1 Schoharie Creek Trail Concept Plan 1 1 Prepared for Schoharie Area Long Term, Inc. (SALT) Prepared by University at Albany Graduate Planning Studio Spring 2016 Graduate Planning Studio Students Abdullah Alhemyari Kyle Hatch Jamie Konkoski Katie O’Sullivan Matthew Rosenbloom-Jones Schoharie Creek Trail Concept Plan 2 2 Table of Contents I. Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 3 II. Project Context ....................................................................................................................... 5 III. Trail Benefits Analysis ............................................................................................................. 8 IV. Vision Concept ........................................................................................................................ 9 V. Next Steps ............................................................................................................................. 30 VI. Sources .................................................................................................................................. 31 VII. APPENDICES ....................................................................................................................... 33 APPENDIX A: Existing Conditions Report .................................................................................. 34 APPENDIX B: Data Sources and Analysis Methods ................................................................... 66 APPENDIX C: Summary of Community Assets .......................................................................... 72 APPENDIX D: Summary of Trail Support in Existing Planning Documents ............................... 75 APPENDIX E: Trail User Analysis ................................................................................................ 78 APPENDIX F: Opportunities and Challenges Report ................................................................. 85 APPENDIX G: Benefits Analysis Report ..................................................................................... 93 APPENDIX H: Economic Development Summary ...................................................................... 99 APPENDIX I: Collaborative Strategies for Working with Private Landowners ........................ 101 APPENDIX J: Recreational Use Statute .................................................................................... 104 Schoharie Creek Trail Concept Plan 3 3 I. Executive Summary The Schoharie Creek Trail Concept Plan was developed in the spring of 2016 as a Studio Project of the University at Albany’s Masters in Regional Planning Program, in partnership with the organization Schoharie Area Long Term, Inc. (SALT). The purpose of the project was to advance the planning process for a 38-mile trail along the Schoharie Creek from Esperance to Blenheim – a concept that has been coalescing for decades to enhance resilience, recreational opportunities, and economic development in the Schoharie Valley. The Studio completed three tasks: 1) conducted a public involvement process, 2) developed baseline data for the vision plan based on analysis of existing conditions, as well as opportunities and challenges, and 3) developed a Vision Plan for a trail through the Schoharie Valley. The Vision Plan presents three alternative regional trail concepts: Shared-use Trail: a hard surface path separated from traffic, following the Creek. Creekside Trail + Blue-way: a natural surface trail closely follows the creek, where a Blue- way “water trail” is emphasized north of the Cobleskill. Creek access points are enhanced with boat launches, way-finding, and information kiosks. Custom Fit Trail: applies different trail types, including hard surface, natural surface, hilltop hiking trail, and blue-way “water trail”, to different corridor sections according to where they are most desired and/or feasible. This alternative is recommended by the Studio, and is shown on the next page. All alternatives provide a variety of user experiences for visitors and residents, treating the trail as a regional connector, and the Village Centers as trail gateways. Village Center Concepts for Esperance, Schoharie, Middleburgh, and Blenheim follow the regional alternatives to integrate the Custom Fit Trail vision into specific assets and destinations in the corridor. Supporting analyses for the Vision Plan are provided in the appendices of this report, and include the baseline existing conditions report, a community assets inventory, review of existing planning documents, trail user survey analysis, an opportunities and challenges report (including a summary of public input), trail benefits analysis, an economic development summary, collaborative strategies for working with landowners, and a copy of New York State’s Recreational Use Statute. Going forward, SALT will coordinate a formal Schoharie Creek Trail Feasibility Study, working closely with the Schoharie County Planning and Development Agency, as well as other agencies, organizations, and individuals. The Existing Conditions Report and Vision Plan developed by this studio group serve as resources for the Feasibility Study and for promoting the trail concept throughout the region. Schoharie Creek Trail Concept Plan 4 4 Custom Fit Trail Description: • Applies different trail types according to the corridor sections where they are most appropriate. • Natural surface, on-street, multi- use path, hilltop hiking trail. • Paved path between Schoharie and Middleburgh makes use of abandoned railroad ROW as well as linear utility parcels. • Blue-way emphasized in Schoharie Creek first North of Central Bridge (where water levels are highest), followed by the section south to Middleburgh. • Phased Implementation Opportunities: • Provides “best fit” trail to physical constraints and recreation interests • Will likely maximize the amenities offered by the trail for investment in construction and maintenance Challenges: • May seem dis-jointed through the corridor. • Limits some uses to particular sections. Visitor Experience: Visitors can target their daily itineraries based on preferred activities and destinations of interest, using village centers as trailheads and to access services. Water recreation in the northern half of the corridor is complemented by hill-top hiking opportunities in the south, accessing state forests on the east side of the Creek. The path will connect with the Long Path in the Village of Middleburgh and Mine Kill State Park, creating an opportunity for visitors to hike a loop around the southern section of the creek’s hilltops. A hard surface path between Middleburgh and Schoharie will provide a direct, safe accessible connection between these major activity centers. Schoharie Creek Trail Concept Plan 5 5 II. Project Context The Schoharie Creek Trail project was conceived in order to meet three complimentary goals: mitigation, conservation, and recreation. The Valley was significantly damaged by Tropical Storm Irene, a 500 year flood event that occurred in August 2011. The trail project integrates flood mitigation with quality of life and ecological concerns in a vision that promotes the economic and social revitalization of the communities in the Schoharie Creek basin. The project is coordinated by Schoharie Area Long Term Recovery (SALT) as an effort to not only revitalize communities, but increase their resiliency. Creating resiliency is like putting together pieces of a puzzle. Housing, jobs, farms, residents, community services and recreation are each a piece of the puzzle. One way to create a more resilient community is to strengthen and diversify the existing social and economic elements of the community. A trail along the Schoharie Creek offers a way to diversify the economy through tourism and expand recreation opportunities for residents thereby adding to the quality of life that will help attract and retain residents in the region. The trail can be one of the puzzle pieces that contribute to the revitalization and improved resiliency of the Schoharie Valley. SALT’s goal is to develop a concept plan for a roughly 38 mile shared use trail along the Schoharie Creek that can be used for walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, water craft and equestrians. The proposed trail will connect the hamlets of and villages of Blenheim, Breakabeen, Fultonham, Middleburgh, Schoharie, Central Bridge, and Esperance, and would branch off to connect to commercial and residential centers. The purpose of the UAlbany Graduate Planning Studio project is to create a vision for the trail that will support community resiliency and help transform the creek from a threat to an opportunity. The studio completed three tasks. 1) Conduct a public involvement process. The studio group coordinated three listening sessions in February and March of 2016. An online and paper form was developed to gather input about the opportunities, challenges, and important destinations that should be considered in the trail vision. Respondents were provided with a blank map of the Schoharie Valley, and were asked to draw their vision for the trail directly on it. The studio group additionally used an online interactive map as a repository for regional assets and destinations to inform the trail vision. The studio group additionally analyzed online survey data previously collected by SALT about activities of interest in connection with a trail. Schoharie Creek Trail Concept Plan