CONTACT:  SUSAN TOLCHIN (914) 995-2932

                       DONNA GREENE                                                                                      (914) 995-2935

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                December 21, 2006

IMPROVEMENTS TO COLONIAL GREENWAY TRAIL PLANNED IN 2007

15-Mile Trail System Loops Through New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck and Scarsdale

            Westchester County residents who enjoy biking, walking, running and horseback riding will soon see major improvements to the 15-mile Colonial Greenway Trail that runs through five municipalities in the Sound Shore area of Westchester County.

         Under an arrangement announced today by County Executive Andy Spano, the focus of the initial improvements will be in New Rochelle where approximately 50 percent of the trail is located. Proposed improvements will be made to a segment that runs through the City’s Ward Acres Park along with pedestrian safety enhancements on Pine Brook Blvd. and Quaker Ridge Road in New Rochelle.

 Also included in the proposed plan will be the improvement of a small vacant parcel of land on Flandreau Road that will be leased to the city for use as a park in conjunction with the trail. The city will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the trail segments in New Rochelle. Funding for this portion of the project is expected to be in excess of $500,000 and will be part of the county’s Legacy Program that fosters partnerships between the county and its municipalities to promote active recreation and trailway development.

As part of the overall plan, the county will also be looking to spend another $1 million on improvements to other segments of the trail that run through county facilities in adjoining municipalities including the Town and Village of Mamaroneck, the Town of Eastchester and the Village of Scarsdale. These facilities include trails in Saxon Woods and Twin Lakes county parks as well as the trails along the Hutchinson River Parkway that are managed by the county parks department.  Funding for this part of the project is already in the county’s capital program.

A third component of the overall plan will be the improvement of a small segment of the trail in the Town of Mamaroneck.  It is anticipated that these improvements will funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant Program that is administered by the county Planning Department.

“The Colonial Greenway is a wonderful scenic 15-mile loop system of nature and neighborhood trails linking numerous open spaces, wooded areas, and five Sound Shore communities,” said Spano. “By taking a comprehensive approach to the Colonial Greenway project, we will be able to enhance the existing trails and make new connections that are needed to establish a continuous trail that can become part of the very popular county trail system.” 

Spano credited  New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson and Mamaroneck Town Councilwoman Nancy Seligson for their efforts in planning and advocating for the Colonial Greenway, and New Rochelle Councilwoman Marianne Sussman for leading efforts to preserve parkland on Flandreau.

Bramson said, “The Colonial Greenway will quickly become one of our region’s great open space and recreational resources. I am delighted by the county’s strong commitment to this project, and look forward to making our nature trails more accessible and inviting than ever before.”

Seligson said, “After years of hard work and planning, we can now look forward to opening the Colonial Greenway to our entire extended community. I applaud County Executive Spano for his personal commitment to this initiative.”

Sussman applauded the county’s action, saying, “This is welcome news for the neighborhood and for all people in New Rochelle who value open space protection. Linking the Flandreau property to the Colonial Greenway will ensure that it is preserved for generations to come, and will also provide our residents with outstanding access to parks throughout our region”

The Greenway links existing trails such as the Leatherstocking Trail with other existing pathways such as the Hutchinson River Pathway along with county and local parks and nature preserves. The City of New Rochelle and the Town of Mamaroneck will be working with the county departments of Planning, Parks and Public Works on the proposed improvements including landscape enhancements, signage, educational maps and brochures.

 To learn more about the County’s trail system and initiatives on the web, go to: http://www.westchestergov.com/planning/Design/trailway.html