Last Saturday the Wallkill Valley Land Trust held a ceremony opening a connector trail under the Rosendale Trestle. The iconic 940-foor-long trestle, opened to the public a year ago after a $1.5-million renovation, provides a spectacular vista on the scenic rail-trail. “Along with our partners, Open Space Institute, we knew it was critical that visitors and residents be able to get to the town of Rosendale and back to the recreational rail-trail,” Christie DeBoer, executive director of WVLT, is reported as having said. Her organization had worked with Rosendale to ensure that the connector trail “fits with the larger scope of connectivity” by providing convenient access to the hamlet.
In 2009, the Wallkill WVLT, in partnership with the Open Space Institute (OSI), acquired 11.5 miles of rail trail between New Paltz and Kingston, almost doubling the length of the original Wallkill Valley rail-trail. Only a short walk from the hamlet, the trestle is visible from many Main Street businesses.
The pedestrian trail was designed and constructed by Tahawus Trails, a professional consulting firm. The natural materials used, and the layout illustrate a carefully planned trail that is meant to provide a positive user experience while also needing little maintenance. The connector trail was designed in conjunction with the extensive storm water drainage project completed a few weeks ago at the south end of the trestle.
Future improvements will include signage assisting visitors traveling into the town and to the rail-trail. Further rail-trail improvements are expected start in the coming months thanks to grant funding acquired by OSI and WVLT.
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