RFP-UC18-071 - WALLKILL VALLEY RAIL TRAIL COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES PLAN

The Ulster County Planning Department as host Agency for the Ulster County Transportation Council (“UCTC”) is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit responses from qualified consulting firms to assist the UCTC in developing a Plan that transforms what is today an active rail trail through the New Paltz community into a vibrant, accessible transportation/recreation corridor. The Plan will address needed improvements to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail (“WVRT”) within the study area necessary to make this space a more functional transportation resource, well connected to other components of the transportation system and respectful of adjoining land uses. The Plan will define options to optimize multimodal active transport, open space and recreation on the heavily used part of the trail within the heart of the Village of New Paltz.
 
The Plan will focus on how to define and set apart this important regional trail hub within the context of a burgeoning regional and state-wide trail system. The confluence of the WVRT with the adjoining Hudson Valley Rail Trail and the overarching Empire State Trail, as well as the adjacent Open Space Institute (OSI) sponsored River to Ridge Trail and other adjoining land uses present an enormous opportunity for the community on how best to improve WVRT in its midst. The Plan will provide an overall vison for the study area and detailed strategies and plans to re-envision the village portion of the WVRT as an important regional trail hub that may also become a unique a linear park capable of serving the adjoining land uses and Village residents.