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Middletown, NY - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced that the National Park Service has agreed to grant an additional year of technical assistance to local and county officials and planners who are working to develop the Middletown Orange Heritage Trail. The goal of the Middletown Orange Heritage Trail is develop an 8-mile extension of the existing 12.5-mile Orange Heritage Trail.
"Having the expertise of National Park Service officials on site to help with the development of the Middletown Orange Heritage Trail has assisted Orange County and the City of Middletown in developing plans for the trail extension and applying for several state grants. The National Park Service's continued involvement in this project will go a long way toward ensuring that this trail is put together in the best way possible," Hinchey said. "This new trail will enhance the lives of
Middletown residents and is going to be something of which we can all be proud."
The Middletown Orange Heritage Trail will tie the city's business district with surrounding neighborhoods and create a means for people to travel to within the city, including children traveling to local parks, without walking on streets or sidewalks. It may also create opportunities for revitalization of vacant city-owned parcels for park or commercial purposes. Outside the city limits, the trail will provide visual access to nearby natural areas such as the Wallkill River and Echo Lake. Last year, the National Park Service awarded the City of Middletown a one year technical assistance grant to help determine how to route the trail, deal with road crossings and other technical matters. The application for technical assistance was submitted by the City of Middletown and Orange Pathways, Inc., the non-profit that has worked to extend the Orange Heritage Trail across Orange County.
Through the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program, the National Park Service helps communities and neighborhoods preserve their important local resources, protect river resources, develop new trails and greenways and create new open space. These projects are locally-led with RTCA staff supporting local recreation and conservation leaders. This year, 41 projects were selected as Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance recipients in the Northeast Region, spanning 14 states across New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
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