Ulster County Transportation Council (UCTC), in partnership with the Village of New Paltz, Wallkill Valley Land Trust, and Historic Huguenot Street, has announced the beginning of a planning and community engagement process addressing the future use and design of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail in the Village of New Paltz.
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Community Opportunity Plan will develop options to optimize multimodal active transport, open space and recreational enhancement on the heavily used part of the trail within the heart of the Village of New Paltz. The Plan will focus on how to reimagine this important regional trail hub and community asset.
UCTC has hired trail and park planning experts Weintraub/Diaz to lead the planning and design process. The W/D team focuses on “integrating natural systems using a sustainable, restorative, holistic, and comprehensive design approach.” The firm will be guided by a local advisory committee consisting of key stakeholders from the community.
The plan will examine the WVRT from Plains Road north to Huguenot Street, approximately 1.5 miles, with a focus on the area from Plains Road to Mulberry Street.
Key components of the project include a thorough inventory and analysis of the study area, including existing characteristics such as land use, drainage, natural resources, trail surface, traffic conditions and access to adjoining land uses. The public engagement process will include a multi-day planning and visioning session that includes a trail walk with the project team to identify opportunities and concerns. A second workshop series to be scheduled in the summer will present the corridor vision and concept for additional feedback. The final outcome will be a plan for the study area that will guide local stakeholders toward successful implementation.
The entire project is scheduled to be completed within 11 months.
A project info meeting is set for Thursday, June 6th, from 6 to 8 pm, at the New Paltz Community Center.
A Trail Walk is set for Sunday June 9 at 11 am at Sojourner Truth Park, Plains Road.
Two workshops are set for Tuesday, June 18th, from 4 to 6 pm and 7 to 9 pm at New Paltz Community Center
For more information, contact Brian C. Slack, Principal Transportation Planner, UCTC at bsla@co.ulster.ny.us, or (845) 334-5590.
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