ITHACA, N.Y. — The South Hill Recreation Way Trail is poised to be extended eight miles thanks to an agreement between NYSEG and the Towns of Ithaca, Dryden, Danby and Caroline.
The popular walking and biking space has been an expansion target for over a decade. The expansion will stretch to the Tompkins County/Tioga County border along the former Ithaca & Owego railroad bed property, which is owned by NYSEG.
Once the extension is complete, it will provide “a direct and safe recreational and commuter pathway between the southeastern part of the county and Ithaca.”
Cornell University students in the Design Connect organization will help design the trail, assessing how to “bring the trail up to full useability,” according to an announcement from the Town of Ithaca.
“The partners believe that the first two legs of the trail extension (Burns to German Cross and German Cross to Banks Roads) can be developed at minimal expense and relatively quickly,” said Joel Gagnon, town supervisor of Danby. “Other legs will follow as funding allows, but this agreement with NYSEG is a hugely positive step forward.”
NYSEG’s CEO Trish Nilsen said the company was “happy” to work with local officials to reach an agreement for the land use.
All the involved municipalities must now hold a public hearing on the issue before considering the recreational easement agreement with NYSEG. Grants will be used for engineering studies, design work and trail construction, with an emphasis placed on avoiding disturbances for the residents who live near the trail’s path.
Caroline Supervisor Mark Witmer, Dryden Town Supervisor Jason Leifer and Ithaca Town Supervisor Rod Howe all celebrated the news.
“Studies consistently show that turning old rail beds into recreation and commuter trails connect communities, promotes recreation, and increases tourism,” Leifer said. “Rail trails improve the quality of life for everyone.”
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