Back in 2012, Plattsburgh’s paved, multi-use Saranac River Trail opened and increased accessibility throughout the city for walkers and bicyclists. Now, the city of Plattsburgh is ready to move forward with the next stage of the trail’s development, which will ultimately double its length!
Photo courtesy of Friends of Saranac River Trail
The Saranac River Trail is a 1.3 mile path that connects George Angell Drive at Plattsbugh High School to the Saranac Street Bridge. The trail crosses SUNY Plattsburgh’s campus and Steltzer Road, and then it travels near Pine Street and the Max Moore Memorial Treehouse.
The trail is a “great source of recreation for citizens and visitors,” as Plattburgh State Provost James Liszka told the Press Republican. The scenic route was made to bring the community together, and it links parks, schools, downtown neighborhoods, and other bike paths to one another.
To expand access throughout downtown Plattsburgh even more, the city is preparing to work on the trail’s next stage. City officials have already approved over $2 million to be used as funding for the expansion project, and it will involve two parts of the Saranac River Trail:
First, the city will repair one of the connecting bridges. Once repaired, the trail will go across the bridge and continue along Saranac River to Durkee Street, where a new bridge will connect to downtown Plattsburgh.
Second, another trail will break off behind the Plattsburgh Police Department on Pine Street and end near Stafford Middle School.
In total, the expansions will add roughly 1.5 miles to the existing trail, making the entire trail about 3 miles long. The Friends of Saranac River Trail, the group leading the project’s design process, anticipate the project will be completed by fall 2017. Plattsburgh’s Mayor Calnon told Sun Community News, “I hope it will continue to grow more in the future.”
The mayor’s wishes might come true. The city is also involved in a proposition to develop a 27-mile braided trail through Saranac Valley, which would greatly extend the Saranac River Trail’s reach. However, that project is still in its early stages, and its feasibility is still under consideration.
Sources:
- Sun Community News – City receives over $2 million for Saranac River Trail phase II
- Press Republican – River Trail officially open
- My Champlain Valley – Hearing Planned for Saranac River Trail Greenway
