Walden–Wallkill Rail Trail

Walden–Wallkill Rail Trail

The Walden–Wallkill Rail Trail is a 3.22-mile rail trail between Walden, New York and the neighboring hamlet of Wallkill. The trail is part of the former Wallkill Valley Railroad’s rail corridor. The land was purchased by the towns of Montgomery and Shawangunk in 1985 and converted to a public trail.

About Walden–Wallkill Rail Trail in brief

Summary Walden–Wallkill Rail TrailThe Walden–Wallkill Rail Trail is a 3.22-mile rail trail between the village of Walden, New York and the neighboring hamlet of Wallkill. The trail is part of the former Wallkill Valley Railroad’s rail corridor. The land was purchased by the towns of Montgomery and Shawangunk in 1985 and converted to a public trail. Plans to pave the trail between Walden and Wallkill were discussed since 2001, and the route was finally paved between 2008 and 2009. Nearly USD 200,000 in funding to complete pavement of the trail was lost when the outgoing Congress did not approve a budget bill in 2006. In October 2003, the town of Montgomery acquired the USD 600,000 grant needed to begin paving the trail. Two months later, a couple donated 20 acres in Montgomery to create a park near Lake Osiris.

In May 2008, construction began on the 22-mile trail and the trail opened on September 22, 2008. It is expected to be developed once funds are available to do so. The town of Shawangunks is currently considering plans to connect the trails by diverting the corridor along Birch Road. North of the prisons, the former corridor continues as the separate Wall Kill Valley Rail Trail. The northern portion of the Shawangunker section, which stretches to the border of the prison grounds, is maintained by the town but not officially part ofThe trail. The original route of the corridor is 40 feet within the prisons’ perimeter fence.