All news
Ulster Trail Projects Receive Greenway Support
11/6/2009 4:26:38 PM
The Hudson River Valley Greenway, representatives from Ulster County Executive Mike Hein’s office, the Southern Ulster Alliance and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail today announced three Ulster County trail projects.
(New Paltz, NY) – The Hudson River Valley Greenway, representatives from Ulster County Executive Mike Hein’s office, the Southern Ulster Alliance and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail today announced three Ulster County trail projects funded by the 2009 Greenway Conservancy Small Grants Program. 
This year, the Greenway is pleased to be able to fund three trail projects in Ulster County, including:
· County of Ulster, Sojourner Truth Ulster Landing County Park ADA Access Trail Construction, $7,000: This project will add 400 feet of ADA accessible trail to connect a parking area with an existing ADA accessible trail and other recreational trails. Ulster County has committed time and resources to making the Park an attractive and usable resource for all.
· Southern Ulster Alliance/Town of New Paltz, Southern Ulster Alliance Recreational Trail Project, $17,750: This project will seek to design a link between the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, creating a more connected regional trail system in Ulster County. The Southern Ulster Alliance is a voluntary collaboration of five municipalities and the New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce.
· Hudson Valley Rail Trail Association, Inc., Hudson Valley Rail Trail Brochure, $1,500: The Hudson Valley Rail Trail will soon become an important link to the newly opened Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, and provides a vital recreational resource to the residents and visitors of Ulster County. This brochure will provide information to those seeking to utilize the trail and its amenities, and will be an important marketing tool for the trail.
Mark Castiglione, Acting Executive Director of the Hudson River Valley Greenway, stated, “The Greenway is pleased to work with these Ulster County communities and groups to enhance trail linkages, access and information. Whether it’s linking two of the County’s main rail trails, building a riverfront ADA accessible trail, or promoting existing trails, these projects will enhance quality of life for residents and help make our region more attractive to visitors.”
The Greenway Conservancy Small Grant Program is an annual competitive grant funding opportunity available to communities and not-for-profit organizations within the designated Hudson River Valley Greenway area, which extends from Lake Champlain to New York Harbor. The program offers funding for trail planning and design, construction and rehabilitation, and education and interpretation. Emphasis is placed on trail projects that seek to implement the goals of the Draft Greenway Trail Vision Plan, fill in identified gaps in the Greenway Trail System, and make improvements to designated Greenway Trails.
A total of ten projects from throughout the Hudson River Valley Greenway Area will be funded by the Greenway Conservancy Small Grant Program this year. This annual program has offered technical and financial assistance to municipalities and not-for-profit organizations since 1995.
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 world-renowned scenic, natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources of the Hudson River Valley, while continuing to emphasize appropriate economic development activities and remaining consistent with the tradition of municipal home rule. One of the Conservancy’s primary objectives is to establish a Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail System, that links cultural and historic sites, parks, open spaces and community centers, and provides public access to the Hudson River.
PHOTO CAPTION: Members of the Southern Ulster Alliance join Greenway Acting Executive Director Mark Castiglione. Pictured L to R are: Town of New Paltz Supervisor Toni Hokanson; Joyce Minard, New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce; Cindy Hilbert, Town of Marlborough; Mark Castiglione; and Town of Lloyd Supervisor Ray Costantino.
Mark
Greenway trail
