Walkway Over The Hudson

Map at the Poughkeepsie trail head

Last Saturday I was lucky enough to visit the newest, longest, pedestrian park - in the world! After years of preparation and fundraising, groundbreaking for construction was in May 2008.

This enormous project had its grand opening on October 3, 2009.

Exhibit at the Highland trail head. The Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park opened to the public to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Hudson River Valley.

The bridge is accessible from Poughkeepsie and Highland, New York.

Sunning was also an activity on this November Saturday.

Excerpt from NYTimes editorial (read here for full editorial)

The bridge was abandoned in the 1970s and sat for decades because it was too expensive to tear down. Volunteers made fitful efforts to repair it as a walkway, but the project took off only about five years ago with big infusions of ambition and money, including federal and state aid and a $2 million corporate grant. This year's 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's river trip helped push the $38 million project to completion.

The bridge is part of a bigger web of things to see and do up and down the Hudson River. There are trails and bike paths from both sides linking the nearby Mid-Hudson Bridge, downtown Poughkeepsie, and parks, historic homes and landmarks. To the many civic, environmental and historic organizations that look after the Hudson Valley- including Scenic Hudson, whose land acquisitions have given the region a wealth of public greenery- the bridge has two jobs: be lovely to look at (and from), and energize the economy.

This editorial appeared in print on October 6, 2009, on page A30 of the New York edition.TOP TEN: Things You Should Know About the Walkway Over the Hudson
#2. The finished Walkway will feature a 1.25 mile linear park, creating the longest walkway bridge in the world!What we can take to heart is that the people behind this project worked seventeen years to realize their dream.

#3. Walkway Over the Hudson, a nonprofit organization, has worked since 1992 to create this linear park located on the 120-year old, Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge. Their grass-roots effort paid off, and they received both federal and private funding needed to research, plan and implement this project...

Now, individuals and families enjoy the park, the people, and the animals along the way.

Some were just along for the ride.

The gates carry the bridge logo.

The residential area of the city of Poughkeepsie in the background.

VIDEO ON THE WALKWAY

Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative

Mountain bikers and road bikers alike will find interesting information in this posting.

Brad Clemenson, of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), contacted the Ligonier Valley Trail group to discuss overlaps in our projects. After discussion and reading their report, we hope to coordinate with PEC, as our goals nicely match theirs.

Old Lincoln Highway west of Ligonier

Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative

The Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative is increasing recreational opportunities and linking the area's beautiful landscapes with communities.

Below an excerpt from the Laurel Ridge Trails Assessment, which was completed in March 2009. This is the section of the report that mentions the potential for a trail (mostly on-road) linking Ligonier to Linn Run State Park and mountain-bike trails higher on Laurel Ridge.

The Ridgeback Trail mentioned here is a proposed mountain-bike trail from Ohiopyle to near Johnstown that would run parallel to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.

4. Ligonier, Jones Mills and Resort Spurs
Connecting the Ridgeback Trail network to Ligonier in a way that makes sense to a certain group of users could be a simple task utilizing paved roads and signage into Linn Run State Park, then on to Forbes State Forest dirt roads and trails via Linn Run Road.

From Ligonier, this route would utilize the paved roads of Old Lincoln Highway for 1.8 miles, US Route 30 for 0.07 miles (Speedgoat Bicycle Shop is one mile east of this intersection on US Route 30), PA Route 381 for 2.9 miles, and Linn Run Road approximately seven miles to the top of the mountain. Mountain bikers and hybrid bikers could get on the PW&S trail network a third of the way up the mountain near the border of Linn Run State Park and Forbes State Forest.

Cross bikes or hybrid bikes, which are growing in popularity, could utilize this variety route from Ligonier to the top of the mountain for an enjoyable and challenging experience through the valley roads and mountain trails. Elevation change from Ligonier to the top of the ridge is approximately 1,500 feet.

Laurel Ridge

Road bikes could use this connection as it is a very scenic ride, though road bikes would obviously have to stop short of trails in Forbes State Forest. Mountain bikers can drive this route and start riding at one of several trailheads in Forbes State Forest, but would not likely ride on paved roads from Ligonier. See map #6 in Appendix b and poster maps accompanying this document.

