KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive
Michael Hein has signed the agreement between the county and New York
City Department of Environmental Protection to help transform the county-owned
right-of-way along the north shore of the Ashokan Reservoir into a public
recreational trail.

The agreement opens 11.5 miles of currently unused corridor along the
reservoir shore without permit or fee for the first time in over 100 years.

“Our residents will benefit from increased outdoor recreational
opportunities while our local businesses will receive a boost from the
influx of visitors coming to see and experience all that Ulster County
has to offer,” said Hein.

Town of Olive Supervisor Sylvia Rozzelle is thrilled with the agreement.
“The trail along the Ashokan will boost business in the Town of
Olive and nearby towns as well as offer our residents wonderful recreational
benefits,” she said.

Under the agreement with DEP, the agency will contribute $2.5 million
toward the county’s planning, design and construction of the rail
trail project.

The DEP will also design, construct, maintain and operate several public
access points, or trail heads, along the trail with parking and trail
support facilities.