Schenectady, N.Y. — Schenectady officials today announced further improvements in the County’s hike/bike trail network. Work will proceed this fall to complete a trail through Vale Park to be funded by a total of $35,000 in grant funds provided by the County’s Capital Resource Corporation (CRC), the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club (HMRCC) and Fleet Feet Sports located on Wolf Road.
The trail improvements will be completed in time for the 37th running of the Gazette Stockade-athon on November 11th. Part of the 15K race will now be routed through Vale Park avoiding a major section of State Street between Clinton and Moyston Street.
“The Schenectady County trail system is one of our greatest community assets. These improvements will continue to enhance our growing system,” said Judy Dagostino Chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature. “We are grateful for the support of the CRC, Hudson Mohawk Road Runners and Fleet Feet Sports.”
Gary Hughes, a member of both the County Legislature and CRC said, “Vale Park is becoming a major asset due to efforts by the County and City to work together to improve this important green space that serves our downtown as well as our neighborhoods.”
Mayor Gary McCarthy said, “My thanks to the County and to the other sponsors who are helping us finish this important project at no cost to City taxpayers. This will help us build on the improvements that the City has accomplished at Vale Park in recent years.”
City Council Member Leesa Perazzo said, “I grew up on Prospect Street just outside of Vale Park so the improvements in recent years have been meaningful to me. The collaborative effort behind the trail project is an important one and I am grateful to all involved. The completion of this portion of the trail is paramount and the fact that there is no cost to the City’s taxpayers makes it that much sweeter.”
John Parisella President of the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club said, “Schenectady County, the City of Schenectady and the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club (HMRRC) have worked together for many years to produce increasing popular and very high quality road races that have attracted all levels of competitive runners to the Stockade-athon as well as the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon. I believe this is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the improvement of the Schenectady County bike and hike trail, Vale Park and the Stockade-athon, and the HMRRC is very happy and proud to contribute. ”
Charles Woodruff, Owner of Fleet Feet Sports said, “”We are proud to support the Vale Trail Project. It will enhance the experience for participants and organizers in the nationally recognized Gazette Stockade-athon 15K. It will also benefit residents and visitors to Vale Park.”
The trail improvement to be made this fall will complete the hike/bike trail that runs through Vale Park. Approximately 650 linear feet of trail will be built as part of the City’s annual paving program with all costs reimbursed by the three organizations.
The City and County have worked together in recent years with the Vale Cemetery Association to make major improvement in Vale Park, a 100+ acre green space with a lake that is located in downtown Schenectady. Upgrades include improvements to the lake, drainage improvements, new trails, signage, security cameras and gates that prevent motor vehicles from entering the Park.
The new trail that runs through Vale Park is part of a larger trail that connects Central Park, Vale Park and downtown Schenectady where the trail intersects with the Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail that runs nearly 40 miles along the shores of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers from Downtown Albany to Rotterdam.
Schenectady County recently obtained a State grant that will allow the County to construct approximately 1.3 miles of new trail along the Mohawk River through the waterfront development planned for the former Alco site. Construction on the new Alco trail is scheduled for 2014.
The County CRC is administered by the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority as part of the County’s unified economic development team. The CRC funding for the Vale Trail Project comes from fees earned when the CRC helps large non-profit organizations issues bonds for major capital projects.
For more information see www.hmrrc.com and www.fleetfeetalbany.com.