The Ridgeback Trail can also be linked to Jones Mills, a community with a hotel (Log Cabin Motel) and Bed and Breakfast (Friendship Inn), as well as other visitor services located at the intersection of Routes 31 and 381, about two miles from the Donegal Turnpike Interchange. This connection has been mapped in the Mountain Watershed Association feasibility study for the Indian Creek Valley Trail, which then also will link to the communities of Champion and Indian Head along Route 381.



To read more about this project and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, see the references and links below.


The entire Laurel Ridge Trails Assessment report can be downloaded from www.pecpa.org/Laurel_Highlands.


Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC)


Pennsylvania Environmental Council's vision: Pennsylvania will be a model for collaborative solutions to environmental protection and restoration built through partners that recognize the inextricable links between the environment, the economy and our quality of life.

And the Winners Are...

...Patty and Gregory Rennels of Stahlstown.

Congratulations to the winners of the Schwinn Town and Country Tricycle.

Thanks to everyone for your participation in our Charter membership drive.

Happy Halloween!!

A Treat for Someone - Trike Drawing - October 31, 4:45PM

Today, along with another donation and offer to help, we received a message:

"Can't wait to see this trail become reality!"

We feel the same way!

Thank you to ALL who helped recruit new Friends of the Ligonier Valley Trail. Also thanks to the volunteers that have come forward in all the small and large ways, to get all the work done this summer and fall. And thank you to all the people who have given us encouragement. It's all important.

Tomorrow we will be drawing a name from our list of ninety six members (and growing with every email!) to win the Schwinn Town and Country Tricycle.

The drawing will be held in front of Jackie's House at 4:45PM. We will be inside if the weather doesn't cooperate for us, and all the incoming Trick-or-Treaters.

We will be calling the winner as soon as we can. If you feel lucky, join us there and take the trike home when you win.

GOOD LUCK!

Jackie's House

114 N Market Street

Ligonier, PA

Last Week for the Trike

Its official.
The lucky person to win the Schwinn Trike for becoming Friend is a week away from finding out.

Yes! Someone will receive a treat on three wheels on October 31. All mailed memberships need to be at the township office by Friday October 30 mail to make it into the drawing.

We are close to 100 members. Help us with that final push.
Thanks for all who participated and helped!

Safe Routes to School E-News

For those of you with interest in student safety, and our trail, this organization sends an E-News monthly letter that has many ideas for your school and students. Sign up if you would like to know more. http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/about/3302

Here is a partial copy of this month's issue. Click onto the tabs the beginning to get the rest of the topics if you'd like.

Some of the news articles (10) are inspirational.

Issue #46: October 2009

Safe Routes to School E-News

"Changing the habits of an entire generation"

Safe Routes to School E-News is a monthly email newsletter published by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, a growing network of more than 400 organizations working to advance the Safe Routes to School National movement. Please forward it to anyone you think might be interested by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.

In this issue:

1. CDC Releases Application for Hundreds of Millions in Prevention Funding
2. The Partnership is Now on Facebook and Twitter: Join Us!
3. Safe Routes to School National Partnership's Federal Update
4. Safe Routes to School National Partnership's 2009 Annual Meeting
5. National Center for Safe Routes to School Mini-Grants
6. PolicyLink and Prevention Institute Book on Health and Transportation
7. Safe Routes to School State Network Project Update
8. Alabama Awards 2nd Round of SRTS Funding
9. North Carolina Announces $3.6 Million in SRTS Funding Awarded
10. SRTS News Throughout the Country

---

1. CDC Releases Application for Hundreds of Millions in Prevention Funding

Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs and Promotions Eligible

On September 17, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a new program: Communities Putting Prevention to Work. Thirty to forty communities will receive a total of $373 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) dollars through this competitive grant program to support interventions that reduce obesity (through improved physical activity and nutrition) and/or reduce tobacco use. Communities can apply for either focus area or both. This landmark opportunity is aimed at mobilizing community resources toward broad-based policy, systems, organizational and environmental changes. The application places an emphasis on communities demonstrating effective coalitions, and notes that special consideration should be given to the inclusion of populations disproportionately affected by chronic diseases.

