By bigk12603 in January, 2012
A special thanks to NY Senator Charles Schumer (D) for negotiating the deal with CSX for acquisition of the CSX ROW property in the city of Poughkeepsie by the Walkway organization - the 'friends" of the Walkway.I had read that originaly CSX had wanted $6M for the property but the Dyson foundation had apraised the property at only $2M.The final deal negotiated by Mr. Shumer would be for a tad more than $1M.Once the Walkway group has legal ownership of the property,they are to turn the property over
to Dutchess county.The undeveloped ROW between the Walkway OTH state park and the current northern terminus of the Dutchess RT will be a part of the Dutchess RT - phase 5. Phase 4, already planned, will be for a new bridge over SR 55 and will connect the phase 2 section with the southern section.
for a link to the updated RR property map in the city of Poughkeepsie please visit my Hudson Valley - cycling adventures and area trailways report
blog at: trailways.bigk12603.com
By bigk12603 in June, 2011
There is now an 8.3 mile long contiguous trail - paved with a soft path for runners/walkers - from a bit beyond the old depot (under restoration) in Hopewell Jct. (parking and trailhead access),town of
East Fishkill,to Manchester Rd. in the town of Poughkeepsie. (old rt. 55 behind Page lumber - parking and trailhead access)
The rail trail now includes educational interpretive signs,directional-mileage signs at intersections
and engraved wood mileage markers.There is parking,trail access,and a kiosk at Diddell Rd. in the town
of Wappingers.The new signs and wood mileage markers are also being installed on the 2.4 mi. phase 2 section mostly in the town of Poughkeepsie.This phase 2 section goes from the northern terminus at Morgan Lake in the city of Poughkeepsie to Overocker Rd. in the town of Poughkeepsie.This section of the RT opened to the public in June,2009.This section will remain as an isolated section until the completion of phase 4, which will include a 900 foot long bridge over a 4 lane state hwy. (SR 55) This would,currently as
of 06-15-11,make 10.7 miles total of open rail trail.
NOTE:mile 0.0 has been changed a tad and the RT is now shorter by .1 mi. - the NEW wood mileage markers DO NOT coincide with the OLD green metal mileage markers.
also - I had originaly thought the soft section of the trail was ostensibly for Equestrian use (and also runners/walkers) but does not seem so - seems there has been a change since the original 2006 design and trail usage
By aselsley in May, 2011
The section from Old Manchester Rd to Lake Logan is now open!!! Wonderfully done. Everyone should take advantage of this gem of Dutchess County. Dream and hope for the day when this trail fully connects with Hudson Valley Rail Trail.