Rosendale/ Ulster Extension of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
In order to repair the 11.5 miles of the newly acquired Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, and restore the railroad trestle in Rosendale, we need your help! Please email us, or write us to let us know you care about this project, and want to be on our email list!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE MONEY OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR THE RESTORATION of the TRESTLE IN ROSENDALE and the REPAIR OF THE RAIL TRAIL IN THE TOWN OF ROSENDALE AND THE TOWN OF ULSTER:
‘TRACK THE TRESTLE’ CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED AS RENOVATIONS TO HISTORIC ROSENDALE RAILROAD BRIDGE ARE BEING PLANNED
Conservation groups plan to raise $1.1 million dollars to repair trestle, connect it to expanded Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
NEW YORK, NY — March 24, 2011 — The Open Space Institute (OSI) and Wallkill Valley Land Trust (WVLT) invite area residents, business owners and the outdoor enthusiasts who travel from far and wide for the unparalleled beauty of the Shawangunks to “Track the Trestle,” as the two organizations kick off a fundraising campaign to help renovate and repair the historic railroad trestle over Rondout Creek and Route 213 in Rosendale.
Together, OSI and the WVLT intend to raise support to help fund improvements that will make the 114-year-old trestle, once part of an active railroad that ferried Ulster County produce down to markets in New York City, safe again for public use.
A special kick-off event is scheduled for Saturday, March 26, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Rosendale Theater. Rail trail supporters are invited to enjoy a short video of Walter Williams telling trestle stories fireside at the Williams Lake Lodge, along with a montage of historic photos from Carlton Mabee. The video will be shown multiple times throughout the event, and refreshments will be served. The Rosendale Theater is located at 408 Main Street, Rosendale, NY, 12472.
After it is restored, the trestle—boasting incredible views of the Shawangunk Ridge, the Binnewater Lakes region and the hamlet of Rosendale—will be a major highlight along the nearly 24-mile Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. Overall, the project is expected to cost 1.1 million dollars. The organizations have already raised $450,000 through public and private grants.
“This campaign goes beyond raising money to repair the trestle,” said Kim Elliman, OSI’s CEO. “We want to give local residents, business people, hikers, bikers—anyone who appreciates the beauty of this rail trail—the opportunity, in essence, to own it, maintain it and manage it.”
A series of additional events, ranging from local food tastings, presentations on the history of the railroad and the Shawangunk region, and performances for families and children will be held throughout the year to raise awareness and support for the project. A new website has also been launched, and will provide up-to-date information as the project progresses.
In August 2009, OSI and WVLT partnered to acquire the 11.5 miles of railroad bed that will ultimately expand the rail trail’s length to nearly 24 miles—through the towns of Gardiner, New Paltz, Rosendale and Ulster, and on to Kingston. The 940-foot-long trestle was closed in June of last year after engineers’ inspections confirmed that improved decking, railings and safety supports were needed to bring the bridge up to appropriate safety standards.
While the trestle is being restored, OSI and WVLT are simultaneously working to restore sections of rail bed along the trail.
“This trail has the potential to be one of New York State’s finest, and if you think about some of the spectacular rail trails in this state, that’s really saying something,” said Christie DeBoer, WVLT’s executive director. “With the support we have already seen from the local community, the sky really is the limit.”
Railroad Trestle Inspections Ongoing; Renovation Project to Begin in Spring 2011
NEW PALTZ, NY —Engineers and their crews have converged on the historic railroad trestle over Rondout Creek and Route 213 in Rosendale as the Wallkill Valley Land Trust and Open Space Institute prepare to launch a campaign to raise the $750,000 needed to complete restoration of the 114-year-old trestle.
“This is going to be a wonderful asset to the community when it’s finished. A 24-mile continuous rail trail, spotlighting the unmatched beauty of this part of NY State and will draw visitors and dollars from all over the region. The recreational, scenic, historical, and economic benefits this project provides are monumental,” said Christine Ferguson, Executive Director of the Wallkill Valley Land Trust.
Engineers from Bergmann Associates have completed a structural inspection of the trestle to determine the extent of the restorations needed to ensure it will be safe for public use. “The bridge appears to be in great condition; we’ll confirm that with further analysis, but I’m very optimistic,” said Mike Cooper, P.E., Project Manager for Bergmann Associates. The engineering report will be available in January 2011, with repair work expected to commence in the spring of 2011. The restoration project is estimated to take about 12 months.
In the interest of public safety, the 940-foot-long railroad trestle will be closed from end to end for the duration of the project. Once it is reopened, the trestle will be a major scenic highlight along the extended, nearly 24-mile Wallkill Valley Rail Trail.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation has committed $150,000 toward the trestle renovation project. OSI and WVLT are launching a major fundraising effort in the New Year, and to make a donation now, please visit ----
“With some support in hand, we hope now that the local community will help us raise the remainder of the money we need to repair the trestle and complete what will become a major recreational resource for the Shawangunk region,” said OSI President Joe Martens.
In August 2009, WVLT and OSI together acquired 11.5 miles (65 acres) of the former Wallkill Valley Railroad, nearly doubling the length of the existing Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. That acquisition included the Rosendale railroad trestle, which is now solely owned by the Wallkill Valley Land Trust. When completely restored and renovated, the rail trail and trestle will be conveyed to the towns of Rosendale and Ulster, with WVLT maintaining conservation easements on the properties.
Once all work is completed, the improved Wallkill Valley Rail Trail will extend from the southern border of Gardiner to the city of Kingston, affording walkers, hikers, bikers and all users panoramic views of Shawangunk Ridge, the Binnewater Lakes region and the hamlet of Rosendale.
Anyone interested in the fundraising campaign or seeking further information on the trestle restoration should visit the Wallkill Valley Land Trust web site at www.wallkillvalleylt.org or the Open Space Institute at www.osiny.org.
Donations can be made to: www.osiny.org/savetrestle
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