Town seeks consultants for development of trail

The town has begun seeking consultants who can help develop a half-mile pedestrian and bicycle trail connecting Astor Drive and Rhinecliff Road with the village business district.

The project was discussed during a Town Board meeting Monday at which Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia said Alta Planning has provided a $37,500 estimate to help develop a plan for the trail.

“They would do a trail feasibility study of existing conditions and an analysis of where trails could go within what we want to do,” Spinzia aid.

Spinzia said other consultants will be contacted before the project moves forward.

The effort is being supported by the community group Rhinebeck Pathways Partners Committee.

“About two years ago, Gardens [at Rhinebeck] residents wanted to create a safer walking route into the village,” committee member Yvonne Pierce said. “We’ve been working with the town and the village and various land trusts in New York state to explore different options.”

Trail advocates said said neither Astor Drive nor Rhinecliff Road have markings for pedestrians or bicyclists.

“[There are] limited sight lines, making walking and cycling very dangerous,” Pierce said. “The vehicle traffic along these roads tends to travel at excessive speeds. It’s also heavily used already by pedestrians and bicyclists.”

Pierce said there also is expected to be a significant increase in the number of people who use the two roads.

“There will be 239 units in the [next phase of] the Gardens when it is completed this year, for a total of approximately 360 residents in the Gardens alone,” she said.

Committee members said finding ways to improve pedestrian access to the village would help prevent already limited parking from becoming even more scarce. “Pedestrian walkways are environmentally friendly and support community action initiatives against climate change,” Pierce said.

Supporters of the effort also would like the trail to connect with existing trails at Thompson-Mazzarella Park.

“The pathway that we are envisioning would traverse beautiful Hudson Valley scenic countryside and historical sites,” Pierce said.