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GREENWAY SPONSORS UPCOMING ULSTER COUNTY TRAIL CONFERENCE

10/25/2011 1:22:26 PM

(New Paltz, NY) On Saturday November 5^th, the Hudson River Valley Greenway will host a day-long conference at SUNY New Paltz to discuss the future of trails in Ulster County and beyond. The conference will focus on the various benefits and economic impact trails provide local communities and showcase the work being done to build and connect trails throughout the region.

 

For more information on the Conference, follow the link on the Greenway’s homepage http://www.hudsongreenway.ny.gov or visit the conference webpage directly.

 

Ulster County is blessed with tremendous natural resources such as the rugged Shawangunk and Catskill Mountains, and the beautiful valleys that hold the Esopus, Rondout, Wallkill, and Hudson Rivers.   Ulster County Executive Mike Hein has been invited to provide opening remarks.

 

“With roughly one-third of the land in Ulster County and well over one hundred miles of multiple use trails open to hikers, bicycle riders, rock climbers, skiers and other outdoor recreationalists, Ulster County is the perfect place to enjoy nature” said Mike Hein, County Executive. “I encourage everyone to visit Ulster County REConnectat. www.ulstercountyny.gov/recreation   This new online mapping tool provides a great connection between those who want to have fun in Ulster County and the County’s fabulous outdoor recreational opportunities.  I am so pleased to co-sponsor this Trails Conference, which is bringing attention to Ulster County’s spectacular trails and exploring opportunities to create a stronger, more connected trail network that will serve Ulster County’s residents and visitors for years to come."

 

 

Mark Castiglione, Acting Executive Director of the Hudson River Valley Greenway said, “Ulster County is poised to be an even bigger ecotourism and recreation destination. Trails are an integral part of our regional strategy because they can connect our natural resources with our historic communities, increase the quality of life for residents, and serve as economic drivers by helping to attract tourists.  There is so much potential in Ulster County to make new trail connections and to create longer trail networks.  I’m pleased that this conference will provide real world examples of how to move forward and the economic benefits we can achieve if we work together to create a strong trail network in Ulster County and beyond.”  

 

The kickoff panel presentation will feature speakers from the Ulster County Planning Board, Ulster County Department of Environment, and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.  The presentations will showcase several on-going trail initiatives in Ulster County and the role that trails play in Ulster’s tourism economy, along with particular challenges to trail development. The presentations will be followed by Q & A. Ruth Elwell, President of the Walkill Valley Rail Trail Association and Vice Chair of the Ulster County Planning Board, will moderate.

 

“The 12.2 mile Wallkill Valley Rail Trail in Gardiner and New Paltz in Ulster County was recognized as part of the Greenway Trail System in 2001,” said Elwell. “Our trail is now in the process of extending north through the towns of Rosendale and Ulster, doubling its length. One of the Greenway's most important efforts is supporting connections between the segments making up the land trail system.  This conference will provide valuable insight into the great potential this area has to realize the benefits creating regional trail connections.”

 

Craig Della Penna, owner of Trailside Realty in Massachusetts, will deliver the keynote address focusing on the economic payoff of trails. Della Penna is one of the country’s most in-demand speakers on the subject of rail trails, real estate, and other trail related economic development issues. For more information on Della Penna see www.trailsiderealty.com.   

 

According to Della Penna, “The Ulster County area of New York has a unique opportunity to develop a tourism resource that will be an economic engine that will lead to a renaissance in the small to mid-sized cities in the region.” 

 

Following lunch, presentations will focus on techniques and best practices for integrating trails within communities and connecting with the regional transportation system.  A 2:30 mobile workshop will visit the Walkill Valley Rail Trail followed by a trail-side networking reception at the Gilded Otter. 

 

The Ulster County Trail Conference is sponsored by The Hudson River Valley Greenway, Ulster County Executive Mike Hein, the Center for Research Regional Education and Outreach at SUNY New Paltz, Ulster County Planning Board, Ulster County Transportation Council, Ulster County Trails Advisory Committee, Barton and Loguidice, The Walkill Valley Rail Trail, Kingston Land Trust, Scenic Hudson, and Gilmour Planning.

 

The Hudson River Valley Greenway Conservancy is a New York State public benefit corporation established by the Greenway Act of 1991. The Greenway is designed to encourage Hudson River Valley communities to develop projects and initiatives related to the criteria of natural and cultural resource protection, regional and local planning, economic development, public access to the Hudson River (as well as other regional and local resources), and heritage and environmental education.  It provides technical assistance and small grants for planning, capital projects, and water trail and land-based trails that reinforce the Greenway Criteria. Presently, the Greenway has designated over 750 miles of land and water trails from Saratoga County to New York City. The Greenway is also the management entity for the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.

 

For more information on the Hudson River Valley Greenway see: www.hudsongreenway.ny.gov

For more information on the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area see: www.hudsonrivervalley.com

 

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