Rail Trail's future is in good hands

Harlem Valley residents are lucky. They live in one of the state’s, no, make that one of the country’s, most beautiful spots. There are mountains, lakes, farmland, wildlife, flora and fauna for all to enjoy.

Now add into the mix one very agreeable way to access the area’s best — via the Harlem Valley Rail Trail — and you’re sure to agree that those fortunate enough to live in the region are downright spoiled to have access to such a great amenity. Trail users can walk, run, bike, skate, even cross-country ski along the linear park while taking in some of Mother Nature’s best (from the furry to the feathered to the leafy and the watery).

Enough said. The area is great; the Rail Trail even more so.

Now comes the time to express gratitude for the fact that there are agencies out there working for the Rail Trail’s future, agencies like the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA), which is working on behalf of the town. HVA, which has an office in Wassaic run by longtime trail advocate Tonia Shoumatoff, has been very diligent in its repeated attempts to see the Rail Trail flourish.

In the town of Amenia, that means one thing — getting the trail extended six-tenths of a mile into the historic hamlet of Wassaic. Shoumatoff alone has been working on such a project since 1997, back when she headed up the CAC (Conservation Advisory Council) in Amenia. Since then the proposal has changed shape, but the general idea remains the same — get an extension from the Metro-North Wassaic Train Station on Route 22 into the hamlet’s center.

Thus far some grant money has come forward, making the possibility of the project that much more real. Earlier this year the town received a $7,500 grant from The Hudson River Valley Greenway to help pay for the planning of the proposed extension. But there is still the need for more funding. In fact, the town is waiting to learn if it will be awarded a $480,000 New York State Transportation Enhancement Project Grant. If it does win that grant, the town will have to match the funds with $120,000 from its own coffers, but a 20-percent match is a pretty good deal. If the grant comes through, the total amount of $600,000 should pay for the project, according to Shoumatoff.

Town Supervisor Wayne Euvrard has said otherwise. In fact, he’s estimated the project could run as high as $750,000. Meanwhile, Councilwoman Vicki Doyle has also expressed concern that with rising construction costs, $600,000 might not be enough to cover expenses.

Ideally, the lesser amount will suffice. However it pans out, though, it’s good to know that HVA is working at ground level, along with the town and its various consultants, to make the extension a reality.

Armed with that knowledge (along with the fact that the whole of the current Harlem Valley Rail Trail remains open for use), we wish you all happy trails.