New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Announces Economic Impact Analysis of Proposed Catskill Mountain Rail Trail

KINGSTON, NY: On Monday, June 17th, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference released a study entitled Catskill Mountain Rail Trail: Economic & Fiscal Impact Analysis. The study, conducted by Camoin Associates, was commissioned with support from Ulster County Businessman Sean Eldridge and The Dyson Foundation. The proposed 32 to 38 mile trail would connect the city of Kingston with Belleayre Ski Resort in Ulster County, with the goal of creating a world class tourist destination that enhances the current recreational resources in the Catskill Mountain Region.

 

"Recreational trails like the proposed Catskill Mountain Rail Tail are not only popular, they provide significant economic benefits for the county and state," said Edward Goodell, Executive Director of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. "There is no doubt that this rail trail will be a tourism destination and enhance the current recreational resources in the Catskills while generating sales and jobs for small businesses right here in Ulster County. For the first time, this rigorous study provides the public with hard facts about the economic benefits this trail development will bring.”

 

The Trail Conference is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been at the forefront of public access conservation efforts for the past 92 years. Over 1,000 Trail Conference volunteers donate over 70,000 hours of work annually, building and maintaining 2,000 miles of trails, including 200 miles of trails and 29 shelters in the Catskills. The Trail Conference also develops and publishes high-quality maps and books that provide people with information they need to responsibly access and enjoy the bountiful open space found in this region.