Breathtaking rail trail has fans across region

Tri-staters head to Harlem Valley

By Roderick Boone
Poughkeepsie Journal

Darryl Bautista/Poughkeepsie Journal Town of LaGrange resident Jim Traut rollerblades on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail with his daughter, Erin. Traut and his family, with wife, Colleen, riding a bicycle, usually start in Amenia, picnic in Millerton and then head back.

How far do people travel to use the Harlem Valley Rail Trail?

''I met somebody from Scotland over in Amenia the last time I was over there and they were just checking it out,'' said James Costagna, a resident of Salisbury, Conn., who frequently visits the trail.

Though the person Costagna referred to was in the area visiting family, it just shows how popular the trail has become since it first opened for public use six years ago. Some of that popularity can be attributed to the rail's central location.

The trail's location makes it easily accessible for people from all over the tri-state area. It's just a stone's throw from Connecticut, about 30 miles from the City of Poughkeepsie, and is less than a two-hour drive from the northern fringes of New York City.

It gives people a reasonable drive for a family outing.

''It's a great place for families to spend time together,'' said Karen Woods, executive director of the Dutchess County Tourism Promotion Agency. ''I think it's just an outstanding area for enjoying the outdoors.''

Great for family functions

Dan Haas, the chairman of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association, agreed the trail is an ideal place for family activity.

''It's great for families,'' he said. ''It's a great place to take a stroller out. The lack of intersections makes it perfect for kids. If you have young kids who are trying to learn how to ride a bike or rollerblade, there's no intersections so it's a great place to teach them.''

Haas also pointed out that no motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail, which makes it even safer.

''There's no motorized vehicles because it's not compatible with the main uses,'' he said. ''It would be unsafe to have things like that out there.''

Added David Shufelt, the trail association's executive director: ''Parents don't have to worry. The kids are totally safe.''

Scenic: Rail Trail a special gem

If you want to just break open a picnic here, you can do that here. You are free to do that.''

Costagna was there with his 4-year-old daughter Ariana (''I'm almost five,'' she said). He was trying to teach her how to roller blade, and the open space gave him lots of room to do so, something that's not likely at a crowded roller rink.

''It's just wholesome fun for the family. That's what I get out of this,'' Costagna said in between lacing up his roller blades.

As for Ariana, she likes the trail because, ''it takes us far, far away,'' she said.

Trail usage varies daily. Shufelt said on Memorial Day he counted 365 people in 11 hours go past the Millerton trail head. And with so many visitors, the trail must be maintained somehow.

The southern part of the trail is maintained by Dutchess County. The New York state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation handles the northern portion of the trail. In addition, Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association volunteers help maintain the trail's entire length.

Many calls to tourism group

And judging by the number of inquiries the Dutchess County Tourism Promotion Agency receives about the trail, they've been doing a great job. Karen Woods, the agency's executive director, said people from all over the tri-state area call her Poughkeepsie-based office to ask about the trail.

''The Harlem Valley Rail Trail is one of the outstanding sites that our visitors and residents choose to do their outdoor recreation,'' Woods said. ''Whether it's walking, biking or roller blading, it's just a fantastic site to pursue that activity.''