BOICEVILLE – Hundreds filled the auditorium at Onteora High School in Boiceville Thursday evening, to hear about the proposed rail trail project at Ashokan Reservoir. The information session was hosted by the Ulster County Planning Department, to discuss preliminary engineering details.
Lots of support for the project
The 11.5 mile recreational trail, along the old Ulster & Delaware Railroad right-of-way, was first proposed by Ulster County Executive Michael Hein in 2012, and approved by the county legislature in December 2015. Construction of the trail begins in 2017.
Public comment period remains open until February 1. Concerns are encouraged to be directed to the Ulster County Planning Department, planning@co.ulster.ny.us .
The Ashokan Reservoir supplies New York City with drinking water and is strictly controlled by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Recreational access to the property around the reservoir has traditionally been limited in the past. When completed, the $8.5 million park is expected to attract 140,000 visitors each year. For the first time in over a century, the scenic property will be opened to public use without special permit requirements.
Funding includes $2.5 million from DEP for the trailheads, plus $2.3 million from the state DEC, and pending money from FEMA for bridge reconstruction.
The unpaved trail will be surfaced with crushed stone, 10 to 12 feet wide, including drainage improvements, regrading of the former rail bed, addition of signage, fencing, trail amenities, and construction of three new trailheads – one on each end, and one in the center. Additionally, the Boiceville trestle and Butternut Creek culvert will be replaced.
Most of the public comments praised the project and extolled the public health virtues of outdoor exercise. A handful of dissenters criticized the dismantling of historic railroad access.
White – federal rail bank
Deputy County Planner Chris White, who moderated the forum, noted that the entire project serves as a federal rail bank.
“What we are doing is we are putting a trail in understanding that some point in the future that easement for rail could always we brought back,” White said.
Kathleen Nolan, High Peaks regional director for Catskill Mountainkeeper, spoke in favor of the project, adding that she would like to see electric vehicle recharging stations installed at the three trailheads. As a pediatrician, she added that “this trail will do more for the health of families than anything else.”
Rosendale resident Nick Mercurio agreed. One of several healthy septuagenarians, he explained that access to rail trails keeps his body young and flexible. Other speakers echoed the same sentiment, including Stu Rosenthal, 76, a long-distance cyclist. “The closer the opportunity for exercise, the healthier the community will be,” Mercurio said.
