Info meeting August 14 in Bergen Anyone who enjoys outdoor activities such as nature walks, hikes, bicycling, horse riding or snowmobiling, can help complete a study of the potential development of the former New York Central Westshore Railroad alignment into a multi-use trail. A public information meeting has been set for Tuesday, August 14 at 7 p.m. at the Gillam-Grant Community Center, 6966 West Bergen Road, Bergen. Project consultant Fran Reese of Lu Engineers said there are a variety of potential user groups and she wants the general public to come out and talk about how they would like to use the trail and special features they would like to develop. "We want to listen to what the public has to say," Reese said. "People who like to use trails need to come out and give their input so we can get this thing going." The NY Central Westshore Railroad alignment runs from Churchville in Monroe County to the Village of Oakfield in western Genesee County. The proposed multi-use trail encompasses more than twelve miles and runs from the Village of Churchville to Transit Road on the Elba/Byron town line in Genesee County, Reese said. The alignment is currently used as a popular trail for snowmobilers and it is maintained by local snowmobile clubs. The trail could potentially be used by hikers, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, and horseback riders. Most of the alignment is owned by the County of Monroe, and the Towns of Bergen and Byron making it, "a good candidate for converting to a trail," Reese said. She said the trail goes right through the middle of the Bergen Swamp. "It is a very, very nice natural resource," she added. The trail corridor is also included in the Regional Trails Initiative prepared by the Genesee Transportation Council which recommended that it be studied for potential development as a multi-use trail. Project sponsors include the Towns of Bergen and Byron, the Village of Churchville, the Town of Riga and the Monroe County Parks Department. Reese said many organizations and local government agencies are taking part in the feasibility study. They include local, county and state officials, representatives from local agencies, snowmobile clubs, the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society, local planning boards, the Genesee County Planning Department and the New York State Departments of Transportation and Environmental Conservation. At the public meeting on August 14, project consultants will give an overview of the study and issues affecting design and implementation of the trail. Public input is needed and Reese said she is interested in suggestions for siting the head of the trail in the Village of Churchville. Several things make siting the trail head challenging, Reese explained. There are public sidewalks, the Village of Churchville is constructing a new electrical substation on a part of the alignment that it owns and the Star of the West Milling Company located on South Main Street is in the process of an expansion. These factors mean that the trail needs an alternate route in these locations, Reese said. "Star of the West supports the projects," Reese said. "They have offered potential bench locations and trail head parking." Reese said public input is especially needed on suggestions for trail head location, parking areas, amenities like benches, what kind of signs should be used including signs with information about the history and heritage of the Westshore Railroad. Reese added that snowmobilers are very interested in further development of the trails. A multi-use trail would mean assistance in maintaining the trails with help from the Monroe County Department of Parks. She said grant money would also be available for things like trail improvements and up-grading of drainage. Currently, snowmobile clubs depend on things like member fees to help cover trail maintenance costs, Reese said. There are farmers and property owners with rights-of-way along the trail corridor, Reese said. Existing rights-of-way have to be maintained and property owners will be protected. She said consultants need to know if people want things like gates at existing rights-of-way. "We need to be as careful as possible to educate the public. They need to use the trail responsibly and not go off-trail without permission," Reese said. Monroe County Legislator Robert Colby represents the 20th District which includes the Town of Riga. Colby is a snowmobiler and said the trail corridor is the "gateway" to the western part of the state. "The trail is really a backbone for local snowmobilers," Colby said. It ties local trails into other trails that lead to places like LeRoy, Buffalo and Niagara Falls. He said snowmobilers are anxious to increase the use of the trail to all types of groups - bicyclists, horseback riders and hikers." It takes something man-made and turns it into a natural resource that can be actively used," Colby said. A multi-use trail would provide several benefits, Colby said. "It helps to keep people active." A trail would encourage people to get out and be more active and help combat problems such as childhood obesity, Colby said. "We don't have a trail available on the west side of the county," he said. The trail corridor connects neighboring communities and cited the village of Churchville and Bergen as examples. "Both are within walking or biking distance of each other," he said. Like Reese, Colby said the trail makes a great connection to the Bergen Swamp area. Colby also said the Village of Churchville is a great place for the trail to start, right along Black Creek. He said people can gather in the village before and after using the trail. There are areas for parking as well as places like coffee shops and diners, Colby said. © July 29, 2007 - Westside News Inc. |
