Local Trails - A Profile
The Capital District has over 100 miles of multi-use trails. These facilities bring recreational and health qualities to the region while also serving as alternative transportation networks. They connect communities and neighborhoods with commercial centers, parks, and jobs. The Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC) is committed to enhancing and expanding this trail network, and reaching out to the public as part of a cooperative planning process.
Below is a brief profile of some of the major local trails in this region. Our work today seeks to help connect these trails and expand the network to where it is most needed. In 2016, the Regional Trail Perspectives project expanded a 2006 Study into how the Capital District and local communities have benefited from these multi-use trails with a survey that collected trail use data and surveyed trail users as well as adjacent landowners. Links to the detailed survey data for each trail are also provided below. |
The map above shows the location of the surveys collected along the nine multi-use paths. VIEW INTERACTIVE MAP.
|
Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail
|
The Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail is an 86-mile trail that connects Albany and Schenectady Counties in New York's Capital district of upstate New York. The trail is part of the state-wide Canalway Trail that follows the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany.
View 2016 Survey Profile |
Zim Smith Trail
|
The Zim Smith Trail is often referred to the "backbone of the county trail system." It is a 9-mile multi-use trail that currently connects Ballston Spa to Coon's Crossing in Halfmoon through the towns of Ballston, Malta, and Clifton Park and the village of Round Lake. It is the only trail in New York State to be designated a National Recreation Trail by the U.S. Department of Interior and National Park Service. An extension of the trail from Coon's Crossing into the City of Mechanicville will be constructed in the near future. For more information about the Zim Smith Trail and other Saratoga County trails visit Saratoga PLAN's website.
View 2016 Survey Profile |
Uncle Sam Bikeway
|
The Uncle Sam Bikeway is a 3-mile multi-use path in Troy. It begins at Middleburgh Street and ends at Northern Drive in Lansingburgh. The bikeway is built on an old railroad roadbed and connects neighborhoods with parks, schools, and various commercial and retail establishments. For more information about the trail, visit the City of Troy Parks & Recreation Department website.
View 2016 Survey Profile |
Albany County Helderberg Rail Trail
|
The Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail converted a 9-mile stretch of railroad between the Port of Albany and the village of Voorheesville to a multi-use trail. This is the newest trail facility in the Capital Region. Currently, the trail is paved from the Port of Albany to Delmar and is expected to be paved all the way to Voorheesville by the end of 2017. For more information about the rail trail, visit the Albany County website.
View 2016 Survey Profile |
Railroad Run
|
Railroad Run is a multi-use trail in Saratoga Springs that connects the West Side neighborhood with the Saratoga Spa State Park. To learn more about Railroad Run visit Saratoga PLAN's website.
View 2016 Survey Profile |
Spring Run Trail
|
The Spring Run Trail is an off-road, multi-use trail in Saratoga Springs. It is located along the Victorian-era railroad bed along the fault line of historic natural springs. The trail can be accessed at East and Excelsior Avenues. For more information about the Spring Run Trail and other trails in Saratoga County visit Saratoga PLAN's website.
View 2016 Survey Profile |
Albany Shaker Trail
|
The Albany Shaker Trail is a paved trail mainly along Albany Shaker and Watervliet Shaker Roads in the Town of Colonie in Albany County. The trail connects to the British American Office Park. For more information contact the Albany County DPW at (518) 765-2055.
View 2016 Survey Profile |
Ballston Veterans Trail
|
The Ballston Veterans Trail is a 3.5-mile multi-use trail built upon the old Schenectady-Saratoga trolley line adjacent to current railroad tracks in the Town of Ballston in Saratoga County. For complete information contact the Town of Ballston at (518) 885-8502.
View 2016 Survey Profile |
Delaware Avenue Trail / Black Bridge
|
The Black Bridge Trail connects the communities of Waterford, Cohoes, and Green Island. As it parallels Delaware Avenue, it is sometimes referred to as the Delaware Avenue Trail. Trail users can access the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center, Champlain Canal Bike Trail and Peebles Island State Park or continue south through Green Island and access the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail. For more information contact the City of Cohoes at (518) 233-2117.
View 2016 Survey Profile |
Contact UsThe Capital District Transportation Committee is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Albany-Schenectady-Troy and Saratoga Springs metropolitan areas. To learn more please visit www.cdtcmpo.org or contact us at [email protected].
|
Resources
|