Long-term initiative seeks to link more than 250 miles of multiuse trails through 20 communities in Ulster, Sullivan, and Orange counties.
With its Growing Greenways: West of Hudson Greenway Trails Vision Plan (“Growing Greenways Plan”), OSI presents a vision to connect the region’s multiuse trail network that would span more than 250 miles and connect dozens of communities throughout Ulster, Sullivan, and Orange Counties.
The plan outlines opportunities to create new community linkages, boost economic activity and tourism, expand non-motorized transportation options, promote physical activity and public health, and make it easier for all people to access the outdoors.
The Growing Greenways Plan outlines both completed and future projects that would link the:
- Wallkill Valley Rail Trail (Project Spotlight here),
- O&W Rail Trail, including the D&H Canal (Project Spotlight here),
- Catskill Mountain Rail Corridor, including the Ashokan Rail Trail (Project Spotlight here),
- Sullivan O&W Rail Trail (Project Spotlight here),
- Schunnemunk Rail Trail (Project Spotlight here),
- Orange County Heritage Trail (Project Spotlight here), and
- Shawangunk Ridge Carriage Roads, which include Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s carriage roads and the OSI-owned and managed River-to-Ridge Trail (Project Spotlight here), and
- Schunnemunk Meadows Trail (Project Spotlight here).
The Growing Greenways Plan expands on decades of OSI’s work to protect land and build trails in partnership with local communities and builds upon local, county, and state trail investments and priorities.
Read the full Growing Greenways Plan here.
Greenway Trails and Equity
OSI’s commitment to improving access to trails and green space for everyone.
From riding a bike, gathering with family and friends, or taking a break from the stresses of everyday life, access to the outdoors provides a range of health and community benefits. Still, these universal benefits are not always universally available.
Historic conditions and practices have limited available, safe, and welcoming green spaces for low income and marginalized communities. Trails and greenways offer new opportunities to bring parks and open space directly to people and a wide array of communities. In our pursuit of creating greenway connections, the Open Space Institute is committed to being a responsive partner and integrating equity into this highly beneficial work.
Our work creates, protects, and improves trails and greenways to support healthy lifestyles and strengthen communities; promote inclusivity and positive outdoor experiences; and create and sustain new transportation options and economic activity.
Through our greenway trails initiatives, OSI is bringing people closer to nature, and to each other.