Chamber favors more Rail Trails

Hudson, NY - Nearly everyone comments on the scenic beauty of Columbia County. Rolling meadows, steep hillsides, pristine woodlands, rivers and lakes, working farmland, collections of rural crossroads villages, the majestic Hudson flowing by – the whole adds up to more than the sum of the parts. It's something all of us who live here appreciate every day.

What's surprising is how little guaranteed public access there is to this many-faceted beauty. Even including the state parks at Lake Taghkanic and Copake Falls , less than 4% of the acreage here is reserved for public enjoyment. That compares with 28% in adjoining Berkshire County , 24% in Ulster and 21% in Greene.

Railroads were the economic dynamos of the 19 th century. Their left-behind remnants still carry economic value, though the 21 st century's definition of that value isn't at all industrial. The truth is that Rail Trails have built economic value virtually everywhere they have been fostered.

That's why there are 13,150 miles of developed rail trails nationwide, with more coming every year.

So the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce strongly supports Rail Trails and the small-business friendly advantages they bring.

This is the second in a 2006 series of public positions taken by the Chamber, as part of a carefully discussed and considered process to speak on behalf of issues important to local business.

Rail Trails are valuable amenities: “the most egalitarian open space in the county,” Andy Howard, past chairman of the Chamber, calls them. And they become more valuable with time.

“For the average resident who does not have a lot of real estate, as the amount of open space diminishes these trails definitely enhance the quality of life,” says John Maiuri, Chamber vice chairman.

Given the growing amount of vehicular traffic and the lack of sidewalks through most of the county, these paved “ribbon” parks provide safe places to walk, jog, bike, push a baby stroller, teach a tot to ride a bike, roll a wheelchair, rollerblade, cross-country ski or snowshoe. They cater to all ages, all abilities and attract those who care about the outdoors, health, beauty and exercise.

We recognize that one man's amenity might be another's negative. Certainly Rail Trails bring a variety of property rights into play, including residential privacy, farmers' activities, and sportsmen's access.

But we also believe that a fair-minded process looking to maximize the amount of public good from trails can find ways to minimize the private impacts. Maybe a trail is different in different places (which would leave open the possibility of an equestrian trail). Maybe access is controlled at times important to hunters and farmers. Maybe it has kinks, and detours, and branches around in circuits. Any way it's done, the more Rail Trails here the better.

People typically fear littering, vandalism, trespass, property crimes, liability issues, and sinking property values. But there are numerous studies in communities throughout the country that show these problems are more imaginary than real. Rail Trails generally improve things; they don't make them worse.

“If anything, paths help prevent crime,” according to a police lieutenant in a community with a developed trail. “Criminals don't want to be in places where people are.”

Abandoned railbeds are already being used, but without oversight or control. Under-age drinking, for example, decreases with a developed trail, as seen in one Pennsylvania community.

Proximity to a Rail Trail also increases the value of a property. One study shows that a home near a trail sells in one third to one half the time, compared to other house sales in the community. Most realtors tout trail proximity in their listings.

The quality-of-life advantages of Rail Trails ripple out with many other kinds of positive economic impacts.

They make the county notably more attractive when recruiting small business owners or their employees to this area. A national survey of home buyers ranked trails as the second most important community amenity in a list of 18 when deciding where to buy.

Chamber Chair Rick Bianchi cites studies that, “Typically show about half the economic activity generated by Rail Trails is “new” money coming into a community from outside visitors.”

Tourists lengthen their stays here if they have more interesting things to do. And Rail Trails attract a high-demographic, health-oriented, community-oriented kind of visitor.

“Being in the tourist business, I am certainly in favor of it,” says Deborah Bowen, owner of The Inn at Green River . “Guests want to bike or walk. They are seeking that kind of recreation. I'd love it, too,” she adds, “walking the dog and not having to worry about cars.”

Rail Trails have the further advantage of returning federal dollars to local tax-paying communities, since 80% of trail creation and infrastructure costs are borne by Uncle Sam.

Maybe the strongest argument in favor of Rail Trails is that they knit communities together. Not just by providing a route from village to village or town to town. But by becoming assets used by many, many kinds of community groups.

Trails serve more than just the Spandex crowd. The Harlem Valley Rail Trail, which runs for 15 miles from northern Dutchess through southern Columbia County , is already a well-used resource by local PTAs for bike rally fund-raisers and educational school outings.

In fact, when there's an attempt to integrate historical and educational resources with recreational ones, Rail Trails become highly valued and respected assets that help define the character of a community. They take raw geographic resources and turn them into community landmarks that are focal points of civic pride as well as key attractions for current and new residents.

The Chamber of Commerce appreciates the assistance of Vicki Simons and Tony Jones of Roe Jan Publishing in writing a series of articles that express the views of the organization.

The Chamber is the leading voice of business in the county, providing advocacy, promotional and benefit solutions for its 850 members. For more information, call 828-4417 or go to www.columbiachamber-ny.com.

Other Voices

“There are definitely more people walking by the window and that certainly translates to a better customer base.” --Phil Terni, Terni 's Store, Millerton

“Preserving a feature of the county and a recreational venue is good for everybody – our own residents and as an attraction for people coming to the area. It is recreation with very little impact on neighbors.” –Denise Dapice, Chatham Properties

“County Tourism fully supports rails-to-trails, provided the community affected supportsit.”—Ann Cooper, Director, County Tourism Department

A Start   

Columbia County has one partially developed Rail Trail. The Harlem Valley Rail Trail is 46 miles in all, starting in Dutchess County and passing through Ancram, Copake, Hillsdale, Craryville, Martindale, Philmont, Ghent and Chatham . The southern 15 miles are already paved and open, with another 8 miles currently under construction, leaving 23 miles of the northern section still to be developed. It is maintained by the Dutchess County Public Works Department, Taconic State Park in Copake Falls , the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and an active group of volunteers who belong to the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association.

Currently under discussion in the county is development of the county-owned former Boston & Albany Railbed, 8.5 miles from Mellenville to Chatham.