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Orange County advances $5.8M plan to connect Heritage Trail to Schunnemunk Rail Trail
Summary
The Ways and Means Committee authorized a Transportation Alternatives Program application for up to $5.8 million to acquire 9.2 acres known as the WYE at Camp LaGuardia, design and construct a trail connector, with a 20% local cash match required. County planners described the project scope and timeline for the March grant deadline.
The Orange County Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 24 authorized the County Executive and Department of Planning to apply for a Transportation Alternatives Program grant of up to $5.8 million to acquire the 9.2-acre WYE parcel at Camp LaGuardia, design a connector and build trail improvements linking the Heritage Trail to the planned Schunnemunk Rail Trail. The application requires a 20% local cash match of $1,160,000.
Alan Sorensen, Orange County Commissioner of Planning, said the county intends to acquire the WYE parcel from the Open Space Institute after OSI completes its purchase from Norfolk Southern. He told the committee the total estimate “is about $5.8 million which includes the acquisition, creating design reports, the construction and the inspection.” The committee voted to authorize submission of the application and to assume lead agency status under SEQRA for the purchase component, recommending a negative declaration.
The project package covers acquisition, design and construction; Sorensen said the Transportation Alternatives Program is only offered every two years, making this application time-sensitive, and staff aimed to submit the application by the March 12 deadline. Legislators asked for cost details on acquisition and connector design; Sorensen reported the county anticipates roughly $200,000 for the parcel purchase and said the $5.8 million figure covers the full scope.
If the grant is awarded, county staff said funds will be used for acquisition, engineering design, construction and inspection to create the connector at Camp LaGuardia that would extend recreational trail access between existing and planned corridors.
