On August 5, Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) presented new findings on the Empire State Trail’s economic impact at a press event at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge. Hundreds of cyclists from 26 states on Cycle the Hudson Valley, PTNY’s multi-day group ride, joined local leaders and community members, along with County Executive Jen Metzger and Legislators Debra Clinton and Megan Sperry.
In Ulster County, the trail draws nearly 400,000 visits a year and generates $74 million in annual economic output. Statewide, the figure is $1.87 billion.
“As the study by Parks & Trails New York makes clear, the Empire State Trail delivers enormous economic benefits to our county,” Metzger said in PTNY’s release. “Ulster County is proud to be a premier destination for outdoor recreation, and we’re excited to keep building on this momentum.”
Building the Kingston Ashokan Trail (KAT) would help close the gap between the Ashokan Rail Trail and the Empire State Trail in Kingston.
[Photo: Parks & Trails New York]
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