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Westchester County has an extensive regional trail system consisting of over 150 miles of existing trails along old rail corridors, parkway right-of-ways and scenic waterfronts as well as routes along highways. These trails provide important linkages between parks, open spaces and population centers to improve the overall quality of life in the County. The County Planning Department is working with Parks and Recreation and Public Works to implement the County's master plan for another 200 miles of hiking trails, bike paths and routes along highway corridors. Current initiatives include development of new sections of the Westchester RiverWalk, construction of major sections of the South County Trailway in Yonkers and a new section of the Bronx River Pathway in Scarsdale and Eastchester. The County is also working to advance the completion of the Colonial Greenway, a 15-mile loop system through five Long Island Sound shore communities.A three-county bicycle/pedestrian master plan for Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties, completed June 2001 (click here to view report in PDF - 22MB), maps an expanded regional network of multi-use off-road paths, hiking trails and bike routes totaling 366.7 miles. Click here to see a summary listing of these paths, trails and routes. Click here to view a map of the County's Trail and Bike Route System. The final "missing link" section of the 22-mile North County Trailway, located just south of Route 117 in Mount Pleasant was completed in 2002 and now connects with the South County Trailway at Eastview. The Westchester RiverWalk is a planned 52.9-mile multi-faceted pathway paralleling the Hudson River in Westchester that will link village centers, historic sites, parks and river access points via a connection of trails, esplanades and boardwalks. RiverWalk will be developed through a series of projects constructed by the County, local municipalities and other entities. The Colonial Greenway is a 14.5 mile unpaved trail loop system, linking numerous open spaces and spanning 5 municipalities in southeastern Westchester County. It utilizes the Hutchinson River Pathway and the Leatherstocking Trail, as well as existing trail systems within county and local parks and nature preserves. County Planning and Parks Department staff are currently working with the local municipalities to make improvements and close small gaps in what will be a premier regional trail facility. click here for a Colonial Greenway PDF map The East Coast Greenway is a proposed 2,600 mile-long facility trailway system envisioned to extend along the entire East Coast between Maine and Florida. Due to our location along the Long Island Sound shore, Westchester has an opportunity to host a segment of this multi-state trailway. NYS Bike Route 1 is a potential addition to the state’s network of signed bicycle routes that would serve as the first phase of the Greenway’s implementation in Westchester, followed by a full off-road route which could potentially be constructed along a slightly different corridor. Click here for a draft report that outlines a means by which both projects can be accomplished. The County Planning Department is currently in the process of meeting with local municipalities to obtain their input and comments on both the short and long term options. Map brochures of the County trails can be viewed online at www.westchestergov.com/parks or obtained by contacting the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation at 242-PARK. |
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