On September 29, 2009 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the release of $120 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for prevention and wellness programs for U.S. states and territories, building on the announcement of the $373 million funding opportunity for communities and tribes around the country. In all, the comprehensive Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative will make $650 million available for public health efforts to address obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and decrease smoking.

Lead Applicants: Local and State Health Departments

Deadlines:

• Letter of Intent Deadline: October 30, 2009
• Application Deadline: December 1, 2009

Communities Putting Prevention to Work provides an important opportunity for bicycle and pedestrian professionals, enthusiasts, and advocates, as well as health officials, to act quickly to get your city or state to:

• Apply for the funding;
• Educate the health department about the range of bike/ped interventions that can be included in their application and action plan; and
• Include your organization as a partner in the effort.

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership and America Bikes have prepared a list of sample bike/ped activities that fit within the five categories of evidence-based interventions that are required as part of this CDC application. We encourage you to review these sample activities and assess which would work well in your community. Funds are available to make these projects a reality-so it is in your interest to work with your health department to develop the bike/ped aspects of the CDC application for obesity prevention, and to demonstrate how your organization can be a resource to them. Now is the time to contact your health department and city officials to encourage them to apply, and to share your ideas on bike/ped interventions.

---

2. The Partnership is Now on Facebook and Twitter: Join Us!

Connect to us and spread the word to your friends/colleagues

Connect to the Safe Routes to School National Partnership - and our friends and fans - through our new Facebook and Twitter pages! Please also spread the word to your friends and colleagues. Once you join us on Facebook, please invite your friends to become a fan by clicking the "Share+" box in the lower left hand corner of our page.

What can you expect from the Safe Routes to School National Partnership's new media presence?

• An opportunity to share your experiences, successes, and challenges
• Calls to action
• The latest in Safe Routes to School news
• Links to the great work of our partners in the active transportation movement
• Helpful resources, publications, research, and much more

To access our pages directly, go to:

• Facebook
• Twitter

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is excited to use these new platforms to share resources and work more interactively with national, state, and local groups and advocates across the nation. We hope you'll join us and invite your friends and colleagues to connect to us as well!

Meyersdale, PA - Trail Town

Today was a beautiful crisp day to enjoy the fall colors and get some outdoor exercise.

We found ourselves in Meyersdale, PA, a Trail Town at mile 32 of the Allegheny Passage.
This rider from England captured a few memories before riding to town to look for lunch.
Meyersdale is capturing Trail-Based Tourism by applying the elements designed for this project.

"Trail Towns are not stand-alone communities; they are linked by the trail corridor. Trail
users may be passing through a town on a day trip or long-distance trek, or may drive to
a community and park to access a river or trail.
Trail users want to explore interesting places in their travels and will need services that
your town can provide. Basic elements of a Trail Town strategy include:
• Enticing trail users to get off the trail and into your town
• Welcoming trail users to your town by making information about the
community readily available at the trail
• Making a strong and safe connection between your town and the trail
• Educating local businesses on the economic benefits of meeting trail
tourists’ needs
• Recruiting new businesses or expanding existing ones to fill gaps in the
goods or services that trail users need
• Promoting the “trail-friendly” character of the town
• Working with neighboring communities to promote the entire trail
corridor as a tourist destination.
Any trail, long or short, is a valuable asset to a community. It
provides free recreation for people of all ages and fitness levels,
and offers opportunities to study nature or local history."

To learn more, read here:

Trail Town Manual

Part of the trail goes under a road.

Even after all the rain of the past few days, the trail was well drained to walk or bike on.
This is likely the style of surface we will be using on the Phase One rail bed area.
Looking closely, you can see the trail is slightly crowned. This provides the good drainage we are looking for to protect the trail and reduce water damage, therefore reducing repair and maintenance costs. We are learning from the experience of others to try and get it right the first time.

The porch of the station walks right onto the train and trail.

Trail users are advised to use caution and stop at automotive roads.

This spot is a historical museum, visitor center, and rest stop.

Someday we hope to have the Darlington Station as a similar combined destination.

Driving through Rockwood we noticed these banners.
Looking forward to our Ligonier Welcome signs.

Great Allegheny Passage
Trail Towns

SEE VIDEO OF TRIAL AT MEYERSDALE, PA TRAIL HEAD - A bit windy!