RECREATION

RAIL TRAILS
Opened in October 2019 to enthusiastic crowds, the Ashokan Rail Trail offers spectacular views of the scenic and forested north shorelands of the Ashokan Reservoir without fee or permit, for the first time in a century. The 11.5-mile rail trail was developed by Ulster County, with WLC’s support along with other stakeholders. (Through NYC DEP lands along the 38.6-mile former U&D rail corridor.) WLC has inaugurated with NY/NJ Trails Conference a highly-successful volunteer stewardship program for the Ashokan Rail Trail. Three trailheads with parking are located along Route 28. More info at ashokanrailtrail.com

In addition to the now-opened ART, we also support the County’s efforts in expanding the Kingston Linear Park between Midtown and Uptown Kingston, and we continue to advocate for the ultimate vision of connecting the ART to a county-wide network of rail trails, from the Walkway-Over-the-Hudson north through Ulster County to Kingston and the Rondout Valley, to the Ashokan Reservoir and Catskill Park, and to the Empire State Trail, an initiative of Governor Cuomo.

 
MULTI-USE TRAILS
In the past several years WLC worked with Open Space Institute (OSI) and NYS DEC to develop a gently sloping, family-oriented multi-use trail on a 208-acre property which OSI conveyed to NYS linking two previously unconnected sections of the Catskill Park’s Bluestone Wild Forest: Jockey Hill to the east and Onteora Lake to the west. The main trail runs through intact forests, the northern portion of a beautiful and high-quality body of water known as Pickerel Pond, and significant wetlands. The multi-use trail is open for hikers, mountain bikers, runners, walkers and offers more than 28 linear miles of trail. Conveniently located near several population centers including Kingston and Woodstock, the nearly 3,000-acre Bluestone Wild Forest is a popular outdoor recreation destination. Bluestone Wild Forest

 
ULSTER COUNTRY'S GREEN TOURISM
The newly protected property in the Bluestone Wild Forest figures largely into OSI’s and WLC’s efforts to help support Ulster County’s expanding green tourism economy, relieving pressure on wildly popular trailheads and important summits while also protecting and consolidating significant portions of the Catskill Park.

Tourism is a significant sector of our local and regional economy, and the growth of recreation, agrotourism and eco-tourism supports sustainable economic development. Creating, connecting and promoting trails in wild and scenic areas, especially when connected to a larger trails network, will support the growth of local businesses and help improve the health and quality of life for local residents, even as it builds appreciation of and support for conserving key lands and habitat. Trails which connect also offer non-motorized transportation alternatives, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion.