(Photo by Julie O’Connor)
The Open Space Institute (OSI) and Mohonk Preserve have unveiled the new logo and trail marker for the River-to-Ridge Trail. Once completed, the trail, which traverses land protected by OSI and the Preserve, will connect the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail/Empire State Trail in the Village of New Paltz to the carriage roads and footpaths of the Shawangunk Ridge.
“The new River-to-Ridge logo makes the River-to-Ridge Trail come to life in a new way,” said Kim Elliman, OSI’s president and CEO. “With every engineering and construction milestone, we at OSI are growing more excited about the trail’s completion. We hope that the people of New Paltz share in our enthusiasm and appreciate their patience as we deal with the effects of this winter’s floods and ice.”
“We’re happy to be collaborating with our colleagues at OSI on this great new trail and look forward to welcoming hikers, runners, and cyclists to the Mohonk Preserve Foothills Loop section when the River-to-Ridge Trail fully opens,” said Mohonk Preserve President Glenn Hoagland.
Once completed, the six-mile long loop trail will span land owned and managed by OSI along the River and through active farm fields. Once the trail reaches Butterville Road, it will cross onto Mohonk Preserve property.
Construction of the trail will restart once weather and ground conditions allow. Immediate next steps include improvements to the Springtown Road parking lot and two 35-foot pedestrian bridges being installed to carry trail users over sensitive areas.
Sections of the trail adjacent to the river remain impassable due to standing water and ice conditions. The public is asked to stay off the trail so as to not cause damage to the completed work.
Weather permitting, trail construction is expected to be completed by the end of summer. The River-to-Ridge Trail is a joint project of OSI and the Mohonk Preserve and is supported by the Butler Conservation Fund.