New Schunnemunk Rail Trail - OC Gov. Presentation 6PM Washingtonville 1/15 - Want to Be Involved & Stay Informed?

ejreporter
8 hours ago
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Schunnemunk Rail Trail - Chester - Blooming Grove - Washingtonville - Cornwall

County representatives will be at the Washingtonville Village Hall this Thursday, January 15, to give updates on this project, its design, timeline and what comes next.

"Acquiring the Schunnemunk Rail Trail is a significant step in preserving an important piece of our region’s history while also creating a sustainable transportation and recreational asset for our community,” said Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus. “Like the Heritage Trail, this corridor will provide residents and visitors for generations to come with a safe, scenic place to walk, bike, or commute, as well as to connect with the natural beauty of Orange County for generations to come."

This is a huge step forward in our County, Town and Village's participation in the hiking and environmental activities of our region. This stretch of the Rail Trail will begin at the end of the Heritage Trail on the former Camp LaGuardia/future County Park Site, continue past the 250-acre Stone House Farm (future Farm to Table and Wedding Venue) in Blooming Grove on Craigville Road, Cross Craigville and on to the bridge across Route 94 and then all the way through Blooming Grove, where a partial trail exists, to Farmingdale, and then (and if you think you might tire there is a lovely 1880's historic Bed & Breakfast called Dominion House on Old Dominion Road... with a pool and sauna), all the way to Washingtonville High School. At WHS it crosses to Sewell Park, through the woods and across a bridge (that will require work), and across Route 208 where it continues behind Fulton Square and May's Field, continuing through farmland and woods to where the Moodna passes behind Weirs Ice Cream, and on to the Moodna Trestle which was built between 1906 and 1909 across the Moodna Valley in from the East side Cornwall to Salisbury Mills Hamlet. The Trestle which at 3,200 feet long and 198 ft. high was long known as the longest and highest viaduct East of the Mississippi. By building this, the Erie Railroad Co. helped populate the Lower Hudson Valley with people, livestock and economic success including 100 years of famous vacation venues and even today a thriving film industry.

Orange County Gov Team CE Steve Neuhaus, Alan Sorensen, Dir. of Planning , Travis Ewald,Comm. of Parks, Recreation and Conservation -taking a hike along the first part of the Blooming Grove Section to 'scope out the plan'.

At the Chester/LaGuardia end of the Trail the new County Park has advanced and at the left side of the LaGuardia heart loop it's plan includes the transition between the Heritage Trail and Blooming Grove Schunnemunk Trail's beginning

View of the Moodna Valley with the Moodna Trestle and Lower Catskills in the background adjacent to the Blooming/Salisbury Mills/Cornwall border

The new Schunnemunk Meadows Trail at the Cornwall Schunnemunk Park Entrance

East and West Schunnemunk Meadows Loops.

Along the new Chester-Blooming Grove-Washingtonville-Salisbury Mills-Cornwall stretch that follows the Moodna Creek and its Meadows - this is the far North end.

The community in the Village of Washingtonville is eager for this project to proceed, as many have hiked some lengths of it for years, and there are several businesses right in the Village Center that are new and flourishing in anticipation of hiking and tourism related clientele. Amada's Mexican Restaurant has developed a broad selection of events, both in its massive and beautifully decorated interior and their spacious sections of the Fulton Square Veranda. If the hiking clientele coming into Washingtonville looks to the right, they will see Amada's and they will have Trailside functions as well. Along the new portions of the trail that has been completed at the Trestle there are helpful kiosks along the way. And just a few feet from the trail there are many additional eager businesses to embellish your adventure,

At the far right of this inviting complex at Fulton Square, Amada's Mexican Restaurant and Bar offers an amazing variety of foods in the restaurant, at the bar, and its beautiful veranda. When the Trail right behind it gets busy there will be cafe events both on the veranda and Summer tables within the view of hikers at the Route 208 intersection.

In just one year Amada's has developed a huge clientele of both individuals, families and groups that hold parties, recognitions, and Paint and Sip's and holiday events.

Meanwhile, the former Corner Corner Candle Store and future Guilty Pleasures Cheesecakes Cafe, also in Fulton Square and within a stone's throw of the Trail, is under the new ownership of Patrick and Justine Maiorino, after a spectacular renovation, and is hoping for a soft opening in Spring. As you can see its spacious historic interior is incredibly welcoming. This beautiful historic building has 2 floors plus an entry area. The main floor is expected to include a cafe and the 2nd floor includes a large theatre area (floor and beams including original historic wood). We are all on tenterhooks anticipating more details of the plans. Owners Patrick and Justine Maiorino promise "Amazing Surprises Await You".

Corner Candle Store - Like a Phoenix is Starting an exciting New Life

We trust that is true, especially sinc Patrick and Justine are also Co-Chairs of the Washingtonville Event Committee which has grown to a point where attendance is often in the thousands of visitors.

An Art and Environment Group will be active as this develops, with a soon anticipated Blooming Grove Art Collective. This will primarily include much of the spectacular landscapes of both the Valley and Schunnemunk Ridge. and the nature and wildlife that live there. Look for more news about this on Valentine's Day.

Working with Alan Sorensen of the Orange County Planning Department, Annie Bergelin (Senior Design & Capital Projects Manager), and Kathy Moser, formerly the Chief Conservation Officer for the Open Space Institute and now appointed by Governor Hochul to be Acting Commissioner of New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Orange County, we hope to help develop this as both a unique local project, and (especially with Annie Bergelin in whose subtitle is "Director of Connectivity" to link it with and participate with the other New York/Hudson Valley and New Jersey hiking groups, Art and History of the Region, and of course efforts in caring for our area's spectacular nature and wildlife offerings. This is also part of the expansion announced in Blooming Grove about 2 years ago by Supervisor Rob Jeroloman that we had officially become part of the Hudson Highlands environmental group. With this team on our side a big success is in the future as long as we stay focused and continue to both enjoy and develop it.

For a lot more detailed information about the Open Space Institute's Western

Highlands Connectivity check this section of their site and scroll down to the

link that says "Read Full Plan Here"

Plan to Protect Hudson Highlands and Improve Trail Connectivity Announced - Open Space Institute

One of the 2 bridges in the Village of Washingtonville along the Moodna Creek that will be repaired... this one is behind May's Field.

This trail is being developed to offer something for everyone. There are loops, and thete are loops in the loops, all connected to long-distance trails (note on the above map that where the purple trail line ends a teal draft line continues to the Newburgh Waterfront). So whether you want to take your dog for a walk, check out some Spring flowers behind May's field (and some piles of the actual railroad ties), or go on a lengthy adventure, it can all start here.

A short collection of the related environmental art that is being collected for

display this coming Spring and Summer.... as print images, poster art, journal covers, and captioned backpack and imprinted clothing designs.