December 19, 2012
A Fantastic Holiday Surprise!
Governor Cuomo played Santa for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association this week announcing a $258,750 grant from the Regional Economic Development Council for planning the 11 mile leg of the Trail from its Chatham Village terminus to the Village of Philmont. This award, which is matched by $86,250 in local contributions, will be used to hire a consultant to prepare the design and construction documents for this northern section of the trail, aptly named the Northwest 11.

This week’s grant follows progress on the Copake Falls to Hillsdale segment where design is completed and the cleared but not yet paved trail is scheduled to open for hiking in the near future.

Please be sure to think of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association as you plan your year end donations. As we all continue to work together it won’t be long before our 46 mile dream is a reality.

September 23, 2012
Unfinished Rail Trail opens for sneak preview
Copake Falls, New York – A new, unfinished stretch of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail was opened to the public for a sneak preview Saturday.

The Copake-Falls-to-Hillsdale five-mile extension of the trail, which stretches along a wildflower meadow in sight of the expansive Taconic and Berkshire ranges, is expected to at least partially open in the coming months. more

February 17, 2011
Parks & Trails New York awards capacity building grant to the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association
The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association is one of eight not-for-profit park and trail groups selected to receive a Capacity Building Grant from the statewide advocacy organization, Parks & Trails New York. The awards are designed to help groups increase organizational visibility, generate community support, grow membership, and attract additional volunteers. more

January 06, 2011
Rail Trail extension gathers steam
By Cory Allyn – Staff Reporter - Millerton News
Columbia County — Looking at the village of Millerton as a model, Hillsdale and Copake are hoping that a 5-mile extension of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail will bring a similar boom to the local economy. The towns are seeking to extend the trail from its current terminus in Copake Falls up into the hamlet of Hillsdale. more

October 15, 2010
Columbia Land Conservancy receives grant for design and construction plans for a five-mile rail trail extension linking Copake and Hillsdale.
The Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC), in conjunction with the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association (HVRTA), has received a planning and design grant from New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation for $121,965. The grant will fund preliminary designs and final construction plans for a FIVE-mile addition to the Harlem Valley Rail Trail from the current terminus in Copake Falls into the hamlet of Hillsdale. more

April 08, 2008
Millerton north to Undermountain Road
Update from Dutchess County on PHASE 4

Dear Rail Trail Enthusiast,
Phase IV of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail is being pursued by Dutchess County Government as aggressively as possible. We are currently in the preliminary design phase of Phase IV.

The major milestone we are working towards is the completion of a Final Design Report. The purpose of the Final Design Report is to develop and assess alternatives and their associated environmental impacts, and select a preferred alternative. The Design Report is used to satisfy requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The Design Report is also reviewed by NYSDOT as a necessary step within the federal aid process. Final design cannot begin until these environmental procedures are completed. more

April 16, 2007
Wander the Harlem Valley Rail Trail at Taconic State Park
Copake Falls, New York – April 16, 2007 – The paved Harlem Valley Rail Trail passes through scenic farmland, woodlands, and rolling pastures, and offers those with limited physical ability an opportunity to enjoy the splendor of spring. Park educator, Fran Martino, will lead the group on Monday, April 30th from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. to discover tree buds, early flowers, birds, and other signs of spring along the Rail Trail. more