More than 100 community members, including Kingston Greenline partner organization the Kingston Land Trust, attended a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the City of Kingston on Friday, September 6th for the opening of Phase 1 of the Kingston Point Rail Trail. This new section of rail trail on the Kingston Greenline is a paved public path stretching from the Midtown trailhead at Jansen Avenue and East Chester Street to Garraghan Drive at Rondout Gardens. The trail has a lower grade than on-road transportation options to the Rondout waterfront and provides an ADA accessible pedestrian and bicycle route that can be safely and easily used by all. The project includes enhanced traffic safety features, plantings, and installed amenities along the trail such as shade structures, benches, and bike racks.
City of Kingston Director of Grants Management, Kristen Wilson, said, “It was a joy to work with the Kingston Land Trust Community Design Team on the details of the furniture and landscape design. I think as a result the trailheads look very classy, give a nod to the corridor’s railroad history, and fit well into the local context.” The project was funded by grants from NYSERDA’s Cleaner, Greener Communities Program, and the OPRHP’s Heritage Area Systems Program and their Recreational Trails Program.
Phase 2 of the Kingston Point Rail Trail project (between Garraghan Dr. and the Trolley Museum) is in its design phase and expected to complete construction in 2020. Once complete, the Kingston Point Rail Trail will traverse multiple neighborhoods and offer stunning views of the Kingston Point Lighthouse, Hudson River, and Rondout Creek Harbor. A restored 19th century railroad tunnel and shared trolley section along the waterfront highlight Kingston's historic railroad legacy.
The Kingston Point Rail Trail is one section of the greater Kingston Greenline, a system of trails, linear parks, and complete streets that, when fully developed, will connect residents and visitors to Kingston's natural, historic, cultural and commercial assets. The Kingston Greenline serves as a hub for the region’s trail network by providing connections to the O&W Rail Trail and Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, as well as being part of the Empire State Trail which is expected to be completed in 2020.
“Rock the Block and the Trail Party” on September 21
The Kingston Land Trust is pleased to celebrate the opening of the Kingston Point Rail Trail Phase 1 (from Jansen Ave. to Garraghan Dr.) with the “Rock the Block and the Trail Party” in partnership with the City of Kingston. This free community event will take place on Saturday, September 21 from 3:30pm to 7:30pm in the Rondout Savings Bank parking lot, located at 300 Broadway in Midtown Kingston. Parking will be available at the trailhead parking lot (E. Chester St. and Jansen Ave.) and on surrounding streets, but attendees are encouraged to bike or walk to prevent congestion. Between 3:30pm and 6:30pm, there will be music, food vendors, activity tents, and guided trail walks. At 6:30pm "Trailblazer Awards" will be presented by Mayor Steve Noble and Executive Director of the Kingston Land Trust, Julia Farr, to honor those who helped develop the trail.
“The KPRT portion of the Kingston Greenline completes a critical gap in the city’s neighborhood connection – and is an incredible step forward toward a more moveable, walkable and bikeable Kingston,” said Sarah Brainard, Board Chair of the Kingston Land Trust. "We cannot wait to see what the continued use of this corridor will bring, and we hope you can join us at our September 21st Block Party celebration and much more on the Greenline as time goes on.”
New Website Launched to Centralize Greenline Information
The Kingston Land Trust is also excited to announce the launch of a new website for the Kingston Greenline, which can be found at www.kingstongreenline.org. The purpose of this site is to centralize information for trail users and it will be updated with events, programming, project status, and frequently asked questions as the Kingston Greenline develops. The development of the website was funded by the Kingston Land Trust with a Capacity & Excellence Grant from the NYS Conservation Partnership Program of the Land Trust Alliance and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
Volunteer Trail Rangers Play Vital Role in Greenline Management
Trail Rangers, a volunteer group organized by the Kingston Land Trust, conducts monthly trail monitoring walks on the trail portions of the Greenline to identify and report trail conditions. “Getting involved with Trail Rangers is not only a great way to get oriented to the Kingston Greenline and trail management.” said Ted Griese, Operations Manager for the Kingston Land Trust. “It’s also a fun opportunity to get outside and meet new people from your community.” Walks are typically guided by board members or staff of the Kingston Land Trust. The final Trail Monitoring Walk of 2019 will take place on Tuesday, October 1st. Trail Rangers will meet at We Got the Juice, 694 Broadway, at 5:30pm. Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend and dogs are welcome.
September 6, 2019. Greenline initiative partners from Ulster County, the City of Kingston, and the Kingston Land Trust pose with Mayor Steve Noble at the ribbon cutting ceremony for phase 1 of the Kingston Point Rail Trail. Photo Credit: Ellie Reese
Phase 1 of the Kingston Point Rail Trail included the installation of amenities like shade structures, benches, trash cans, and lighting. Design choices were influenced by the Community Design Work Group of the Kingston Land Trust.
August, 7, 2019. Trail Rangers led by Kingston Land Trust board member Tim Weidemann gather outside of Broadway Arts before a Trail Monitoring Walk on the Kingston Greenline.
