The Kingston Land Trust (KLT) wishes to collaborate with the Trolley Museum of New York (TMNY) in creating an urban trail utilizing the right?of?way starting at the main entry to the TMNY building and ending in the vicinity of the Kingston Hospital. The creation of this trail has many benefits:
A More Connected Kingston Community
- Establishes a new connection (both physical and psychological) between the disconnected neighborhoods of Midtown, East Kingston and the Rondout;
- Enhances community engagement through the process of planning, building and maintaining the trail;
- Provides an accessible route for all residents to important community assets and institutions (e.g. schools,
museums, YMCA, parks, churches, Rondout Community Center, etc.);
- Serves as a tangible achievement that is aligned with local and regional goals for developing Kingston’s
waterfront and adjacent neighborhoods;
A Healthier and Safer Kingston Community
- Creates a new, year?round opportunity for Kingston residents to adopt healthy lifestyles, fight obesity, and connect with the environment;
- Provides a safe route for crossing Route 9W, particularly for children walking to and from the Kennedy Elementary School or Kingston High School;
- Transforms the railway from a liability fraught with safety issues, vandalism, and blight to a self?sustaining community asset that will enhance the quality of life in Kingston;
A More Prosperous Kingston Community
- Directly strengthens the local economy through ongoing operating and maintenance expenditures funded through private and public sources;
- Indirectly strengthens the local economy by attracting new visitor spending and increasing the attractiveness and exposure of local businesses and other attractions (e.g. TMNY, Maritime Museum, Lighthouse, etc.);
- Effectively leverages in?kind and financial private support for developing and maintaining an important public asset – a true public/private partnership.
