Green Guru Network

Scenic Hudson

By Scenic Hudson Planner Mark Wildonger, AICP, LEED Green Associate

On any given weekend, but especially on beautiful days in summer and fall, hundreds of people can be seen walking alongside speeding cars on Route 9D between Cold Spring, in Putnam County, and Beacon, in Dutchess. They're making their way to trails in Hudson Highlands State Park that afford views of some of New York's most stunning scenery. Often, hikers outnumber vehicles on the road.

To address this situation, the Philipstown Greenway Committee (led by Mike McKee) envisioned creating a safer connection between Cold Spring and the popular trails. In 2007 the committee used a grant secured from the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council to conduct a feasibility study for developing a multi-use path along Route 9D. Last fall, Scenic Hudson invited the public to share ideas for transformative projects to link key assets in and around their communities. Several people, among them Philipstown Supervisor Richard Shea and Fishkill Supervisor Bob LaColla, made clear that providing such a path would improve public safety and promote economic development opportunities.

With the help of community partners, Scenic Hudson has plotted a route for a proposed Hudson Fjord Hike/Bike Trail that would span eight miles—from Cold Spring to Beacon—passing through Philipstown and Fishkill along Route 9D and Metro-North's Hudson Line. The goal is to turn this high-speed thoroughfare into a recreational and tourism-oriented parkway, with the multi-use trail providing a safe, welcoming pedestrian gateway to Hudson Highlands State Park. The concept has received support from the towns of Philipstown and Fishkill; the Village of Cold Spring; the City of Beacon; Dutchess County; the NYS Department of Transportation and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; the Open Space Institute; the Hudson Highlands Land Trust; and the Little Stony Point Citizen's Association. It's also been well-received by Putnam County.

 
Scenic Hudson has been convening community stakeholders to advance the project. At the same time, local activists have reached out to hikers to get their input about the trail. Thanks to a survey conducted by enthusiastic citizens—including Dar Williams, Michael Khadabux, Mike McKee, Stephanie Hawkins, Emily Moulton, Chelsea Mozen, Daniel Platz, Mike Armstrong, Roberto Muller and Jeff Anderson—we now have a record of their perceptions and suggestions.

Conducted at two trailheads over a couple of April weekends, the survey asked hikers about safety concerns and access to trailheads, willingness to use a multi-use trail and amenities they'd like included along it. The results indicate a strong need for a dedicated access trail, formal parking lots, signage and restrooms. This information will be used to document community support (essential for securing future grants) and inform decision makers about the need for the trail and other transportation enhancements between Beacon and Cold Spring.

This project demonstrates how a small group of citizens can have a big impact in the planning process—identifying a problem, gathering public opinion and providing feasible solutions, all while driving public awareness.

Perhaps even more exciting is a plan that would link the Hudson Fjord Hike/Bike Trail with the emerging Beacon Loop Trail and The Trail of Two Cities. If completed and connected, these trails would provide easy access for hikers and cyclists to business districts, recreational assets and cultural institutions in Cold Spring, Philipstown, Fishkill, Beacon and Newburgh, bolstering the economies of these communities by enabling visitors from New York City to enjoy even more of the region via Metro-North. Stay tuned to future editions of Riverfront Action for details as these projects unfold.

And to stay up to date on progress on the Hudson Fjord Trail and ways you can help, visit the project's Facebook page.