Shandaken Rail Trail Project
Shandaken Rail Trail Project
In 2021, the Ulster County Transportation Council completed the Ulster and Delaware Corridor Revitalization Study with extensive public input and made recommendations for a multi-phase trail project in Shandaken.
The first phase of this trail project will convert an approximately 2.65-mile segment of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad Corridor into a multi-use non-motorized transportation and recreational corridor between the hamlets of Pine Hill and Highmount in the Town of Shandaken. This phase will include design and construction to remove existing railroad infrastructure and construct a 10- to 12-foot-wide ADA-compliant trail with 2-foot shoulders and pedestrian bridges. The new trail will improve access to adjacent lands including the Shandaken Wild Forest Area owned by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Belleayre Mountain owned by the Olympic Regional Development Authority.
Drone Photo Credit: Andrew MessingerThe project will connect from the Highmount Post Office on the access road to Belleayre Mountain to the Belleayre Beach Day Use Facility in Pine Hill. By connecting the Pine Hill local community to these established facilities, the trail can act as a regional economic driver by adding a sustainable attraction to users of all ages and abilities.
The Ulster County Planning Department secured a $3.96 million Transportation Alternatives grant from the New York State Department of Transportation to implement this first phase. In 2025, the County also secured $603,564 in NYS Department of Conservation Water Quality Improvement Program funds and $300,000 in NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Recreational Trail Program funds for construction of the trail.
The work will be divided into seven sections (Data Collection and Analysis, Preliminary Design, Environmental, Right-of-Way, Detailed Design, Bid, and Construction), and there will be several public meetings where community members can learn about the design and give input as the design process evolves.
Who's Listening
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Director, Planning Department
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Deputy Director, Planning Department
Design Documents and Presentations
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April 9, 2024 Public Informational Meeting Presentation Slides.pdf (8.06 MB) (pdf)
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April 9, 2024 Public Informational Meeting Recording
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July 26, 2024 Shandaken Trailhead Concepts Shared at Phoenicia Farmers' Market.pdf (13.9 MB) (pdf)
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Proposed Work on State Parklands 4(f) 6(f) Notice and Info.pdf (457 KB) (pdf)
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Proposed Work on State Parklands 4(f) 6(f) Drawings .pdf (1.07 MB) (pdf)
I'm disappointed that the meeting Q&A period felt very one-sided, in favor of those opposed to the project. I am not opposed to the Shandaken Rail Trail Project at all.
I look forward to the project moving forward, although I do share two important concerns that were brought up: 1) privacy for some select houses that are very close to the trail (there are not many of these); and 2) traffic/parking within the town of Pine Hill, especially near Station Road, Mill Street and Bonnie View.
Highmount has been my primary residence for 22 years. I hike a lot in the area. I used to walk along the tracks quite often. I stopped because it became too dangerous. I especially stopped bringing inexperienced hikers, older people or friends with kids. Besides the dangerous tracks (there are quite a few areas with rotted or missing structure), there is typically dirty standing water, garbage and old junk dumped on the tracks in some areas. Parking on the street is iffy.
No doubt, this project will make the tracks safer, cleaner and more popular. — Either way, the tracks will continue to be used. I strongly prefer them being improved so they function in an eco-friendly way for a wide variety of people of various ages and abilities/physical challenges.
After the important privacy and traffic/parking issues are addressed, I look forward to the public soon being able to walk, run, bike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, etc. on the trail. I'm also happy the project will bring much-needed tourist money into the area, which is especially important in the non-ski half of the year.
As a full-time resident of Pine Hill, I left the April 9th meeting feeling disheartened by the atmosphere of hostility and negativity that seemed to overshadow the discussion.
Having attended the PH2 meeting on the rail trail and in private discussion with members of the community, it is evident to me that there is significant support within our town for this initiative. However, many voices of support were overshadowed by louder dissenting opinions during the town hall, and unfortunately, individuals with insightful, valuable questions and even valid concerns on the project were also unable to be heard.
From my perspective, the Shandaken Rail Trail presents an exciting opportunity to enhance our community in numerous ways. Beyond simply providing recreational pathways, it has the potential to stimulate economic growth, promote outdoor activity and wellness, and preserve the natural beauty and history of our surroundings.
I'm reaching out to express my firm belief in the benefits that the rail trail can bring to Pine Hill and the wider area. I hope that going forward we can ensure that all voices are heard and that the project moves forward in a manner that reflects the desires and aspirations of our community.