September, 2001 issue

The Hastings-on-Hudson project is a 600 ft. trail, along what is known as Quarry Road, that will fill a gap in the current system of walkways by providing a link between Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park and the Hastings Trailway System.

The proposed Quarry Trail will run on an old railway bed from the early 19th century that was used to transport marble from a quarry in Hastings-on- Hudson to the Hudson River waterfront. The railway runs to the west, from the old marble quarry to Southside Avenue near the Zinsser Bridge, the southernmost access over the Metro-North tracks to the Hastings waterfront.

The $100,000 total project includes $10,000 for design and engineering and $90,000 for trail construction involving clearing and grubbing, tree and shrub removal and minor earth removal to the level of the rail bed. A landscape architect will be hired to design the trail and supervise construction. Project management will be performed by the Village Engineer and historic research and interpretation will be performed in conjunction with the Hastings Historical Society.

Lee Kinnally, Mayor of Village Hastings-on-Hudson, said, "This grant will provide us with an important link between Hastings' past and its future. The Quarry was an important operation in the early 19th Century and our waterfront was an integral part of the nation's and the region's growth in the 20th Century. The Quarry Trailway will serve us in the 21st century as a path from the Aqueduct to our waterfront and will allow our residents full access to our greenspace and the Hudson River."

"New York State's network of trails offers a vast array of fun and exciting outdoor activities for all New Yorkers," Governor Pataki said. "Here in Hastings, trails have historically played an important role in providing direct routes to the waterfront for more than 150 years."

Neil Woodworth, Counsel to the Adirondack Mountain Club and the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference commented, "From suburban walkways to nature trails, from cross country ski routes to hiking trails to scenic overlooks, the Recreational Trails Program funds a superlative trail system that gives residents and tourists alike abundant opportunities for healthful exercise and renewal."

The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Association received $45,000 for the restoration of sections of the trail needing surface and drainage improvements and construction of a wildlife observation deck. In the Village of Haverstraw, the Bowline Pond Greenway Trail, was granted $20,000 for construction of the village's Greenway Trails running along the west side of Bowline Pond.

The Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc., Bannerman Castle Trails, received $40,000 for the restoration of the historic trail system on Bannerman Is land, which will allow for public use.

The historic site of Wilderstein was granted $75,000 for conversion of loggers roads, views from the trails and construction of a parking area for the disabled.

Just recently, the State published a guide to highlight New York State Trails, providing general information regarding a number of trail opportunities and trail systems with a focus on trails managed by DEC and OPRHP. The guide was funded by a grant through the Recreational Trails Program.