of the trail. I simply cannot imagine how using Fair Street as the single Cold Spring entry point is possible or safe.
The Dockside entry point for the trail has challenges and concerns, in addition to being expensive. I get that. And Fair Street is always going to be busy on sunny weekends with people simply strolling, going to church and restaurants or the ballfield, in cars heading from Main Street to 9D, walking to Stony Point, and parking at the municipal lot. Still, it would seem that the Dockside route should be considered as an additional option, along with Fair Street, for entry into the future Fjord Trail. Here’s hoping a good compromise can be worked out.
Well said, Cathy!