C

onnections are coming as the Town of Mamakating moves ahead with its long-awaited improvements to its historic canal trail system after the approval and ratification of two state-funded grants amounting to $225,000.

Tuesday night’s regular Town Board meeting saw the town officially ratify agreements tied to funding that will go toward finishing a 1.5-mile stretch of the Delaware & Hudson (D&H) Canal towpath into a fully established pedestrian and bike trail. Said vote formalized an earlier email-based approval to meet time requirements for the grants.

A collaborative effort, this funding is the culmination of years of planning and work between multiple administrations.

“We’re very lucky to have this money coming in,” stated Supervisor Peter Goodman, who noted that the grants were secured through State Senate and Assembly initiatives.

Project details explain that the funding is being split into two parts. One of which, a $100,000 grant, will fund improvements to about 1,500 feet of trail running from Chase School to McCune Place, while a second $125,000 grant focuses on an additional 2,000-foot segment connecting McCune Place to the pre-existing Town Hall trail link.

When finished, the project will connect previously developed portions of the trail and create a longer route connecting residential neighborhoods, the Village of Wurtsboro, municipal facilities, and local businesses.

Now, the town engineer is expected to coordinate with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to secure final permits as bid documents are prepared. Portions of the work are also expected to be handled by the Town Highway Department to assist in controlling costs.

Should no delays arise, construction is expected to begin this year and finish within the same timeframe.

This project builds upon earlier phases in a larger effort funded through federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grants, which solidified key portions at each end of the corridor. These efforts cleared overgrowth, created a link to the Town Government Center and nearby shopping areas, and stabilized sections of the towpath.

According to the town, the remaining portion was delayed partially because of utility work from Orange and Rockland Utilities involving the installation of underground conduits. With said work now complete, the project is able to move forward.

When completed, the path will feature a professionally designed surface expected to last at least 25 years. Plans also include the installation of a geotextile base layer topped with compacted stone and a finished walking surface, creating a wider, level path that meets ADA accessibility requirements.

Outside of recreation, the project is expected to improve safety by providing an alternative to walking or biking along Route 209 while also strengthening connections between important community assets like the Mamakating Library, local parks, the elementary school, and Village Hall.

The trail is also connected to a larger regional network and links with the Shawangunk Ridge Trail, the Long Path, the Mamakating Rail Trail, and the Sullivan O&W Trail.

In terms of historical significance, the D&H Canal, which began construction in 1825 and operated until 1898, once stretched 108 miles and served as a crucial transportation route for coal and other goods. Though long abandoned, the towpath remains largely intact and is now being repurposed once again as a community resource.

The canal trail work is not the only project underway, as the town also provided updates on a separate FEMA-funded effort to repair sections of the O&W Trail damaged by Hurricane Ida. Said project, involving culvert replacements and bridge repairs, is planned to begin next month and continue through October. During that time, portions of the trail will be temporarily closed.

Goodman emphasized that the projects are a key step in expanding recreational access, promoting tourism, and investing in infrastructure benefiting residents and visitors alike.

“There’s been an awful lot of people involved in it,” Goodman said during Tuesday night’s Town Board meeting. “We’re hoping this continues to bring more activity and opportunity into the community.”