POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro today announced public outreach efforts are currently underway for the design and development of the County’s Urban Trail project, part of Dutchess County’s historic investment in the County Park System. As part of the public engagement efforts, a new website, www.dutchesscountyurbantrail.com, and survey have been launched. The public is encouraged to visit the new website to learn more about the project and share their feedback through the survey about project design, as well as their personal trail use experience to assist in the final design concepts.
County Executive Molinaro said, “We are excited to be moving our Urban Trail project forward, investing in this transformative project within the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, linking neighborhoods, businesses and destinations. Now more than ever, people are taking advantage of trails for recreational enjoyment, commuting and discovering the area in which they live in a brand-new way. We look forward to public input on the project’s concepts and design over the coming months.”
The Urban Trail project is the development of a new trail network utilizing former CSX rail line property in the City and Town of Poughkeepsie. The trail network will connect with the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail, as well as provide connections to the Poughkeepsie waterfront, parks, local businesses, restaurants, educational institutions, major development projects (including Hudson Heritage) and tourism destinations, such as Walkway Over the Hudson. The project is being done in collaboration with Scenic Hudson, which transferred the 2.7-mile corridor to Dutchess County in late 2019 to create public use trail opportunities.
"The Urban Trail will literally pave the way toward a safer and healthier future for residents of the city’s Northside and outlying town by providing a car-free way to reach jobs, shops and parks, as well as enjoy recreation. These are just a few of the reasons why Scenic Hudson funded acquisition of the 2.7-mile rail line. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Dutchess County to complete the trail, and we strongly encourage people living along it to share their vision. That’s the best way of ensuring it will meet their needs,” said Seth McKee, executive director of The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc., and Land Programs.
The new website provides information about the project’s timeline, proposed trail routing, and design concepts, as well as the history of the trail and additional informative resources. The website will also feature an events calendar of opportunities when the public can learn more about the project at in person and virtual events, including an upcoming virtual public meeting on June 16 at 12:30pm. Register for the June 16th meeting HERE.
The public is also encouraged participate in the project survey to share their thoughts on the urban trail plan and provide feedback. The survey is available in both English and Spanish.
English: http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/urbantrail_en
Spanish: http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/urbantrail_es
Dutchess County is working in partnership with Scenic Hudson along with Hudson Valley Engineering Associates, PC. and Susan G. Blickstein, LLC.
