County Executive Also Advocates For A Compromise Plan That Would Save Theme Based Train Operations In Kingston

Shokan, N.Y. – With the awe-inspiring beauty from the north shore of the Ashokan Reservoir as the backdrop, Ulster County Executive Mike Hein met with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Emily Lloyd who reiterated the DEP’s commitment to open and fund major public improvements along the entire 11.54 miles of the north shore of the Ashokan Reservoir transforming it into a world-class rail trail. This action would open these DEP lands without permit or fee for the first time in over 100 years and represents unprecedented access to the breath-taking beauty and nature that is the Ashokan Reservoir for all Ulster County residents and visitors alike.

The DEP has repeatedly stated, and Commissioner Lloyd reiterated today, that they will only support a conversion of this portion of the corridor located on DEP lands into a recreational trail. Consistent with that, the Ulster County Legislature passed Resolution No. 275 on August 19, 2014, clearly stating that the only portion of the 38.6 mile Ulster and Delaware (U&D) corridor to have continued railroad operations was to be west of the Ashokan Reservoir, with the balance of this county asset to be converted to trail. Without a policy change at the county level, theme based train rides would cease to operate on the Kingston section of this county-owned corridor.

“I continue to be committed to saving tourist train operations in Kingston,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “To that end, we have designed a thoughtful compromise to the decades old conflict between rail only and trail only advocates and it is my great hope the Ulster County Legislature will re-align its policy with this compromise plan.”

“When it comes to tourism trains and rail trails, Ulster County residents deserve to enjoy the best of both worlds. Having tourist train rides in both Kingston and the Mt. Tremper/Phoenicia areas, as well as a world class rail trail that runs from the beautiful Ashokan Reservoir to the one-of-a-kind Walkway Over the Hudson, free of charge provides the best of both worlds for the vast majority of Ulster County residents. My administration has designed and is promoting a responsible compromise to the decades old railroad/rail trail debate, that saves tourism-based train rides in Kingston while also embracing a world class rail trail,” continued County Executive Mike Hein. “The compromise plan will provide countless recreational opportunities for our residents and visitors, and allow them to experience all Ulster County has to offer as we work to attract the 22 million people who live in the metro New York area to visit. In fact, the DEP has also agreed to market the rail trail and Ulster County to its water customers. I want to thank DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd and her team for recognizing the mutual benefits of building the rail trail and opening access to these watershed lands for the first time in over 100 years. We are appreciative that the DEP has shown this commitment to enhancing outdoor recreational activities and will be providing over $2.5 million to Ulster County for rail trail construction and also investing over $1 million independently to complete additional construction of trailheads and other facilities such as restrooms and parking. A valuable added economic benefit of these combined $3.5 million investments will be additional quality construction jobs created within Ulster County community.”

“Another little known but important component of this compromise plan which should be highlighted is the creation of a linear park in City of Kingston, from Cornell Street to the Kingston Plaza which would connect mid-town to uptown. This segment would help addresses important social justice issues surrounding recreational access for inner city residents,” said the County Executive. “In conjunction with the City’s Greenline Project, this linear park will connect uptown, mid-town and the waterfront for pedestrians for the first time in generations. Linear parks and open spaces enhance quality of life by providing an environmentally conscious, healthy outdoor activity within walking distance from inner-city homes.”

Karen Clark Adin, Owner of Bop To Tottom

"As an Uptown Kingston business owner, I appreciate and value the County Executive's compromise plan," said Karen Clark Adin owner of Bop to Tottom. "It allows for the theme train ride attractions to continue in Kingston, while still connecting the Walkway Over the Hudson to the Ashokan Reservoir by rail trail."

Donna Brooks, Owner of Hudson Coffee Traders

“As a business owner in both Kingston and New Paltz, I am supportive of this compromise plan that connects many Ulster County communities and still allows tourist train operation in the Kingston area,” said Donna Brooks, owner of Hudson Coffee Traders.

Michael Ham, Business Representative Operating Engineers Local 825

“I strongly support the County Executive’s plan which will provide good jobs during construction and fantastic recreational opportunities when it is complete,” said Michael Ham, Business Representative Operator Engineers Local 825. “I look forward to the work being started on the trail as soon as possible.”

 The major components of the agreement between Ulster County and the NYC DEP are:

• NYC DEP will contribute $2.5 million towards the County’s planning, design and construction of the Ulster County Rail Trail Project along NYC DEP lands adjacent to the Ashokan Reservoir and support additional grant funding as the project advances.
• Both parties support the conversion of the Ulster & Delaware corridor along NYC DEP lands into public recreational trail only, extending from Basin Road in West Hurley to Boiceville, and recognize the significant economic, environmental, public health, and quality of life benefits to the residents and businesses of Ulster County and New York City.
• In addition to the $2.5 million commitment, which DEP advises can only be used to build the trail, NYC DEP will design, construct, maintain and operate multiple public access points, or trailheads, along the trail with parking and trail support facilities.
• Ulster County will design, construct and maintain the rail trail.
• There will be a joint marketing effort to promote the trail to
  Ulster County residents as well as residents and visitors to the New York City metropolitan area.

Pictured Below: County Executive Mike Hein with DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd at the Ashokan Reservoir