Representatives from Mohonk Preserve, OSI and the Butler Foundation cutting the garland to officially open the Mohonk Preserve Foothills Loop Trail. (Photo by Tom Weiner)
The Mohonk Preserve Foothills Loop Trail is now open, expanding the Mohonk Preserve Foothills trail network and extending the River-to-Ridge Trail in New Paltz. The 2.2-mile loop trail, which is free and open to the public, begins near the intersection of Pine and Butterville Roads, follows the newly established Ridgeview Road to Lenape Lane and continues around the White Oak Bend Path to Pine Road.
A “garland-cutting” ceremony was held on October 5 to mark the opening of the new trail loop. Representatives from Mohonk Preserve, the Open Space Institute, the Butler Conservation Fund and the Town of New Paltz were on hand to celebrate and enjoy a walk, joining hikers, cyclists and dog-walkers who were also exploring the trail.
Former Mohonk Preserve president and CEO Glenn Hoagland, OSI president and CEO Kim Elliman, and Butler Conservation Fund founder and president Gilbert Butler each spoke about the significance of the new trail for open space and recreation and about the partnerships that helped make it a reality.
The River-to-Ridge Trail was created in partnership by the Open Space Institute (OSI) and Mohonk Preserve, with generous support from the Butler Conservation Fund. The Springtown Road Trailhead section of the trail was opened in October 2018 on lands conserved by OSI. The Mohonk Preserve Foothills Loop Trail was completed in October 2019 on lands conserved by Mohonk Preserve.
For more information on the Mohonk Preserve Foothills Loop Trail and the River-to-Ridge Trail, visit https://www.mohonkpreserve.org/what-we-do/land-protection/mohonk-preserve-foothills.html.